The Guardians of Youth Foundation
Protect Young Lives. Prevent Meningitis.
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ABOUT US:
The Guardians Of Youth Foundation is a meningitis awareness nonprofit dedicated to protecting young people and their families through education, advocacy, and community support. We share clear, trustworthy information about the signs, risks, and prevention of meningitis so that students, parents, and caregivers can recognize symptoms early, seek care quickly, and make informed choices about their health.
We are guided by compassion, education, and action. We honor the lives impacted by meningitis by listening to families’ stories and meeting communities where they are. We believe that clear, accessible information can save lives, and we work to empower young people, their families, and their schools to recognize symptoms early and seek help without hesitation.
OUR STORY:
Saniah Taylor was a third-year psychology student at Clark Atlanta University. On March 10, 2024, she laid down to rest from what she believed was a sinus infection. Tragically, the infection had already progressed to Bacterial Meningitis, and she did not wake up. She was just 20 years old. This foundation was created in Saniah’s honor to help prevent similar tragedies. We are dedicated to teaching students, families, and communities how to recognize meningitis symptoms early, seek care quickly, and take steps to protect themselves before it’s too late.
We advocate nationwide but have active awareness hubs in the following locations
Houston, TX
Milwaukee, WI
Atlanta, GA
Miami, FL
ABOUT US
Our Team. Our Vision.
We envision a world where every young person and their family understand the signs of Meningitis, has access to life‑saving information, and is empowered to act quickly so preventable loss of life is eliminated, and more students can live full, healthy futures.
Sharniece Jamison
Founder, Executive Director
Sharniece established our foundation to honor her daughter, Saniah Taylor, turning her personal grief into a mission for meningitis awareness. An MBA candidate with a B.S. in Business and 13 years in corporate governance, she leads with heart and expertise.
Shaun Curry
Executive Director
Shaun Curry is a dynamic entrepreneur with a strong legal background and a passion for purpose-driven work. With nearly 30 years of experience in law, real estate, and business development, she has built a career centered on strategy, advocacy, and empowerment. As a director of the Guardians of Youth Foundation, Shaun is committed to advancing initiatives that protect, educate, and empower young people, combining her legal insight with her passion for community impact.
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Tunisha Merritt
Executive Director
Tunisha brings expertise in regulatory compliance, risk management, and governance as a Vice President, Enterprise Compliance & Operational Risk Analyst. She is dedicated to building sustainable, accountable frameworks that support organizations in operating with integrity and long-term impact.
As director for The Guardians of Youth Foundation, Tunisha supports the organization through strategic oversight and a commitment to advancing awareness and education around meningococcal disease
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Richard Vasquez
Executive Director
Richard Vasquez brings over 12 years of experience in client relations across multiple industries. He specializes in driving customer satisfaction, product adoption, and long-term retention. Richard has a strong track record of leading complex integrations, aligning cross-functional teams, and building trusted relationships with executive stakeholders.
Beyond his professional work, he is passionate about community impact and serves as a youth football coach, mentoring young athletes both on and off the field. As a member of the Guardians of Youth Board of Directors, Richard is committed to helping create meaningful opportunities for the next generation.
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Fatima Carter
Director of Nursing
Fatima Carter is a Pediatric Nurse and Board Member dedicated to improving the health and well-being of children through education, advocacy, and community engagement.
With over 21 years of experience and a background in pediatric travel nursing, Fatima has cared for children in a variety of healthcare settings, bringing both clinical expertise and compassion to her work. She currently serves as a school nurse, where she focuses on prevention, early intervention, and empowering families through health education.
Inspired by the foundation’s mission, Fatima is passionate about raising awareness of meningitis and helping prevent avoidable loss through education and advocacy.