A few words
About Us
History
Our story starts way back
Founded in 2006, iCAN is a 501(c)(3) organization that began with a primary focus on designing programs for teenage mothers. We aimed to provide them with the necessary resources to succeed as parents. However, as these young women aged out of our program, we identified a need for ongoing support to assist with their life and parenting challenges. Responding to this, iCAN expanded its scope to offer programs and services to youth and young adults throughout the metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia area. Our mission is to transform lives through development and leadership. As an organization, we firmly believe in the power of community and shared responsibility. Together, we can make a difference.
Our Executive Team
Executive Director & Founder
Shadonna Davis, LCSW, PhD
Founder & CEO
Shadonna, the visionary behind iCAN, found her calling in 2000 when she decided to dedicate her life to supporting teenage mothers. Having been a teenage mother herself, Shadonna had a vision to provide these young mothers with the resources they needed to enhance their children’s quality of life.
One of iCAN’s landmark parenting programs was born out of a group session Shadonna ran, teaching teenage mothers essential parenting skills. During one such session, she discovered that one of the mothers had no interest in reading. This sparked Shadonna to initiate a challenge that would soon evolve into a book club called Literacy Enrichment and Artistry Development (LEAD). This program not only promotes literacy but also encourages creative expression.
Since the establishment of iCAN, a 501(c)3 organization, Shadonna has used her expertise as a researcher and practitioner to develop evidence-based programs. These programs are built upon the findings from numerous research projects she conducted with youth. Specializing in youth development, child welfare, family engagement, and transformative education, Shadonna holds a Doctorate in Educational Policy Studies with a concentration in Social Foundations from Georgia State University. She also earned her undergraduate degree in Business Administration and a Master of Social Work Degree from the same institution.
Shadonna’s research delves into service learning, culturally relevant interventions, and youth participatory action research. Recently, she spearheaded two youth-led projects: ‘Books not Bars’ and ‘WKI (Who Knows It)’, enabling a team of urban youth to explore and resolve school and community issues. In addition to her academic achievements, Shadonna is also a licensed clinical social worker.
Achievements
- WKI Project