Nice To Meet You!

Welcome to Roots of Resilience Collective (ROFRC)! 

Thank you for supporting our up-and-coming nonprofit. We’re excited to share more about ROFRC, the vision behind it, and the incredible team that brought it to life. 

ROFRC was originally the brainchild of our CEO, Thimery Wimmer. One evening, while reminiscing with friends, she recalled a pivotal influence from her youth: a dedicated NAACP volunteer named Flora Lee. Flora Lee traveled to schools across Sioux City, IA ensuring that Black students learned their true history—beyond the sanitized versions taught in classrooms. She educated young minds about the Jim Crow era, slavery, systemic racism, and the deep roots of Black resilience. Her work left a lasting impact on Thimery, instilling a passion for education and empowerment. 

As Thimery and her friends reflected on the ongoing challenges Black people continue to face—in healthcare, education, professional spaces, and beyond—she expressed her long-standing dream of creating a space to address these issues. But she knew she couldn’t do it alone. That’s where Taelyr Mann and Jaden-Lynn Logan stepped in. The three of them were later joined by Tenda Helman, whose belief in the mission and goals of ROFRC inspired her to lend her incredible human resources expertise to the team. Tenda’s addition ensured that the organization would be well-equipped to thrive and grow, creating a competitive entity dedicated to supporting the Black community  

With strong backgrounds in education, business analytics, and human resources Taelyr,  Jaden-Lynn, and Tenda joined forces with Thimery to shape ROFRC into what it is today: a collective built for Black people, by Black people. Together, we are committed to tackling the systemic barriers that affect our community, advocating for change, and fostering a space where Black voices, history, and futures are prioritized. 

Our Mission & Vision 

At Roots of Resilience Collective, our mission was crafted with deep purpose, insight, and heart—to get to the root (see what we did there?) of the challenges facing the Black community. We are dedicated to empowering and uplifting Black individuals and families by providing comprehensive resources and support across all aspects of life. Our goal is to create a holistic, one-stop hub that fosters education, advocacy, and community connection. By ensuring access to the tools needed to thrive, heal, and succeed, we aim to break barriers and build a stronger foundation for the future. 

Our vision is simple but powerful: to cultivate a resilient, informed, and interconnected Black community—paving the way for collective empowerment and lasting change 

Our Values and Goals 

When we first set out to create ROFRC, we knew we were taking on a monumental task. There was so much we wanted to address, and we were clear on the values that were crucial to our mission. These values led to the formation of our goals. The values we embrace are deeply rooted in Black culture—values that have often been denied or overlooked. These include: 

• Empowerment through Knowledge 
• Cultural Relevance 
• Equity 
• Healing 
• Justice and Fairness 
• Community Power 
• Health and Wellness 
• Prevention through Action 
• Inclusivity 
• Collective Strength 
• Collaboration 
• Belonging 
• Empowerment through Skills 
• Economic Self-Sufficiency 
• Opportunity Access 
• Accountability 
• Education for Change 

Each of these values is essential to the well-being of the Black community and plays a critical role in guiding our goals. These goals include Educational Support, Policy Awareness and Advocacy, Community Building, Employment Training, and DEI Initiatives. Together, they form a holistic approach to addressing the needs and aspirations of our community, fostering lasting change and collective empowerment. 

In order to tackle this monumental task, we know that we have a lot to do in 2025. We are currently in the process of establishing our non-profit. This includes completing the articles of incorporation, applying for non-profit status, building up the internal structure of ROFRC, and seeking out individuals who share our vision and are willing to add their voices to our collective mission. 

Meet the ROFRC Team! 

Please meet our fabulous team of black women who have been paramount in its creation!  

Thimery Wimmer is the Chief Executive Officer & Advocate and a passionate co-founder of Roots of Resilience Collective. As CEO, she leads the organization’s efforts to empower Black communities through social justice initiatives, focusing on creating lasting opportunities for Black children and families. Thimery is deeply committed to dismantling systemic barriers and ensuring equitable access to resources for Black communities. With a background in child welfare and as a Certified Trauma Specialist, she spearheads the development of professional training within ROFRC, including training programs addressing historical trauma to help communities understand its impact and promote healing. Thimery’s vision for ROFRC is to advocate for policies, build partnerships, and create programs that foster long-term economic, social, and educational success for Black children and families. 

Jaden-Lynn Logan is the Chief Entrepreneurship & Digital Strategy Officer and co-founder of Roots of Resilience Collective, where she leads efforts to empower Black entrepreneurs, expand digital accessibility, and advocate for policy change. With a background in business analytics and data intelligence, Jaden-Lynn applies data-driven strategies to create entrepreneurial ecosystems, provide digital resources, and remove systemic barriers for Black business owners. She also leverages her experience as an educator to advocate for inclusive policies and expand access to funding and digital tools, ensuring long-term success for Black entrepreneurs. 

Taelyr Mann is the Chief Education Strategist and co-founder of Roots of Resilience Collective, is a passionate advocate for Black children and families, with a strong foundation in early childhood education. With years of experience as an early childhood education teacher, she has created innovative curricula focused on early childhood development, social-emotional skills, and inclusive education practices. Her deep understanding of special education informs her work, ensuring that all children, regardless of their background or ability, have the tools and support they need to succeed. As ROFRC continues to grow, she looks forward to supervising education advocates and empowering them to advocate for educational equity, championing policies and practices that address systemic barriers and promote the success of Black children in the education system. Her work is rooted in her lived experiences, driving her unwavering commitment to uplifting and advocating for the Black community. 

Tenda Helman is the Chief Culture Officer at Roots of Resilience Collective, where she champions equity and inclusion, striving to create spaces where all individuals feel seen, heard, and valued. With a background in Business Administration and Psychology, Tenda combines her professional expertise and lived experiences to advocate for marginalized communities. She is deeply committed to fostering inclusive policies and building workplaces where diversity thrives, ensuring that people, especially people of color, can truly flourish. 

What can you do to help? 

So, how can you help support Roots of Resilience? We’re so glad you asked! Here’s how you can make a difference: 

• Spread the word about our mission and what we’re striving to accomplish. 
• Visit our website(rofrc.org) and subscribe to our newsletters to stay informed. 
• Like and follow our Facebook page to stay connected with our community. 
• Help us expand our reach by identifying individuals who can contribute their expertise, such as those with experience in fundraising, community building, or other relevant areas. 

We are also actively seeking recommendations for board members. If you know someone who is part of the Black community and resides in any of the following counties, please have them reach out to us at [email protected]: 

• Woodbury County 
• Monona County 
• Pottawattamie County 
• Douglas County 
• Sarpy County 
• Dakota County 

Your support is invaluable as we work together to create lasting change. 

We’re just getting started, and we’re so grateful to have you on this journey with us!