Darion Knight is the founder and president of the Windy City Invitational Gymnastics Foundation — a leader, husband, father, author of “Did I Make You Proud”, and visionary dedicated to creating opportunity where others see obstacles.
Together with his wife, Jillian Knight, co-owner of both Prairie Gymnastics Club and the Windy City Invitational, Darion has built more than programs and competitions — he’s built a movement rooted in community, inclusion, and belief. Through their shared passion, they’ve created spaces where young athletes can grow not only as gymnasts, but as confident individuals ready to take on the world.
As the driving force behind the Windy City Invitational at Chicago’s Navy Pier, Darion has turned his lifelong love for gymnastics into a platform that uplifts youth — particularly African American athletes from Chicago’s inner-city communities — helping them discover their strength, discipline, and potential.
Darion’s vision for the WCI Gymnastics Foundation is deeply personal. He understands the challenges many young people face and works tirelessly to ensure that every child, regardless of background, has the chance to compete, learn, and shine. His leadership is guided by purpose, perseverance, and heart.
At the center of it all is family. With Jillian by his side and their daughter, Olivia, as his greatest motivation, Darion continues to build not only champions on the competition floor — but leaders, dreamers, and believers in life.
With a master’s degree in social work, Jillian is a life skills specialist dedicated to helping children and adolescents reach their full potential. She has extensive experience counseling at-risk youth, mentoring foster children, and conducting program evaluations through her work with the Aurora Police Department and Communities in Schools. Jillian’s focus on goal-setting, self-esteem building, and problem-solving equips the Foundation with the tools to ensure program effectiveness and long-term participant success.
With over 22 years of experience as an Administrative Operations Supervisor in Pretrial Services and a longstanding commitment to community engagement, Anniece brings strong leadership and organizational expertise to the board. She has managed inclusive housing for the Deaf and Hearing-impaired community, served as a leader in Toastmasters International, and volunteered extensively with the Chicago Festival Association. As Senior Innovations Manager at SHE Publishing LLC, Anniece excels in strategic growth and creative outreach, bringing valuable insight to the Foundation’s community engagement strategies.
A Chicago native and accomplished leader, Shenitha is the CEO and Founder of SHE PUBLISHING LLC and has over 25 years of experience in the Federal Judiciary. Her publishing company has given a platform to over 50 authors and provides annual opportunities for young writers to publish their work at no cost. Shenitha’s dedication to empowering youth through both storytelling and athletics strengthens the Foundation’s mission of building confidence, discipline, and opportunity for the next generation.
Is an Emmy-nominated filmmaker based in Chicago with a passion for storytelling and community impact. A graduate of Columbia College Chicago, where he studied directing and producing, Jon gained early experience on major film sets such as Ali and Barbershop 2. Inspired by mentors and fellow Columbia alumni, he co-founded JR2 Films and went on to produce and star in numerous independent projects.
His documentary Mound Bayou: Jewel of the Delta earned multiple festival awards, and in 2014 Jon was honored with an Emmy nomination from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Midwest/Chicago chapter. In 2020, he founded Somebody’s Nobody Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to helping young artists navigate the film industry, reflecting his commitment to opening doors for the next generation of creatives.
A former NCAA Division I gymnast, certified gymnastics judge, and proud alumnus of the Windy City gymnastics community, Justin brings over two decades of experience as both an athlete and mentor. His personal journey from program participant to board member reflects the transformative power of gymnastics. In addition to his athletic background, Justin is an entrepreneur, family man, and future law enforcement officer with a deep commitment to service and leadership.
Ahmand Smith is a driven entrepreneur and co-owner of R.B. Pest Solutions, a leading pest control company serving the Chicagoland area. He plays a key role in business growth, customer relations, and ensuring families and businesses receive safe, effective pest management services.
Beyond business, Ahmand is also an author of an inspiring children’s book series that encourages young readers to dream big, build confidence, and embrace their imagination. His work reflects a passion for empowering youth and strengthening communities through both service and storytelling
