SPYS Team
DR. TRACINE ASBERRY
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Location: Minnesota
Dr. Asberry is a former elected member of the Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) Board of Education, where she prioritized community outreach, best practices, and achieving excellent, equitable outcomes for all students. Tracine taught English/Language Arts at an MPS middle school for nearly 10 years, during which time she earned her Master’s in Education from the University of St. Thomas (UST). She completed her doctorate in Critical Pedagogy at UST as part of her Bush Leadership Fellowship. Dr. Asberry is a past director of the African American Academy for Accelerated Learning in St. Paul, has taught at local college and university Teacher Preparation Programs for 5 years and was appointed to the Board of School Administrators by former Governor Mark Dayton. Tracine grew up in Detroit, Michigan as the youngest of 8, and is the proud mother of three. Click here to learn more about Dr. Asberry.
PROGRAM Team
Behavior Intervention Program (BIP):
VINCENT JACKSON
BEHAVIOR INTERVENTION PROGRAM SPECIALIST
Location: Minnesota
I was drawn to SPYS because of its commitment to empowering young people. I’m dedicated to helping youth build the social, emotional, and academic skills they need to thrive. Through my work as an educator and coach, I’ve learned the importance of meeting students where they are, especially when they’re facing behavioral challenges. I believe behavior is a form of communication, often rooted in unmet needs, and with the right tools and support, every youth has the potential to succeed.
YouthPowerMN℠ Leaders
WINTER 2025 YOUTHPOWERMN℠ LEADERS COMING SOON…
Resource Development Plan Team
TING WANG
YOUTH PROGRAMS & RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT PLAN MANAGER
Location: Minnesota
"I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept."
- Angela Davis
ELLEN DAVIS
GRANTWRITER Consultant
Location: Minnesota
What drew me to SPYS is the way SPYS flips the normal script on youth programs- like the YouthPowerMN vision of changing systems instead changing kids- and the way SPYS challenges adults to change our own practices to champion youth.
ELIJAH NORRIS-HOLLIDAY
Community Consultant
Location: Minnesota
“The child who is not embraced by the village will burn it down to feel its warmth.”
-African Proverb
AARON SOULE
BOOKKEEPER consultant
Location: Minnesota
I admire, respect, and align with SPYS values, and fully believe that the sky is the limit with each youth. My heart is in the work of SPYS, knowing that the vision is to offer hope and opportunity to all youth. The youth of St. Paul have something special in SPYS where no matter their background or past situations, there is a team devoted to their success who are there to coach, cheer, and hold them accountable as they achieve their goals. Although my role is behind the scenes, I consider it a privilege to serve on a team with our highly skilled program members who are deeply passionate about working with our youth.
WILLIE SUTTLE
Facility Maintenance Provider
Location: Minnesota
I've had the pleasure of providing services to SPYS for many years, beginning back in 1987. That's when SPYS was located on Marshall near Snelling Avenue in St. Paul and before it moved to Arcade Street, then it's current location on Wilson Avenue. In addition to maintenance services, I've worked with hundreds of youth completing community services through the SPYS Diversion program. I will ALWAYS have fond memories of my affiliation with SPYS.
Special Projects Team
Dominica Asberry-Lindquist
Special Projects Consultant
Location: Minnesota
"It’s not about what you have or even what you’ve accomplished. It’s about what you’ve done with those accomplishments. It’s about who you’ve lifted up, who you’ve made better. - Denzel Washington
Farrington Asberry-Lindquist
Special Projects Consultant
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Quote: "One of the most vital ways we sustain ourselves is by building communities of resistance, places where we know we are not alone." - bell hooks