meet our EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP AND board
GUIDED BY VISION.
ROOTED IN COMMUNITY.
Our EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
As Executive Director, Fawn is building upon the strong foundation established by NBWU's founders, Board of Directors, donors, volunteers, and community partners. She is leading efforts to strengthen the organization's capacity, expand statewide partnerships, and increase access to opportunities and resources that empower Black women across Nebraska.
Fawn is honored to serve Nebraska Black Women United and looks forward to connecting with the supporters who have helped make the organization's growth possible. She is committed to working alongside donors, partners, members, and volunteers to continue advancing NBWU's mission and expanding opportunities for Black women throughout the state.
FAWN TAYLOR
OUR BOARD
CarmeN Tapio
Carmen is a transformative leader and builder of all things business, people, and community is no novice. With a few phone calls—her own humble take on its inception—Carmen ignited the formation of Nebraska Black Women United. From that small spark, a fire roared, and today NBWU is an 800-strong, purpose-driven organization empowering black women across the state and beyond.
Carmen Tapio is the Founder and CEO of North End Teleservices—the largest African American-owned business in the state. Under her leadership North End Teleservices has injected over 600 million dollars into Nebraska’s economy.
Carmen believes that a rising tide lifts all boats, focusing her energy and efforts on advancing the lives of others by creating pathways to fully participate in the economy, enabling choice and legacy building.
Board Chair
JOANNA LEFLORE-EJIKE
JoAnna offers a thoughtful approach to historic preservation with more than 15 years of leadership in nonprofit administration, cultural arts programming and community development. She is the Executive Director of the Malcolm X Memorial Foundation since 2022 and after volunteering there for 10 years prior. She is the 2025 USA Today's Woman of the Year (for Nebraska) and a 2025 Urban League of Nebraska African American Leadership Awardee. She believes in empowering those who are hungry to build a better community and live in their purpose; and is grateful to the village that helped raise her consciousness as a Black Woman. JoAnna holds a Master's in Managerial Communication from Bellevue University and a Bachelor's in Journalism and PR from the University of Nebraska Omaha.
Treasurer
TUNESE GOODWIN
Tunese believes that leadership is not solely defined by strong systems, but by the care and intention given to the people those systems serve. With a career spanning over 35 years, she has learned to balance operational responsibility with genuine human connection. An educator, entrepreneur, and founder of a professional product line, Tunese’s professional roots are in the beauty industry, where teaching, mentorship, and hands-on leadership are essential. She views accountability and stewardship not as rigid constraints, but as supportive frameworks, bringing practical insight, creative insight, and compassion to every place she serves, lending her time, talent, and resources to non-profit organizations. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Bellevue University.
Secretary
Camelea is the Chief of Staff to the CEO at North End Teleservices and a strategic architect of operational excellence. Her professional journey—ascending from an entry-level administrative assistant to a trusted executive advisor—serves as a powerful blueprint for the next generation of Black women leaders. With over a decade of experience, Camelea specializes in synthesizing complex information and aligning strategic priorities to amplify organizational impact. A passionate advocate for mentorship and diversity, she is dedicated to proving that executive leadership is accessible to those who lead with compassion, integrity, and excellence. Having been mentored into leadership herself, she now champions the professional development of minority women, advocating for systemic access to the C-suite.