Our Team
Deajah Baskin- Founder & Director
Deajah is the Founder and Executive Director of Building Beyond Bars. Her passion for this work is deeply rooted in her own lived experience. During the eight years her mother was incarcerated, Deajah carried both financial and emotional responsibilities well beyond her age; working as a teenager to purchase food, supplies, and stamps so she and her mother could remain connected through letters. Despite the challenges, she turned this hardship into resilience and purpose.
Along her journey, Deajah was fortunate to connect with mentors who guided her toward educational and professional opportunities. With their support, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Child and Family Studies from Berea College in 2021, and she is currently pursuing her Master’s in Public Administration with a focus on Nonprofit Management at the University of Cincinnati, set to graduate in 2026. These achievements were made possible through scholarships and grants, inspiring her commitment to ensuring that others have access to the same kind of guidance and resources. She also earned her Life Coaching Certification in 2025, equipping her to provide individualized support and mentorship.
Professionally, Deajah has built a diverse background in public service, working as a childcare worker, outreach coordinator, family service worker, housing specialist, and training and engagement coordinator. Across these roles, she has developed expertise in program development, resource coordination, and community engagement, all grounded in compassion and strategy.
In 2025, she founded Building Beyond Bars with a clear mission: to provide mentorship, resources, and opportunities for children navigating the challenges of parental incarceration. Drawing from her personal story and professional experience, Deajah believes that every child deserves the encouragement, stability, and opportunities needed to break cycles and build meaningful futures.
Maya Blumenberg- Board Chair
Maya is a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Adolescent Counseling. Her professional experience spans work in juvenile detention, children’s services, and with foster youth in Hamilton County, providing her with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by at-risk adolescents. She is dedicated to fostering supportive environments, building authentic relationships, and guiding youth to recognize their strengths and potential. Through her work, Maya emphasizes the importance of resilience, mentorship, and empowerment in promoting positive developmental outcomes and long-term success for the young people she serves..
Julian Hill- Board Member Vice Chair
Julian Hill is a 2024 graduate of the University of Cincinnati with degrees in Marketing and English from Toledo, OH. He is also pursuing his Master’s of Public Administration. His professional experience spans the Nonprofit, Higher Education, Corporate, and Creative Agency sectors with the bulk of his experience in the experience space. Prior to his current role of Assistant Director of Stewardship for the University of Cincinnati Foundation, Julian worked for KeyBank as a Client & Employee Experience analyst where he led research projects aimed at identifying opportunities for enhancing the touchpoints and experiences at the bank for employees and clients, alike. In current role, he fosters donor engagement through impact reporting, unique experiences, and connecting donors with their beneficiaries, ultimately helping to secure scholarships and departmental funding.
George is a corporate research analyst at MIT where he specializes in corporate prospect development and due diligence work. Prior to that, George worked at The Ohio State University as a prospect management consultant. George began his career in prospect development at Mount St Joseph University in Cincinnati, Ohio. Prior to his prospect development career, George did a year of national service through the AmeriCorps NCCC program. He has a BA in political science and is pursuing a master’s in public administration from the University of Cincinnati.
George Tabet-Board Member Treasurer
R’Mon Harvell was born and raised in inner-city Cleveland, Ohio, to a single mother, and defied societal expectations by forging a remarkable path into adulthood grounded in resilience and ambition. Recognizing early on that education could elevate his life, he became a distinguished alumnus of Berea College, where he studied Marketing and Finance with a minor in African and African American Studies. Beyond academics, R’Mon’s insatiable curiosity serves as a continual source of inspiration. His study abroad experiences in Ghana and Chiang Mai, Thailand, deepened his appreciation for diverse cultures and broadened his global perspective. Currently serving as a Project Management Analyst at Citi Bank, R’Mon navigates the complexities of the financial industry by leading high-stakes projects, conducting sophisticated problem analysis, and building lasting partnerships. He envisions a seamless integration of finance and technology and is driven to motivate and empower others to leverage these tools, fostering understanding, personal transformation, and long-term prosperity for future generations.