Meet Our Leadership Team

Dalonta Crudup is a visionary leader, dedicated activist, and dynamic community advocate who founded Heartfelt Heroes with a mission to empower at-risk youth in Washington, DC. Drawing on his lived experiences of overcoming hardship, Dalonta has transformed personal adversity into a lifelong commitment to creating positive change. His passion for youth advocacy, mental health, and community development serves as the driving force behind the organization's core programs.

Born and raised in DC, Dalonta faced significant challenges early in life, including parental incarceration and the instability of foster care. Despite these obstacles, he forged a path forward through resilience, self-determination, and the mentorship that helped him rebuild his life. His formative years shaped his belief in the power of support systems and the importance of providing youth with opportunities to thrive.

Dalonta’s journey has not been without continued adversity. After returning to DC, he faced ongoing struggles with the justice system and became a victim of police brutality in Miami, a traumatic experience that left him living with PTSD, depression, and anxiety. This harrowing incident only deepened his resolve to advocate for justice and equality, particularly for those who, like him, are often targeted by systemic bias. He has long been a vocal advocate for police accountability and reform, shedding light on the unethical means used to detain and oppress marginalized communities. His personal story of survival and activism underscores his commitment to creating safe, equitable spaces for all.

A strong believer in grassroots change, Dalonta is more than a nonprofit founder, he’s an activist, a mentor, and a voice for the voiceless. Whether advocating for youth violence prevention, promoting trauma-informed mental health care, or fostering safe communities, his work is grounded in compassion, personal experience, and an unyielding drive to uplift those around him.

In addition to his role as Founder, Dalonta is also a devoted father, community leader, and public speaker. His story has inspired many and continues to fuel Heartfelt Heroes’ mission to offer mentorship, mental health support, and community engagement opportunities to underserved youth.

Dalonta believes that every young person deserves a chance to rewrite their narrative, and he is committed to ensuring they have the resources, guidance, and encouragement to do so.

Tiana Ray, Chief Operating Officer of Heartfelt Heroes, is a dedicated leader with a passion for empowering at-risk youth and breaking cycles of hardship in Washington, DC. She brings a wealth of experience in operations, finances, communications, and program development to the organization, ensuring that every initiative is executed with precision and impact.

Tiana holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a focus on Criminal Justice from Bowie State University, and a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management from The Catholic University of America. Currently, she is expanding her expertise by pursuing a Graduate Certificate in Paralegal Studies at George Washington University. Her career has been defined by a commitment to mitigating recidivism, fostering career growth, and helping others develop the skills needed to succeed.

Tiana’s strength and resilience are deeply rooted in her life experiences. After losing her father to suicide at the age of three and experiencing emotional abandonment from her mother, she was raised by her maternal grandparents, who instilled in her the core values of integrity, respect, and resilience. From a young age, they taught her the importance of self-reliance, responsibility, and entrepreneurship. These lessons shaped Tiana into a determined, solution-oriented leader whom others consistently seek out for advice and guidance, no matter the challenge.

Despite facing personal struggles, including dyslexia and epilepsy, Tiana has never allowed adversity to define her. She learned early on, after witnessing her mother’s struggles with unstable employment, the value of stability and self-sufficiency. Over the years, her mentors taught her critical career-building skills, and since 2010, she has been helping others with their professional growth by offering guidance on job searches, interviews, and career advancement.

Tiana’s dedication to helping others succeed extends beyond her professional career. At Heartfelt Heroes, she applies her extensive skill set in strategic planning, funds management, and program development to create lasting, positive change for youth in the community. Her personal journey of overcoming life’s obstacles serves as a source of inspiration for those she works with, reminding them that adversity can be transformed into opportunity.

With her unwavering commitment to leadership, personal development, and youth empowerment, Tiana is not only shaping the future of Heartfelt Heroes but also the lives of countless young people in Washington, DC.