About the founder
Maendeleo Jacobs, M.Ed.
Founder & President
The name Maendeleo comes from one of twelve Bantu languages related specifically to the Swahili. It just so happens to be the name of the American founder and current director, Maendeleo "DaDisi" Jacobs. DaDisi, has been working in the public school system since graduating from high school in 1990. He received one of San Diego Unified School District’s full academic scholarships, funded by the San Diego Foundation, aimed at growing their own teachers from the ranks of their student population. DaDisi spent the first three and half years of his teaching career as a Title I teacher assistant. In 1994, he began working as a long-term cluster substitute at O'Farrell Community School under their school’s charter. Two years later, DaDisi became the creator and director of the Student Teacher Empowerment Program (S.T.E.P.), which was developed to offer an alternative to suspension and lower the schools staggering suspension rates.
In the Fall of 1999, DaDisi returned to school to pursue an Education Specialist Credential (Mild/Moderate). Upon completing this credential, he secured a special education position at Morse Senior High School, in San Diego California. While teaching at Morse he earned his master’s degree from San Diego State University in Special Education with an emphasis in behavioral modification. His master's degree was earned while simultaneously coordinating and teaching Morse High School’s Adult Education Program in the evenings.
In 2006, DaDisi began working with the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE), specifically the Juvenile Court and Community School program. In 2012 he was named the Juvenile Court and Community School’s Teacher of the Year.
In 2015, DaDisi earned an administrative credential from Cal State San Marcos while working in downtown San Diego at Monarch School. Monarch School is a unique public/partnership between SDCOE and the Monarch School Project, a non-profit. Monarch is a school that supports students and their families impacted by homelessness.
As of February 2016, DaDisi has begun another chapter in his teaching career by working in a juvenile detention facility in the southern most part of San Diego county. He continues to support all students, but is primarily responsible for ensuring access to the general education curriculum for those individuals with mild to moderate disabilities.
DaDisi has aspirations of one day opening his own school with the theory of action, “If decisions are made to meet the student’s educational, social and emotional needs, then we will fulfill our promise to propel students in achieving self-actualization in the 21st century.”
Roland Wilson, M.A.
Vice-President, Business Operations
Roland M. Wilson is originally from Los Angeles, CA. In the early nineties, Roland moved to San Diego, CA to attend San Diego State University, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Management. In 1997, Roland decided to move to the Bay Area (Oakland) to further his education and begin a career in health care.
In 1999, Roland started his professional career at Kaiser Permanente (KP) in the National Diversity Department serving as the Manager, Workforce Diversity Compliance Programs. In this role, he was responsible of overseeing KP’s National Affirmative Action Program.
In 2001, Roland received his Master of Arts in Human Resources and Organization Development from the University of San Francisco and decided to continue his career at Kaiser Permanente. Roland worked for Kaiser Permanente for over 17 years in various leadership roles. His most recent role was Senior, Director Operations and Implementation and Chief of Staff in Pleasanton, CA. He was responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of migrating and optimizing Kaiser Permanente’s consumer products, capabilities and features to web and mobile platforms. Although Roland was quite busy with his role at Kaiser, he still found time to give back to the community.
In 2015, Roland decided to leave the Corporate world and open his own Residential Care Facility for Elderly. He currently runs and operates D'Nalor Care Homes, providing care and supervision to our beloved senior community.
Roland is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and has served as chapter president for two consecutive years. He is also a member of BeeBe Memorial Cathedral where he completed a twelve week leadership course under the direction of Pastor Charley Hames, Sr.
Roland resides in Oakland with his 12-year old son Daniel Wilson, who currently attends Ile Omode. Roland is a proud father and very active with Ile Omode’s school and community service activities. Currently, he serves as member of the "Re-Opening" Strategic Task Force and continues to mentor and tutor many of Ile Omode's young scholars.