Meet our Team
A dedicated group of leaders guiding our mission with experience, integrity, and purpose.
Antoine Carey
President & CEO
Antoine Carey is a visionary entrepreneur, accomplished public speaker, and advocate for criminal justice reform, who has transformed his life and dedicated his career to empowering others. Once incarcerated, Carey refused to let his past define his future. While serving time, he earned his Master Barber License through the Haynesville Barbering Program in 2014. This pivotal achievement laid the foundation for his remarkable journey to entrepreneurship and community leadership.
As the Founder and Owner of Faded & Co. Barbershop and Faded & Co. Barber Academy in Fredericksburg, Virginia, Carey has built thriving businesses that reflect his dedication to excellence and inclusivity. Since 2016, he has managed the operations of the barbershop, delivering top-tier customer service and fostering a skilled and motivated team. In 2020, he expanded his impact by establishing the barber academy, where he develops comprehensive curricula that meet industry standards and licensing requirements, empowering students to excel in their craft and pursue professional aspirations.
Driven by a deep sense of moral obligation, Carey is committed to breaking generational cycles of incarceration and combating recidivism. His story is a testament to resilience and redemption, which he shares through public speaking engagements, mentoring, and media projects. In 2019, he debuted the documentary Fade in Full: The Story of Antoine Carey, chronicling his life and inspiring countless others to overcome adversity. Carey continues to amplify his message of hope and empowerment in his book, From Whom Much Is Given, released in March 2022, which underscores his mission to restore hope to those impacted by incarceration and to be a voice for the voiceless.
Carey’s leadership extends beyond his businesses to his role as President and CEO of F.A.D.E.D Foundation. The nonprofit organization provides individuals impacted by incarceration with barbering skills, mentorship, and community support, fostering economic independence and second chances. Through the foundation, Carey works to dismantle barriers and create opportunities for success, believing that everyone deserves the chance to thrive.
With a steadfast commitment to community engagement, Carey has delivered keynote addresses and participated in numerous speaking engagements, including events for the Virginia State Beauticians Association, the Northern Neck Reentry Summit, and local correctional programs. His efforts reflect a profound dedication to uplifting others and creating lasting change.
Antoine Carey exemplifies the transformative power of perseverance, education, and service. His journey from incarceration to entrepreneurship and advocacy serves as an inspiring blueprint for individuals striving to overcome their past and build a brighter future.
Corey Whiting
Vice Chair
Corey Whiting, a native of Fredericksburg, VA, serves as the Vice Chairman of Faded Foundation, an organization committed to empowering individuals affected by incarceration to rebuild their lives and make meaningful contributions to their communities. Corey joined the Faded Foundation driven by his passion for social change, community service, and a deep desire to give back. He is dedicated to leveraging his personal skills and resources to assist those in need, particularly individuals from underserved communities. Motivated by a strong sense of duty to improve society, Corey is focused on creating a lasting, positive impact that will benefit future generations.
Corey Whiting is a retired Marine Corps veteran with over 25 years of demonstrated leadership and Information Technology expertise. With a strong background in Information Management, Strategic Planning, and Organizational Management, he excels in identifying and leveraging individual strengths to build cohesive teams. Corey is known for his ability to motivate teams and implement a clear vision to achieve organizational goals. A detail-oriented and resourceful professional, he is dedicated to process improvement and driving operational efficiency. As an innovative thinker, Corey brings exceptional decision-making and problem-solving skills to every challenge.
After retiring from the Marine Corps, Corey Whiting joined Agile Defense Inc., where he supports the Department of Defense as a Cyberspace Operations Manager and IT Professional. He currently serves as a Business Analyst, contributing to the organization’s business process management, and as a Data Center Technical Lead. Corey also manages a team of IT professionals while driving improvement and enhancing operational efficiency.
Outside of work, Corey is an avid car enthusiast, a dedicated football fan, an aspiring aerial drone photographer, and a passionate advocate for physical fitness.
Jamillah Jefferson
Board Secretary
Raised in King George, Virginia, Ms. Jefferson has long been driven by a deep commitment to service and uplifting those in need. She began her career as a volunteer at the Fredericksburg Area Food Bank. Her commitment and dedication to serving others led to her appointment as Agency Relations Coordinator, where she contributed to advancing food security for individuals and families in need.
Building on this foundation, Ms. Jefferson transitioned to the Division of Child Support Enforcement, where she worked for six years, making a significant impact on the lives of many families. For the past seventeen years, Ms. Jefferson has worked for the Spotsylvania Department of Social Services, continuing her commitment to supporting the community and those living in poverty.
Upon being offered a position on the board of directors for F.A.D.E.D Foundation, Ms. Jefferson promptly accepted. The organization’s mission and vision are consistent with her core values of empowering and uplifting others. Ms. Jefferson is committed to fostering access to education and professional development for individuals affected by incarceration or poverty, empowering them to achieve career success and to contribute positively to their communities. She firmly believes that providing opportunity and support can initiate meaningful long-term change.
Outside of her work and community engagement, Ms. Jefferson treasures time with her family and building relationships with others. Her personal and professional life reflects a lifelong devotion to compassion, equity, and making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
Pastor Gregory Nick
Board Member
Pastor Gregory Nick grew up in Anne Arundel, Maryland, where he began to sense God’s call on his life. His desire to reach all who are distant from God grew as Pastor Nick studied Sociology at the University of Maryland at College Park. After serving as Associate Minister at Shiloh Baptist Church New Site in Fredericksburg, VA, Pastor Nick became Senior Pastor at Shiloh Baptist Church in Port Royal, VA. He has served the members of Shiloh Baptist Church in Port Royal for over 20 years.
In addition to his career in ministry, Pastor Nick served in various capacities within the Department of Justice for approximately 40 years.
Pastor Nick is a gifted communicator who has a heart for God’s people. It is his desire to reach people from all backgrounds and strengthen members’ relationships with Christ through effective preaching and teaching. Each week he brings a challenging message that will inspire and engage you to seek a closer relationship with God.
Gretchen Rusden
Board Member
Gretchen Rusden is a seasoned marketing professional with a wealth of experience in account management and client relationship management. With a solid educational foundation built from her Bachelor’s degree in Business and Communications and a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies from Arizona State University, Gretchen has cultivated a multifaceted skill set that has enabled her to excel in various roles throughout her career. Her expertise lies in not only fostering strong relationships with clients but also in developing high-performing teams and conducting effective community education initiatives.
Throughout her career, Gretchen has held several impactful positions that have shaped her professional journey. She has served as the Recruitment Coordinator and Marketing Liaison at Embrace Treatment Foster Care, where she utilized her marketing acumen to enhance outreach efforts and expand the organization's reach within the community. Prior to that, she was a Key Relationship Manager at Job.com, where her primary focus was on building and maintaining relationships with key accounts, ensuring clients received top-notch service and support. Gretchen's career also includes significant experience as an Account Manager at both FetchBack Inc. and Continental Promotion Group. In these roles, she demonstrated her ability to manage client accounts effectively, while also identifying and implementing strategies that drove growth and satisfaction for both the clients and the organization. Her extensive experience in account management has not only honed her interpersonal skills but has also provided her with a deep understanding of the marketing landscape, particularly in relation to client expectations and market trends.
In addition to her professional achievements, Gretchen is passionate about team training and development, as well as community engagement. She is dedicated to empowering individuals and fostering an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. Her commitment to education is reflected in her desire to share knowledge and resources with others, thereby contributing positively to her community and industry.
Carlos Leon
Board Member
My name is Kelvonte, and I am a passionate professional barber, mentor, and community advocate with a deep commitment to using my craft as a tool for transformation. My journey through the barbering profession has taught me that a chair in a barbershop is more than just a seat—it’s a place for conversation, growth, and healing. I've experienced firsthand how this trade can offer not just a livelihood, but a sense of purpose, discipline, and identity. That belief drives me every day and fuels my desire to create change beyond the shop walls.
I chose to join the board of the F.A.D.E.D. Foundation because its mission aligns powerfully with my values and life experience. I know what it means to fight for opportunity, and I’ve seen how easily potential can go unrealized when people are held back by past mistakes or systemic barriers. F.A.D.E.D. is about second chances—real, tangible ones. By providing vocational training in barbering to individuals impacted by incarceration, we are not only offering a skill but restoring dignity and direction. It’s more than cutting hair—it’s about cutting through generational cycles of incarceration and replacing them with stability and hope.
Through my involvement with the foundation, I aim to contribute both my industry knowledge and my lived perspective to help shape programs that are practical, empowering, and sustainable. My goal is to see more individuals walk out of hardship and into a future they can shape with their own hands. Everyone deserves the chance to start fresh, and I believe barbering is one of the most powerful vehicles for that journey. F.A.D.E.D. isn’t just a foundation—it’s a movement, and I’m honored to be part of it.
Roderick Fisher
Board Member
A native of Alabama, his diverse career has spanned everything from serving 27 years as an Army Officer, to working at the White House during the Obama Administration. Since his departure from the political sector, Rod has owned several successful businesses in the Fredericksburg area. All his endeavors have been geared toward providing second chance employment for those individuals with criminal records and providing educational resources for parents and teachers to leverage while teaching our youth.
His military service coupled with his experience working with other government agencies has given him a unique skill-set to assist the Faded Foundation’s goal of improving equity in the surrounding community. He has worked with several nonprofits nationwide and understands what it takes to get a new organization properly established. He received a bachelor’s degree in computer information systems from Walden University, a master’s degree in telecommunications and network management from Syracuse University, and a master’s degree in cyber security from the University of Maryland University College. Roderick resides in Fredericksburg, VA with his wife and children.
Herrell Mitchell
Board Member
I am truly honored and blessed to be a part of this board and the great foundation of Faded & Co. This mission is deeply important to me because it provides an outlet and an incredible opportunity for men and women returning home from incarceration to learn a valuable trade, the art and skill of barbering, in a growing and respected industry.
Throughout my career, l've worked with many individuals who have come home after incarceration with few resources or support programs to help them rebuild their lives. What Mr. Carey has created through Faded & Co. is nothing short of a gold mine, a pathway to purpose and stability.