OUR TEAM
Staff
Darvel Givens,
Executive Director
Darvel Givens was first introduced to the drill team arena in the Winter of 2003 at the age of 12. He was a member of the Lord’s Warriors Drill Team out of Mt. Carmel Missionary Baptist Church in Waterloo, IA until the Fall of 2009. His drill team director was the founder of this contest, Sis, Kay Jordan. During his time with the Lord’s Warriors he held leadership roles as the stepline co-captain, stepline captain, co-commander, and commander. Darvel went on to college and completed undergraduate and graduate programs in Management: Business Administration in 2013 and 2018.
His professional background includes banking, financial management, event planning, marketing, promotions, business consulting, nonprofit fundraising, managing political campaigns, conference planning, supervising, mentoring, and in diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Most notably he served on the initial mayoral campaign of Mayor Quentin Hart, Waterloo’s first black mayor in 2015. He went on to serve as the campaign manager of Ras Smith, when he initially became the State Representative for Iowa House District 62 in 2016. Within the community, he also worked as the Marketing Specialist and Development Director for The Job Foundation from 2017-2019 helping the organization garner funds and support to further their mission of “All People Achieving Financial Success”. He’s also been the steering leader for other community initiatives such as Black History Month events, Diversity & Inclusion Conferences, Church Youth Conferences, Fashion Expos, and more.
He is now working to take the vision of founder Kay Jordan to the next level. He has worked tirelessly to make Marching Against The Darkness, Inc. it’s own standalone nonprofit that will better serve the youth of the community he grew up in. He wants to ensure that young people have access to creative and artistic outlets, amongst other outlets that will shape and transform their bright futures.
Brea Hil, Administrative Assistant
Brea Hill, 32, serves as the Administrative Assistant for Marching Against the Darkness. Brea works diligently to ensure all inquiries are responded to in a timely manner, registrations are processed, and creates outreach communication. Brea is an active member of Gift of Life Church where she serves as both the Minister of Music and Social Content Creator. In her spare time, Brea enjoys traveling, spending time with family, reading, and perfecting her personal skills in areas including photography, graphic design, and videography. Brea is passionate about personal branding and is a true fashionista always carrying herself as a stylish lady and woman of God. Brea’s favorite scripture, which represents who she is and guides her life is Proverbs 16:3&9 “Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed…We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps”.
Board of Directors
KC Martin, President
KC Martin is an Indirect Small Business Account Manager for Verizon Wireless. He has been with the company for 11+ years and has traveled throughout the Midwest and south for various positions including: Sales Manager, Indirect Account Manager and Senior Sales Trainer.
Some highlights of his life:
Currently Riot Pro Wrestling General Manager
Performed for Barak Obama
Metro Youth Program Drill Team Head Drum Major and Captain
Spoke in front of a congressional committee at the age of 12 years old for “Youth Empowerment”
Verizon Winner Circle Award Recipient
Was the lead speaker for Mt Zion Youth Revival Week
Before becoming a part of Verizon Wireless, KC was known for his time with the Metro Youth Program Drill Team and band. He served as Head Drum Major and helped with operations of the group for several years and was tenor captain for 2 years in Rock Island High School Marching Band. His dad Ken Martin was famously known as one of the “Founding Fathers” of the drill team and he worked tirelessly to keep that legacy alive. He is currently serving as the Riot Pro Wrestling General Manager and is enjoying his new role in pro wrestling. KC Martin believes in the power of opportunities and continues to guide and mentor people of all ages to seek their dreams.
KC Martin’s slogan is “Just Keep Marching” and will continue to pushing people to march to their dreams and goals until they can’t march anymore.
Krystal Madlock, Vice President
As the director of Multicultural Student Services at Wartburg College, I am both diligent and committed to the student affairs profession. My career in higher education started in Admissions as the Diversity Recruitment Coordinator in 1998, after two years I transitioned into Student Affairs. With 20 plus years of experience, I effectively support and empower multicultural students academically, personally, and in social development. I also serve as the chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Council and many other institution committees.
Education
B.A. Communications, with an emphasis on public relation, University of Northern Iowa
M.A.Ed. Post-Secondary Education, University of Northern Iowa
Professional Connections
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
ISPA – Iowa Student Personnel Association
NASPA – Nation Student Personnel Association
Youth Art Team, Board of Directors
Midwest Region Multicultural Student Services Professionals
Community Foundation Scholarship Committee
ReShonda Young, Treasurer
ReShonda Young is the founder of Popcorn Heaven, a gourmet popcorn chain that opened in Waterloo, IA in February of 2014. Before selling the chain in 2019, ReShonda licensed Popcorn Heaven locations in North Carolina, Maryland, Illinois, California, Missouri, and Iowa. She is also the founder of the socially conscious clothing line True Identity, which donates 50% of its profits to organizations fighting human trafficking and domestic violence. ReShonda was born and raised in Waterloo, IA and graduated with her BA from Wartburg College. Shas been an active voice on Working Family issues, advocating for pay equity for women, and many other issues that will benefit working families. ReShonda is a founding member of the Iowa Main Street Alliance, a board member of the national Main Street Alliance, and was honored in April 2015 as a White House Working Families Champion of Change. She has been invited to testify before Congress on two occasions and was invited to speak in 2014 with the Women of Congress at an event putting forth an agenda for women’s equality, titled “When Women Succeed, America Succeeds.” In 2020, ReShonda was a member of a group of women and minority small business owners that won a lawsuit against the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) for their failure to enforce laws that ensure banks are not discriminating against women and minority business owners.
ReShonda is very active in her church. She also serves on the boards of the Iowa Citizens Action Network, Waterloo Center for the Arts, Black Hawk Economic Development, Link Christian Community Development, and Try Pie. In her spare time, ReShonda enjoys spending time with family & friends, teaching financial management principles, and gardening.
Qulishia Williams, Secretary
Qulishia C. Williams, MA, SHRM-CP, is certified as a Professional in Human Resources (SHRM-CP). She is currently the Senior Manager of Human Resources Consulting at CUNA Mutual Group with responsibility for the Employee and Labor Relations function. She holds a BA in Marketing Management from University of Northern Iowa and MA in Organizational Leadership from Colorado State University-Global Campus.
As a seasoned senior Human Resources (HR) leader, Qulishia has used her strong blend of experience in various positions within Human Resources to affect positive change in the organization's where she's served. Her ability to combine big picture thinking with actual practice has allowed her to achieve objectives both professionally and personally.
Outside of the workplace, Qulishia serves as the Internal Audit Chair of the Waterloo Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Incorporated and Treasurer of Club Les Dames. She also serves on the Human Resources Advisory Council for Hawkeye Community College. Additionally, she is an active member of the Employee Relations Committee of LOMA, an international trade association for the insurance and financial services industry. Qulishia also hosts development programs/workshops aimed to increase personal and professional development for Black Professionals and businesses in the Cedar Valley through the 24/7 Black Leadership Advancement Consortium. She is a member of Impact of Hope Church, where she sings on the Worship Team.
Qulishia is married with four children and enjoys bowling, bicycling, journaling, word games and water aerobics.
Kay Jordan, Founder
“Sis. Kay” started out as a dance teacher at age fifteen, teaching dancing in her hometown for six years. Later, in Waterloo, she found inspiration in the legendary Waterloo Elks Drum & Bugle Corps.
Over the next 48 years, she served as director of seven different Waterloo drill teams: Union Baptist Crusaders-19 years, A.A.R.T.S.’ Boogie Knytze-2 years, Jubilee UMC’s Northwind-one season, Christian Fellowship’s Faith Steppers- 3 years, Mt. Carmel’s Lord’s Warriors- 9 years, Kingdom Regiment (an independent drill team)- 3 years, and as coach for East High’s Trojan Nation for a season, .
For Three years Kay also coordinated a culture-specific substance abuse prevention project for youth called SoulBeat, and, in addition, served many years as a church musician.
In 2001 she established the Midwest regional drill team competition known as “Marching Against the Darkness,” serving as Contest Manager/Director for the first 10 years. In 2016 management of the contest was taken over by Darvel Givens, a former Commander of Lord’s Warriors, who serves as Contest Director, and has not only kept it going, but has taken it to a higher level.
Kay is a graduate of Hawkeye Community College, with an Associate Degree in Commercial Art, and from The University of Northern Iowa with a BA in Study of Religion.
At age 85, and now “retired” from marching, she maintains her love for the marching activity, and especially for the continuing involvement of God in her life.