Our Team.

Ebony Spano is a U.S. Navy veteran, mother, community advocate, and Founder and Part-Time Executive Director of G.R.O.W. (Growing Right Over Wealth). A proud native of the South Side of Youngstown, Ohio, Ebony remains deeply connected to her hometown and the community that helped shape her. She earned a Bachelor of Arts from Youngstown State University, with concentrations in psychology and business—an educational achievement that carries special meaning for a Black woman raised in a city where college-degree attainment remains substantially below state and national levels.

Growing up as an inner-city child in Youngstown before moving to Lyndhurst at age 14 and attending Brush High School changed the trajectory of Ebony’s life and gave her firsthand perspective on how access, environment, education, and opportunity can shape a child’s future. At just 30 years old, she founded G.R.O.W. to bring together her experiences in community service, motherhood, and raising a son with autism with her commitment to children who grew up in communities like her own. Ebony believes that special needs have no color, ZIP code, or income bracket—and neither should access to resources and opportunities that allow children to thrive.

Today, Ebony intentionally leads G.R.O.W. as a boutique nonprofit built for big impact without big overhead. As its Part-Time Executive Director, she remains close to the families and communities the organization serves while building sustainable partnerships and directing resources toward programming. Her philosophy is simple: stay close to the community, operate responsibly, and put as much of every available dollar as possible where it belongs—into programs that create opportunities for children and families.

Jordan Weekley is a certified Medical Assistant who graduated from Cuyahoga Community College, with a double major in Medical Assisting and Biology.
Since graduation she has put her skills to work helping her daughter Esther navigate through her life and Autism diagnosis. She has been very hands on in all aspects including negotiating with insurance companies and doctors to achieve the best outcomes for her daughter, working with local schools and other non profits not just for her own child, but other children and families affected by autism and other disabilities.

Mariya Silva, MBA, is a business professional, leadership coach, mother of three, and Chair of the G.R.O.W. Board of Directors. A Russian immigrant who came to the United States at six years old without speaking English, Mariya’s journey has given her a personal understanding of adaptation, education, opportunity, and the importance of strong community support.

Mariya earned her undergraduate degree and Master of Business Administration from John Carroll University and brings experience in leadership development, coaching, organizational change, training, and business strategy. Her combination of business education, leadership experience, motherhood, and immigrant perspective brings a valuable voice to G.R.O.W.’s governance.

As Board Chair, Mariya helps lead the Board’s governance and strategic oversight while supporting G.R.O.W.’s continued development as an intentionally lean boutique nonprofit—built to remain close to the families it serves, operate responsibly, and create meaningful community impact.

​Danielle Eberhardt, MSN, APRN-CNP, PMHNP-BC, is a board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, devoted mother, and Treasurer of the G.R.O.W. Board of Directors. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing from The Ohio State University and brings professional expertise in behavioral health, mental wellness, patient advocacy, and healthcare to the organization.