About - Service Never Sleeps

About Us

Service Never Sleeps is a Black-led organization building a socially just world by catalyzing individual action to advance racial and social justice through Allyship & skills-based service.

Our Impact

8,100+

allies trained since 2017

6

classes of fellows led

5,000+

hours of skills-based service facilitated

25

local non-profits supported

Meet Us

Whitney Parnell

Whitney Parnell (she/her), Founder/CEO: Whitney grew up between Latin America and West Africa as a Foreign Service child. At Washington University in St. Louis, Whitney doubled majored in English and Spanish, and minored in Communications and Journalism, during which she also embraced her calling as an activist. Whitney’s passion for service and social justice brought her to Washington, DC to serve with City Year, and then work in homeless services. Whitney is excited to create a movement of service and allies by igniting quick social change through mass civic engagement.

Samson Girma

Samson Girma (he/him), COO: An Arlington, Virginia native, Samson comes to Service Never Sleeps after nearly ten years in the government and nonprofit sectors. He brings experience overseeing federal grants and supporting the capacity building of nonprofits across different focus areas. At SNS, Samson guides the strategic growth of the organization and supports the day-to-day programmatic, financial, and communications work of full-, part-time, and contract staff. Samson is a proud two time AmeriCorps Alum, having served with City Year and Public Allies programs in DC.

Stella Oloye

Stella Oloye (she/they), Program Manager: An immigrant, storyteller, and orator, Stella intentionally centers their queer, pro-Black feminist identities and social praxis through facilitation, coaching, and consulting. Holding a B.S. in clinical psychology and M.Ed. in clinical mental health counseling from Georgia Southern University, she is exceptionally adept at cultivating spaces that stretch people beyond the façade of inclusion, and into a deep, equitable coexistence of shared humanity. Stella joins SNS with over a decade of experience in the diversity and inclusion space, and centers Black liberation and joy through learning and creating meaningful things.

Carrie Ahrens

Carrie Ahrens (she/her), Development & Communications Manager: Carrie joins SNS with over 15 years of experience working in domestic and international nonprofit organizations in many roles including fundraising and strategic planning. Led by her insatiable curiosity and multiple passions, Carrie is an avid traveler (nearly 30 countries and counting!), an artist, writer, systems thinker, cynical idealist, and an enthusiastic plant and dog mom. She is also a certified practitioner in Dialogue Education facilitation and currently in training to be a certified mindfulness meditation teacher. Carrie is honored to offer her expertise to enhancing SNS’ development and communications while also further deepening and embodying her white allyship.