About Power Partners

Power Partners helps higher education institutions, municipalities, and nonprofit organizations secure competitive funding and build the capacity to sustain their work. We support clients throughout the grant lifecycle, from identifying opportunities and developing funding strategies to writing proposals, supporting implementation, and planning for lasting success.

With more than $40 million in competitive grant funding secured and over 25 organizations served, our experience spans federal, state, foundation, and corporate funding sources. Our expertise includes research and sponsored programs, workforce development, artificial intelligence, and innovation. We also provide strategic consulting in community and economic development, public health, infrastructure, and partnerships between public and private organizations.

Our partners have included Kean University, Rutgers University in Newark and New Brunswick, Essex County College, and a broad network of nonprofits, community organizations, and businesses. Across every engagement, we connect funding opportunities to organizational priorities, strengthen grant capacity, and help turn ambitious ideas into lasting community impact.

Team

Celeste Banks, M.Ed.

Celeste helps clients secure and manage grants for education and infrastructure projects. She works with federal, state, and private funders, including the U.S. Department of Energy. From 2022 to 2025, she secured more than $30 million in grant funding for clients. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Seton Hall University and a master’s degree in K–12 educational administration from Grand Canyon University.

CEO & Principal Grant Writer

Jhamar Youngblood

Jhamar helps clients develop grant proposals and communicate the impact of their work. He brings a background in consumer technology and product design to his work on websites, social media, and digital strategy. He helps organizations explain what they do in ways that resonate with funders and the communities they serve. He studied globalization as a graduate student at Dartmouth College.

Managing Partner & Grant Writer

Jhamar Youngblood

Nicole Pickering, M.Ed.

Grant Writer

Nicole brings more than 20 years of experience in education to her grant writing. She uses her skills in communication, research, and project management to help clients turn ideas into grant proposals. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Seton Hall University and a master’s degree from the University of Scranton. She is a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.