The Afterschool Snack

Desmond Keller is a committed youth development leader who has spent his career creating spaces where young people feel seen, supported, and ready to lead. With experience in school-based programs and community youth initiatives, Desmond brings a grounded understanding of what it takes to build strong afterschool systems that meet real needs, especially in communities that are often overlooked.
He approaches this work with deep curiosity and a belief that every young person deserves a chance to discover who they are and what they can become. Whether he is mentoring students, training program staff, or championing equity and access in education, Desmond stays focused on relationships, opportunity, and belonging.
On Afterschool Snack, Desmond brings thoughtfulness, humor, and a practical perspective from the front lines of youth work. His insight into how afterschool programs change lives makes him a trusted voice in shaping the future of learning beyond the bell.

Billy Mawhiney is a lifelong advocate for young people and families, with more than a decade of experience leading afterschool and youth development work across rural, tribal, and urban communities. As Executive Director of the South Dakota Afterschool Network, Billy brings a deep commitment to equity, access, and opportunity, especially for young people in small towns and communities that are too often left out of statewide conversations.

Billy’s career has spanned Boys and Girls Clubs, YMCA programs, school partnerships, and community coalitions. That experience shapes his belief that afterschool is not an add-on, it is a critical part of a strong education system and a strong community. He centers listening, relationships, and collaboration, and he works to lift up local voices and solutions that reflect the lived experience of South Dakota families.

On Afterschool Snack, Billy brings thoughtful questions, curiosity, and a clear vision for what is possible when we invest in young people. His focus is simple: build systems where every child has a place to learn, explore, and belong once the school day ends, and support the people who make that happen every day.