The people behind the mission.
The MCII Foundation is built by people who believe in this work personally, not just professionally.
Michael Carter II, Founder
Michael Carter II is a professional NFL cornerback for the Philadelphia Eagles. A Georgia native, he was born in Atlanta and raised in Douglasville, where he attended South Paulding High School. Excelling in both football and baseball, Carter II earned multiple local and state honors, including county player of the year in baseball and defensive player of the year in football. He also participated in several prestigious football showcases, such as those hosted by Nike and Rivals.
At Duke University, Carter II built an impressive career on and off the field. As a key defensive back since his freshman year, he eventually became a team captain for the Blue Devils. In 2020, his standout senior season earned him All-ACC honors. His academic achievements were equally remarkable, with multiple Academic All-ACC selections. He was also a semifinalist for the Jason Whitten Collegiate Man of the Year Award and a candidate for the distinguished William V. Campbell Trophy. His talent led to his selection in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the New York Jets, where he has since established himself as one of the league's premier nickel cornerbacks. Five years later sees him now with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Beyond football, Carter II is a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. by way of the Omega Zeta Chapter at Duke University. Carter II values family and faith, believing in the importance of both. He is a dedicated husband and family man, and enjoys spending time with his dog, “Duke”. He also gives back to his community by hosting free football camps and supporting youth athletics. In his downtime, he enjoys gaming and staying connected to the sport he loves through mentorship and charitable efforts.
Alli Carter, Advisory Committee Member
Alli Carter is a dedicated Registered Nurse with over four years of experience, known for her compassion, organization, and ability to build trust with patients and their families during life-changing moments. Guided by her Christian values, she is widely respected as a leader and team player by colleagues, former teachers, and peers. Her commitment to doing what is right and delivering high-quality patient care has made her a trusted and valued professional in the healthcare field.
A top graduate of Georgia College & State University, Alli excelled academically while actively engaging in community service and leadership roles. She served on the Georgia College Miracle Executive Board in which she raised money for the local children’s hospital, was a two-time Morale Leader, Recruitment Counselor, and Spirit Chairman for her Phi Mu Fraternity. Today, she brings those same leadership qualities and compassion to her role as a board member of the Michael Carter II Foundation, where she continues to make a positive impact through her dedication to others.
Tenisha Valliant-Irvin
Tenisha Valliant-Irvin is a nonprofit strategist and philanthropic consultant who joined the MCII Foundation with one goal: help build something that lasts. She works closely with the Carter family on everything from strategic planning and program design to marketing and fundraising -- bringing both expertise and genuine belief in the mission to everything she touches.
Donna Carter, Executive Director
Donna Carter brings a wealth of organizational and administrative expertise to the Michael Carter II Foundation. Over the course of her career, she has provided comprehensive legal-administrative support to Judges, Attorneys and Support Staff, ensuring smooth courtroom operations, meticulous case management, and effective human resources liaison support between judicial and legal executive staff. In addition, Donna has served for several years as Lead Event Coordinator both in her church community and within her workplaces, where she oversaw everything from vendor negotiations and budget management to volunteer coordination and attendee engagement. Her ability to blend meticulous attention to detail with a strategic big-picture perspective has been instrumental in delivering seamless, impactful events and streamlined administrative processes.
Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Donna, husband and their three children—each also proud Atlanta natives—share her passion for community service and wellness. As a member of the Michael Carter II Foundation, Donna leverages her legal-administrative acumen and event-planning prowess to advance the Foundation’s five-pillar mission of physical, mental, social, financial, and spiritual well-being, helping to shape programs that honor Michael Carter II’s commitment to community impact.
Michael Carter, Sr., Advisory Committee Member
Michael Carter Sr., an Atlanta native, holds a degree in Political Science from Georgia State University and a Master’s in Public Safety Administration from Columbus State University. With nearly three decades in law enforcement, he has dedicated his career to mentoring young officers, helping them excel in their specialized fields.
Beyond his official duties, Carter Sr. actively works to strengthen community relations through “Clippers and Cops,” a nonprofit organization he helped to get off the ground in 2018. The program focuses on bridging the gap between law enforcement and the community by fostering open conversations, addressing concerns, and humanizing officers as individuals with shared experiences. He frequently volunteers his time to speak with middle and high school students, covering critical topics such as conflict resolution, violence prevention, the dangers of guns and drugs, and the importance of education as a member of Clippers and Cops during their well known, “School Campus Invasion”.
As a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Carter Sr. embodies its motto: “Friendship is essential to the soul.” His guiding philosophy, especially when advising his son, Michael Carter II, is to “refuse to accept mediocrity” and to “embrace challenges as a way to grow stronger”.