Our Team.

Daughter of Darius Holston and Sharon Rosa, growing up as a minority in the suburbs of Virginia, I was taught to be a strong and independent woman. With so much trauma in this world, my family and I wanted to do something drastic that can instill change in so many lives. We want to make a difference; thus, the movement of Safe & Blessed began. It is an honor to not only be a part owner of this venture, but to be a driving force in helping those less fortunate living in low-to-moderate income housing communities

Hello Everyone! I’d like to introduce myself. Most of my family & friends call me “D”, but my birth name is Darius Holston. I was also born in the small town of Reynolds, GA. Unlike Mom & Dad, Me, my sister and brother were raised in the suburbs of Springfield, VA. A long way from Reynolds! I have 5 wonderful children: Marquitta, Sean, Alexis, Gabby, Tyler. Three Dogs: Chico, Cricket, Bane. And the most beautiful wife & woman in the world “My Sweet Melissa”! The strength and wisdom that has been passed along to me through the love of this family has shed a new light and started a movement within my heart that can’t be stopped. I am on a mission to keep our world Safe & Blessed!

Hello, fellow philanthropists! It is with great enthusiasm that I extend a warm welcome to Safe and Blessed. My name is Marcus Holston, one of the owners of this family organization. I am a seasoned security professional with 17 years of experience in the field and an owner and founder in our family's growing small business. Currently, I serve as the Director of Security at a small, woman-owned space company focused on developing innovative security solutions that protect businesses and individuals alike. I also support our family businesses part-time as we strive to build a lasting legacy that actively helps our communities. As a small business owner, I firmly believe in fostering community engagement and supporting local initiatives. This is integral to building strong relationships and delivering exceptional service to our communities and clients. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, snowboarding, attending sporting events, shooting, hiking, and almost any outdoor activity! I am excited for new partners to join our cause and celebrate our collective efforts to help our communities. The passion and dedication philanthropists have to help people is a true inspiration to our family! I look forward to sharing ideas, creating bonds, and pushing positive initiatives for a brighter future in our communities. Thank you for your interest and commitment to philanthropy with our Safe and Blessed family. Let's work together to continue making a difference!

As a loving mother of 5 children and 3 dogs in a blended family (children: 2 boys and 3 girls, Pets: 2 boys and 1 girl), Melissa Holston is an accomplished elementary school teacher with over 15 years of experience, currently serving as the 3rd Grade Lead Teacher at Sleepy Hollow Elementary School. Specializing in differentiated instruction and the Responsive Classroom Approach, she creates engaging, inquiry-based learning environments that cater to diverse student needs. With a background in implementing innovative curriculum, including hands-on STEM programs and various workshops, Melissa fosters a culture of choice and exploration in the classroom. Not only does she hold a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Virginia Tech, but she also has a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from George Mason University, along with a Virginia Teaching License. Melissa in the past has coordinated educational programs for the Arlington County Sheriff’s Office, demonstrating a commitment to community service and rehabilitation. Passionate about lifelong learning, she continues to inspire students to become thoughtful and curious learners.

Although I was born in Fort Belvoir, VA, I’ve called Martinsburg, WV home since just before kindergarten. As a passionate advocate in the STEM field, I’m dedicated to creating a safe space for girls and women to thrive in a traditionally male-dominated environment. I believe in empowering others to break barriers and pursue their dreams. In my free time, I love spending quality moments with family and friends, making lasting memories as we all work together to make the world a better place.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, I've always had a passion for the arts. While I attended Technical Career Institutes in Manhattan, NY I pursued an Associates degree in Digital Media Arts. With over 10 years of experience in Adobe Photoshop & Illustrator as well as coding html/CSS/Javascript, I've had the ability to work on numerous projects with colleagues and friends such as building ecommerce online stores and digital magazines. Working with Safe & Blessed is truly an opportunity to become part of something bigger and give back to families in need. I'm excited to help bring their vision to life!