Our Founder/CEO

Mr. Keenon Mikell (NowBuild Oriyomi Adewole) is the Executive Director at First Step Recovery Homes, Inc. He is also a certified personal trainer and in charge of their Health and Wellness program. Keenon has a strong passion for social justice and has dedicated his life to transforming the lives of those in his community and abroad. Mr. Mikell joined First Step Recovery Homes, Inc. in March 2016, as an intern while taking a program for social work at CCAC. Mr. Mikell’s initial goal was to learn how to create a grassroots organization and give back to the community. After completing his certificates in social work in 2016, drug, and alcohol counseling in 2017, he decided to pursue associate degrees in social work and liberal arts in 2018. In January 2019, Mr. Mikell completed his 30 credits from CCAR Recovery Coach Academy. In August 2019, Mr. Mikell obtained a certification in Ethnicity and Diversity. That same year he transferred to the California University of Pennsylvania to receive his bachelor's degree in Social Work. He obtained his BSW in 2020 and was given an academic achievement award for graduating with a 3.97 GPA (Grade Point Average). Keenon Mikell received his master's degree in Social Work in May of 2022 and later obtained his Master’s in Business Administration in August 2023.

As a Social justice activist, Mr. Mikell has been involved in various protests and
advocacy projects. In 2016, he organized students to bring five thousand gallons of
fresh water to aid the residents of Flint, Michigan, earning him the SSA (Society for
Social Advocacy) student officer of the year. His efforts in the community were
recognized in August of 2017 when he received the Proclamation – Living the
Message award for Dignity in the city of McKeesport. He is also a member of Take
Action Mon-Valley (TAMV) and a member in good standing with the NAACP. In 2022, The Neighborhood Resilience Project certified Mr. Mikell as a
Behavioral Health Community Organizer. Mr. Mikell also became the Outreach and
Program Coordinator at Steel Rivers Council of Governments. He now uses the
CURE VIOLENCE model in collaboration with the Healthy Village in violence
prevention. Mr. Mikell founded Build-N-Block, a social justice organization
specializing in community case management and engagement. He is also a
community advisory board member for UPMC Latterman Family Health Center
where he had interned for as part of the behavioral health team. Utilizing various
training in ethics, cultural humility, and overdose prevention, Mr. Mikell continues to
serve vulnerable populations while creating a unique niche, allowing him to evolve
and maintain his identity.