Our Team

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As Executive Director and Co-Founder of Project Blackbird, Ltd., Crystal Sanders is a dedicated leader and advocate for change. A single mother with a rich background in property management, she has faced significant challenges, including experiencing houselessness as a young woman. When she discovered her pregnancy, Crystal harnessed her faith and resilience to secure stable housing for herself and her soon-to-be son. Today, she passionately gives back to her community, inspiring hope and empowering those striving for positive change in their own lives. Crystal’s personal mission is to “Raise the Positivity of the Grid, One Being at A Time” reflecting her commitment to uplifting others, fostering growth and personal healing.

Jsun Ayers is a passionate changemaker and the founder of Project Blackbird, dedicated to uplifting the positivity of the grid, one human at a time. With thirteen years of personal recovery and firsthand experience being unhoused, Jsun brings deep empathy and resilience to his work. As a single father and professional with a background in surveying and mapping, he draws on a lifetime of community service and creative problem-solving to build inclusive, trauma-informed programs that support individuals and families facing adversity.
 

Jsun’s journey from overcoming personal challenges to supporting unhoused neighbors and developing innovative parenting and recovery initiatives uniquely positions him as a beacon for those facing barriers to housing and wellness. As an energetic innovator, recovery coach, and fierce advocate for peer support, he combines spiritual curiosity and heartfelt leadership to empower others on their recovery paths.
 

Rooted in Colorado’s recovery and fatherhood communities, Jsun’s partnership-driven philosophy inspires collaboration among nonprofits, government agencies, and families. Through Project Blackbird, he ensures that no human is left behind, and that the mission continues to grow alongside the ever-changing needs of humanity.

Hi, I’m Steve Huff. I’m a husband, a parent of two young adults growing up in a digital age, and a thirty-year veteran of the helping professions. My career has spanned roles as a therapist, social worker (PhD), educator, and outcome measurement specialist. I’m passionate about understanding and elevating the human experience. I’ve had the privilege of having a career examining what works to elevate the human experience. Over the years, I’ve learned, adapted, and built upon a variety of models and methods, always striving to make them more scalable and effective, especially for marginalized communities. I’ve worked in the Denver community with organizations like the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, Denver Kids, and Vivent Health. I currently run two companies: THRiVE Coaching.ai, which combines applied psychology with applied AI to support personal growth, and SOL Theory, a project to create a central hub for discovering the variety of products, services, and technology that elevate the human experience.

My Journey to Recovery, Purpose, and Giving Back

There was a time when life felt more like survival than truly living—a haze where alcohol and substances clouded every possibility, draining me of my best self. That life, thankfully, is behind me.

After years of substance use, I hit my lowest point. There were days when I had no place to call home—couch surfing from friend to friend, and sometimes walking the streets for days at a time just to find a safe place to rest. The uncertainty and exhaustion of that period made me realize just how far I had drifted from the life I wanted. What changed everything was the realization that life could offer so much more, both for myself and those I cared about.

Sobriety gave me my second chance: the courage to reconnect with my children, rebuild my sense of self, and become someone who uplifts those around me. My mother’s passing forced independence on me; it was one of the many hard lessons that taught me about the value of community, resilience, and support.

Recovery isn't just about me—it's become a calling. Today, I am not only a master granite installer and proud peer and family support specialist, but also a committed advocate for others on their journey back to hope. I've learned the satisfaction of quiet acts of service, how transformation is possible, and why paying it forward matters. Whether I am helping someone rebuild a home or a life, my greatest achievement is seeing another person step confidently into their new chapter.

Now, as I grow into my role as a peer coach mentor at Project Blackbird, I strive to pass on the skills, work ethic, and courage it took to reclaim my story. My goal is to help others re-enter society stronger than before, not because they have to hide who they were, but because their recovery can become their greatest strength.

Together, we can transform struggle into opportunity. With support and opportunity, everyone has a chance at real happiness, just as I found my own.