Jarmilla McMillan-Arnold grew up in Detroit and Pontiac, Michigan. At the age of eight she moved to Las Vegas with her father Dr. James B. McMillan, who was president of the Las Vegas branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

Shawn Willis grew up outside of Detroit, Michigan and a graduate of University of Detroit Mercy. She moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2004. Since moving she converted to judaism. She held the position of Director of the Jewish National Fund of Las Vegas from 2015 to 2017. She also has been a member of UNLV Foundation’s President’s Associates Council.