Meet The Board of Directors 

A native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Phil is a graduate of Southern University and A&M College. He is currently a local business owner and entrepreneur with a desire to grow and serve the community. He is an avid fan of the Memphis Tigers, Memphis Grizzlies, and of course any University team from his alma mater in Baton Rouge.

 

He is a fan of the late great Hall of Fame UCLA basketball coach, John Wooden and one of his favorite quotes from coach Wooden is, “Success comes from knowing that you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming”.

His hobbies include music, golf, cooking, and tinkering with automobiles. He enjoys mentoring youth and has coached his son’s basketball teams in the past. 

 

 

"Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth". Muhammad Ali​

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Ashley D. Jefferson is a court appearance attorney. She also practices in the area of estate planning, business law, landlord-tenant matters, and bankruptcy law. Ashley is an active member in the legal community; she
serves as Probate Section Treasurer on the Memphis Bar Association's Board of Directors.

Most recently, Ashley served as project manager for the Memphis Bar Foundation's 901 Legal Connect. Under her leadership, the program became the State's first access to justice initiative to develop a web-based legal aid intake process that prescreens low to modest means residents to determine eligibility for free to low-cost legal assistance.

Ashley is a proud graduate of the University of Memphis and the University of Tennessee College of Law. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling to anywhere that has sand and sunshine, taking afternoon tea, and having Sunday brunch with her son and faithful dining sidekick, Jackson-Alexander.

Mr. Floyd Tate possesses professional experience in banking, sales, and customer service with a significant knack in building relationships. He has savvy diplomatic skills and naturally cultivates relationships to build consensus among diverse individuals. He is a former substitute teacher in Memphis School System.

He graduated from LeMoyne-Owen College and is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. Mr. Tate is passionate about improving the lives of youth and supporting the mission of Bevo Boys Fitness Academy.

His goal is to make sure children understand there are options in life.

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Reginald Bernard is currently the Manager of Health and Wellness with the Shelby County Health Department. Reginald is a former educator and track coach with the former Memphis City School system, and an adjunct
professor at the University of Phoenix. Reginald enjoys teaching, reading, boxing, and spending time on the golf course.

"It brings me great joy to prepare our children for the future. Through the Bevo Boxing Fitness Academy, we will change lives with the hope of creating and brighter future."

Tempia Waddell is a Tennessee Board Licensed Psychotherapist who currently serves as the Clinical Director of The Resiliency Center of Memphis. This organization provides psychotherapy services, group support, and community workshops throughout the State of Tennessee.

On her journey to be a lifelong community changer, Ms. Waddell graduated from HBCU-Lane College for her undergraduate studies in criminal justice and Liberty University for her graduate studies in professional counseling.

Ms. Waddell has extensive experience in treating survivors and families of trauma and domestic violence, mostly gathered from the Shelby County Crime Victims & Rape Crisis Center, Agape Children and Family
Services and other community agencies.

In her personal time, she indulges in self-care by exploring a range of fun activities such as cycling, exercising, riding her motorcycle, traveling, shopping, and spending time with her family. Ms. Waddell believes that “A youth’s self-esteem is the first building block of their success.”

Karl Lyman is a native of Chicago, Illinois, and has resided in Memphis, TN for 28 years. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Morehouse College in Atlanta, where he was an initial Oprah Winfrey Scholarship recipient. Lyman also holds MS and Ed.D. degrees from the University of Mississippi in Oxford. Additionally, he is a President’s Club honoree for Senior Life Services in Vero Beach, FL, for which he is licensed as a life insurance producer in Tennessee and Florida. He has two sons, one of whom is a mathematics teacher, while the other attends the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Currently, Karl Lyman is an algebra teacher at Hillcrest High School, in the Whitehaven area of Memphis, and has taught for nearly three decades. Over the course of his career, he has developed a record of achievement
in grant-writing and motivational speaking for prospective educators. Part of his contribution to developing new educators includes conducting workshops to motivate recent education graduates to succeed in their
licensure examinations.

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Robin Ballard is a native of Long Island, New York and migrated to Memphis, Tennessee to make a
difference in the lives of students. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics degree from Virginia
Union University and Master’s in Education from Cumberland University.

 

As a dedicated educator for over 20 years and former principal, she is currently the Benjamin L. Hooks
Distinguished Service Award recipient for her tireless works to address issues such as access to
education, healthcare, and environmental sustainability.

 

With years of experience in the field of
education, Robin has inspired countless individuals through her innovative teaching methods and
unwavering dedication to her students’ success.

 

As a community navigator, she actively engages in initiatives aimed at improving access to education,
advocating for social justice, and building stronger, more inclusive communities. Robin’s tireless efforts
and compassionate leadership serve as a beacon of inspiration for those around her, leaving a lasting
impact on both the educational landscape and the communities she serves.

With over 25 years of experience in educational leadership, non-profit executive management and ministry, Rev. Dr. K. Andre Brooks serves as serves as Pastor of Providence African Methodist Episcopal of Memphis where he is Noted for ministerial emphasis on social justice, grassroots organizing, education reform, and leadership development.

Dr. Brooks is redefining the role of the urban Church and its impact on community revitalization. A noted expert in education and community organizing, Dr. Brooks provides his unique perspective and analysis to
local/national media outlets for his research and programming on African American student Achievement and community economic development.

A former High School Principal and Certified Superintendent, Dr. Brooks continues to develop programs and research in K-16 Urban Education to recommend strategies to foster economic growth of cities as CEO of The Anvil Community Development Corporation.

Dr. Brooks received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from LeMoyne-Owen College, and his Master of Education from Coppin State University, Master Of Divinity from Howard University, Certificate Of Non-Profit
Executive Management from Duke University, Doctor Of Ministry from Payne Theological Seminary and Doctor of Philosophy in Higher Education Administration from Morgan State University.