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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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.

Zach Amos is a proud Memphis native committed to community and public service. 

 

A graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism, Zach’s career has been defined by impactful storytelling, strategic advocacy, and grassroots organizing.

 

After graduation, he dedicated himself to the fast-paced world of political campaigns, working as an organizer for gubernatorial, Senate, and Presidential races across the United States. His journey took him from the fields of Iowa to the coastal plains of South Carolina, and from the vibrant lights of Las Vegas to his home state of Tennessee, Missouri, and Florida. These experiences taught him the value of community-driven solutions and the power of listening to diverse voices.

 

For the past two years, Zach has channeled his skills and passion into his role at Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis, advocating for affordable housing

and spearheading community development initiatives.

 

Whether meeting with elected officials or partnering with local organizations, Zach has positioned Habitat as a leading voice in Memphis’s housing landscape. His work reflects a deep belief that safe, stable
housing is the cornerstone of strong families and thriving communities.

 

Beyond his professional life, Zach is an avid baker with a talent for creating memorable moments in the kitchen. Known among friends and family as the king of beignets, he proudly claims to make the best batch outside of New Orleans.

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At home, he shares his life with his wife, Colleen, and their six-month-old son, Teddy.