Meet the Urban Leaders for Equity and
Diversity (ULEAD) Fellows
Amanda Aiken
“It is easier to build strong children, than it is to repair broken men”. This quote by Frederick Douglass
serves as a driving principal in Amanda L. Aiken’s life. Amanda Aiken is the Principal of Lawrence D.
Crocker College Prep. In her first year as Principal, Amanda along with her incredible team of educators,
catapulted Crocker College Prep from being the lowest performing school in the city of New Orleans to
the most improved school in New Orleans. In addition to being the Principal at Crocker Amanda is also
an adjunct staff member with Teachers College, Columbia University as a Principal Coach for the
Summer Principals Academy. Before becoming Principal of Crocker College Prep, Amanda served as the
Principal in Residence and Instructional Performance Manager of Sylvanie Williams College Prep
Elementary School. As an Instructional Performance Manager she also taught 4th grade ELA. This
resulted in her having the highest ELA scores in the network, and her scholars outperforming the city
average. Before moving to New Orleans Amanda taught 4th grade in the Gwinnett County School System
in Georgia. Amanda has received several awards and recognition for her work in education. She was the
Crescent City Chapter of the Links Champion for Change, The 2014 Millennial of the Year in Education,
and The New Orleans Black Professionals “Profession of the Month”.
Amanda is a Phi Beta Kappa, Summa Cum Laude graduate of Spelman College, where she earned her BA
in Child Development/Teacher Certification. She obtained her Masters Degree in Curriculum and
Teaching from Teachers College, Columbia University. She is currently a participant in The National
Principal’s Academy Fellowship with Relay Graduate School of Education. Amanda is originally from
Hopewell Junction, New York. She is the daughter of Eugene and Edweana Aiken, and the sister of
Eugene L. Aiken III. In addition to her service to the children of New Orleans, Amanda is also an active
member of the community. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Alpha Beta
Omega Chapter, New Leaders Council 201 Fellow, The Orchid Society, The National Alumnae
Association of Spelman College, New Orleans Chapter, and a member of Franklin Ave. Baptist Church.
Amanda enjoys traveling and is committed to fitness. She is a kick boxing instructor a Tiger Rock Martial
Arts in New Orleans.
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Deborah Anderson
Deborah Anderson is an Animation Specialist with Louisiana Economic Development – FastStart. She
creates 3D models and animations for companies and schools in different industries from C4 Machining
to chemical. Before LED FastStart she was a LEAD Inspector with TurboSquid, a company that sells 3D
models to students, professionals and companies around the world. She managed a team of inspectors that
reviewed 3D models for TurboSquid’s CheckMate program amongst other projects.
In here free time she is a serial volunteer. She is currently the Recording Secretary for the Urban League
of Greater New Orleans Young Professionals. In 2014, she was Communications Director for
iSTEMNOLA, a program that exposed students to STEM through presentations by STEM professionals
and hands on activities. She has also volunteered with YLC’s Recreate program and Elevate NEXT as a
coach.
Her previous educational experience includes working with iSTEMNOLA, teaching English in South
Korea and being an intern with Digital Opportunity Trust. As a native English teacher, she taught students
at two schools, an all girls middle school and an all girls high school, how to be conversational. As an
intern with Digital Opportunity Trust, she helped teachers integrate technology into their classroom. She
became a resource for fellow interns and helped teachers use their Promethean boards and other resources
to get students engaged.
Deborah graduated with a Bachelor’s in Multidisciplinary Studies (Film/Animation) from Rochester
Institute of Technology in Rochester, NY and is originally from Detroit, MI.
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Teniesha Biagas
Teniesha Biagas is currently the Sponsorship Activation Director at ESSENCE Festival where she serves
as the main point person for all ESSENCE Festival sponsors working to seamlessly execute sponsor
integration for the event. She had been serving as a fundraiser for former U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu in
the 2014 Senatorial election. She also serves as Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Nola Black
Professionals, where she leads the digital movement initiated in 2012 to cultivate a young black
professional community online and offline. Prior to joining Senator Mary Landrieu’s reelection campaign,
Biagas served as Assistant Director of Partnerships at Rehage Entertainment securing funds from
corporations for major live events in New Orleans. In addition, she coordinated numerous productions
throughout the country such as Essence Festival,Voodoo Music Festival and A Night to Make it Right.
She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Xavier University. Biagas is active in her community where
she mentors high school students on entrepreneurship and has lectured on social media best practices at
workshops hosted by the Urban League of Greater New Orleans. Biagas also volunteers with the
organization, 2-Cent that uses literacy and art to address the reading deficiency in the community.
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Javon Bracy
Javon Bracy was born on May 22, 1992 to Marion and Judy Bracy in New Orleans, LA. In 2010, she
graduated at the top of her class from De La Salle High School. While at De La Salle, she was a member
of various honor societies and organizations. She helped to charter De La Salle’s chapter of the National
English Honor Society. During her senior year, she served as Student Council President
In May of 2014, Javon graduated from Xavier University of Louisiana with a degree in English Language
and Literature. In addition to graduating Magna Cum Laude, she earned honors in English and Theology.
While at Xavier, Javon was a University Merit Scholar, Rousseve Scholar, and made the Dean’s List after
each of her eight semesters. She was also included in the listing of the annual Who's Who Among
Students in American Universities and Colleges honor roll. Javon was also an active member of
numerous honor societies (Alpha Kappa Mu, Alpha Lambda Delta, Kappa Gamma Pi, Phi Alpha Delta,
Sigma Tau Delta) and service organizations (MAX, Peer Dean Association, XU L.O.V.E.). She
participated in numerous additional extra curricular activities including HCASC and Campus Ministry.
During the 2013-14 school year, she had the honor and distinction of serving as President of the Student
Government Association.
As a culmination of her endeavors at Xavier, she was named English Department Graduate of the Year.
Additionally she was awarded a Xavier University Service Key, as well as the St. Katharine Drexel
Award – the highest award that can be given to a Xavier Student
In the Fall of 2011, Javon was initiated into Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. through the Gamma Alpha
Chapter at Xavier University. She had the honor of representing the Sorority during the 2013 Centennial
activities - including the reenactment of the Delta Founders’ participation in the 1913 Women’s Suffrage
March. She is a graduate of Leadership DELTA - a year long national leadership development model
program sponsored by Delta Sigma Theta and General Electric Company for African-American collegiate
women of high academic achievement and leadership potential. Currently, Javon is a member of the New
Orleans Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta.
Javon began her education advocacy work with UNCF Advocacy during a 2013 summer Fellowship
sponsored by UNCF and the Walton Family Foundation. She is currently continuing that work through
service with City Year, a national AmeriCorps program that partners with high need public schools to
provide full-time targeted student interventions. Javon works full time as the Team Leader for the City
Year New Orleans team at Joseph S. Clark Preparatory High School.
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Kelsi Brooks
Kelsi Brooks King is a native New Orleanian who is extremely invested in supporting and developing
quality educational opportunities for our students. She currently serves as the Director of Early Teacher
Development for New Orleans College Prep. On any given day, you can find Kelsi actively participating
in an array of organizations dedicated to education and social justice. She passionately works with her
alma mater, Xavier University, by collaborating with their Division of Education. She is also an alumnae
of Leading Educators and has become a member of their Advisory Board. Kelsi has been honored as an
Emerging Leader in 2012 by ASCD. In addition, she was recently selected to the inaugural cohort of the
National Black Justice Coalition’s 100 Black LGBTQ Emerging Leaders to Watch. She is a
newlywed. Kelsi and her wife enjoy traveling and empowering LGBTQI youth. She believes unifying all
educators in the city will help heal our school system.
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George Bush
George Bush is not only an educator, mentor and basketball coach but he also is the CEO of the local
brand NolaKoolkids. His background includes leadership roles with Pepsico, Frito Lay, and Enterprise
Rent-A-Car. He currently is the JV Boys Head Basketball Coach and is also a Disciplinarian for Edna
Karr High. George is from Charleston, SC and relocated to New Orleans to be with now fiancé, Dr.
Nneka Meka.
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Mark Clayton
Mark A. Clayton II is originally from Inglewood, California. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Public
Relations from Loyola University New Orleans and is currently pursuing his Masters of Art in School
Counseling at Xavier University of Louisiana. Mr. Clayton is Audubon Charter’s Behavior Interventionist
at the Lower Campus. He has worked with Sony Pictures Entertainment, ESSENCE Communications and
Target before transitioning into the education field. He started his educational career with Recovery
School District as a LEAP Remediation Tutor. He joined education because of his passion for college
access and working with students to help them transition to four-year institutions. Mr. Clayton is actively
involved within the community and serves as a Project Leader for Young Leadership Council’s College
Admissions (C.A.P.). He also founded his own non-profit, Four More Steps, which offers scholarships &
creating opportunities both academically and professionally for students who are not achieving to their
full intellectual capabilities.
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Joshua Cox
Joshua Cox was raised in Gainesville, Florida where he attended Oak Hall High School. Upon
graduation, Josh continued his education at Yale University, where he was a four-year letterman on the
varsity baseball team and won the coveted William Neely Mallory Award. Josh was also a founding
board member of the Yale Black Men's Union and was deeply involved in its mentorship initiative. In
fact, his time in the mentorship initiative was so powerful, it led him to become a middle school English
teacher at New Orleans College Prep Charter School after graduation.
While in the classroom, Josh noticed that many students were not motivated to get to college because they
neither understood its benefits nor could they visualize themselves on a college campus. In response,
Josh founded the Harvard-Yale Program (HYP), which took his best students on a Northeast college tour
that mimicked the college experience. On the trip, students met with current college students, professors
and even enjoyed step-shows and cultural performances by acapella groups.
After two years in the classroom, Josh realized that poverty - and the problems that accompany it - are the
biggest barriers to reducing inequity in New Orleans. In 2011, he left the classroom to attend the
University of Pennsylvania Law School and the Fels Institute of Government to study law and
policy. Josh is currently an associate at the law firm of Barrasso Usdin Kupperman Freeman Sarver,
involved in the New Leaders Council of Louisiana, and on the board of the Youth Empowerment
Project. In the future, he hopes to do work that reduces inequality and increases economic opportunity all
New Orleanians.
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Brooks Duplessis
A New Orleans native with professional experience in real estate, education, community and economic
development, Brooks Duplessis is a Mortgage Loan Specialist with Liberty Bank and Trust Co. and is a
Licensed Real Estate Agent licensed in the State of Louisiana.
Brooks received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in
Management from Xavier University of Louisiana. She went on to receive a Master’s of Business
Administration from the University of New Orleans.
Brooks was a Program Coordinator in the Lieutenant Governor’s Office of Social Entrepreneurship and
Executive Assistant to the Chief of Staff. She was also Graduate Assistant in the Office of Community,
Governmental, and Diversity Affairs at the University of New Orleans. In addition, Brooks was an
Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship at Delgado Community College.
Prior to her work at UNO, Brooks traveled internationally to over 10 countries and worked as the
Assistant to the Director of Broadcasting and Special Project Manager for Radio Free Europe/Radio
Liberty in Prague, Czech Republic.
Brooks currently serves as the Chair of the Fundraising Committee of the Crescent Leadership Academy
Charter School Board of Directors. She also serves on the University Of New Orleans International
Alumni Association Board of Directors Student Success Committee and was the Event Chair of Resume’s
and Café Au Lait, an event to help Seniors prepare for job interviews after graduation.
In her more than 8 years of experience, Brooks has held roles in diversity and inclusion, social
entrepreneurship, finance, economic development, and marketing. She began her career at Bright
Moments, Inc. as a Public Relations Representative.
Brooks loves to bake and spend time with her family. She has 3 beautiful daughters, Camille (6) and
twins Brooklyn (3) and Sydney (3).
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Brian Egana
Brian Egana began Circular Consulting, LLC in 2007. He is the primary government relations consultant
at Circular Consulting, LLC and a principal project manager for government (state and municipal) clients.
He has developed his skills in constituent relations and legislative research through his 10+ years of
experience as a legislative aide for the New Orleans City Council and a project manager for the Louisiana
Land Trust. Mr. Egana has provided an array of government relations services/project management
services for government, corporate, and non-profit clients. He is a graduate of the New Orleans Public
School System (1996), and he earned his A.D. in Business Administration from Delgado Community
College (2002) and his B.S. in Business Administration from Southern University of New Orleans (2004).
He is a member of the Project Management Institute.
Brian has acted as a key liaison, as a program sub-consultant, for the City of New Orleans and its
corporate program manager for arguably its largest infrastructure recovery and/or maintenance programs,
The New Orleans Recovery Program, and the Sewer System Evaluation and Rehabilitation Program.
Brian is recognized as an effective local government relations liaison, and has earned a reputation for
identifying and quickly resolving bureaucratic impasses. Although primarily based in New Orleans, Brian
has been effective in parishes throughout the state.
Mr. Egana initially used his governmental relations skills in project management on the first phase of the
New Orleans area Disaster Housing Assistance Program (DHAP), acting as a liaison between the
municipal government and the program. He has since parlayed that experience into a project management
position with the Louisiana Land Trust, a non-profit agency responsible for placing storm ravaged
properties back into commerce within the regulations of parish and police jury regulations, and code
enforcement.
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Kelisha Garrett
Kelisha Garrett is a part of the Supplier Diversity team for Caesars Entertainment in the gulf coast region
and currently the DBE Regulatory Compliance & Community Relations Manager for Harrah's New
Orleans. In addition, she is the Principal at Gen-X Consulting Group, a firm focused in business
development and compliance. Kelisha also operates La Belle Pics, LLC - a Landscape Photography
Gallery focused on capturing the world around you. Kelisha received her MBA from the University of
Phoenix in April of 2007, a B.S. in Business Administration and obtained her nursing license in 1998. .
During her nursing career, she worked as the Director of Business Development for Drug Research
Services, a Legal Nurse Consultant, and as a staff nurse for various institutions. She expanded her career
in to the financial industry where she managed client portfolios for Merrill Lynch and Thomas Waddell &
Associates. Subsequently, Kelisha worked in the public sector as Director of Public Relations / Special
Projects for Kristin Palmer, New Orleans City Councilmember District “C”.
Kelisha is a graduate of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute 2011 and the Brian Bell
Leadership class of 2010. She currently serves as Secretary for the New Orleans Regional Leadership
Institute (NORLI), Treasurer of the Women's Business Enterprises Council – South, 2nd Vice-Chair of
the New Orleans Multicultural Tourism Network, and a board member of the Bio Medical District, New
Orleans Regional Black Chamber, GNO, Inc. NextGen Council, the Mississippi Minority Business
Alliance, the Beautiful Foundation, and an advisory council member of UNCF New Orleans. In addition,
she previously served as the Co-Chair for the Greater New Orleans Women’s Breakfast, Treasurer for the
NONBMBA, Vice-President of the Urban League Greater New Orleans Young Professionals and board
member of Junior Achievement.
Kelisha resides in the Mid-City area of New Orleans with her family.
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Kamisha Gray
Kamisha Gray received her B.A. in journalism from Western Illinois University and her M.A. in School
Leadership from Concordia University-River Forest. She began her teaching career in Chicago's
Englewood community serving as a 4th grade teacher for eight years. She moved to New Orleans in 2008
and became a 4th grade ELA teacher at Arthur Ashe Charter School. From 2008-2013, she served as a
teacher, team leader and Assistant Principal during her tenure at Arthur Ashe. In 2013, she moved to
Samuel J. Green Charter School as the Lower School Assistant Principal. In 2014, she was promoted to
Lower School Principal. Kamisha is an alumni of TeachNOLA, Leading Educators and New Leaders.
Currently, she is a member of the Relay GSE National Principal Academy.
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Victor Jones
Victor Jones, a native of Pascagoula, Mississippi, has resided in New Orleans for ten years. He and his two
brothers were raised by their mother, an elementary school teacher, who instilled in them the value of an
education at a very early age. Victor is a very proud alum of the Head Start Program.
Upon graduating from high school in 2003, Victor enrolled at Xavier University of Louisiana as a literature
major. While at Xavier, Victor was Vice President of the Student Government Association, a member of
the student congress, and President of the Xi Sigma Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Upon graduating from Xavier in 2007, Victor attended graduate school at Harvard University, earning a
master’s degree in education in 2008. While at Harvard, Victor was a counseling intern at New Mission
High School in Roxbury, MA. After graduating from Harvard, Victor taught kindergarten at Prospect Hill
Academy Charter Public School in Somerville, MA, and was adjunct faculty at Codman Academy Charter
School in Boston, MA.
Though education is his passion, Victor always wanted to study law. He therefore enrolled at the Loyola
University New Orleans College of Law in 2009. While at Loyola, Victor was a member of the moot court
board and class representative for the Student Bar Association. He also was a judicial intern for the former
Honorable Charles R. Jones of the Louisiana Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal, and a judicial extern for the
Honorable Ivan Lemelle of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. Victor
graduated from law school in 2012, being selected his classmates to deliver the student commencement
speech at graduation.
Today, Victor is an attorney at the law firm of Kelly Hart & Pitre in New Orleans, practicing in the areas
of oil and gas and labor and employment. Drawing upon his education background, Victor also provides
legal advice to schools and school boards in the city.
Victor is the husband of Nikkole Ruley Jones. They are the proud parents of an infant daughter, named
Nola Grace.
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Tiecha Keiffer
Tiecha Keiffer is the Creative Director at Boomers Lifestyle Network Magazine with responsibility for
creative input into new projects and ideas, especially visual identity of magazine. She also serves as
Producer and Co-Host of the Boomers Lifestyle Network Radio where she creates subject matter, arrange
interviews and interviews guests. Prior to joining Boomers Lifestyle Network, Tiecha worked in teaching;
special education advocacy; journalism; speech coaching at several companies including Families
Helping Families of Southeast Lousiana, The Times-Picayune/Algiers-Picayune, New Orleans Recovery
School District and New Orleans Public Schools. Notable is her 7 years as a
Teacher/Facilitator/Substitute in the New Orleans Public School System & Jefferson Parish School
System (Kelly’s Educational Services).
Tiecha Keiffer holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from The University of New Orleans and 18 credit hours
towards a Master of Arts in Communication Arts.
She is a member of New Orleans Association of Black Journalists and serves as Community Outreach
Coordinator. She is also a member of Confront & Conquer Special Needs Faith Based Organization. In
her spare time she volunteers in a homeless mission.
Tiecha is the mother of three; Ebby, Ja’wan and Bri Keiffer. She is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana
and Virginia Beach, Virginia.
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Angela Keyes
Angela Keyes, Ph.D., an applied developmental psychologist, is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at
the Tulane School of Medicine. She is a native New Orleanian and is married with two sons. Dr. Keyes
has been involved in the development and implementation of Quality Start: Louisiana’s Child Care
Rating System and serves as the Project Director. She is the Director of the Assessment Team and is
responsible for supervising the administration of standardized measures used to evaluate quality in child
care centers. She also helped to develop a model for mental health consultation to assist centers in
fostering children’s social-emotional development, and provides reflective supervision to mental health
consultants across the state. Dr. Keyes facilitates courses for psychology and psychiatry trainees on
multiculturalism and parenting and conducts trainings on child development, early childhood education
and infant mental health. Her research interests include quality of child care and its effect on children’s
development, school readiness, positive discipline, cultural competence and parenting.
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Arielle McConduit
A New Orleans Native, Arielle McConduit is the Parent Information Center’s Director at the Urban
League of Greater New Orleans. Prior to this position, Arielle worked at the Orleans Parish Municipal
Court as well as the Jefferson Parish District Attorney’s Office, Juvenile and Felony Division. She also
serves as a mentor with Take the Lead Foundation as well as the Vice Chair for New Orleans Kids
Partnership, Family Engagement Working Group.
Arielle McConduit earned her Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Loyola University in
2005. As well, she earned her Juris Doctorate from Loyola University School of Law in New Orleans in
2009. Arielle is the proud mother of two kids and is an advocate for family engagement and student
learning. This advocacy is evident in her work with the Urban League’s yearly Schools Expo, which this
year boasted more than 3,000 in attendance, increased diversity, and had the largest number of
scholarship schools participating thus far.
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Talia M. Pennington
Talia M. Pennington, a native of Chicago, Illinois is an enrollment management expert who daily finds
creative ways to educate others. Talia serves as the Senior Admissions Recruitment at Dillard University
and is responsible for overseeing recruitment, yielding efforts, strategic planning and leadership to her
team, as together they work in alignment according to the vision of the university. Talia is also an
instructor of the First Year Seminar for the office of Academic Center of Excellence. Beyond recruitment
and teaching, Talia mentors students through their professional and career development by assisting them
with mock interviews, cover letter and resume writing workshops and connecting them with Dillard
University alumni who have offered her students opportunities which range from internships and
employment placement to advocating for their graduate school admissions.
Talia previously served as the Dillard University Alumni Association of Chicago chapter president. She
was also the 1st vice-president of the Chicago Inter-Alumni Council for the United Negro College Fund
(UNCF). In both roles, Talia was passionate about raising funds for student scholarships. Currently, Talia
serves on a local charter school board in the city of New Orleans and is in the process of proposing a book
club for 4th-6th graders at a grammar school in her community. Outside of Talia’s daily advocacy for
education, she focuses a lot of her energy towards Autism and Breast Cancer Awareness. Talia is also a
small business owner and recently launched WoodenTreasureWorks, LLC., which specializes in
personalized hand painted wooden crafts.
Talia received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology from Dillard University and
earned her Master of Science degree in Journalism from Roosevelt University. Before returning to New
Orleans, Talia was an Individual Development Manager for The Cara Program and was a Writing teacher
for Chicago Public Schools.
Talia wholeheartedly leans on a quote that the late Maya Angelo once shared “When you get, give. When
you learn, teach.” Talia is a teacher and a giver, and has no regrets for having those characteristics.
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Jasmine Ratliff
Jasmine is a New Orleans native with experience as a human resource professional and education
leadership assistant. She is very comfortable interacting with all level staff to complete complex task,
manage staff and programs, provide professional training, and resolve conflict quickly. Her
communication skills, organizational development knowledge, staffing experience, and project
management skills would serve as an asset when engaged in any community effort. Jasmine is currently
the Assistant Producer and Resident Coordinator of The Ellis Marsalis Center for Music.
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Kisha G. Smith
Kisha G. Smith is a native of New Orleans. She is a graduate of Xavier University Preparatory. She holds
a bachelor’s degree in Sociology/Social Welfare from Dillard University and a master’s degree in
Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix.
Kisha is employed with the City of New Orleans as a Management Development Specialist. She also
holds a position as an instructor with the Growth and Development Division of the Department of Civil
Service of New Orleans. She is a Certified Ethics Trainer (CET) with the State of Louisiana.
Prior to her employment with the City of New Orleans she worked in Property Management, Clinical
Research and Hospitality industry.
Kisha believes that change in the community is achieved through service.
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Ricardo D. Thomas
Ricardo Thomas is a graduate of Loyola University where he earned a Bachelor of Business
Administration degree in Finance. He is a Registered Financial Consultant, Certified Divorce
Financial Analyst, Chartered Federal Employee Benefits Consultant, Diplomate of the American
Board of Forensic Examiners and is a Fellow of the American College of Forensic Examiners. He also
holds the Accredited Financial Counselor designation received through the Institute of Personal
Finance at the University of Maryland and became a fully licensed investment broker at the age of
nineteen.
He is a practicing financial consultant and is the president of THOMAS-WADDELL & Associates,
Inc., a financial consulting & asset management firm with clients across the country. He has also worked
as a Divorce Financial Analyst, served as an expert witness and consulted on divorce cases where expert
opinions were needed on divorce settlements. He is also a former contributing financial writer for both
Perspectives Magazine and Women of Excellence Magazine. In addition, he is a former adjunct
instructor at Delgado Community College and most recently taught financial-related classes as a part of
the University of New Orleans’ Project Pass program. His work in the area of personal finance has been
featured in the Times-Picayune, N.O. CityBusiness, New Orleans Tribune, Barnes & Nobles Bookstore,
as well as other publications around the country.
Mr. Thomas is also a member of the International Association of Registered Financial Consultants and
the American College of Forensic Examiners. He is also involved in the community by serving as a board
member for the past 12 years for Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Louisiana, where he also serves on
several committees including chairing the fundraising committee. He is also a board member of the Urban
League of Greater New Orleans and is currently president of the Urban League GNO Young
Professionals.
Over the years he has made numerous presentations on radio, television and newspaper pertaining to a
variety of financial topics. He is also the recipient of many awards including “Outstanding Young
Men in America”, “Who’s Who among U.S. Executives”, and “Who’s Who in Finance and Industry”, and
the "New Orleans' CityBusiness Power Generation Award". Most recently he was named a recipient of
the 5-star Wealth manager award for financial planning and was featured in New Orleans magazine.
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Tracie L. Thomas
Tracie L. Thomas was born and raised in New Orleans, LA -the second of eleven children (eldest
daughter). Her parents instilled within her the importance of responsibility and setting a good example for
her nine younger siblings at an early age. At eight years old, she conducted “summer school” with her
younger siblings every summer for nine eight years using old textbooks purchased at the local elementary
school to prepare them for the upcoming curriculum. She was educated in the New Orleans Public School
System, and graduated from Warren Easton Fundamental Senior High School in the top 2% of her class.
After earning a B.S. in Biology from Xavier University of Louisiana, she later earned a M.A. in Mass
Communication from Grambling State University.
Tracie’s professional career developed from her experiences as a tutor at the Xavier Upward Bound
Program during her junior and senior years as a Xavier student. The director of the program called upon
her every summer while in graduate school to teach an elective course in public speaking/media relations
to the students. This experience developed her passion for aiding in the academic development of local
students in the New Orleans community. Upon the recommendation of the former director of Upward
Bound, the director of Xavier’s Office of Graduate Placement, decided to take a chance on Tracie as a
budding professional, fresh out of graduate school, with no professional working experience, and hired
her as the Assistant Director of the department. That started her on the path as an educational opportunity
professional as a TRIO advocate for programs such as Upward Bound, Ronald McNair Scholars,
Educational Talent Search, Student Support Services, etc. For nearly eight years, she has served as a
TRIO program professional at Xavier University of Louisiana impacting the educational development and
exposure for pre-collegiate and collegiate disadvantaged student populations. Tracie is currently serving
her second term as the Secretary of the TRIO/GEAR UP state professional organization, Louisiana
Association for Student Assistance Programs (LASAP).
Tracie realized that in order to best serve the needs of this student population on a larger scale and impact
educational policy, she needed to formalize her knowledge base of the intricacies of the educational
systems through the pursuit of a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership (Higher Education Administration) at
the University of New Orleans. She concluded coursework last year, and is in the process of preparing to
enter the final stages of the program, with an anticipated completion date in 2016. Tracie currently serves
as the Director of the Office of Graduate Placement and University Summer Programs at Xavier, and is an
adjunct Public Speaking instructor at the South Central Louisiana Technical College-River Parishes
campus.
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Cordelia D. Tullous
Cordelia D. Tullous currently serves as the Vice President of Human Capital for Leading Educators. In
her role, she is responsible for staff professional development, the cultivation and retention of talent,
management of talent-related systems, and contract management for the national Leading Educators
organization. Cordelia joined Leading Educators from KIPP New Orleans Schools where she served as
the Director of Human Resources. Cordelia began her career in education management as a Resident in
the Broad Residency in Urban Education, a program that places professionals into management roles in
carefully selected education organizations. Prior to the Residency, Cordelia clerked for an employment
law firm in Houston, Texas assisting with Title VII, FLSA and other employment related legal matters.
Before returning to law school, Cordelia worked as a Human Performance Manager for a global
management consulting firm. In this role, she worked with Fortune 500 as well as federal and state
government clients to better understand their organizations, resolve management issues, and develop
comprehensive strategies to assist them in successfully managing change. Cordelia holds a B.A. in
Political Science from Spelman College as well as a Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of
Houston and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership.
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Brian L. Turner
Brian L. Turner, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at Xavier University of
Louisiana. He is a native of New Orleans, La., where he graduated from Isidore Newman High School.
He earned an athletic scholarship to Southern University and A & M College, Baton Rouge, La. He
graduated Cum Laude, a four year letter winner in football, a member of three Black College National
Football Championship teams. He then went on to complete his doctoral studies in Clinical Psychology
at Jackson State University. Ideally I see myself at Xavier University preparing students for graduated
training programs, conducting solid research, and investing in the continued health and wellbeing of the
New Orleans community. Additionally, I anticipate beginning private practice where I will deliver direct
clinical mental health services to a diverse clientele.
Dr. Turner’s research and clinical interests are inclusive of the following:
The intersection of culture and psychology,
Social justice/equality,
Coping styles and mental health outcomes,
Diversity/multicultural competency/inclusion issues (broadly defined),
Mental health advocacy/legislative issues,
Sports psychology (Performance and Mental Preparation),
Psychodiagnostic assessment and measures, and
Clinical Training and Supervision.
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Lori E. Vaughn
Lori Vaughn is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana. She received her undergraduate and graduate degrees,
respectively, at The University of Southern Mississippi and Temple University, where she received a
degree in speech language pathology with an emphasis in the Hispanic population. Ms. Vaughn, a speech
language pathologist, owns and operates Speech by Design, LLC.
Speech by Design is a communication-consulting firm, which provides individualized strategies and
techniques for enhancing academic, personal, and professional aptitude. The skills provided by the firm
incorporate techniques in speech & language development, accent/dialect modification, vocal hygiene,
public speaking, and image consulting. Under the company, Ms. Vaughn works as a speech language
pathologist for the Louisiana Early Steps Program and for both Orleans & Jefferson parish school system.
Since 2010, Ms. Vaughn has worked as an adjunct instructor and clinic supervisor for Xavier University
of Louisiana.
Although, she has been working in this amazing field for less than 10 years, Ms. Vaughn has been granted
many opportunities. Opportunities to teach and advocate for cultural diversity at local and state levels,
instruct both graduate and undergraduate students, and lecture at state and national conferences.
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Jabreel Walker
Jabreel Walker is currently an operations support engineer for the alkylation and kerosene treating units at
Norco Refinery. She received her bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering in 2009 from Prairie View
A&M University in Prairie View, TX. In addition to her studies, Jabreel played softball for prairie view
for two years and was a contestant in the 2008 Miss Prairie View Pageant. She held several leadership
positions within the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) including president from 2007 – 2009. She also
held leadership positions within the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), including Region 5
academic excellence chair. She was inducted into Tau Beta Pi National Engineering Honor Society and
Omega Chi Epsilon Chemical Engineering Honor Society while at Prairie View. She participated in
Panthers at Work (PAW) Service projects, and was a member of the American Institute of Chemical
Engineers (AICHE) and National Organization of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NoBChe). In
addition to participating in professional and community organizations, Jabreel worked as a student
researcher at the Space Engineering Institute (2005-2006) and was a supplemental instructor for calculus,
physics, chemistry and engineering classes (2006 – 2009).
During her tenure at Prairie View she organized and executed over 60 students to attend a conference in
Dallas, TX and was personally selected to coordinate the Naming dedication ceremony for the College of
Engineering, which had over 30 student volunteers. In 2009 she won awards from Prairie View for Most
Outstanding Student and Outstanding Leadership. After graduation, Jabreel moved to New Orleans
Louisiana and began her career as an asset development engineer supporting capital projects. Within 2
years she rotated to a different role as operations support engineer (OSE) for Logistics. Just recently, she
rotated again to a different area as OSE for Alky/Kero Units.
Since moving to New Orleans, Jabreel has been involved with several professional and community
organizations, some continuing membership from college. She is the current president of the NSBE New
Orleans Professional Chapter and has held several other leadership positions within that organization. She
is a member of the SWE Greater New Orleans Professional Section and has held various positions
including programs chair and community service chair. She participated in the Young Leadership Council
(YLC) leadership development program, and is an active participant in the College Admissions Project
(CAP) and Power Ties. Jabreel has a very active social calendar; which includes visits to various schools
around the city to do engineering 101 presentations, discuss college readiness and do small STEM
activities with the students. She also does motivational speaking to girl scouts and at the local colleges in
the area. She is also the Region C Team Lead for the Collegiate Leadership Coaching Committee with
SWE and travels around the southern states assisting collegiate SWE sections with leadership training,
event planning, fundraising and other topics. Jabreel enjoys the activities and culture of New Orleans,
reading, listening to music and traveling.
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Jameeta Youngblood
Jameeta is a proud, native New Orleanian with an affinity for service to her community. Ms. Youngblood
earned her Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from
Nicholls State University While pursuing her MBA, Ms. Youngblood received Master Advisor
certification from Nicholls State University, which allowed her to advise undergraduate students on issues
concerning education. She utilized her organizational skills as secretary of the MBA Association, a
position that enabled her to help revamp a successful network among students, alumni, and faculty.
Ms. Youngblood is the Assistant Operations Director at 89.9FM WWNO radio station (NPR’s New
Orleans affiliate). In this position she has helped to enhance WWNO’s financial strength by supporting
the corporate underwriting program, which accounts for one third of WWNO’s income.
Ms. Youngblood currently serves as Vice President for the Urban League of Greater New Orleans Young
Professionals and Board Member At Large for Girl Scouts Louisiana East. She has previously served on
the Board of Directors for the New Orleans Women’s Shelter; as Parliamentarian for the Urban League of
Greater New Orleans Young Professionals; as Co-Event Chair for Relay for Life of New Orleans; and as
Director of Membership for EngageNOLA.
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