Emmanuel Little, Ph.D., currently serves as director of training and DEI Initiatives at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta. He led the Call Me MISTER (Mentors Instructing Students Toward Effective Role models) program at Georgia College. He led several initiatives for young men of color in higher education and several committees focused on leadership for diversity issues. His research interests revolve around support for historically marginalized and underrepresented students in higher education, particularly concerning access and opportunity. Specifically, his scholarship focuses on expanding the knowledge base that informs his work with these communities.
Emmanuel also thrives as a voice-over artist (aka “MannyVoices“) and podcaster (via The No Wednesday Podcast). He has also been known to dabble in poetry and rap music in his spare time as a creative outlet for his passions.
He earned his Bachelors in mass communication and Masters in public administration at Georgia College, and a Ph.D., in Higher Education from The University of Georgia. Learn more about Emmanuel by logging on to https://emmanuellittle.com/.
Shani Lenore is currently the Vice President of Enrollment at Maryville University. Her 24-year career has included admission/enrollment positions at Columbia College (Columbia, MO), Southeast Missouri State University, and Saint Louis University.
During Ms. Lenore’s tenure at Maryville, she developed and implemented multi-dimensional recruitment/marketing/enrollment campaigns informed by market and geo-demographic analysis, oversaw the implementation and effective use of numerous recruitment CRM’s, and employed financial aid leveraging strategies resulting in record freshmen classes while maintaining academic quality and increasing geographic and ethnic diversity. Shani has served as Past-President of the Missouri Association for College Admission Counseling, served as a delegate to the National Association for College Admission Counseling, and held the Past-Chair position on the Missouri ACT State Organization. Shani also served as a Senior Consultant with AACRAO Consulting. She has been significantly involved in other regional and national professional organizations, presenting on various enrollment management topics regionally and nationally.
Dr. Brandon W. Jones is a speaker, lecturer, student affairs practitioner, husband, father, and minister. He serves as Associate Director for Student Learning and Development in Housing and Dining at the University of Texas at Austin. Brandon is very passionate about helping students realize their purpose and make the most of their college experience. He specializes in student-athlete development, student success, minority student achievement, academic support programs, and curriculum development. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Graphic Design and a Master’s Degree in Higher Education from Abilene Christian University. He also earned his Ph.D. in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies from the University of Texas at Arlington in 2015. Brandon and his wife, Melissa, have been married since 2011 and have 2 kids (Alissa and Brandon II).
Bo Cobb was born and raised in St. Louis, Mo., and graduated from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville with a Bachelor of Science in Theatre-Performance. After graduating, he understood the value of developing relationships and mentorship and began working in the non-profit sector, managing group homes, and serving as a youth pastor. Bo also wrote and directed several plays geared toward praising the Lord while uplifting the youth and families.
He is a big advocate for mental health and healing. Bo understands how recovery leads to freedom, a fresh start, and a re-connection. "Cooking with Bo: Unique & Delicious Plant-Based Meals" is available at most major retailers, including Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Walmart.
Charleese Hasan was raised in St. Louis, MO. She holds a B.S. in Biology and Chemistry from St. Louis University, an MBA from Webster University, and a Ph.D. in Strategic Intelligence from Harvard University. She is an active-duty Navy Captain, business owner, and founder of Eboni Eyes' non-profit education foundation. CAPT Hasan has served as an active duty Intelligence Officer for over 24 years. She is the Prospective Commanding Officer of Brooks Center for Maritime Engagement in Suitland, MD. Hasan is co-owner of OH Charlie LLC, a commercial real estate investment company specializing in acquiring and managing retail strip malls. She also specializes in the acquisition and management of vacation rentals. The Eboni Eyes Foundation conducts financial literacy and entrepreneurship programs and provides college scholarships to St. Louis area students. To learn more visit http://www.ebonieyes.org.
In 2018, Nite Owl won a song contest with the St. Louis Cardinals that is now featured as their theme song called "Cardinal Nation: Hearts Are Pumpin!" Nite Owl's music continues to be discovered and rapidly consumed through sync licensing placements worldwide. From Mexico to London to Japan to the Middle East, he learns of new fans hearing his sound for the first time.
Ultimately, you will want to cheer for this St. Louis talent extraordinaire, as he's created a sweet blend of musical styles. His style embodies the integrity of Underground lyrical Hip Hop music, paired with the characteristics of mass commercial appeal.
Nite Owl has written, recorded, and released 23 independent albums throughout his music career. He refuses to be outworked in the studio and on stage. His fans and critics often compare him to Jay-Z, Nas, Kanye West, and Common.
Nite Owl performs Hip Hop music alongside a live band and DJ during his live performances, making his shows exciting and new. His performances are innumerable but include being the show opener for The Roots, Talib Kweli & Little Brother, and Waka Flocka Flame. Nite Owl took 1st place in the HOT 104.1FM Koch Madness Competition after competing with 208 other St. Louis Hip Hop artists. And he has been booked to perform more than any other Hip Hop artist or group in the St. Louis area.
Nite Owl proves that he only gets better with time and has outlasted many other indie artists in his region. He is proud to be a Hip Hop artist who is unsigned, authentic, and timeless.'
Dr. Brian L. English was born and raised in Dallas, TX, and attended grade school in the Dallas Independent School District. He received his undergraduate degree in marketing and MBA from Texas A&M University-Commerce. Additionally, Brian graduated with a Ph.D. from The University of Texas at Arlington’s Educational Leadership and Policy Studies program. After a short stint working in corporate America, Brian worked for Education is Freedom as a college advisor and executive coordinator at Concord Church. He focused mainly on community engagement. He recently served as the Executive Director of the UT Youth Engagement Center - Dallas within The University of Texas at Austin’s Division of Diversity and Community Engagement. In this role, he oversaw the Dallas outreach programs for UT Austin and developed/implemented innovative pathways to success for high school students, college students, and graduates in the Dallas area. He now serves as Director of Community Relations for Dallas College. Brian has been married to Dr. Ashley English since December of 2012. They have three beautiful children (Joseph, Joshua, and Faith).
Rachel McCoy lived most of her life in the Atlanta, Georgia area. She graduated cum laude from Wofford College in South Carolina, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She also holds a master’s degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Texas – Austin and an Education Specialist degree in School Counseling from Georgia State University.
Rachel is passionate about public education and connecting students to postsecondary opportunities. She was a public-school counselor in Georgia for fourteen years, often called upon to lend her voice as an advocate for both students and professionals. Later, Rachel obtained her Education Leadership certification and LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) and National Certified Counselor (NCC) credentials.
Rachel has presented at numerous regional and national conferences on various school counseling and college access initiatives throughout her career. For the last eight years, Rachel has worked for national nonprofit organizations working directly with educators, school districts, and state agencies to expand access to postsecondary opportunities on a larger scale.
In this short episode, Pastor Nate offers a special short prayer for our Podcast, our Leaders, and our Country.
Pastor Nate Stewart is a native of Macon, Georgia. Immediately after high school, Pastor Nate attended college on a football scholarship. His dream was to play for the NFL, but those plans were halted after he suffered a major knee injury during his freshman year. At this time, Pastor Nate began to really pray and seek God about his life and his future.
In 1997 Pastor Nate accepted his call to full-time ministry, and the journey began at The Florida School of Preaching. He moved on to Christian Bible College, where he received his Bachelor of Theology Degree and Master of Ministry Degree in Christian Counseling.
He served in Little Rock, Ark, Cleveland, Ohio, Atlanta, GA, and Macon, GA, where I paths crossed as he served as Executive Pastor at The House of Hope Atlanta and The House of Hope Macon, under the direction of his spiritual father and mentor, Dr. E. Dewey Smith, Jr.
In 2017, Pastor Nate received an unexpected call from the Lord to serve as the Senior Pastor of Greater Life Church. After much hesitation and prayer, he accepted the offer and moved his family to San Diego, California, to serve as the 3rd Pastor in the church’s 45-year history.
Born in Cincinnati, OH, Dorian Brown grew up in East St. Louis, IL. As an undergraduate, he attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Dorian began as an engineer ended with a BA in history and a minor in mathematics. He received a Master's in History with an emphasis in African American History from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. He pledged Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc through the vessel of the Iota Pi Chapter. He currently is ABD in pursuit of a Ph.D. in History at Saint Louis University. His research interests include African American history and African history. Dorian served as a Professor of History at St. Louis Community College at Forest Park for 19 years before joining the African American Studies Faculty at City College of San Franciso, where he currently serves.
With over fifteen years of experience in university admission and independent school settings, Jessica Sant was recently named Chief Engagement Officer at The Lovett School in Atlanta, GA. Before her current role, she served as Lovett's Director of College Counseling and worked as an undergraduate admission officer at both the University of Georgia and Emory University.
She was named President of the Southern Association for College Admission Counseling (SACAC) in 2018 and is a current Dickinson College's Counselor Advisory Board member.
She earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Georgia and is completing a Certificate in School Management and Leadership through the Harvard Business School and Graduate School of Education.
Jessica is the recipient of Lovett's Surdyk Award, SACAC's Rising Star Award, and NACAC's Excellence in Government Relations Award.
She's married to Tyler Sant, who happens to be the Head of College Counseling at the Atlanta International School, and is the very proud mom to Josie Jaret Sant, who will turn 1 in October!
Stacey R. Cleveland is a wife, mother, leader, author, and forever learner who lives by the mantra - Grace. Grind. Gratitude. God’s Grace is sufficient. Activate your Grind daily. Be thankful with love and Gratitude.
In her professional life, Stacey has worked in diversity, equity, and inclusion in university, non-profit and technical sectors for fifteen years. She is currently the Director, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Salesforce where she is charged with implementing equitable and inclusive diversity strategies to drive transformational hiring, attrition, and belonging outcomes for underrepresented groups. Prior to Salesforce, Stacey was a diversity lead, instrumental in building the operational strategy for the retention and progression team at Google.
Stacey is a certified career coach and training facilitator who has led professional development training for seasoned executive leaders and young professionals. The scope of her work and diversity expertise has afforded Stacey the opportunity to speak at various national conferences such as the National MBA Association, National Conference on Race and Ethnicity, Junior Achievement, Thurgood Marshall College Fund, and the United Negro College Fund. Stacey is a graduate of the University of Missouri with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism. She completed a dual Master of Arts degree in Human Resources Development and Communication Management at Webster University.
Stacey is a published author and a proud member of Delta Sigma ThetaSorority, Inc. Stacey was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri and still considers it home. She currently resides in Austin, Texas with her husband and teenage son. Learn more at: www.lovenotesbyrobbirenee.com
Lori Patton Davis, Ph.D.is one of the most highly respected, accomplished, and influential scholars in the field of higher education. She is a tenured full professor of Higher Education and Student Affairs at The Ohio State University and Chair of the Department of Educational Studies. Patton Davis is also past president of the Association for the Study of Higher Education. She is best known for her important cross-cutting work on African Americans in higher education, critical race theory, diversity initiatives on college campuses, girls and women of color in educational and social contexts, and college student development and graduate preparation. She is the author of numerous peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and other academic publications appearing in highly-regarded venues such as The Journal of Higher Education, Teachers College Record, Journal of College Student Development, Urban Education, and International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education (QSE).
Her research has been cited in multiple publications and funded by grants from the Spencer Foundation, Lumina Foundation, American Psychological Foundation, and an array of other entities. She has served on seven editorial boards for journals in education and was previously associate editor of QSE. She was the American Educational Research Association (AERA) Division J Equity and Inclusion Officer for six years. The American College Personnel Association (ACPA) members elected her to a two-year term as the inaugural Director of Equity and Inclusion on the Association’s national governing board. She has received many national awards for her scholarly contributions and was recently recognized in the Edu-Scholar Rankings among the top 200 educators in the US. She is a frequently sought-after expert on a wide range of education topics. The Chronicle of Higher Education, Inside Higher Ed, Huffington Post, Diverse Issues in Higher Education, and dozens of other media outlets have quoted her and featured her research. She has also advised university presidents and other senior administrators, philanthropic foundation executives, culture center directors, and educators in urban K-12 schools.
Kevin was born and raised in northwestern Kansas. He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from Fort Hays State University and a Master’s degree from Washburn University.
His first life goal was to be a broadcast journalist. Throughout college, he worked as a reporter and substitute anchor at KSNC-TV in Great Bend, Kansas. After college graduation, he worked for one year as a general assignment reporter for KTKA-TV in Topeka, Kansas.
For the past 20 years, he worked in higher education enrollment, first at Washburn University and then at Saint Louis University. Nine years ago, he started his current role as Vice President for Enrollment Management and University Communications at Oklahoma City University.
Kevin and his wife, Mindy, have been married for 20 years. They live in Edmond, Oklahoma, with their two sons, Spencer and Aidan.
Rico Gonzalez, M.Ed. (he/him/el), is originally from Houston, TX, and has lived, studied, and worked in various higher education spaces. He attended Oberlin College in Ohio for his undergraduate degree in Politics and Texas State University for his Masters's in Student Affairs in Higher Education. For nearly eight years, he was the program coordinator and then director of the CSTEP New York State education grant program at Cornell University’s Office of Academic Diversity Initiatives. During his time at Cornell, he successfully co-led the writing team to bring a McNair Scholars program, renewed the CSTEP grant two times, and co-founded the Graduate Students Mentoring Undergraduates (GSMU) program. Before his new role with Project MALES, he earned his master’s degree in Student Affairs and worked with the PACE Peer Mentoring Program. Rico’s research interests include mentoring, Hispanic/Latino/Latinx identity, and social justice issues. Rico currently lives in Austin, TX, with his wife.
Chalonda Goodman was an All-American student-athlete on the track and field team at The University of Texas at Austin. She competed at the 2012 Olympic trials in the 100 and 200 meters and was a semi-finalist in the 200 meters. In 2019, she was inducted into the Georgia Track and Field Hall of Fame to recognize her stellar athletic career.
After graduating with honors from The University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business with a BBA in Marketing, she began her career at Texas Instruments. In her current role as a Worldwide Digital Marketing Program Manager, she manages the development and execution of worldwide digital marketing programs.
Chalonda is a firm believer in pursuing all your passions. She is currently serving her community as Ms. Black Texas USA in 2021.
Mo Smith was hired as the 19th head women's basketball coach at Flagler College on June 9, 2019.
Smith coached Georgia College to three Peach Belt Conference Tournament championship games. The Bobcats won the title in his first season (2010-11) and appeared in the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional the same year. Georgia College knocked off the host school, USC Aiken, to win the tournament championship that year. Smith's coaching resume includes 131 wins in his nine seasons at Georgia College, second-most of any women's basketball coach in the program's history.
The College Park, Georgia native, spent 18 years at Georgia College. He arrived as a student-athlete in 1999 after spending two years at Wallace Community College in Dothan, Alabama. He earned second-team all-conference honors in 2001. The year prior, Smith played on one of the best teams in the program's history as he was the sixth-man on the 1999-2000 elite eight squad.
Smith married the former Martine Thomas, also a Georgia College alum, and they have two daughters.
Kenneth Rozier is from Macon, GA. He’s married to Jamila Rozier, his wife of 11 years. They share 3 beautiful children, Nailah, Hadiyah, and Kenneth III. He’s a navy veteran who currently works in higher education. He has a bachelor's in public service from Middle Georgia State and a Master's in Education in Instructional Technology from Georgia College. He recently completed a Master's of Divinity from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University.
Kimberly Ray Redus is a woman after God’s own heart, a wife, a mother of four phenomenal daughters, and a grandmother to an amazing 3-year-old boy. She has a B.S.N. from Webster University and is a semi-retired Healthcare and Human Resource professional. Kimberly spent 8 years in the Missouri Air National Guard as a radar technician, 10 years as a Registered Nurse & Manager (Oncology and Med/Surg), and 16 years in various HR roles such as Recruiter, Manager, and Director of Talent Acquisition. She has also held positions as Office Manager of a dance studio and Director of Children’s Church. Kimberly has been blessed with the opportunity to temporarily step away from corporate leadership to work as an independent contractor providing consultative human resource services and she also provides daytime care and education for her grandson.