Our November Guests

November 29, 2020

The 2020 Election... from Pandemic to Protests: The Impact on HBCU's

Dr. Glenda Glover

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

International President & CEO

Glenda Glover, Ph.D, JD, CPA, of Nashville, Tennessee is the International President and Chief Executive Officer of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, the oldest Greek-letter organization established by African-American college women. Dr. Glover will lead the prestigious 110-year old organization of nearly 300,000 members and over 1020 chapters located all over the world, from 2018 – 2022.

Nataleh Nicole

Entrepreneur/Business Coach

Nataleh started her online business in July of 2018 and within 9 months, she was able to quit her job as a teacher. Just one year later, she was making 5-figures a month and developed 5 streams of income. She now coaches and teaches entrepreneurs how to build their brand online and develop a community of customers, vying to purchase their products and services. Nataleh has coached over 700 business owners directly and has built her own online community of 16k+ people. Nataleh's goal is to help people get the visibility they need to grow their brands.

Alanna Gaskin

Prairie View A&M University

SGA President

Alanna Gaskin is a senior political science major with a minor in legal studies at the Prairie View A&M University, aspiring to attend graduate school to receive her masters in community development. At Prairie View A&M she serves her student body as the Student Government Association’s President.

Rachel Howell

Howard University

SGA President

Rachel Howell is a senior Political Science major and Philosophy minor from Shelby, North Carolina by way of Alpharetta, Georgia. Rachel serves as the 60th President of the Howard University Student Association (HUSA), where she advocates for approximately 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students. A proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority,
Incorporated, Alpha Chapter Rachel holds an extensive resume of service, being the former Deputy Chief of Staff of HUSA and Vice President of the College of Arts & Science Student Council.

Fana Ruth HaileSelassie

Spellman University

SGA President 

Fana Ruth HaileSelassie is a graduating Senior at Spelman College pursuing a major in International Studies with a minor in Spanish. Originally born in Nairobi, Kenya, Fana was raised in Durham, North Carolina. Throughout her matriculation at Spelman, Fana has worked to
connect students interested in foreign policy to retired U.S. State Department Ambassadors and diplomats by establishing a professional network for students through the non-profit organization Women of Color Advancing Peace & Security (WCAPS).

Kimberlee-Mykel Thompson

Hampton University

SGA Vice President 

Kimberlee-Mykel Thompson is a student, dancer, Netflix binger, Beyoncé stan, and quote enthusiast. Currently studying Strategic Communications at Hampton University, Kimberlee-Mykel works to inspire those around her to see the importance of diversity while encouraging inclusivity everywhere.

Carrington M. Whigham

Florida A&M University

SGA Vice President

Carrington McKenzie Whigham is a third-year Broadcast Journalism major and Theater minor from the city where things are indeed “bigger and better”, Dallas, Texas. Carrington humbly serves as the Student Body Vice President for Florida A&M University Student Government Association. She is a third-generation rattler and the daughter of Centennial SGA president, Andrew Whigham III, and Dr. Deardra Hayes- Whigham.

Tiara Thomas

Tennessee State University

Student Trustee 

Tiara Thomas is a junior Political Science major with a minor in Spanish from Olive Branch, Mississippi with a cumulative GPA of 3.95. Tiara is the Student Trustee for the University Board of Trustees at Tennessee State University.

November 15, 2020

2020 Election... from Pandemic to Protests: What's Next?

Bishop Anne Henning Byfield

African Methodist Episcopal Church

135th Elected Consecrated Bishop, Presiding Prelate of the Sixteenth Episcopal District, Secretary of the Council of Bishops

Bishop Anne Henning Byfield is one who dares to Live, Learn, Lead, and Love GOD with creativity and passion as a bishop, preacher, psalmist, poet, spoken word artist, strategic consultant, writer, composer, wife, mother, and grandmother.  

Yolanda Cash

Reshaping Influence

Founder & Shareholder

Yolanda Cash Jackson, double Gator from the Law Class of 1990 is among the power elite when it comes to lawyer-lobbyists in our State Capitol. Her untraditional path to becoming a lawyer who influences
state policy at the highest levels is a model for new lawyers seeking meaning in their law practice. Ms. Jackson knows political leaders by their first name and changes people’s lives through institutional and
programmatic initiatives. Ms. Jackson tapped into Florida Blue Key while in law school.

Melissa Fulmore Hardwick

Information Technology VP

Brown Girls in the Boardroom

Founder

Regarded as one of the First Coast’s most prolific technology leaders, Melissa Fulmore-Hardwick has dedicated her more than 20-year career to merging innovative technology solutions with collaboration-based leadership.

November 1, 2020

The 2020 Election...
from Pandemic to Protests

Beverly E. Smith

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

National President & CEO

Beverly Evans Smith is the 2017-2021 National President & CEO for Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., one of the nation’s largest minority female-owned and operated public service non-profits. She also served as the
organization’s elected National First Vice President, National Secretary and was previously employed as Delta Sigma Theta’s Executive Director leading their headquarters business operation.

Donna Deegan

Journalist & Philanthropist

Jacksonville, FL

Award-winning journalist, philanthropist, marathoner, and Jacksonville native, Donna Deegan anchored the First Coast News for twenty-five years. She is the founder of The DONNA Foundation, a non-profit that provides financial assistance and support to families living with breast cancer.

Kornisha McGill Brown

Jack and Jill of America, Inc.

National President

Prior to being elected as National President, Kornisha served as the 2017-2019 Regional Director of the Southeastern Region. Kornisha also served as the 2015-2017 Southeastern Regional Secretary, Regional Nominating Committee member for 2 terms, and as Regional Chair of Rules and Regulations. Kornisha was recognized as “Chapter President of the Year” by the Southeastern Region at the 29th Biennial Mothers’ Regional Conference. She has been a member of the Columbus, GA (5-Star) Chapter for 13 years where she served as Chapter President,
Chapter Vice-President, and much more.

Kimberly Jeffries Leonard, Ph.D.

The Links, Inc & Links Foundation, Inc

President

Dr. Kimberly L. Jeffries Leonard has a life-long commitment to public service exemplified throughout her successful professional, academic and civic endeavors. Dr. Jeffries Leonard is currently the 17th National President of The Links, Incorporated and The Links Foundation, Incorporated.

Johnnetta Betsch

Cole, Ph.D.

National Council of Negro Women 

President 

Johnnetta Betsch Cole is the Chair and Seventh President of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW), an organization of over 2 million women of African descent. NCNW’s mission is to advocate for and empower Black women, their families and their
communities.