Gregory Ervin
Manager of Grants and Sponsorships
Fernbank Museum
767 Clifton Road
Atlanta, GA 30307
Website

Since moving to Atlanta five years ago, I have worked to develop a career as a museum leader.  Through many educational internships at art museums both locally and across the globe, I have developed a strong passion for sharing my love of art, culture, and, more broadly, learning with the community.  I turned this passion into a career at LaAmistad, Inc., first as an afterschool facilitator and then as a grant writer. After earning my master’s in museum studies, I moved to Fernbank Museum of Natural History, where I currently work as a Manager of Grants and Sponsorships. 

Amy Johns
Director of Development
Horizons Atlanta
505 10th Street NW
Suite 3217
Atlanta, GA 30318
Website

Amy Johns is the Director of Development at Horizons Atlanta, charged with leading the organization's advancement program to broaden Horizons Atlanta's development, outreach and stakeholder relations activities.  Prior to joining Horizons, Amy worked at The Mount Vernon School and previously, the Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia.  Originally from Virginia, Amy earned her B.F.A. from the University of Tennessee and her M.A. in Nonprofit Arts Administration from SCAD, where she wrote her thesis on designing educational programs for art museums.  Amy proudly serves on the Board of the Sarah Smith Education Foundation and the BOOST Advisory Council.

Tawana Mattox
Co-Founder & President
Destined, Inc.
225 Cherokee Road
Unit 6
Athens, GA 30683
Website

Dr. Tawana S. Mattox is the Co-founder and President of Destined Inc.  This 25-year-old program focuses on summer programming and year-round tutoring in reading.  Recently, Dr. Mattox completed her term on the Clarke County School Board.  She served over 20 years in higher education and is currently the Education Director at Athens Land Trust overseeing the Young Urban Builders Program and managing the nationally recognized Athens Energy Opportunity Project.  Dr. Mattox earned her B.S. degree from the prestigious Morris Brown College; M.S. from Georgia State University; and Doctorate from Nova Southeastern University. She currently resides in Athens, Georgia. 

Shacole Pearman
Executive Director
Girls Aiming Towards Positivity
4827 Old National Highway
Unit 2013
College Park, GA 30337
Website

Originally from San Diego, California, Shacole A. Pearman has focused her work on building communities and leaving a positive impact on youth throughout the Atlanta area.  Shacole attended Clark Atlanta University where she obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Speech Communications.  During her career she has worked for several youth serving organizations.  Currently Shacole works in Affordable housing and is the Executive Director of her own non-profit organization serving teenage girls called Girls Aiming Towards Positivity.  Shacole has won several awards throughout her career including the Shining Star award from the Q Parker foundation.  In her free time, she enjoys traveling and dancing. 

Charise Stephens-Merriweather
Executive Director
U Create Macon
200 Third Avenue
Macon, GA 31204
Website

Charise Stephens-Merriweather is a 30-year experienced servant leader working on various projects to serve youth in Georgia.  She created U Create Macon in 2019 to expose youth to the benefits of the outdoors.  The program is now award-winning and known across the nation.  They are currently opening a one-stop shoe Innovation Campus to serve their various programs.  Charise is the mom of two adult kids and happily married to her cycling partner Alex. 

Najiva Timothee
Founder & Executive Director
Girls Dig Deeper Initiative
1740 Rocky Creek Road, #20094
Macon, GA 31206
Website

Najiva Timothee is a certified leadership coach, trainer, and mentor.  She is the Founder and Executive Director of Girls Dig Deeper Initiative, a girls group mentoring and youth development program in Macon.  She serves middle and high school youth in school settings, communities, as well as incarcerated youth.  Najiva is CEO of The Consult Table, a leadership development coaching and training business serving small businesses, companies, and industries.  From 2005-2020, Najiva served as an Executive Lead for Walgreens Corporation leading Retail and Pharmacy Operations.  She specialized in leadership development and performance management.  Najiva is a wife and a mother of four children.  She is devoted to her family and enjoys the ocean, traveling, and reading. 

Ty Woods
Co-Founder & VP or Programs
Artportunity Knocks
275 Decatur Street
Atlanta, GA 30312
Website

Ty Woods has dedicated over 20 years to youth development, beginning her career as an Afterschool Program instructor and theater performer.  After five impactful years, she broadened her scope to include child abuse advocacy with the VI Domestic Violence Council. When she moved to Georgia, she quickly landed her first leadership role as Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Club in Conyers.  Fueled by a lifelong passion for the Arts and developing the "whole child," Ty co-founded Artportunity Knocks with her husband, Chris Woods, and a childhood friend.  Ty serves as the organization's VP of Programs.  A devoted wife and mother, Ty balances her advocacy work with family life. 

DB Woolbright
Director of Education
Springer Opera House
State Theatre of Georgia
103 10^th Street
Columbus, GA 31901
Website

DB Woolbright is the Director of Education at the State Theatre of Georgia, the Springer Opera House.  DB has gained diverse experience working in schools and theatres across the country as a teaching artist, director, and designer.  In 2016, DB, along with his colleague Wesley Forlines, completed a sculptural installation along the BeltLine in Atlanta named The Service Station.  As a musician, DB tours and records throughout the year with artists such as The Shelby Brothers, Garrett Lee, Colin Manskar, Katie Deal, and Might As Well Records.  He also serves on the board of directors of Teen Advisors, Inc.