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David ManuelDirector
David Manuel is a celebrated who’s who in Atlanta and for good reason. A graduate of the Atlanta College of Arts with a BFA in Advertising and Graphic Design. David has masterfully used his talent, network and expertise to bridge different cultures together using art as a vehicle. Manuel is a champion of the arts, a compassionate community activist and self-published author of I Am a Father and I Am a Mother books. Formerly the Director of Community Relations at the Woodruff Arts Center, David now serves as the Executive Director for the Porter Sanford Performing Arts Center and is the Interim Deputy Director of Recreation,Parks & Cultural Affairs of DeKalb County. There he brings a diverse range of programming to the region. His vision for the county is that it will be a place for cutting edge productions, beautiful parks and family friendly activities. Manuel oversees a dedicated staff and dozens of volunteers. He also sits on many boards and has partnered with companies such as Turner Broadcasting and HBO just to name a few.
Mr. Manuel is the founder of the I Am a Father Initiative, Celebrating African-American Fathers. In 2008 he self-published the I Am a Father book to dispel the myths associated with absentee African-American fathers. In 2015 he created the first of its kind, I Am a Father 5k Run/Walk. In its second year, David has successfully galvanized other male focused development organizations to the common cause of strengthening families. In 2013 David won the Non-Profit Executive of the Year from Regions Financial Corporation; was selected as the 2014 Voice of Influence from CBS Radio, named Positively Georgia by CBS46 News in 2015, received the Community Service Award from LUMM (Let Us Make Man) and recognized by Life Link of America in the 2017 Organ Transplant Calendar. Personally speaking, while he spends most of his time strengthening families in urban communities with the I Am Initiative, David is a certified mentor for the Georgia Transplant Foundation. As a liver transplant recipient, he believes the way to show gratitude for having a second chance is by educating and registering others to become an organ donor, thereby giving the most precious gift ever, life . David resides in the Metro Atlanta area with his wife Karren and is the proud father of three college students, Branden, Blake and Kaitlyn. |
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KArren MAnuelBoard Member /Co-Founder
Karren Manuel was appointed as the first Executive Director in the existence of the DeKalb
Lawyers Association (DLA) in 2016. In this role, Ms. Manuel is responsible for administration and management of DLA’s operational activities and programs, short and long-term planning, member renewals and engagement, strategic planning and day-to-day operation of the association and community outreach; providing direct support to DLA’s Board of Directors, local elected officials and professional legal community. Prior to leaving Wells Fargo & Company in 2013 to pursue her entrepreneurial dreams, Ms. Manuel led an exceptional career, gaining a wealth of knowledge and experience in the Corporate Banking sector that makes her a “secret weapon” to any business large or small. Humble beginnings, she started as a temporary receptionist and worked her way up, leading over 100 support staff in multiple states across the footprint. In roles within the Treasury Services Implementations, Large Corporate and Government & Institutional Banking, Karren served as a liaison to regional management, supervised multiple teams and developed strategy for divisional growth and advancement. Ms. Manuel has served as the VP of Business & Professional Women-Atlanta Chapter, Atlanta Public School’s Guidance and Counseling Advisory Board, Local School Council (APS), and the Steering Committee of the Black and African-American Network (Atlanta) for Wells Fargo Bank. Ms. Manuel is the co-founder of The I Am a Father 5K, Inc., a nonprofit organization that focuses on Strengthening Families One Mile at a Time. Annually, the organization hosts a 5K event that draws close to 1,000 participants in only its second year of existence. In addition to that, she provides executive level concierge service to many nonprofits and small businesses in the Metro Atlanta area. Additionally, Karren currently works to provide business solutions and strategy for small business and non-profit clients. She frequently volunteers her time, talent and resources to local community events for 100 Black Men of America, Porter Sanford Performing Arts and Community Center, My Brother’s Keeper (DeKalb County) and many others. Ms. Manuel is married and has two sons and a daughter. |
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Zenobia RussellBoard Member
Zenobia Russell is a Certified Public Accountant and the President/Owner of Credible Accounting Solutions, Inc., a full-service accounting firm in Snellville, GA. Zenobia provides services to assist companies, especially small businesses and non-profit organizations, in establishing a strong financial foundation and to manage and maintain accounting records by examination and making suggestions on how to compile those records to tell the story that will benefit the organization.
She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Jackson State University and became licensed as a CPA by the Georgia State Board of Accountancy in 1998.With over 25 years’ experience in the accounting field, Zenobia Russell brings experience in bookkeeping, financial statement preparation and reporting, auditing and tax preparation to her position as treasurer of the board. She lives in Snellville, GA with her husband and daughter. When not working, she likes to listen to music, play the piano and spend time with family and friends. Zenobia can be reached at zcpa@credibleaccounting.com. |
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Nettie JacksonBoard Member
Nettie Jackson is a retired non-profit management professional. Nettie has worked the last thirty years addressing public and health policy, health disparities and non profit board and volunteer management. Recently retired from the American Heart Association she was the Director of Health Equity and Multicultural Initiatives for the Southeast Affiliate. Her expertise is health policy, board and event management. As an example, she was lead staff for the Georgia Smoke Free Law, the Georgia Automated Defibrillator Legislation and Stroke Designation for Georgia hospitals. One of her landmark projects was driving the installation of Automated External Defibrillators at Jackson-Hartsfield Airport.
Nettie is a pioneer as she attended the University of Alabama in the late sixties. "This is where I really began to understand how policy could drive not just change but equity". |
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renecia GlassBoard Member
Renecia is currently a Senior Examiner with the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). Prior to joining FHFA, Renecia was a Lending and Disbursement Analyst with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta. A native of Atlanta, Renecia is a graduate of Georgia State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management. While serving in the United States Air Force, Renecia also earned an associate degree in criminal justice from the Community College of the Air Force. Additionally, Renecia holds a designation as an Accredited Mortgage Professional with the Mortgage Bankers Association and the Housing Development Finance Certification from the National Development Council.
Renecia is an active member and sitting Vice President of Administration of the Atlanta Chapter of the National Association of Black Accountants, Inc. |
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Monique TylerBoard Member
Monique T. Grier currently serves as the Director of Juvenile Detention for the Jefferson County Commission in Birmingham, Alabama. There she oversees the planning, directing, and coordinating of operations. Prior to joining Jefferson County she managed the Faith and Justice Unit for the Georgia Department of Community Supervision. During her tenure she was responsible for developing sustainable statewide community based partnerships and resources for Healing Communities of Georgia. As a member of the Reentry Services Section she established vital linkages to services, employers, and faith leaders. She possesses 17 years of experience working within the criminal justice profession.
Prior to joining the Department of Community Supervision, she served the Department of Juvenile Justice as the Statewide Community Program Coordinator for Chaplaincy Services. There she helped to establish the framework, strategic plan, and large scale donation efforts for the agency. Immediately before transferring to the Department of Juvenile Justice, she was Director of Community Reentry for the Georgia Department of Corrections. In that role she assisted Returning Citizens and Georgia's inmate population with obtaining the essential skills and resources required for successful community reintegration. Over the past 8 years she was instrumental in developing strong interagency, community, and faith-based partnerships throughout the state. Ms. Grier is also a member the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, and the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi. She previously served on the Georgia Criminal Justice Reform Subcommittees for Housing, Behavioral Health, Adult Reentry Services, and the Atlanta Youth Crime and Pre Release Diversion Initiative Steering Committees. She is a proud graduate of the Georgia Law Enforcement College at Columbus State University holding a Master’s Degree in Public Safety Administration. She also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Georgia State University. |
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neAl christianBoard Member
Neal Christian was born and raised in Decatur, Georgia. In 1987, he entered the United States Navy’s Nuclear Engineering Program. In 1990, Neal graduated from the program and was selected United States Student of the Year and received a full scholarship to attend the college of his choice. Mr. Christian graduated from Georgia Institute of Technology in 1995 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering and a minor degree in Spanish. After working in the fields of Mechanical, Civil, and Electrical Engineering, Neal decided to pursue a career in the field of education. He received a Master’s Degree of Mathematics Education from Georgia State University in 2004, a Specialist’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Liberty University in 2015, and is slated to receive his doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from Liberty University in May 2019. He has taught mathematics and science over 13 years on the 6-12 and college levels. In 2010, Neal helped to open Fulton Leadership Academy, the first all-male, state-chartered 6-12 school in Georgia by serving as the Assistant Principal and Upper School Director. Currently, he is the principal of Genesis Innovation Academy for Boys. Mr. Christian is a 1991 initiate of the Lambda Delta Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated and is proud to be a veteran of the United States Navy. He resides in Stone Mountain, GA with his wife, Robin, and children Kennedy, Kenneth, and London. In his spare time, Neal loves to golf with his father, watch movies, and spend time with his family.
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Dwayne BoydBoard Member
A self-described perfectionist; Actor, Writer, Producer, Director and Instructor Dwayne Boyd, believes in delivering the true essence of himself in every aspect of the arts. His ability to engage and affect his audiences through his craft proves the potential of this rising star. Born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri, Boyd recognized his love for acting early in life through high school. After his seven year tenure in the United States Army, he moved to Atlanta, Georgia to pursue his acting career.
As Boyd honed his acting skills in Atlanta through theater productions, film and television credits along with having Writer and Director Robert Townsend as his mentor; he’s acquired roles in an enormous body of work which proudly consists of films; Hangman, Jacob’s Ladder, Vengeance: A Love Story, Hunger Games, The Odd Life of Timothy Green, The Gospel, and a numerous amount of other credits. Boyd’s commitment to the art of entertainment transcends his skills as just an actor. In 2003 he developed Premier Actor's Network, a group of more than 70 aspiring actors on his roster that holds weekly acting classes in Decatur, Georgia. Boyd's success as Instructor of Premier Actor's Network (PAN) continues to soar as his latest accolade includes the coaching of Janelle Monáe from the Oscar Nominated film Hidden Figures. That being an accomplishment within itself, Boyd finds great joy in seeing his diligent work with his students pave the road for their success; which continues to drive him to strive for perfection in the art, live his dream, and fulfill his destiny! |
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Larry FaginBoard Member
Larry J. Fagin, retired has over two decades in corporate financial and specialized information technology (IT) audit examination profession that expanded over many industries such as domestic, international and savings banks, as well as federal medical peer review organization, retail industries and hydro / nuclear industry. He managed and estabished many information technology (IT) audit functions in several major companies and governmental entities. Perseverance, innovative experience in events entrepreneurial and event management consultant with over 48 years in organizing festival, corporate employees events, public and private social functions, large picnics, domestic and international vacation tours. Served on several corporate and non-profit event planning committees and boards, co-organized large high profile music and art festival galas, international world party and promoted R&B and Jazz concerts. Created the first Asians community Multi-culture festival and a Latin Beat Stage and Venue at the Sweet Auburn Festival and much more.
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Miguel RamosBoard Member
Bio Coming soon
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