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Board of Directors
Kate Flynn
Deloitte
Board Chair
I am committed to Freedom School Partners because I believe every child in Charlotte deserves access to a joyful, equitable education.
Kate Flynn, Board Chair
Why I’m committed to Freedom School Partners: I am committed to Freedom School Partners because I believe every child in Charlotte deserves access to a joyful, equitable education.
Kate Flynn aims to be a catalyst for positive change in her hometown of Charlotte, NC. She uses her talents as a strategic thinker and facilitator to encourage groups of people toward self-discovery and impact through education, discussion, and advocacy. Kate serves as a Lead Learning & Development Specialist at Deloitte. She designs and implements learning experiences that build the leadership and professional capabilities of experienced practitioners across Deloitte Consulting. Prior to joining Deloitte, Kate served as a consultant to nonprofit organizations in Charlotte as a Director at The Lee Institute, where she specialized in strategic planning, organizational development, culture-creation, stakeholder research, facilitation and community engagement.
Kate began her career as an educator, spending ten years as a high school English teacher and Assistant Principal serving students from historically marginalized communities in Saint Louis and Chicago. Kate lives in Charlotte with her husband and three young children. She has served on the Board of Freedom School Partners since 2020. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, yoga, and quality time outside with her family. Her favorite book is Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson.
Janaka Bowman Lewis
UNC Charlotte
Board Vice-Chair
I am committed to Freedom School Partners because of the organization’s commitment to educating young scholars through creativity and imagination.
Janaka Bowman Lewis, Board Vice-Chair
Why I’m committed to Freedom School Partners: I am committed to Freedom School Partners because of the organization’s commitment to educating young scholars through creativity and imagination.
Janaka Bowman Lewis, Ph.D. is Associate Professor of English and Interim Chair of Writing, Rhetoric & Digital Studies at UNC Charlotte. A Tedx 2021 speaker (UNC Charlotte), she is author of Freedom Narratives of African American Women, Light and Legacies: Black Girlhood and Stories of Liberation, and three children’s books (Brown All Over, Bold Nia Marie Passes the Test, and Dr. King is Tired, Too!!)
A committed educator to children and families in addition to college students, Janaka joined the Freedom School Partners Board in 2022 and now serves as Vice Chair. She is active in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library activities and has been a featured reader with the African American Read-In for several years. She was recognized in Charlotte Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” 2020 class. Janaka lives in Concord with her husband and two children, who inspire many of her stories. She loves to read fiction and memoir and spend time in beautiful outdoor spaces.
Tara Agnew Harris
Community Volunteer
I have seen firsthand the impact of Freedom School on scholars’ reading and, more importantly, their confidence.
Tara Agnew Harris
Why I’m committed to Freedom School Partners: I have seen firsthand the impact of Freedom School on scholars’ reading and, more importantly, their confidence.
Tara Harris is an experienced attorney and a community leader working for change, progress, and opportunity for all. Throughout her career, Tara has helped a wide variety of nonprofits and companies. She has served as a trusted and valued attorney, business partner, and advisor to companies and nonprofits based not only in Charlotte but all around the U.S. and beyond.
Tara earned her bachelor’s degree in chemistry, with a minor in physics, from Erskine College in Due West, SC. She graduated cum laude from University of South Carolina School of Law. She lives in Charlotte with her husband and daughters, who inspire her to work to help make their community better for everyone.
Tara first got involved with Freedom School Partners in the early 2010’s as a volunteer. She fell in love with all the work including projects like chaperoning field trips, reading at Harambee!, and delivering backpacks filled with food for scholars and their families to enjoy on the weekends. Tara believes deeply in Freedom School Partners’ mission and vision and works to embrace, elevate, and educate all children.
Kimberly Boulware-Perry
U.S. Patent & Trademark Office
I am passionate about educational equity and believe all children in Charlotte deserve the opportunity to develop their full academic and social potential.
Kimberly Boulware-Perry
Why I’m committed to Freedom School Partners: I am committed to Freedom School Partners because I am passionate about educational equity and believe all children in Charlotte deserve the opportunity to develop their full academic and social potential.
Kimberly Boulware-Perry, a native Charlottean, jumped into volunteering with the Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) as a literacy tutor when she returned to her hometown in 2014. A dedicated community volunteer, she has continued to serve with various Charlotte non-profits to meet the needs of under resourced families and to provide children the educational foundation necessary to learn, thrive and create a better future for themselves.
Professionally, Kimberly has practiced for over twenty years in the area of intellectual property as a Trademark Attorney with the U.S Patent Office. An avid reader, she also enjoys travel, attending the theater and spending time in Charlotte’s beautiful parks and greenways. Kimberly and her husband, McCoy, live in Charlotte, where they share their home with their energetic Labrador retriever, Sampson, and their friendly Siamese cat, Blue. Kimberly’s favorite book is Oh the Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss.
Ann Cho-Taggart
Community Volunteer
I believe that literacy is a cornerstone of education and a fundamental right that every child must have to thrive and achieve their full potential.
Ann Cho-Taggart
Why I’m committed to Freedom School Partners: I am committed to Freedom School Partners because I believe that literacy is a cornerstone of education and a fundamental right that every child must have to thrive and achieve their full potential.
Ann Taggert is an experienced professional with a proven track record at leading companies including American Express, Bain & Company, and JP Morgan Chase. She specializes in developing growth strategies, new revenue streams, and customer driven solutions.
Since leaving corporate America, Ann has focused on raising her family and making a positive impact in her local Charlotte community. She also serves as an independent consultant to organizations seeking to maximize productivity and improve performance outcomes. Ann lives in Charlotte with her husband and two children. The family enjoys skiing and hiking together. Ann is also an avid reader and gardener.
Hendrick Ellis
Bank of America
I am committed to Freedom School Partners because early literacy is critical to ensuring children will meet or exceed their full potential academically, personally, and professionally.
Hendrick Ellis, Member
Why I’m committed to Freedom School Partners: I am committed to Freedom School Partners because early literacy is critical to ensuring children will meet or exceed their full potential academically, personally, and professionally.
Hendrick is the head of Enterprise Services and Business Management & Controls within the Chief Administrative Office (CAO) at Bank of America. His Enterprise Services team delivers services globally to Bank of America teammates, such as office supplies; and postal, print, and food services. The Business Management & Controls teams provide the CAO with the framework for governance, oversight, and adherence to key bank programs. Hendrick holds several advisory roles across Bank of America and is the market sponsor for Columbia, South Carolina, providing mentorship and advocacy to ensure the market fulfills its core responsibilities.
He is a native of Charlotte, having grown up in the Hidden Valley neighborhood. Hendrick relocated to South Carolina for a time but is currently based in Charlotte. Hendrick holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of South Carolina and an MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Hendrick serves on the boards of The Market at 7th Street and United Way of Central Carolinas. He enjoys spending quality time with his wife Diane and daughter, Kendall.
Mary Hall
Community Volunteer
The future of our country is dependent on an educated and diverse work force: one that is enriched with a love of reading and dedication to lifelong learning.
Mary Hall
Why I’m committed to Freedom School Partners: The future of our country is dependent on an educated and diverse work force: one that is enriched with a love of reading and dedication to lifelong learning.
Mary Hall, MD has spent her career focused on the development of our health care workforce. She is a family physician who has worked in medical student, medical resident, and health care professional education and research. She believes that equitable health care is best delivered by a diverse and inclusive workforce. The best hope to achieve that workforce is in the development of children at an early age.
Dr. Hall has been a leader in Medical Education at Atrium Health and more recently a Professor Emeritus with the Wake Forest University School of Medicine with a focus on the campus in Charlotte. Throughout her career she has worked with under resourced communities and in building the health care workforce to care for those communities.
Mary is from NY, but since she met her husband, Dr. David Hall, in Family Medicine residency in Charleston 40 years ago, they moved to Charlotte and have never looked back. Their daughter Katherine is an Occupational Therapist and their son Andrew a psychologist and consultant. Mary and her family enjoy traveling, exercising, and eating great food.
Michelle Harley
Fifth Third Bank
I am committed to Freedom School Partners because children deserve the right to supportive reading environments.
Michelle Harley
Why I’m committed to Freedom School Partners: I am committed to Freedom School Partner because children deserve the right to supportive reading environments. FSP is working to provide access and close the literacy gaps across our communities.
Michelle Harley is a Retail Regional Manager for Fifth Third Bank in the Carolinas. In this Strategic leadership role, Michelle is responsible for our 14 Financial Centers in Charlotte South. Michelle Harley has been with Fifth Third since 2014 and holds a total of 22 years leadership experience. She started her leadership career in 2001 at Verizon Wireless. After 13 successful years at Verizon Wireless, Michelle knew her passion was leading a team of future leaders to their highest potential.
Michelle is passionate about Community impact and involvement and is the proud Co-Chair of the Multicultural BRG and a graduate of Leaders Under 40 with Community Building Initiative. Michelle was originally born and raised in the heart of New York City and is one of 9 siblings. She is the daughter of an educator who made certain reading and child development was a priority. Michelle and her husband have a beautiful family of three children ranging from 7 to 17 years old. Michelle and her family enjoy an active lifestyle filled with fitness and sports. She especially enjoys traveling with her children to watch them compete in AAU Basketball. Her favorite children’s book is Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina.
Gigi Harris
Community Volunteer
I am committed to Freedom School because every child in our community has a right to a strong and equitable education.
Gigi Harris
Why I’m committed to Freedom School Partners: I am committed to Freedom School because every child in our community has a right to a strong and equitable education; has the right to be known, cherished and loved; has the right to grow up in a community who values him/her and encourages him to be the best he can be. I believe Freedom School’s program staff and Servant Leaders Interns have these ideals at the forefront of their every day.
Gigi is currently working in the Charlotte community as a contractor in the non-profit world. Her most recent assignments include coordinating a college fellowship program at Queens University, implementing an annual campaign strategy at The Ivey; and currently assisting a start-up development office with processes and implementation at Carolina Youth Coalition. Prior to taking on contracts and a brief COVID retirement, Gigi served as the Stewardship Coordinator at Queens University; major gifts and donor relations coordinator at Freedom School Partners; and served as Director of the Annual Fund at Charlotte Country Day School.
Gigi began her career in development in Charlottesville, VA as Director of Alumni Relations at the Darden Business School at the University of Virginia while her husband, William, was at UVA law school. Gigi lives in Charlotte with her husband and Golden Retriever COVID puppy, Gus. The Harrises have 3 young adult children who live and work in Nashville and New York City. Gigi has either been employed by or volunteered with Freedom School Partners since 2011 and is thrilled to continue to serve in this new capacity. When not working she enjoys playing tennis and pickleball, reading her book club assignments (new favorite is The Color of Water by James McBride) and visiting her children.
Mary-Margaret Kantor
Smart Start of Mecklenburg County
I am committed to Freedom School because I have dedicated my entire career to ensuring every child gets the best and fullest education possible.
Mary-Margaret Kantor
Why I’m committed to Freedom School Partners: I am committed because I have dedicated my entire career to ensuring every child gets the best and fullest education possible. Freedom School is one piece of that enormous puzzle.
Mary-Margaret currently serves as the Chief Early Education Officer at Smart Start of Mecklenburg County, a non-profit dedicated to meeting the needs of all families from the pre-natal period until every child in the family turns five years old. As a part of that role, she serves as the senior administrator of Mecklenburg County’s program for four year olds, MECK Pre-K. A love of reading and self-confidence are a very large part of the curriculum, giving young learners what they need to enter and proceed through kindergarten and the remaining years of their schooling successfully.
In prior roles Mary-Margaret has been a higher education administrator, professor, principal, director, and teacher. She has also served on multiple boards of schools, libraries, and other non-profit organizations serving educational and family concerns. Her favorite book (right now, ask again in six months), is Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese.
John Lipe
Baird Private Wealth Management
I believe all young people deserve the opportunity to learn, grow, and create extraordinary futures.
John Lipe
Why I’m committed to Freedom School Partners: I am committed to Freedom School Partners because education remains the cornerstone of happiness and success in life, and I believe all young people deserve the opportunity to learn, grow, and create extraordinary futures.
John is a Managing Director at Baird Private Wealth Management where he oversees a wealth advisory practice. John brings over twenty years of experience in client advising, having joined Baird in 2013 after beginning his career as a Financial Advisor with Smith Barney. In 2018 and 2019 John was named one of the FORBES America’s Top Next-Gen Advisors. On Wall Street recognized John in 2020 as one of forty top advisors under age forty, and in 2021 & 2022 he was named a FORBES Best-in-State Wealth Advisor. John is an Eagle Scout and a graduate of Woodberry Forest School and Duke University.
Outside of the office, he is an active member of the local Woodberry and Duke alumni boards, receiving a 2015 Forever Duke Award for his exceptional volunteer service to Duke. In his spare time, he enjoys music, ACC athletics, fitness, and his active Irish Red and White Setter, Riley. John has served on the Board of Freedom School Partners since 2022. His favorite books include The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas, For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway, and A Voyage for Madmen by Peter Nichols.
William Maxwell
Colony Commercial
I wholeheartedly believe in investing in our youth and view literacy as the cornerstone of personal growth and success.
William Maxwell
Why I’m committed to Freedom School Partners: I am committed to Freedom School Partners because I wholeheartedly believe in investing in our youth and view literacy as the cornerstone of personal growth and success. I think it is vital that we ensure that every child, regardless of their background, has access to equitable literacy development opportunities. In my profession in the commercial real estate industry, communication and relationships are critical, I believe those skills are first developed in the early stages of reading and general literacy development. I am honored to be a part of Freedom School Partners’ mission to empower young minds and shape a brighter future for our community.
William brings a diverse skill set and depth of commercial real estate leadership to Colony Commercial. As a partner at Colony Commercial, William is charged with helping grow the company’s specialty commercial services platform while delivering best-in-class client centric solutions. William’s brokerage specialties include commercial property acquisitions and dispositions on behalf of operating companies and investment firms as well as land assemblage expertise assisting local and national real estate developers.
Additionally, William regularly performs tenant representation and landlord representation services, 1031 tax deferred exchange sales, lease negotiations and market analysis services for his clients. William has been a regular recipient of CRCBR annual deal makers awards including having earned the industry organization’s highest award designation multiple times. William’s client centric focus and diverse management and brokerage background yields clients an unmatched commercial advisory service experience. William is a dedicated family man and loves exploring the world through travel, enjoys the outdoors, NC State athletics and Georgia football.
Kimberly Moore-Wright
Truist
I am committed to Freedom School because our scholars are the future of the Charlotte community.
Kimberly Moore-Wright
Why I’m committed to Freedom School Partners: I am committed to Freedom School because our scholars are the future of the Charlotte community. By providing them with the confidence and literacy skills to succeed, we are investing in the growth and improvement of our community’s future.
Kimberly Moore-Wright is the Chief Teammate Officer and Head of Enterprise Diversity at Truist Financial Corporation, a purpose-driven organization dedicated to building better lives and communities. She oversees all aspects of human resource management, including talent acquisition, development, enterprise diversity, and the Truist Leadership Institute. Kimberly has held multiple roles at Truist, including Director of Marketing and Digital Sales, and has risen through the ranks after joining the company’s Leadership Development Program. Her diverse career includes leadership in retail services, credit training, and marketing strategy.
Kimberly holds an undergraduate degree in accounting from UNC-Charlotte and an MBA from North Carolina State University. She is active in several organizations including the Truist Foundation, Freedom School Partners, and the National Urban League. In her free time, Kimberly enjoys travel, concerts and live sports events. Her favorite book is Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World by Adam Grant.
John Stevenson
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
Freedom School clearly creates a uniquely fun environment for learning, with the potential to have a lifelong impact for our scholars.
John Stevenson
Why I’m committed to Freedom School Partners: Freedom School clearly creates a uniquely fun environment for learning, with the potential to have a lifelong impact for our scholars.
John Stevenson is a Multi-Family Office Relationship Manager at Brown Brothers Harriman, where he advises families and privately held businesses on investment portfolios and other financial matters. Previously, John worked as an Analyst on the Business Enhancement Strategies Team at Clemson University.
John earned a B.S. in Financial Management from Clemson University and is a CFA charter holder. In his spare time, John enjoys golf, fishing and spending time with his family. His favorite book is Dune by Frank Herbert.
Raquishela Stewart
CharMeck 311
I am committed to Freedom School Partners because I believe the programming provided will help to build the future for today’s youth.
Raquishela Stewart
Why I’m committed to Freedom School Partners: I am committed to Freedom School Partners because I believe the programming provided will help to build the future for today’s youth.
Raquishela Stewart has always had a passion for youth and their future as she was able to see first hand the benefit of such programming. As a youth raised in a single parent household in some of the most underserved communities in California, she has brought that passion with her to Charlotte and wants to continue to demonstrate her commitment to youth education.
Raquishela serves as the Deputy Director of Housing and Neighborhood Services for the City of Charlotte where a portion of her scope of work is around Youth Programming. Raquishela resides in Charlotte and has served on the board since 2023.
Brandon Zeigler
Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro
I have experienced the impact of FSP firsthand as an SLI and seen the transformation that occurs in students, families, and communities.
Brandon Zeigler
Why I’m committed to Freedom School Partners: I have experienced the impact of FSP first hand as an SLI, and seen the transformation that occurs in students, families, and communities due to FSP’s programming.
Brandon Zeigler is passionate about driving economic prosperity and community impact as the Chief Impact Officer at the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro. He leads the organization’s efforts to deploy capital strategically to benefit Greensboro and Guilford County communities. Brandon previously served as Director of Impact Investments at Global Endowment Management, focusing on socially responsible investing across all asset classes.
His career in education and policy includes experience as a Program Officer at the Walton Family Foundation, where he managed a portfolio of education investments with a focus on community-driven change. Brandon holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Davidson College and a Master of Education from Harvard University. He is currently pursuing an MBA at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. When not working or cycling, Brandon serves on the boards of several education-focused nonprofits.
His favorite books are: No Struggle No Progress: A Warrior’s Life from Black Power to Education Reform (Howard Fuller), Capital Ideas Evolving (Peter Berstein), SeaStories (William McRaven), and Where Do We Go from Here? Chaos or Community (Martin Luther Ling, Jr.).