Our Board’s Commitment

Ephraim Andre' Lucas is a Partner at Spizzirri Law LLC with over a decade of experience in federal tax litigation, estate planning, and business advisory services. A former Senior Attorney with the IRS Office of Chief Counsel, he holds an LL.M. in Taxation from the University of Houston, a J.D. from Southern University, an M.B.A. from Kennesaw State, and a B.S. from Fort Valley State University. Guided by his faith, Ephraim is committed to mentoring students and serving his community.

Frank Lee Williams is the inaugural recipient of the Fannie Lou Hamer Award and a 1992 graduate of Syracuse University, where he majored in African-American Studies. He went on to earn his MBA from Ohio Christian University in 2015. A Financial Coach with Farmers from Eden LLC, Frank also founded The Imani Collective, a grassroots organization supporting joint ventures among small and micro businesses.

Kimberly Coleman is a Georgia native, raised in South Atlanta, and an accomplished entrepreneur with more than 20 years of business leadership experience. She is a franchisee of Bruster's Real Ice Cream, a transportation company owner with more than five years of experience in the trucking industry, and a real estate investor dedicated to building sustainable businesses and creating economic opportunities.

Kimberly began her undergraduate studies at Tuskegee University before earning her bachelor's degree in Accounting from Georgia State University. She later earned a Master of Public Health from Chamberlain University, combining her business expertise with a passion for community health and service.

As a lifelong member of the South Atlanta community, Kimberly is committed to supporting initiatives that strengthen families, promote economic empowerment, and improve quality of life. Through her leadership, entrepreneurial experience, and dedication to community engagement, she strives to build meaningful partnerships that create lasting, positive impact.

Shanna Greer is proudly Georgia-born and New York-raised. In 2017, she returned to Georgia and enrolled at Georgia State University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Public Policy with a concentration in Nonprofit Leadership and Human Resources. With a passion for community building, Shanna has supported various small businesses and nonprofits across metro Atlanta through grant writing and event coordination. Now at Dare to be Different, she drives inclusive, mission-driven initiatives through strategic planning and engagement.

Dr. Rodger E. Perkins, Jr. is an educator, researcher, assistant principal, and founding designer and teacher at Sojourner Truth Montessori Public Charter School. His work focuses on educational equity, justice, and systemic change.

A former Army and U.S. Air Force leader, Dr. Perkins served as an Army Ranger, a U.S. Air Force law-enforcement and counterintelligence agent, and a Senior Military Advisor. His service included deployments supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, with operations across Germany, Qatar, Ethiopia, Italy, Djibouti, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Turkey, and France.

He earned bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Criminal Justice from Temple University, advanced degrees in Law and Public Policy and a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from California University of Pennsylvania, and a master’s degree in Montessori Education. He holds the CMSTEP Secondary I–II credential and is certified to teach Secondary English and Biology.

Dr. Perkins was named a 2023 Gilder Lehrman History Teacher of the Year. He is the author of The Master’s Tools and The Master’s House, a chess player and teacher, and a jazz saxophonist.