Board of Directors
Dr. Sherry Rivers
Chairman of the Board
Dr. Sherry Rivers served 38 years as a teacher and administrator in South Carolina. She worked in several school districts before retiring in 2022 from Richland County School District One as the Principal at Heyward Career and Technology Center. She attended Lander University(Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Education), Winthrop University (Master of ScienceDegree in Business Education) and University of South Carolina (Ph.D. Degree in EducationalAdministration). During her career, Dr. Rivers served in numerous roles that included mentoring new teachers and administrators and preparing students for postsecondary endeavors(college/career readiness).
Dr. Rivers is passionate about helping young people to reach their potential and dreams. She continues to use her skills by volunteering with the SC Association of Career and TechnicalEducators and well as serving as the Board Chair for Lynn Brown Inspires: Young CEOs andLeaders of Tomorrow. Additionally, she serves as Co-Director for the Young Women of Excellence Ministry at Brookland Baptist Church in West Columbia, SC. She is a member of ZetaPhi Beta Sorority, Inc. and the Richland County Education Association.
Tyrone Lynn
Assistant Treasurer
Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Banneker Engineering Consultants, LLC (BEC). BEC is a premier engineering design and services firm with a high capacity for innovation, responsiveness, cost effective solutions and technical excellence. Utilizing the vast knowledge of experience of its multi-disciplined engineers and designers BEC is capable of tackling a variety of project designs development and implementation support.
BEC primarily support electrical power generation, transmission and distribution industry including nuclear, fossil and renewable energy. In addition BEC provides construction and project management services for utilities, municipalities, state and federal entities.
Banneker Engineering is certified by the SC Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation as a Professional Engineering Firm. Certificate of Authorization Number 4851. Banneker Engineering has two members that have Department of Energy clearance for the Savannah River Site in South Carolina.
Linda L. James Coulter
Board Administrative Assistant
Linda L. James Coulter’s career in education spanned over four decades. Her focus was on K-5 mathematics; however, she has held a plethora of positions within the education sector including elementary school educator, curriculum resource teacher, educational specialist, and elementary mathematics consultant. Most recently, Linda served as a supervisor for teacher interns at the university level.
Linda’s passion for helping young students develop a sound foundational understanding of mathematics led her to serve on various local and state committees to develop an elementary mathematics curriculum. Her work has touched the lives
of many students and teachers over the years. Throughout her career, Linda has been dedicated to helping teachers reach their full potential. She has presented and conducted workshops at several educational conferences for teachers at the local, state, and national levels.
Linda is a graduate of South Carolina State University. There she earned a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master in Education degree. She continued her studies at the University of SC and Columbia College. She is an active member of Brookland Baptist Church. Other affiliations include the Greater Columbia Chapter South Carolina State University National Alumni Association and The National Education Association. Since retirement, she spends her days supporting various groups of interest and involving herself in activities to help keep mentally, physically, and spiritually fit.
Vanessa Johnson
Program Director/Young Ceos & Leaders Co-Advisor
Vanessa Johnson, a Columbia, SC native, graduated magna cum laude from the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina in May 2022. She received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing and Human Resource Management. During her time at the University of South Carolina, she served as a Moore School Student Ambassador, Marketing Director of the Black Business Student Association, Co-Director of the Student Alumni Board, and Committee Chair in the Theta Gamma Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
She was a 2022 USC Outstanding Senior Award recipient to reward her major achievements in service, leadership, academics, and research.Currently, she is pursuing her law degree at North Carolina Central University School of Law. She also currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Young CEOs and Leaders of Tomorrow. She previously served as an Advisory Board Member and Co-Advisor for the Organization. She has a passion for assisting young people with their businesses and their pursuit of higher education.
Dallas Jordan
Treasurer
Dallas Jordan, a native of Ware Shoals, South Carolina, embodies the spirit of service and mentorship. As the oldest of four siblings, Dallas has always felt a deep calling to guide and uplift those who follow in his footsteps. Growing up attending Dunns Creek Baptist Church, he found solace and inspiration in his favorite scripture, 2 Timothy 1:7:“God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.”
​
Dallas pursued higher education at the University of South Carolina, where he earned a BS degree in Retail Management. His commitment to service extended beyond academics as he actively serves in the Deacons ministry at Brookland Baptist Church.Alongside his wife, Carmen, Dallas volunteers as a youth and teen advisor at VIBE, a vibrant youth program at Brookland.
Professionally, Dallas is the CEO of Third Eye Mentoring, a non-profit organization dedicated to investing in the well-being of young minds. His leadership extends beyond the boardroom to the football field, where he volunteers as a coach for the Capital CityRavens Pop Warner league. Dallas is also the founder and co-owner of CARBRA Properties, where he serves as a dedicated real estate agent. His mission extends beyond transactions; he actively empowers others to create generational wealth through home ownership and strategic real estate investments.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Dallas remains committed to nurturing the nextgeneration. He dedicates his time to mentoring youth at Brookland Baptist Church andcherishes moments with his wife, Carmen, and their son, Kingston.
L. Kobie Wilkerson
(Da Wiz)
Governance Chair
Board Governance Committee Chair, Master Teacher and National Education Strategist, and Love II Learn ED & Media Group – President and Chief Consultant of Love II Learn Ed. He has been transforming schools and organizations for over 19 years by cultivating relationships that support a healthy culture and climate.
He is a master teacher, a certified leadership consultant, and a national education strategist who helps leaders and educators grow and empower themselves and others. He is also an international award-winning author, poet, speaker, and storyteller who challenges people to be the best versions of themselves through creative writing and professional development programs.
Linda Butler
Vice Chair
Linda Butler is an accomplished human resources leader with more than 15 years of experience in the HR field. She currently serves as the Board Vice Chair and Senior Director of Talent at United Community Bank in Greenville, SC. In her role, Linda is responsible for overseeing all aspects of talent acquisition—bringing in top talent to support the bank's growth—as well as talent development, which focuses on training and developing employees, and employee relations, where she balances the needs of the business.
Linda leads a variety of programs, including talent acquisition, career development, performance management, rewards and recognition, employee relations, succession planning, and employee engagement and satisfaction. Her leadership ensures that United Community Bank attracts, develops, and retains a high-performing workforce.
Linda is a graduate of Clemson University, where she earned both her undergraduate degree and a Master of Human Resources Development. She has held prominent leadership roles with BMW Manufacturing and Schneider Electric. Additionally, Linda is a Riley Institute Diversity Fellow Alumni (Furman University) and holds certification as a Life Purpose and Career Coach.
Rochelle Elliott-Jones M.E.D.
Support Staff
Candace Shiver
Organization Attorney
Candace Shiver is an accomplished attorney with over 10 years of professional experience in law, business advocacy, policy and strategy. From representing corporations at a large national law firm in Columbia, to serving in key positions within the Legislative and Executive Branches of the Federal Government, Candace demonstrates a unique understanding of the intersection between Government Relations and Business Development.
In 2012, at the age of 30, Candace received a Presidential Appointment to serve in the Obama Administration at the U.S. Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency, where as Senior Advisor to the National Director, she negotiated key strategic internal and external partnerships, and provided pertinent policy advice to enhance the growth and competitiveness of U.S. firms in the domestic and international marketplaces, resulting in increased contract opportunities and job creation. She helped to lead the agency on major internationally-focused, government-wide initiatives such as the Doing Business in Africa Campaign, the Look South Initiative, and collaborated on economic policies to build ties between U.S. minority and Indigenous communities abroad, which included the sharing of best practices with foreign nations under significant bilateral agreements.
Previously serving also in the Bush Administration at the U.S. Department of Justice; on Capitol Hill; and as a lawyer in South Carolina, where she was honored as one of the “top 20 under 40” rising business stars, Candace has successfully navigated a professional career building relationships and coalitions on both sides of the aisle. She offers a bipartisan approach to business advocacy and representation, and draws on her experiences and relationships to help clients navigate complex public and private landscapes, and reach their business goals.
Dr. Shelia Tutwieler-Dawkins
Accountant
Shelia is an experienced Enrolled Agent that offers more than tax preparation. She believes that no one should be surprised with the tax reporting results because of strategic planning, governance, and accountability measures put in place throughout the year.
Her firm, Tutwieler Dawkins LLC, strives to provide financial insights, tax Strategies, available technologies and alliance relationships that promote professionalism, responsiveness, and quality. Shelia advises clients on a variety of financial issues and to ensure sustainability, accountability, and profitability. Shelia served as an international tax subject matter expert and team lead for one of the "Big 4" accounting firms. Shelia is a graduate of Liberty University, where she received her bachelors and MBA degree, and Doctoral of Strategic Leadership.
Torres Wilson
Website & Social Media Manager
Torres Wilson is a technology professional with over five years of experience in software development, data systems, and digital infrastructure. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from North Carolina A&T State University and has worked across corporate, nonprofit, and entrepreneurial environments supporting mission-driven organizations through technology.
Torres specializes in website development, automation, digital systems optimization, and online brand strategy. His passion is helping organizations expand their impact by building tools that improve visibility, engagement, and operational efficiency. As Webmaster and Social Media Manager, he ensures Lynn Brown Inspires maintains a strong, professional digital presence that supports youth outreach, community engagement, and program growth.
Advisory Board
​Valencia Jett Bostic
Valencia Jett Bostic is a native of Timmonsville, SC. While attending Clemson, she became an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, the NAACP, and the South Carolina Student Legislature. Valencia earned her bachelors degree in Political Science, Pre-Law, and English, and then went on to receive a Master of Public Administration. She also holds healthcare certificates from Harvard and Doane Universities and is currently a law student at Charleston Law School.
​
For more than 30 years, Valencia has volunteered her time with a wide range of community, civic, political, academic, and healthcare organizations. Professionally, she has excelled as a motivational speaker and served as a program coordinator for teen health at Palmetto Health and in Seneca, SC. Valencia dedicated 15 years to Prisma Health (formally Palmetto Health), where she served in key healthcare leadership roles. She began her healthcare career as the Director of Cancer Prevention at Palmetto Health before advancing to Director of Chronic Disease Prevention and Population Health. Valencia's professional experience also includes work in education as an Elementary School teacher at Oakwood Christian Academy, where she later became the principal and director. In addition, she is the Owner of Brain Booster Enrichment, an academic coaching company.
​
Beyond her direct professional work, Valencia plays an active role in several advisory capacities. She has contributed her expertise to the SC Department of Public Health Cancer Advisory Committee, Lexington 1 School District's School Improvement Council, the Superintendent Advisory Council, and serves as the 1st Vice Chair of the Lexington County Democratic Party. In her free time, Valencia enjoys spending time outdoors and reading. Above all, she values her family, cherishing her role as a wife to her husband of 15 years, Pastor Ernest Bostic II, and as a mother to their 3 children: Christian, Brandon David, and Lauryn. Most importantly, Valencia is deeply committed to her faith, striving each day to honor the Lord, whom she loves wholeheartedly.
​
Dr. Sandra Grant
Summer Camp Instructor- Grades 4-6
Dr. Sandra Grant and she is a counselor at Paul Knox Middle School. She has twenty-eight years of experience in the field of education, eleven years as a secondary teacher, and sixteen years as a school counselor. She thoroughly enjoys her work with students and finds the time to spend with them very rewarding! She is always looking forward to getting to know middle schoolers and their parents/guardians.
She has been a part of the Young CEOs and Leaders from the beginning in 2018. She started as an assistant for Mrs. Brown and now she is the Advisor for grades 4-7 for the BE Inspired Young Entrepreneurship Summer Camp. She is a member of Brookland Baptist Church and is a member of the Steering Committee for the Young Women of Excellence. She is married to Sammie Grant and has one son Mr. Samuel Grant at Southern University and has a daughter, Tamia, who is a nurse for the state of South Carolina.
Dr. Latanya Wright
Program/Printing
Latanya Wright is a Cost Accountant at Shakespeare and the owner of Gift Baskets & More. She believes in setting goals and working diligently and being persistent until your goals are achieved. Furthermore, she believes the best way to get something done is to do it. Latanya puts God first and knows that with God all things are possible. She encourages herself by acknowledging that you never know what will happen until you try. She encourages you to go for it!
She enjoys helping and serving others through the various mission projects of the Young Woman’s Auxiliary. Latanya holds a BS in Industrial Engineering from Clemson University, a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Webster University, and a DBA in Business Administration from California Intercontinental University. When she can, she likes to spend time with family and travel.
Dr. Shirley Watson
Shirley Dendy Watson is a retired educator. She has served as teacher, guidance counselor, assistant administrator, and principal. She also served as grant reader and evaluator for the State Department of Education.
Servant leadership has marked Dr Watson's career. She served as a role model, mentor and leader in RSD2, RSD1, and Sumter 17 school districts. She received Principal of the Year Award at Conder Arts Integrated Magnet School, and Outstanding Service Award as Vacation Bible school Director at Morris Chapel Baptist Church in Greenwood, SC. She also served as Chairperson for Brookland Academy Board of Directors.
Watson earned a Bachelor’s Science Degree in Elementary Education from Lander College, now Lander University, Master of Personnel Services from Clemson University, Doctorate of Education Administration from South Carolina State University.
It is Watson’s love for people, especially young people, and education that inspires her to join the Young CEOs. Her goal is to support young students in becoming successful leaders in their chosen career through mentoring and coaching.
Watson is married to Dr. Joseph A. Watson and is a long time member of Brookland Baptist Church. Her motto is: “If I can help someone along the way, then my living is not be in vain.
Dr. Akil Ross
Dr. Akil E. Ross, Sr. is a veteran educator who serves as Superintendent for Lexington-Richland School District Five. Dr. Ross began his 20-year education career as a teacher and coach at Eau Claire High School in Columbia, S.C. He came to School District Five from Richland School District One in 2005, where he first served as assistant principal and then principal at Chapin High School.
In 2018, he left Chapin High School to serve as the Director of Secondary Education for the district. Dr. Ross is also an author and Affiliate Professor of Educational Leadership at the University of South Carolina (UofSC). He left School District Five in 2018 to start HeartED, LLC, an educational consulting firm, to share lessons and strategies to further his vision of a future where every community empowers every child. He was named Superintendent in School District Five on February of 2022.
Antiwan Tate
​Antiwan is equipped with years of experience serving education, faith-based, government, and the non-profit sector with a quaint ability in the areas of youth development, and community engagement.
​
After years of service incorporating a plethora of initiatives Antiwan launched the My Brother’s Keeper Alliance of South Carolina a community based organization that serves youth and families from all backgrounds and socio-cultures through recreation, character education, coaching, evidence based curriculums, and mentorship.
​
As an active leader in the community, Antiwan serves on various boards and initiatives advocating for youth and a better community. Antiwan has been recognized throughout the state and nation for various youth development, professional, and leadership achievements.
Motto: “Well Done Is Better Than Well Said"!!!