BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PATRICIA MALONE
PRESIDENT
Patricia earned Bachelor’s degree in Statistics and an MBA with a concentration in Human Resource Management. She spent most of her career working in corporate America starting as an intern, then Financial Analyst, Underwriter, Recruiter, and Human Resource Manager for a major insurance company. She spent a number of years as a Recruiting Manager for a recruitment firm. She also tried her hand at entrepreneurship running her own business selling alkaline water and other holistic products. Patricia is also an author of a book entitled "Maneuvering the Workplace" written to prepare employees to succeed at work. Patricia has been very successful at moving the dial on people and processes.
JACKIE MALONE
SECRETARY
Jackie has a Bachelor’s degree in Education. She has taught classes at Technical colleges, Community colleges, and in the Corporate business environment. She has taught Public Speaking using Toastmaster’s techniques for various church groups. She has provided numerous motivational workshops for youth at the request of local teachers. Jackie finds painting rooms very enjoyable. She also likes to try new adventures such as snow skiing, golfing, bowling, and tennis.
ERICA WICKS
TREASURER
Erica has a Bachelor's degree in Business Management from University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She started her professional career at Wells Fargo Bank (formerly known as First Union National Bank) with the Fraud Management team and then with the Economics group before moving to Bank of America to work with the Marketing team. Erica also serves as the President of her family reunion committee as well as other committees that are near to her heart.
LAKITA SPELLMAN
BOARD MEMBER
Lakita, a native of Charlotte, NC is a graduate of North Carolina Central University with a BS in Child Development and Family Relations. She is currently a Pre-K teacher within the Charlotte Mecklenburg School District. She has been an educator for over 20 years. She has taught kindergarten, operated a 5 star CMS after school program, and has experience working with the NC Pre-K program. She has a passion for empowering students and believes that every child is capable of achieving academic success. She is a proponent for early childhood literacy. Lakita enjoys practicing yoga, gardening, and spending quality time with family and friends.
CHEYENNE D. BOYD
BOARD MEMBER
Cheyenne earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Akron in social work and then began her career at Summit County Children Services in 1997 as a protective services caseworker. She then earned a Master's degree in social work. Ms. Boyd ultimately became the Emancipation Resource Specialist, a position created from the influx of former foster youth coming back to the agency needing assistance. She has assisted in the development and implementation of many youth transitioning programs. She also wrote a book called "You Can't Play The Game If You Don't Know The Rules" which is a guide for teens and young adults transitioning into adulthood. She has strong leadership skills as well as a commitment to partnering with the families she serves. In addition, Cheyenne also has two children and a grandson.