Rochelle Carter Petty
Board Chair
In addition to being an award-winning entrepreneur of 7 years, Rochelle Carter-Petty has participated on several nonprofit boards over the years in leadership capacity. She has been a board member for Women Entrepreneur’s of Oregon, Portland’s First Leadership and Entrepreneurship Charter High School, Edunology, and the Multnomah County Friends of the Library. Combined with her 10+ years of lauded project management and Human Resources background, she offers a wealth of leadership experience that can both support the President and manage the nonprofit when necessary.
Rochelle also oversees the Marketing/Advertisement Committee which handles marketing materials, website and PR.
Ulrick Graham
Treasurer
Ulrick Graham holds a BArch (a professional) degree in Architecture from Andrews University. He has experience inDesign, design thinking, information systems, customer service, and entrepreneurship.
Ulrick oversees the Building Committee who searches for facilities and/or seeks contractors to build a facility to meet the specifications of the organization.
Damon Hall
Board Member
Damon Hall has a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education and is a successful entrepreneur. With his background in education Mr. Hall brings solid tools to assist parents in home education. In addition to this background Damon has raised funds and he is very familiar with the process. Finally Damon’s background as a plumber gives him knowledge of codes, costs of repairs and building structures from the ground up.
Damon oversees the Fundraising Committee who will create activities to raise funds for the organization from the general public and/or members and serves on the Building Committee.
Dr. Alicia Shelly
Board Member At Large
Alicia Shelly holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and is a Medical Doctor. She has served as the treasurer for the Oakwood University Alumni Association, Joseph Hinson Chapter. She is organized and able to maintain and deposit all funds.
Alicia also oversees the Scholarship Committee who is responsible for creating the criteria for each scholarship, establishes timelines for submissions, and evaluates the submissions.
Dr. Michael Smith
Board Member
Dr. Michael Smith was born the oldest of three children to Augustus and Ruby Smith in Greenwood, Mississippi. His formal education was in the Greenwood Public School District. After graduating from high school, he went to Delta State University and earned a B.S. in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. After completing his B.S., he went to Tuskegee University and completed a master’s degree in Biology with an emphasis in Cytogenetics. After completing his degree at Tuskegee, he was employed at Mississippi Valley State University as a Biology instructor. After a brief stint at Mississippi Valley State, he was employed as a site coordinator for a National Science Foundation grant at Delta State University. After 6 years at Delta State, he was hired as a program director at the University of Mississippi. While working at the University of Mississippi, he earned a Ph.D. in Biology with an emphasis in Aquatic Toxicology. After completing a Ph.D. at the University of Mississippi, Dr. Smith was hired at Life University in Marietta as the Assistant to the Dean in the College of Undergraduate Studies and has served as the interim dean currently serves as the Associate Dean in the College of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies.
His service to youth has expanded several decades. He has served as a mentor in the College Discovery Program at Mississippi Valley State University, a regional youth director for the North Mississippi-West Tennessee Youth Federation, and youth director in his church for over 30 years. He is a sought-after speaker for youth programs at churches, schools and parent organizations and founder of his college preparatory program Bridging the Gap, which provides tips for parents and students in the college preparatory process.
Mamie Pruitt
Board Member At Large
Mamie Pruitt is a native of Bessemer, Alabama, where she graduated from Hueytown High School and attended Bessemer State Technical College majoring in Graphic Arts and Offset Printing. She attended Oakwood University (Huntsville, AL) as a Physical Education major, and Southern Adventist University (Collegedale, TN) where she received a B.S. degree in Physical Education, Health, and Recreation. She received an M. Ed. degree in Health, Physical Education, and Recreation from Alabama State University. While attending Oakwood and Southern, Mamie worked as a Residential Assistant to the Dean and organized women’s basketball teams at both Universities.
Mamie has participated in various community and civic organizations such as the NAACP (Cobb County, GA), National Educators Association (NEA), Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE), Georgia Association of Health, Physical Education and Dance (GAHPERD), American Red Cross (Metro-Atlanta Chapter), Master Guide Club, Oakwood University Alumni Association (Metro-Atlanta), National Council of Negro Women, Cobb County Alliance of Black Educators, the Kennesaw State University Physical Education Advisory Board and the YMCA. Annual charity recipient- GIRLS INC.
Dr. Sylvia Callender-Carter
Board Member
Meet Our Administrative Team
Andrea Hall
Executive Director
Andrea Hall has a Master of Science in Education and a Bachelor of Science in Math Education. In the past, she has served as the Education Director for another nonprofit organization, Institute for Patient-Centered Design, Inc. With over 12 years of experience in education, over 3 years of experience in homeschooling, and her experience with nonprofits, Andrea Hall is well equipped to serve as president and executive director of EPIC HOMESCHOOL NETWORK, INC.
Learn more about Andrea Hall here>>
Meet Our Instructors
Andrea Hall, B.S., M.Ed.
Our lead teacher and administrator, Andrea Hall, M.Ed is a certified educator who has spent over 17 years in the field of education including homeschooling for over 10 years. In the past, she successfully homeschooled triplets bringing them up one to three grade levels as measured by the ITBS. She believes that kids learn in an enriching and stimulating environment and has received numerous awards in her tenure as a classroom teacher such as Teacher of the Month and Teacher of the Year.
She is certified to teach all levels of math in the states of Georgia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina and Arkansas.
She left the traditional classroom in 2010 to homeschool her three kids teaching all subjects from reading to science to math. Her biggest passion is to help kids thrive and become master students in school and in life. She desire is to create a love for learning one equation at a time.
Her students describe her as “Corny but Cool” and she looks forward to teaching you!
Andrea Hall will be teaching Math.
Natasha Hernandez
In a world full of young creative minds that yearn for the opportunity to develop and expand, Natasha Parker and The PEA Studio effortlessly provide a fun and safe space to facilitate that process. Natasha of Detroit, Michigan and currently a resident of Douglasville GA is a wife and mother of three. Her educational experience is concentrated in Interior Design and Business Administration. Natasha has also obtained professional certifications in Confidence in Art Development with Children. Natasha is passionate about art, and even more so in regard to the lives of the children, she is able to impact through her work. Natasha has an innate ability to connect with her clients which allows them to comfortably create and positively express themselves in ways they couldn’t imagine. From a classroom setting to virtual learning, from painting to arts and crafts, and from guiding to direct instruction, Natasha and The PEA Studio provide a myriad of activities that will leave the parents and children in anticipation for their next session.
Natasha Hernandez will be teaching Art.
Sonji Mims
Sonji Mims is a homeschool mom and entrepreneur. She believes that a child’s education begins at home and that literacy is the basic building block for learning. She studied at Southern Adventist University and Ga State University. Before leaving the workforce, she worked in Atlanta Public Schools for a literacy nonprofit that worked to increase test scores in underserved communities. Sonji believes that the early years of a child is the perfect time to inspire the love of learning. She is an avid reader and collects children’s books.
She is also a bead weaver and jewelry maker. Her pieces have been featured in Home Depot and Rooms to Go commercials as well as Upscale, Good News and Black Weddings magazines.
Sonji Mims will be our Little Learners Co-op Lead Teacher.
Tumeka Slaton
Highly enthusiastic teaching educator who is eager to provide all students with a solid education. Talent for bringing the classroom to life with real-world examples. Proven ability for discovering students’ varying learning styles, ensuring each student’s unique academic needs are met. We will have fun learning and create beautiful memories together.
Tumeka Slaton will be teaching the Spelling Club and part of the Little Learners Co-op