Board Members

Alfred is a Senior Program Manager at Microsoft, focusing on data center deployments using next generation technologies. 

Prior to joining Microsoft, Alfred spent 21 years at both IBM and Lenovo, managing teams focused on 4 and 8 socket Intel based server development. Alfred held various roles managing RAS (Reliability, Availability and Serviceability), Warranty, Human Factors, Power Subsystem Development and Firmware Development teams. 

Alfred began his professional career doing research at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which inspired him to go back to school in pursuit of PhD. Upon graduation, instead of going back to do research at JPL, he decided to go to IBM to perform analysis for the purposes of increasing the reliability of their Intel based servers.

Alfred is married with two son’s – Andrew (28) who works in Environmental Science and Aaron (24) who is working in accounting. Alfred recently relocated to Atlanta, GA from Raleigh, NC, but is originally from Pomona, California.

With 35 years of experience in educational professional training, it was Dorris' job to train scholars. For 27 years, she served as Department Head of Social Studies. She spent 5 years in Adult Education, 3 as an Adjunct Instructor, Alabama A&M University Supervisor (student teachers in various areas) and 10 as a Product Creator for her line of skin care products for women of color, which sold in 300 Kmart Stores. Dorris received her MA in Education Specialist and Occupational Studies from University Of Michigan. She is Vocational Certified with a Teacher Certification fro Alabama State University (HBCU) Montgomery, Alabama BS Ed. Social Science/ Consumer Education. She also attended Wayne State University. Dorris served as a Contract Advisor for the National Football League (1984-87) where she reviewed contracts for new signees and coached them on ethics. She's a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Lakeside United Methodist Church, and NAACP as well as the Browns Mills Women Golf Association and Sugar Creek Women Golfers Association.

 Jodi was born and raised in a small Wisconsin town and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin System and a master's in higher education administration and counseling psychology from James Madison University in Virginia. In 2017 Jodi joined the Tri-state Communications team in Jasper, Georgia as a strategic partner to strengthen the company's publishing presence. Today Tri-state Communications boasts one of the most effective multimedia marketing companies in North Georgia. Jodi serves as publisher of the nationally award-winning Enjoy Cherokee Magazine, hosts Enjoy Cherokee Voices (a local podcast nominated for a prestigious Georgia Association of Broadcasting award) and is thrilled to be a 22-year resident of Cherokee County, Georgia. 

Dr. Freeman is CEO, Alliance for Global Education and Leadership Inc. (AGEL), an international education, leadership and policy development organization that integrates best science and technology educational practices for teachers and students. She is a Senior Partner with Scientifica Works, LLC. - an engineering firm that creates market ready engineering and technical solutions for public-private corporations. She served as Associate Administrator for Equal Opportunity Programs, NASA, VP for Science and Technology, Morehouse School of Medicine and Provost and VP for Academic Affairs, Clark Atlanta University among many other notable positions. In 2007 she received the Tuskegee University Award of Excellence for enabling the conceptualization of a $10M, NASA Center for Food and Environmental Systems for Human Exploration of Space enabling Tuskegee University to position the Carver legacy and the hydroponic growth of sweet potatoes as the first food for space.

Dr. Freeman is a certified Teacher, Counselor, School and University Administrator and Life Coach. She is an avid speaker and grant writer; partners with and serves on several national science, engineering, and philanthropic boards.

Dee worked for the Internal Revenue Service for 28 years doing everything from office audits to working on the statute task force and identity theft cases. Dee's also worked in manufacturing companies, sold insurance and many other brand name products. Dee had the privilege of square dancing at one of President Jimmy Carter’s inauguration Balls as well as square dancing at a Falcon’s Football game. She's the mother of four wonderful children, the surrogate mom of their spouses and the grandmother of nine precious grandchildren who call her Nana and five great grandchildren. After retiring from the IRS, Dee opened a small and successful tax office where she and her highly competent staff enjoy helping people get back on track with their taxes. Dee is an Enrolled Agent with the Internal Revenue Service, a member of NAEA, member of ERO with Internal Revenue Service, and a proud board member of Holy Spirit Ranch.

 Born and Raised in Westland, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Fort Cherry Jr/Sr High School and went on to graduate from California University of Pennsylvania. He was drafted into the U.S.F.L. in 1983 for the 1984 season and played there for two years. In 1986 he entered The NFL as a free agent with the Dallas Cowboys and played with the Cleveland Browns in 1987 before joining is final team with the Green Bay Packers for four years. Since his football career he’s worked in the hospitality industry in car rental management. In between he has worked with several no profit ventures and also participating in many fundraisers for college funds, community organizations, hospitals, youth camps and many more. Perry now resides in Duluth, Ga. and is retired but still finds way to give back to the community. 

Renae Murphy is on a mission to help individuals and companies become the best version of themselves possible. She advises leaders and employees on how to cultivate an inclusive culture that unlocks human potential and leverages the talents of diverse teams to drive engagement, innovation, and business results for a sustainable competitive advantage.

She's a dedicated and knowledgeable professional with 15+ years of progressively responsible experience in workplace  diversity at global Fortune 500 companies such as Wells Fargo, Lockheed Martin and IBM. Most notably, Renae spent 10 years at  The Coca-Cola Company following their historic $193 million discrimination lawsuit. She was part of the      award-winning team that transformed the corporate culture from a      polarizing discrimination lawsuit in 2000 to achieving #2 on Diversity      Inc.’s Top 50 Companies for Diversity in 2008. Renae was born and raised in Madison,  WI but currently resides in Atlanta, GA.  When not working, Renae is a part-time Group Fitness Instructor teaching indoor cycling, kickboxing, and BODYPUMP, and inspiring people to achieve optimal health and fitness. Renae also enjoys traveling, interior decorating and attending plays, concerts, movies and cultural events.

Matlynn is currently serving as the Learning Management Specialist for Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) in Atlanta, Georgia.  She is also the Professional Development Chair for IGNITE, the Black Employee Resource Group with MBUSA. During her career, she has served in many capacities including executive administrative assistant, facilities administrator, operations coordinator, franchise/development agreement specialist and learning management systems administrator. In her spare time, she has served as a volunteer trainer for Goodwill of North Georgia, an advisory board member for Georgia Diversity Council, President, Secretary and Chairperson of fundraising and community involvement for the American Business Women’s Association Airport Charter Chapter. To any organization Matlyn is involved in, she brings her passion, organization and planning skills, drive and leadership abilities.  Her personal purpose is to be of genuine service to others by adding real and meaningful value to their lives. Matlyn hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice and a Master of Business Administration in Leadership. 

Commercial Real Estate Expert, CEO, Chairman and U.S. Armed Forces Veteran Brandon Wheeless founded Alux Properties in 2017 with a mission to “enhance the quality of life of everyone in his community” through his construction projects. Since then, Alux Properties has been synonymous with innovative, tech-centric, and green building developments and practices. His latest project, The Bailey, is a progressive medical rehab center hailed as the “future of country clubs” at the intersection of luxury, innovation, tech, and five-star service. A talented NCAA basketball player, Brandon graduated magna cum laude from Norfolk State University while he was a part of their 2012 championship basketball team. He has since exchanged his Air Jordan Melo M9’s for steel toe boots, but the “Sledgehammer Soldier” is still scoring the money shot for his clients in commercial real estate.  Following his PMP accreditation and acquisition certifications, the Army appointed Brandon to execute several infrastructure building projects for local and international bases. These ground-up, large-scale developments ranged in budget size from $2 million to over $2.7 billion.