Board of Directors

Karla D. Brown (President/Founder) is a former educator with over 18 years of experience as an elementary school teacher and administrator in southeast Texas and southern California. She has served as Adjunct Professor at Texas Southern University and California Baptist University preparing pre-service educators. She holds a doctorate degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Texas Southern University and credits her academic and professional experiences with giving her the inspiration to see the vision of the organization to fruition.

Marchelle Brown Hensley (Treasurer) graduated from Texas Southern University with a Bachelors of Business Administration in Accounting, and currently works as a Financial Analyst at The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD, formally known as MHMRA of Harris County.She has worked in the Non-Profit arena, holding varying positions of authority within the Accounting field, for close to two decades. Along with working in the accounting field she has fully committed to giving back, and began outreach efforts that involved college awareness and college tours for middle and high school kids over a decade ago. She is also very active in the public school arena and currently serves as the Treasurer for the Stafford High School JROTC Booster Club. She is very fond of fundraising and leaves no stone unturned to raise money and awareness for a worthy cause. She and her family have been praised as top earners in the Stafford Elementary School fundraisers three times consecutively, in the last four years. Marchelle resides in Stafford, TX with her two children Corey and Rainee.

Terri Chiplin-Leach (Secretary) has over 25 years of experience as a public school secretary and office manager. She is skilled in many software packages and information technology specific to human capital and operations management including: iFAS, EPES, AESOP, SAP, and People Soft. She is detailed oriented and a meticulous records keeper. Terri is also recognized for her superior office management and event-planning.

Christopher Barrera graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelors of Business Administration in Marketing. He also completed a specialty sales track with the Program for Excellence in Selling, one of the top sales programs in the nation. He put himself through school by working as a Service Manager at HEB for over five years while attending school full time. He currently works in sales as he continues to build his career. He is the son of a single mother who taught him the value of hard work and education; it is his motivation to help others in their journey through college.

Isiah Brown is the Director for Assurance of Learning & Assessment at the University of Houston-Downtown in the College of Business. His primary areas of interest include foundations of education (numeracy and literacy) and educational assessments. He is particularly interested in curriculum and instruction, professional development, student engagement, research methods, assessment, culturally responsive teaching, science, urban, business, and teacher education. In addition to membership in the American Education Research Association, Association of Teacher Educators, International Reading Association and the National Association of African American Studies and Affiliates, Dr. Brown is also a member of the Houston Food Bank’s Apple Core Leadership Team.

His academic background includes a bachelor’s degree in business administration and master’s degree in public administration (Savannah State University), and a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership (Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University {FAMU}). Dr. Brown’s previous appointments include Lutheran Services of Georgia (2002-04), FAMU (2004 - 2011), TSU (2011-13), Our Lady of the Lake University (2013). He also served as an adjunct instructor at both FAMU (2009 – 2011) and TSU (2011 – 2013).

Traniece A. Brown-Warrens is a current educator for the Houston ISD. She has a BA in Psychology from California State University-Sacramento and a Masters of Education-School Counseling from Liberty University. She previously worked as a College Access Coach for College Forward a non-profit organization. This was her first platform to help transform and inspire the young minds of tomorrow. She has also volunteered at the Aldine Family and Hope Center and served as a mentor to young people. She has twin nieces Ebonee and Trinitee Brown that serve as her motivation and reminder how we must serve as a light for the next generation.

Chris Hudson is a graduate of the University of Colorado with a degree in Marketing. He was drafted into the National Football League (NFL) by the Jacksonville Jaguars. He continued his professional football career with the Chicago Bears (1999 – 2000) and the Atlanta Falcons from 2000 – 2002. He opened a Denny’s Restaurant in Memphis, TN (2001). In 2008, he became part-owner of a Choice Hotel (Econo Lodge). Chris opened his second Denny’s Restaurant during the year 2011. He volunteers with the Boy’s and Girl’s Club and he continues community-building efforts in his home city of Houston, Texas.

B. James Noel Sr. is the proud pastor of Love Fellowship in Houston, Texas (1988 –Present). He has served on several committees in the Houston area including: Metropolitan One Church One Child, Aids Awareness Task Force, board member for Scottcrest Park Association and board member of the Houston Council on Aids. He has also served as Former 1st Vice Moderator of the South East Association, President of City Care Co-Op Ministry and a mentor for the Houston Independent School District. He also served in the United States Army from 1978 until he was honorably discharged in 1981. He is married to Minister Donna Noel, and they have 4 children and 6 grandchildren.