Dr. Tiffany Edwards is a strategic leadership professional with over a decade of experience advancing organizational effectiveness, people development, and mission-driven operations across nonprofit, public, and private sectors. Her work is grounded in a deep commitment to community impact, ethical leadership, and building systems that allow people and organizations to thrive. As Founder of TME Coaching & Consulting, LLC, Dr. Tiffany partners with organizations to strengthen operations, develop effective leaders, and design human-centered strategies that support sustainable growth. Her expertise includes organizational development, workforce strategy, employee engagement, and operational efficiency—skills she brings to culturally rooted, community-focused initiatives. Dr. Tiffany has held senior leadership roles overseeing human resources, business administration, and financial operations, including serving as Director of Business Administration at RIVANNA. In these roles, she led strategic initiatives to enhance employee experience, expand benefits and professional development opportunities, ensure regulatory compliance, and improve organizational systems in support of long-term mission success. Her earlier experience includes human resources leadership at the Thomas Jefferson Foundation and recruitment and workforce development roles at the University of Virginia, where she supported inclusive hiring practices, leadership development programs, and process improvements aligned with institutional values and community needs. Dr. Tiffany holds a Doctorate in Strategic Leadership and a Master of Arts in Nonprofit/Public/Organizational Management from Regent University, along with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Virginia. Her academic training and professional experience inform her commitment to culturally responsive leadership, community empowerment, and organizational practices that honor heritage while building pathways for future generations. At The Cultural Roots Society, Dr. Tiffany contributes strategic insight, organizational leadership, and a people-first approach that supports the organization’s mission to preserve, educate, and uplift cultural heritage through sustainable community engagement.

Derick S. Vance is an experienced Social Studies educator and education professional with a strong commitment to culturally grounded teaching, community engagement, and nonprofit service. He brings expertise in secondary education, curriculum development, academic advising, and classroom management, with a focus on African American history, civic engagement, and student leadership. Mr. Vance is the architect of the Classroom2Community (C2C) Scholars Collective, an innovative research and publication initiative at Henrico High School that engages high school students, college mentors, and young intellectuals in researching, writing, and publishing work centered on African American history, local civic issues, and pathways into education and public history. The initiative emphasizes student-led inquiry, intergenerational mentorship, policy exploration, and public scholarship through journals, symposiums, and community partnerships. Mr. Vance holds a Master of Arts in Sociology from Boston College, a Master of Education from East Tennessee State University, and a Bachelor of Science from Norfolk State University, along with graduate certificates in History and Legal Studies. At The Cultural Roots Society, he supports the organization’s mission by advancing education-focused programming, historical preservation, and community-rooted pathways for youth leadership and civic engagement.

Rhonda Bettis is a transformational executive and strategic leader with more than three decades of experience advancing organizational effectiveness, operational excellence, and culture-driven performance across large, complex financial services organizations. Her leadership is deeply informed by her Caribbean heritage and a lifelong appreciation for culture, community, and collective responsibility. Throughout her career, Rhonda has led Sales, Service, and Operations teams ranging from 1,000 to more than 4,900 associates across hundreds of locations nationwide. She is recognized for her ability to guide organizations through periods of growth and transformation, aligning strategy, talent, and execution to deliver measurable business results. Her expertise includes retail leadership, digital transformation, strategic planning, and building high-performing, inclusive teams. Most recently, Rhonda served as Senior Vice President and Retail Market Executive at Citizens, where she led the Greater Philadelphia market spanning Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey. She previously held senior leadership roles at Capital One, including Head of Market Operations and Branch Network Chief of Staff, partnering closely with executive leaders to strengthen enterprise operations, governance, and workforce effectiveness. Born in Trinidad and Tobago, Rhonda brings a global perspective shaped by Caribbean values of resilience, stewardship, and interconnectedness. She holds a degree in Business Administration from the University of the West Indies and has completed executive education at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business and Yale School of Management. She also holds professional certifications including Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified ScrumMaster, and Six Sigma. As a Board Member of The Cultural Roots Society, Rhonda contributes strategic insight, governance leadership, and a deep commitment to preserving cultural heritage and amplifying community voice. Her service reflects a belief that honoring cultural roots is essential to building strong, connected, and empowered communities for future generations.

Mr. Alvin M. Coghill is a dedicated educator with nearly three decades of experience in secondary education and deep family and community ties to Central Virginia. A proud graduate of Virginia State University, he has served as a teacher since 1995 and is widely respected for his commitment to student growth, mentorship, and community engagement. In 2017, Mr. Coghill was named Amelia County High School Teacher of the Year. He is the founder of the Men of Honor mentoring program, which supports young men through leadership development, accountability, and positive role modeling. At The Cultural Roots Society, Mr. Coghill brings a strong sense of place, legacy, and service in support of the organization’s mission to uplift and preserve community-rooted culture. At The Cultural Roots Society, Dr. Tiffany contributes strategic insight, organizational leadership, and a people-first approach that supports the organization’s mission to preserve, educate, and uplift cultural heritage through sustainable community engagement.

Seidah Armstrong is a serial entrepreneur, educator, and cultural curator whose work bridges education, agriculture, entrepreneurship, and African American heritage. She is the owner of Sweet Vines Farm Winery, STREAM Bright Educational Services, and Shear Luxe Hair Studios, and the former owner of STEM Tot Preschool Academy. She is also the author of ABC’s STEM & Me: An Alphabet Book on STEM Careers. A third-generation winemaker from Chicago by way of Memphis and Mississippi, Ms. Armstrong opened Sweet Vines Farm Winery in 2021 after transforming a lifelong passion into a professional pursuit. Today, she is recognized as the first African American woman primary winemaker in Virginia to own a vineyard, winery, and venue, a rare achievement in the agritourism industry. Through her work, she intentionally curates experiences that honor her family legacy while highlighting the often-overlooked history of African Americans in the Orange County (VA) community. Ms. Armstrong’s professional background includes roles as a middle school principal, school administrator, high school teacher, and vice president of a government contracting firm. She is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign and George Mason University, holds a viticultural certification from Purdue University, and completed the Aspiring Superintendents Academy through The School Superintendents Association. In 2022, she received the National Coalition of 100 Black Women Entrepreneurship Award. At The Cultural Roots Society, Ms. Armstrong brings a powerful blend of education leadership, entrepreneurship, and cultural storytelling, advancing the organization’s mission to preserve heritage, uplift community narratives, and create sustainable, culturally rooted experiences.

Dr. Jeremiah “Loki” Mulholland is an Emmy Award–winning filmmaker, author, and social justice activist whose work centers on race, history, and civil rights in America. The son of civil rights icon Joan Trumpauer Mulholland, he brings a deeply personal and historically grounded perspective to storytelling and public education. Mr. Mulholland’s films have earned more than 40 Telly Awards and over 20 Best Documentary awards, with projects featured on Showtime, PBS, and Amazon. His documentary The Uncomfortable Truth has been viewed more than three million times. He is also the author of several books, including She Stood for Freedom and Get Back to the Counter, which explore themes of courage, resistance, and historical accountability. A nationally recognized speaker, Mr. Mulholland engages audiences across the country on issues of race, social justice, and civil rights history. He is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated, and in 2023 received an Honorary Doctorate from Ithaca College. At The Cultural Roots Society, Mr. Mulholland contributes his expertise in storytelling, historical preservation, and advocacy in support of the organization’s mission to uplift truth, memory, and cultural legacy.

Dr. Tamika L. Carey, is an interdisciplinary scholar, educator, and community leader, serving as an Associate Professor of English at the University of Virginia. Her scholarship centers on Black women, language, wellness, media, and social participation, with a focus on how rhetoric shapes identity, risk, and community engagement. Dr. Carey is the author of Rhetorical Healing: The Reeducation of Contemporary Black Womanhood, a critical history of Black women’s wellness culture over the past four decades, and Getting to Know Him: Observations and Experiences From My Walk of Faith, an inspirational memoir. Her work also appears in numerous essays and articles that explore Black women’s rhetorical practices and public participation. An award-winning teacher, Dr. Carey has been recognized with a Graduate Teaching Award from Syracuse University and has held the Donchian-Casteen Fellowship with the University of Virginia’s Institute for Practical Ethics in Public Life. Her leadership and service include elected terms on the Executive Board of the Conference on College Composition and Communication and the Board of Directors of the Rhetoric Society of America, as well as recent service on the Advisory Council of the United Way of Greater Charlottesville. At The Cultural Roots Society, Dr. Carey contributes scholarly insight, ethical leadership, and a deep commitment to cultural preservation, education, and community empowerment. She proudly hails from Orange County, Virginia.