Board of Directors
KENNETH MASON, CHAIR
Director, Urban Initiatives at Southern Regional Education Board
Member, Georgia Board of Education District 5
In addition to being a founding board member of Higher Ground, Kenneth was also a founding board member and an advisory council chair for KIPP Strive Academy. He teaches high school students on a civil rights emergent experience called Sojourn to the Past. Kenneth has been a community liaison and robotic engineering consultant for Berkeley National Laboratory and served as a corps member adviser for Teach For America. Kenneth earned a BS from Hendrix College and a Master’s of Teaching/Education degree from the University of San Francisco. He, his wife and son live in Atlanta.
Director, Urban Initiatives at Southern Regional Education Board
Member, Georgia Board of Education District 5
In addition to being a founding board member of Higher Ground, Kenneth was also a founding board member and an advisory council chair for KIPP Strive Academy. He teaches high school students on a civil rights emergent experience called Sojourn to the Past. Kenneth has been a community liaison and robotic engineering consultant for Berkeley National Laboratory and served as a corps member adviser for Teach For America. Kenneth earned a BS from Hendrix College and a Master’s of Teaching/Education degree from the University of San Francisco. He, his wife and son live in Atlanta.
NICHELLE SINGLETON, VICE-CHAIR
Global Finance Learning & Development Manager, The Coca-Cola Company
During Nichelle's 17 years at Coca-Cola she has had numerous roles focused on financial management and economic analysis. In her current role her primary focus is Global Finance Talent Development. Prior to joining The Coca-Cola Company, Nichelle had experiences as an auditor and consultant with Ernst & Young, LLP. Nichelle holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Hampton University. Moreover, Nichelle is an advocate for our youth and young adults. Nichelle recently served as a board member for Higher Ground Education and Fulton County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). She is also a member of the Junior League Atlanta. Through these organizations and her church, Nichelle has spent many years teaching youth how to set themselves up for success through etiquette and life skills coaching. Nichelle is a graduate of Hampton University and has two wonderful sons.
Global Finance Learning & Development Manager, The Coca-Cola Company
During Nichelle's 17 years at Coca-Cola she has had numerous roles focused on financial management and economic analysis. In her current role her primary focus is Global Finance Talent Development. Prior to joining The Coca-Cola Company, Nichelle had experiences as an auditor and consultant with Ernst & Young, LLP. Nichelle holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Hampton University. Moreover, Nichelle is an advocate for our youth and young adults. Nichelle recently served as a board member for Higher Ground Education and Fulton County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). She is also a member of the Junior League Atlanta. Through these organizations and her church, Nichelle has spent many years teaching youth how to set themselves up for success through etiquette and life skills coaching. Nichelle is a graduate of Hampton University and has two wonderful sons.
KANDY OUTLAW, TREASURER
Co-Founder, G.B. Outlaw & Associates, Inc.
Kandy D. Outlaw is a talented and experienced business woman who shares her passion to guide, mentor and inspire youth through her volunteer efforts with Higher Ground, Jack and Jill of America and NASP Fast Track, organizations focused on youth development. She is co-founder/CEO of G.B. Outlaw & Associates, Inc., a leadership training company that provides Leadership workshops. From 1998-2013, Kandy worked at Jackson Securities, LLC (now M. R. Beal & Company) as a senior institutional equity sales trader with business development and head trader responsibilities. Kandy, a native Atlantan, has a MBA from Georgia State University and a BS from University of Houston.
Co-Founder, G.B. Outlaw & Associates, Inc.
Kandy D. Outlaw is a talented and experienced business woman who shares her passion to guide, mentor and inspire youth through her volunteer efforts with Higher Ground, Jack and Jill of America and NASP Fast Track, organizations focused on youth development. She is co-founder/CEO of G.B. Outlaw & Associates, Inc., a leadership training company that provides Leadership workshops. From 1998-2013, Kandy worked at Jackson Securities, LLC (now M. R. Beal & Company) as a senior institutional equity sales trader with business development and head trader responsibilities. Kandy, a native Atlantan, has a MBA from Georgia State University and a BS from University of Houston.
ASANTE BRADFORD
Project Manager, Digital Entertainment at Georgia Department of Economic Development
Asante provides leadership in the Digital Entertainment Content Ecosystem of Georgia at the Georgia Department of Economic Development. In his role Asante explores how interactive media technologies can enhance, expand, and reconfigure arts and entertainment. Prior to his time at GDEcD Asante served as a Festival Director for the Independent Black Film Festival and as a Web Developer at ADAM. Asante is a graduate of UC San Francisco where he received a B.S. in Marketing. He resides in Atlanta with his son.
Project Manager, Digital Entertainment at Georgia Department of Economic Development
Asante provides leadership in the Digital Entertainment Content Ecosystem of Georgia at the Georgia Department of Economic Development. In his role Asante explores how interactive media technologies can enhance, expand, and reconfigure arts and entertainment. Prior to his time at GDEcD Asante served as a Festival Director for the Independent Black Film Festival and as a Web Developer at ADAM. Asante is a graduate of UC San Francisco where he received a B.S. in Marketing. He resides in Atlanta with his son.
Michael Turbes
Senior Counsel, Technology Development and Sourcing at AT&T
Michael has initiated and led corporate efforts of the BellSouth and AT&T legal departments to improve education in Atlanta, including: (1) organizing a BellSouth Legal Department volunteer team to present during APS’s Price Middle School Career Day; (2) leading BellSouth’s corporate participation in several Service Juris workdays to clean up local schools and disadvantaged neighborhoods; and (3) establishing AT&T’s national participation in the Street Law program that works with corporate legal departments to help educate high school students and communities about law, democracy, and human rights. In 2011, AT&T lawyers taught approximately 60 Grady High School students over several weeks of classroom visits and a fieldtrip to AT&T’s corporate offices. Michael is a graduate of Amherst College (BS) and University of Chicago (JD).
Senior Counsel, Technology Development and Sourcing at AT&T
Michael has initiated and led corporate efforts of the BellSouth and AT&T legal departments to improve education in Atlanta, including: (1) organizing a BellSouth Legal Department volunteer team to present during APS’s Price Middle School Career Day; (2) leading BellSouth’s corporate participation in several Service Juris workdays to clean up local schools and disadvantaged neighborhoods; and (3) establishing AT&T’s national participation in the Street Law program that works with corporate legal departments to help educate high school students and communities about law, democracy, and human rights. In 2011, AT&T lawyers taught approximately 60 Grady High School students over several weeks of classroom visits and a fieldtrip to AT&T’s corporate offices. Michael is a graduate of Amherst College (BS) and University of Chicago (JD).
WILLIAM TEASLEY, SECRETARY (Ex-officio)
President, Higher Ground Education, Inc.
President, Higher Ground Education, Inc.
