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Ida Thornton - Board Chairman
Ida Thornton, a retired educator, taught in public schools in Charleston, South Carolina for 30 years. For a few years during that time she was the Activities Director at the Charleston YWCA organizing and overseeing arts and sports programs for at risk youth. During Ida’s final years at Burke High School she taught special needs high school juniors and seniors food preparation and food service skills and assisted them in finding jobs in Charleston area restaurants. Ida earned her bachelor’s degree in home economics at South Carolina State College. She furthered her education taking courses at Savannah State College, the College of Charleston and the Citadel, earning her a master’s degree equivalent certificate. Ms. Thornton has served on numerous community and youth boards, in many capacities, throughout her years as an educator. Upon retiring Ida moved to Germany with her family to become an exclusive clothing designer for Melanie.
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Willie J. Beatty - Secretary / Treasurer
Born in Spartanburg, SC, Willie J. Beatty graduated from South Carolina State College with a BA in Accounting and Management. He worked and has retired after 30 years in manufacturing; GE, Hersey, Clark Equipment, Ingersoll Rand, Dana Corporation. He is also a retiree of the Board of Directors of Statesville, NC Housing Authority; in which he served as chairman for 18 of his 22 yearr there. Additionally, Willie has served on a number of boards including: the United Way, Communi-Care, Mitchell College Advisory Board, Iredell-Statesville County Schools Advisory Board, Davis Hospital Board of Directors, IPAC (Chairman 5 years), IMPACT, NASCAR Diversity Task Force, Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation, and Iredell/Statesville YMCA – Secretary/Treasurer. He is a mnagement consultant for Westmoreland Group where he specializes in human resources, strategic planning and financial management.
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Lois Chisolm
Lois Chisolm is the president and founder of The Melanie Thornton Youth Arts Foundation, Inc. Prior to the foundation Lois owned and operated Thor Enterprises, a successful artist development and management company where she managed the careers of world famous award winning artists La Bouche, Melanie Thornton, C-Block, and others. Lois was working as the Training & Development Director for the U.S. Air Force’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation Services in Germany when she, unknowingly, began her career in entertainment. Lois disbanded the company after the tragic death of her sister and most famous client, Melanie Thornton, in November of 2001. Lois’ experience as an award winning training and development specialist, performing artist manager and developer, extensive travel and love of people make her uniquely suited to fulfill her foundation’s primary objective of developing leadership potential in youth through academically enhanced arts enrichment programs.
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Domonique Mitchell
Domonique Mitchell is the founder of "Executive Decision Entertainment / MBA ", He possesses more than 15 years of experience in the music industry. From 1989-1991 he was with Kid-n-Play, Kwame, and Salt-n-Pepa. Then he was the Road Manager for Father MC at Uptown Records from 1991-1993. His talents were soon recognized by Marvin McIntyre, who hired him to assist him in developing acts such as Dru Hill, Boyz II Men, Xscape and TLC from 1994-1996. From 1996-1999 he seized yet another opportunity when he was hired to serve as the personal bodyguard for Lisa “Left Eye” Lopez as well as Road Manager & Bodyguard for Sony’s female music group sensation Blaque. This lead to meeting Nsyncs managers who took Domonique on tour with the group. Later he caught the attention of BET and became the Co-Producer of Comic View from 2001-2003 in Atlanta and one season in New Orleans. Domonique served as the Head of A&R for Sounds of Atlanta/Universal Records.
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Ruben Martinez
Ruben D. Martinez is the CEO and owner of Nene Musik Talent Agency, which was established in September of 2000. While working as an agent at Pyramid Entertainment Group under the guidance of CEO Sal Michaels, Ruben D. Martinez was responsible for the touring success of gold and platinum superstars: Elvis Crespo, Quad City DJ’s, Jocelyn Enriquez, La Bouche and Melanie Thornton to name a few.Ruben is also known in the industry for his production and remix discography which includes the likes of Diana Ross, Brandy, MC Lyte and many more.
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Tamaiko Chappell
Tamaiko Chappell is an educator at North Gwinnett High School in Sugar Hill, Ga. As lead teacher in the mathematics department Tamaiko teaches Integrated Algebra 1, and Honors and College Prep Algebra 2. Tamaiko earned her bachelor’s degree in mathematics at Kennesaw State University, her master’s degree in math education at the University of Georgia and her specialist certificate in teaching and learning from Piedmont College. Her extra curricula activities include being the coach of the North Gwinnett High School Step Team, an SAT test administrator and a tutor for Georgia Tech’s Prep Enrichment Program for at risk youth.
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Ted S. Kirland
Ted Kirland is President, CEO and Founder of Brokers of Atlanta, Inc., a full service commercial real estate company headquartered in Decatur, Georgia. Licensed in Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina, Brokers f Atlanta is involved in the leasing, selling, developing, and managing of commercial office and retail properties. Mr. Kirland earned his Bachelor of Science Degree from St. Bernard College in Cullman, Alabama and his Juris Prudence Doctorate of Law at the John Marshall Law School in Atlanta, Georgia. In his spare time Mr. Kirland trains dogs to assist individuals with disabilities.
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