Meet Our Board of Directors
Dr. Sameano Porchea Bond - Founder & Executive Director
Dr. Sameano Porchea Bond is an Educator of more than 24 years and Psychometrician (12 years). She is a graduate of Francis Marion University (Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a Master of Education); the University of South Carolina (Master or Research and Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Psychology); and The George Washington University(Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership). Dr. Bond has numerous publications and offers professional development in Evaluation, Assessment, Research, and Data Analysis across the country. She partners with school districts, testing companies, state agencies, and private industry to plan, develop, administer and provide reporting for assessments and evaluations to include survey instruments.
Dr. Bond is a recipient of the American Educational Research Association Division D, Award for Significant Contribution to Educational Measurement and Research Methodology, was nominated for the Life Changer of the Year award in 2020 and was accepted as a lifetime member into the International Society of Female Professionals in 2021. She is the Executive Director of the non-profit We Work For Children (WWFC), the owner of REAP Associates, an educational consulting firm and the host of the Podcast The Argument - Ed Talks. She is married to Dexter Q. Bond Sr. and has four children, (Dexter Jr., Kavonne, Destiny, and Anthony). Dr. Porchea Bond credits her success to having faith in God. She is and remains to be an advocate for both children and families.
Ms. Tyann Pender - Director of Community Projects & Events
Tyann Pender was born in Washington DC and grew up in Wilson NC. She attended the public school system and obtained her high school diploma from Fike High School. From there, she joined the United States Navy and was stationed in Lemoore CA. She obtained her bachelor's degree of science in Information Systems Management from the University of Maryland University College in 2019 at the age of 31. Her desire to work for children stems from her advocating for her son who suffers from ADHD. She bends over backwards to make sure her son has all the tools he needs to be successful and wishes that all children had the same. She simply adores children and loves to see them grow! She currently resides in Prince George's County MD with her 12 year old son.
Mrs. Charlotte Avery - Director of Development
Charlotte Avery is the Outreach Coordinator for the Iribe Initiative for Inclusion and Diversity in Computing (I4C). I4C is part of the Department of Computer Science in the University of Maryland, College Park. There she oversees 30 undergraduate computer science students who serve as teaching ambassadors to several programs for K-12 underrepresented students interested in computing. Prior to working at I4C she spent 9 years as a secondary mathematics and computer science teacher and was a Prince George's County Public School Teacher of the Year nominee. She held other positions as Adjunct Professor, Consultant, Assistant Athletic Director in charge of budget and compliance and business owner. Charlotte, received a Bachelor of Science in Recreation and a Master of Education in Student Personnel in Higher Education all from the University of Florida.
Dr. Dawn D. Mazzie - Vice President & Director of Evaluation
Dawn was born in Laurelton, NY and grew up in Irmo, SC. After high school she attended the College of Charleston where she majored in math and education. She went on to obtain a Master’s of Science in Educational Research and a Doctor of Philosophy in Education Psychology and Research from the University of South Carolina. Dawn worked in the public school system in Columbia, SC for a number of years before moving to Lincoln, Nebraska to work with Lincoln Public Schools where she works as an Assessment and Evaluation Specialist to help the district gather and use data appropriately to support district programming. She is a co-founder of Cultural Competence Center in Lincoln, Nebraska, serves on the Finance Committee for the YWCA-Lincoln, and is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Psi Chi Omega Chapter. Dawn is committed to ensuring that suitable data are collected and appropriate inferences are made.
Mr. Adrian J. Adams - Director of Music & Youth Outreach
Adrian Adams currently serves as Director of Bands at Richland Northeast High School. In his previous roles as Director of Bands, he is credited with starting a Pep Band for the school’s basketball season, returning the band to SCBDA State Finals Marching Band Championship and creating and implementing new courses of study within the Arts Curriculum. Prior to this appointment, he served Charleston County School District for one year as Director of Bands and Fine Arts Department Chair and Richland County School District One for five years as a Music Director. He served as a Visual & Performing Arts curriculum reviser for Music Theory and World Music for the district. In, Mr. Adams led the North Charleston High School Wind Ensemble to victory as they earned their first Superior rating at The Carowinds Festival of Music in Charlotte, NC. Ensembles under Mr. Adams’ leadership continue to earn superior ratings.
Mr. Adams was also appointed Assistant Director of Bands and Chief Arranger Music at Benedict College in the School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, under the direction of the late Mr. Herman Jones, Jr., in August of 2012. He served in this position for four years, three of the years part-time and one year full-time. At Benedict, He was responsible for arranging music and drill for the Tiger Band of Distinction, preparing requisitions, conducting the Wind Ensemble and Marching Band, student retention and other clerical tasks assigned by the Director. Mr. Adams' most notable accomplishments included assisting Professor Jones with revitalizing the band program, strengthening it's sounds and numbers.
Mr. Adams earned the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Instrumental Music from Benedict College and the Master of Education (M. Ed.) degree in Educational Administration and Supervision from the University of Phoenix. He is currently pursuing a second master's degree, the Master of Music (M.M.) in Music Education at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL. Mr. Adams is most interested in educating the inquisitive minds of our youth and empowering society through music education. Mr. Adams is an accomplished music arranger and continues to arrange music for bands throughout the south region.
Dr. Maja James - Director of Human Resources
Dr. Maja James is a Senior Human Resource Manager/Human Resource Business Partner for Greif Packaging, a global leader in the Paper and Packaging Industry. Dr. Maja has been in the HR industry for over 20 years. She is a University of South Carolina graduate with a Bachelor’s of Science in Business with an emphasis in Finance. She also has a Master’s in Business from the University of Phoenix and a Doctorate in Business with an emphasis in Human Resources from Northcentral University.
Dr. Maja serves as an adjunct professor for both Beulah Heights University. She is also a contributing writer for Bibs & Business Magazine, whose focus is to empower busy working mothers in corporations.
A native of Florence, South Carolina, Dr. Maja has a passion for people that includes providing support with development, leadership, diversity and inclusion. She is currently the President of Greif’s first Employee Resource Group BEE@Greif (Black Employees Engaging at Greif).
Dr. Maja is currently the owner of Dr. Maja, LLC., which allows her to work collaboratively with business for HR consulting. When she is not working, Dr. Maja spends her time with her two amazing and precious daughters, Kennedi and Raygan.
