Nisah Brinson
Board Chair
nbrinson@excelsiorvillageacademies.org
Nisah Brinson, born and raised in Decatur, Georgia and a proud product of the DeKalb County School System, has been in the field of education for over 20 years. Nisah is a graduate of Spelman College where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Child Development. She also attended Columbia Teachers College where she studied Curriculum and Teaching. Nisah has served as a Teacher, Curriculum Dean, Assistant Principal and an Elementary School Principal. She currently serves as an Education Specialist/Consultant. During her time as a principal she led her school into exponentially growing their Math and ELA State Exam Scores. Nisah also specializes in leading high quality professional development and creating and developing high performing teams with care and compassion at the center of her work. Nisah is passionate about “going back to the basics” and building the skills that are truly needed for children to succeed in the current world. She recently founded Voices for Action, a public speaking program which teaches children to speak with confidence to inspire change.
Afi Holmes
Board Member
Afi Holmes is originally from OH and has lived in Atlanta GA for over 20 years. She has a B.A. in arts from Spelman College. She is a brand specialist for a Brand Design Company she founded in 2003. She enjoys helping emerging entrepreneurs grow their business with confidence using awesome branding. She has over 20 years of experience working as a brand specialist and web developer, building brands for growing businesses. This experience has allowed her to develop skills in executing different marketing strategies and a fine reputation for creative work.
Dr. Myela Paige
Board Member
Myela A. Paige, PhD was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. She earned her undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from University of Maryland Baltimore County, where she was a Meyerhoff Scholar. She matriculated on to earn her PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology. At Georgia Tech, Dr. Paige’s work incorporated engineering education, active learning, and mechanical design into the classroom to help students understand core topics in the mechanical engineering curriculum. Although she is jump starting her time in the K-12 education field, Dr. Paige’s is passionate about community driven design and the best interest of the youth. Dr. Paige wants to make sure that school is equitable for all and is looking forward to seeing how her contributions to the education field will transcend into student growth. She enjoys mentoring young women to help them brainstorm their career paths and assist with their aspirations. She currently works as a Senior Consumer Insight Analyst for a consumer electronics company.
Isis Nelson-Graham
Board Member
Isis Nelson-Graham is a senior behavioral health researcher at the Center of Excellence for Children’s Behavioral Health at the Georgia Health Policy Center at Georgia State University. Through her work in technical assistance, program implementation, and evaluation, she supports the success of the state’s largest school-based mental health program and other related policy work. She has a BA in Psychology from Spelman College, an M.Ed. in Educational Psychology, and an Educational Specialist degree in School Psychology, from Loyola University Chicago.
Prior to working for the Center of Excellence, she served as the Associate Director of Social-emotional Learning and Restorative Practices for a network of charter schools in Atlanta Public Schools and has previously served as a clinical research coordinator at the University of Texas at Dallas. She has more than 10 years of experience working in academic research and student support services in public and charter school settings across the country.
Several of her passions involve the intersection of pre-K-12 education, whole-child wellness, equity, advocacy, and the school-to-prison pipeline. She enjoys hiking, running, and attending arts and music festivals with friends and family. Parenting her two children are her greatest honor and joy.
Kristal Rutherford
Board Member
Driven by a heartfelt dedication to positive change both in the classroom and communities,
Kristal Rutherford has immersed herself in the world of education and nonprofits for over 12
fulfilling years. She now proudly holds the position of Director of the Life and Family Department
at SLX in Johns Creek, Georgia.
However, Kristal's journey began in a different setting – the vibrant classroom, where she
poured her heart and soul into molding the minds of Henry County's young learners as a
dedicated kindergarten teacher. Now, her passion is firmly rooted in driving positive change
within the education sector. She achieves this through ongoing educational pursuits and active
involvement in the community, all aimed at creating a brighter future for public education.
In 2011, Kristal earned an Associate of Science in Middle Grades Education from Georgia
State University, followed by a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies with a minor in Sociology
from Clayton State University in 2016.
Kristal and her husband have made their home in Stockbridge, Georgia, where they're
raising their three wonderful children. When she's not enjoying quality family time or
participating in her local church activities, you'll often spot her exploring the city with her closest
friends, making the most of every moment.
RH
Reginald Hutchins
Board Secretary
Reginald Hutchins serves as a Director of Academics on the consulting team at TNTP. With a dynamic career path, Reginald's journey includes previous roles as a Senior Manager at TNTP, as well as positions as a secondary math teacher, an instructional coach and site director for a prominent national non-profit organization based in Washington, DC.
Throughout his career, Reginald has been passionately committed to reshaping the landscape of math education, with a particular emphasis on empowering black and brown students. His mission has been to shift the educational focus from mere algorithms and procedural skills towards fostering critical thinking and creativity in the realm of mathematics. During his tenure at TNTP, Reginald has led numerous professional development initiatives centered around effective math practices, curriculum adoption, and addressing implicit and explicit bias in school practices. Reginald has also worked with districts on defining and refining their academic strategies and has engaged in several high school turnaround projects.
Reginald is not only an accomplished professional but also a lifelong learner. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Sociology from Morehouse College, a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Columbia University, and a Master of Education in Education Policy from American University. Moreover, he is a certified secondary math teacher and possesses a ScrumMaster certification, highlighting his expertise in agile practices for organizations.
Reginald resides in his hometown of Atlanta, GA, where his commitment to education and personal growth continues to make a lasting impact on the community where he is also a certified fitness instructor and active contributor to multiple community service projects.
William Smith
Board Treasurer
William Smith is a seasoned Economic Development Manager currently serving the City of Douglasville, GA. With a robust background spanning over a decade in policy and economic development, William brings a wealth of experience and a passion for fostering growth in local communities.
William served as the Real Estate Analyst for Invest Atlanta, where he honed his analytical skills and gained a comprehensive understanding of the real estate landscape. His journey in economic development began with a Master of Public Policy from Georgia State University, and further studies at the University of Northumbria in Newcastle, England, focusing on small regional economic development and local governance.
William is well-versed in global economic practices, having toured various countries, including the U.K., the Netherlands, and Hong Kong, to study and implement best practices for policy and economic growth. In 2018, he achieved his Economic Development Professional Certification, solidifying his commitment to excellence in the field.
A proud alumnus of Morehouse College, William actively contributes his expertise to the Morehouse College Alumni Chapter. Additionally, he is a distinguished member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., reflecting his dedication to community and professional advancement.
Outside of the professional sphere, William resides beautiful Southwest Atlanta, where he enjoys the vibrant community with His wife Julissa and son Alexander. His personal pursuits include football and hiking with his faithful companion, Roscoe. As an advocate for sustainable economic growth, William Smith continues to leave an indelible mark on the communities he serves, embodying the belief that collective efforts can shape a brighter future for all.