Claude White is the President and CEO of The Unforgotten First Foundation. Claude graduated from Grambling State University with a degree in Public Relations.
 

Claude has been in the pharmaceutical and medical device industry for 20 years. He has partnered and worked with the Boys and Girls club organization. Claude is currently serving as a mentor for the Big Brothers organization. Claude is working with high school students to support and develop them. Claude has a strong desire to support our youth to ensure they have a chance to succeed in life.

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Shawn Billberry is the Vice President of The Unforgotten First Foundation. Shawn graduated from Grambling State University with a degree in Computer Information Systems. Shawn has had a career path working with computer information and programming.

Shawn made a career change to the medical industry. He has been in pharmaceutical and medical sales for the last 7 years. Shawn has a strong desire to work with children and develop them as future leaders. Shawn has a strong passion in serving the under deserved communities.

Lasonya Moore is the President of Plan Empower Grow (PEG), a non-profit organization that is dedicated to helping small business owners succeed. PEG has been recognized as a small business service provider by the State of Texas and has received awards and funding to plan and execute small business conferences throughout north central Texas.

Ms. Moore co-founded PEG in late 2015. Under her leadership, PEG has successfully touched more than 6000 entrepreneurs and small business owners in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas area. In a recent interview, Mr. Herbert Austin, DFW District Director, Small Business Administration (SBA) was quoted as saying “PEG’s conferences are the Golden Nugget for entrepreneurs. PEG is the first organization in the area that has brought together federal, state and local agencies on one stage to help small business owners.” In 2016 and 2017 Plan Empower Grow was the recipient of the State of Texas Small Business Service Provider award.

In addition to PEG, Ms. Moore has served in a variety of community and leadership roles including: President of Women in Leadership of the Dallas Tower Club, STEM Mentor, African American Black Film Festival (ABFF) volunteer, Congressional Black Caucus Conference volunteer, Democratic Women in Leadership member, Black Enterprise Women of Power volunteer, Grant Reviewer for the City of Austin, awarding over $100k in technology grants to non-profits, North Texas Alliance to Reduce Unintended Pregnancy in Teens (Ntarupt) Community Advisory Board member, City of Dallas One Billion Dollar Capital Bond Task Force member and she currently serves as an active member of the City of Dallas Office of Business Diversity Task Force team. Ms. Moore actively supports and serves as a Woman in Technology where she worked as a Software Engineer in solutions architecture, development, and worldwide events at IBM for 16 years, an IT Portfolio Manager for Avaya for 4 years and currently serves as a Senior IT Portfolio Manager for Marsh & McLennan Companies; supporting Real Estate, Telephony, and Call Centre infrastructure activities in North America, Latin America and Canada. Mr. Moore’s academic background includes:

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• Certified Scrum Master;

• Certificate in Non-Profit Leadership and Management;

• Bachelors of Science in Computer Information Systems;

• Masters in Computer Information Systems;

• Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in Finance

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Misha Sturns was raised by Fort Worth’s first African American Criminal Court Judge, Louis Sturns and Human Resource Director, Sharon Sturns. She is a proud mother to Myles, a 15 year old, Booker T. Washington High School Freshman and is engaged to Nicholas Williams.

She has been referred to as “Dallas Socialite Misha Sturns” in several in the know circles, with a brand that is as boldly stated as her alias. Whereas most people either have a desire to serve or be served, she is committed to the motto of her esteemed alma mater, Clark Atlanta University- “I’ll Find a Way or Make One…Culture for Service”. Not one to wait on being served, she finds joy in creating new concepts, elevating others; thus allowing self elevation to happen in the process.

She created, hosted and promoted events throughout Dallas-Fort Worth while appearing on several television and radio programs. During the six years she served as President of the local Clark Atlanta University Alumni Association D/FW Chapter, Misha revamped the organization to cater to both the recent and tenured graduates while forming collaborations with other local HBCU Alumni Associations. As a result, the chapter exploded in membership growth, fundraisers and community involvement. Currently, she serves as a mentor within the Alumni Mentoring Program at Clark Atlanta University. Misha is a mentor to young high school girls with Step Up Dallas. Additionally, she is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and is currently affiliated with the NDSA Chapter. Also, she’s one of the founding members of Friscovania, a philanthropic organization under the Model Behaviors umbrella focused on raising funds to benefit underserved youth in Collin County. Over the past four years, the grass roots organization raised over a half a million dollars for underserved youth and women in need.
 

Along with her extensive and diverse background in philanthropy, public relations and event planning, Misha is a veteran in the modeling industry. She is a former professional high fashion model with the esteemed Kim Dawson Agency where she traveled extensively while working for major fashion conglomerates such as Neiman Marcus, Nordstroms, Dillard’s, JC Penney, Saks Fifth Avenue and more.
 

Misha has 18 years of highly decorated sales experience in the medical profession. She’s been nationally rank at each company where she was employed- Merck, Glaxo Smith Kline, Allergan and her current position as a Specialty Account Manager at Kroger Specialty Infusion. She’s been the #1 sales person in the nation for 5 years in a row! In all that she does to give back in
both her personal and professional pursuits, the common denominator encompasses her passion and service to others.

 

 

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Shanee’ Bryan is a College Counselor at St. Agnes Academy in Houston, Texas. St. Agnes Academy is an all-girls college preparatory school high school. She is responsible for shepherding 10th – 12th grade students through course planning and every aspect of the college planning, application and placement process.  Shanee’ also serves as the sponsor of Women of the World and co-sponsor of the St. Agnes Step Team, both student-led organizations.

 

Prior to joining St. Agnes, Shanee’ was a homemaker for several years. She also worked in the pharmaceutical industry as a Cardiovascular Specialist in Sales and Training with Abbott Laboratories and Sales, Recruiting, Training and Development with General Mills Inc. As a first generation college student, Shanee’ has been a longtime advocate for higher education access, specifically for marginalized and underrepresented populations. For many years, she served on the guild board and board of directors for Yellowstone Academy, a pre-K through 8th faith-based school located in Houston’s historic Third Ward community. She also spends her free time speaking to and mentoring college bound students that don’t have proper access and support.
 

Shanee’ received her BA in Business Management, Biological Studies and Black Studies from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She recently completed a Master Certification in College Counseling from UCLA. She is also a member of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Shanee’ resides in Houston and is supported by her husband, Shannon and inspired by her children, Renee’ and Caleb.

Wendy Pognon is a highly motivated, results-oriented leader with 15 years of experience in Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) operations management, membership sales, community development, volunteer recruitment, grant administration, fund-raising, special events, facility maintenance and program development.  He possesses outstanding record of achievement in operational profitability, business development, continuous quality improvement and personnel management.  He has successfully leveraged his operations forte, communication acumen, enthusiastic approach, and proven project management skills to build a career distinguished by outstanding success.

 

Throughout his career, Wendy has kept his focus with an unyielding commitment to financially sound growth and has demonstrated this by implementing successful management strategies effectively.  He creatively tapped new training opportunities for employees through local universities and national non-for-profit organizations training support.  Through the growth, Wendy trained employees in various trainings from Fiscal Management and Budgeting to Strategic Planning.

 

Wendy clearly communicates goals and interplay of concepts to obtain organizational support.  He holds a strong belief in mentoring and developing dynamic teams to support his commitment to collaborative success.  Wendy maximizes organizational resources by acquiring support for initiatives through alignment of business segments’ objectives with overall organizational goals.

 

In several operational positions, Wendy has successfully managed annual multimillion-dollar budgets for leading and service non-for-profit organization.  Recognizing operational fiduciary role in budgets, Wendy has consistently implemented cost cutting initiatives that generate positive cash contributions.

 

Wendy has successfully met leadership challenges by removing all barriers and consistently accelerating the pace of success.  His broad-based management view allows Wendy to successfully leverage internal communications to obtain the support of his internal audience.  His keen understanding of a good mix of operational management, training and directional leadership has positioned Wendy to create comprehensive strategies in support of operational goals.

 

After earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics from University of South Florida, Wendy learned to focus on understanding operations management with multiple positions through various organizations.  With well-rounded professional experience in a variety of operational techniques, Wendy is an imaginative and inspiring leader who translates his bold and creative vision with hands on management style.

Valerie C. Newton a native of Tampa, reared in Hillsborough County Public Schools; graduating from Jefferson High School. She attended Florida A&M University (Go Rattlers!) graduating with a major in chemistry, with a minor in math and education in 1995.

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Her twenty-five year career in education has afforded her various opportunities to impact today’s youth.  Beginning with eleven years teaching in both Pinellas County and Hillsborough County Schools teaching chemistry and math. Desiring to have a greater impact, she earned a Masters in Educational Leadership from National Louis University in 2005.  Shortly thereafter, she was appointed Assistant Principal in Hillsborough County Schools, serving as an AP for a total ten years at two different middle schools; Martinez Middle School and Walker Middle School.

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On July 19, 2016, she was appointed principal of Greco Middle School in Tampa.  Valerie has served the Greco family for two and half years before being moved to her current assignment at Burnett Middle School.  She is finishing her first full year as principal of Burnett Middle School.

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Valerie is a mother of one son, Daniel, who is a 19 year old rising senior at Florida A & M University majoring in Broadcast Journalism.  In her spare time, she is a lifelong member of Mt. Pleasant MB Church in West Tampa where she serve as the director of the Sanctuary Choir and former Youth Director for the church.

Gene Newkirk is from Pittsburgh, PA.  I grew up and lived my life in Kansas City, MO. I graduated from Emporia State University in Emporia, KS with a degree in Finance.

 

I held many roles in the finance industry at UMB.  I currently serve as a Senior Project Manager for Wells Fargo.

 

I have a strong desire to help kids because I had the privilege to serve as a foster parent for a young child.

 

This opportunity lead me to know there are so many children that need to be loved.  I was honored to be asked to be a part of the The Unforgotten First Foundation.

 

I am ready and committed to serve the under served black males in Dallas.

Christopher (Chris) McDonald was born and raised in Washington Metropolitan Area and currently is a resident of Detroit, MI. He is a cum laude graduate from with Hampton University with a BA in Biology/Pre-Med and a minor in Chemistry.
 

Chris had a desire to be an Allopathic Medical Doctor when he started his life journey; however, he pursued a passion which lead him toward a career in Medical Sales. His career path in Medical Sales began in contract medical sales; however, he quickly landed an opportunity with Fortune 500 Pharmaceutical Manufacturer Company, Abbott Labs. Most of his growth and expertise in Medical Sales occurred
at Abbott Labs, in which he was promoted to various roles and responsibilities. While there, Chris successfully served as a Professional Pharmaceutical Sales Representative, Regional Training Specialist and District Sales Manager. Always seeking ways that challenges his skills and continue learning, Chris furthered his managerial development and skillset within an advanced opportunity at Takeda Pharmaceuticals where he currently is a Senior District Business Manager in the Neuro Salesforce.

Chris has a strong commitment and desire to support Black Youth. This is very evident within his community involvement. As an active member of Kappa Alpa Psi Fraternity, Inc., Southfield Alumni Chapter, he served many positions and currently holds an Executive Board Member Position. Chris lead multiple sponsorship programs through his fraternity that support scholarships for Young African American Males. His contributions helped him earn multiple awards, including Polemarch Awards and The 2019 Brother of the Year Award. Chris also serves as Vice President of his Community Home Owner’s Association Board