The board of advisors for Academy of Scholars, Inc. is comprised of technical, educational, and business specialist. The background and support capability these advisors offer is what makes them a valuable asset to the Academy of Scholars, Inc. family. Each of these individuals has agreed to be advisory members for Academy of Scholars, Inc. The advisory team will meet once a year.

​

Dr. Ingrid Bethel (Legal Assistant Chairperson – Jones College)
Dr. Bethel is the Legal Assistant Chair at Jones College in Jacksonville, Florida. Dr. Bethel has 15+ years of experience in education, consulting, journalism, and leadership. Dr. Bethel has been an active member of the Delta sorority since 2010 and has had the pleasure of nurturing paralegal students for four years. Dr. Bethel is a resident of Jacksonville, Florida.

Andre V. Caldwell, II (C.O.O – Academy of Scholars, Inc.)
Mr. Caldwell is the Chief Operations Officer for Academy of Scholars, Inc. Mr. Caldwell has more than five years leadership experience and is a mentor to young adults in his community. Mr. Caldwell is also the owner of a janitorial service and he resides in Jacksonville, Florida.

Travis Darby (401K & Retirement Specialist - ING)
Travis Darby is a 401K and Retirement Specialist with ING. Mr. Darby has 10+ years of leadership experience, and has served as a mentor in his community with the Black Male Explorers of Edwards College in Jacksonville, FL. Mr. Darby also continues to uplift youth by promoting sports. Mr. Darby is a defensive tackle with the Duval Panthers football team in Jacksonville, Florida, where he resides.

Tiffany Gilliam (President – HP Edwards, Inc.)
Tiffany Gilliam is the President of HP Edwards, Inc. a transportation and trucking company which is an Independent Contractor of Federal Express (FedEx). Ms. Gilliam has been in business for 7+ years. Ms. Gilliam oversees the complete operations of the organization in accordance with the direction established in strategic planning. Ms. Gilliam resides in Atlanta, Georgia.
 

Shevonica M. Howell (Founder and C.E.O – Academy of Scholars, Inc.)

Shevonica M. Howell is the Director of Academy of Scholars, Inc., a private school and non-profit organization which serves students in grades K – 9. Ms. Howell serves on the board of the Coastal Georgia Minority Chamber of Commerce as the acting Education Chair. Ms. Howell is an Author, Motivational Speaker, and a Professor. Ms. Howell is also the Business Chairperson for Jones College in Jacksonville, Florida.

​

Mrs. Adele James (Director – Ombudsman Educational Services)
Mrs. James is the Director of Ombudsman Educational Services in Kingsland, Georgia. Mrs. James has more than 30+ years of education, leadership, and management experience/skills. Mrs. James expertise is developing curriculum and nurturing students of all backgrounds. Ms. James resides in Kinglands, Georgia.



James Keen (Manager - Home Depot)

Mr. James Keen is a native of Wildwood, Florida and has resided in Jacksonville, Florida for twenty five years. Mr. Keen earned his undergraduate degree in Business Management from the University of Phoenix in 2006 and his Master of Business Administration degree in Business Administration in 2009, graduating with honors. Mr. Keen has excelled in many positions in his twenty plus years in his field and is currently a manager for Home Depot.

​

Pastor Shawn Knowles (Pastor – Through the Eyes of Christ Ministries)

Pastor Knowles has been the Pastor and founder of Through the Eyes of Christ Ministries for 1.5 years. Pastor Knowles has been a mentor and an advocate for youth for 5+ years, and is the founder of Youth Empowerment, a youth program, that he founded in 2010. Pastor Knowles mentors in the North Florida and South Georgia area. Pastor Knowles’ Church is located in Brunswick, Georgia.

​

Dr. Daphney Lockette (Education Chairperson – Jones College)
Dr. Lockette is the Department Chair of Elementary Education for Jones College in Jacksonville, Florida. Dr. Lockette has 10+ years of leadership experience, is a member of International Society of Poets, and has been an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. since 1999. Dr. Lockette is also an author of three books. Dr. Lockette resides in Jacksonville, Florida.

Ronnie Smith (Dean – Jones College)
Mr. Smith is a Dean at Jones College in Jacksonville, Florida. Mr. Smith has more than 15 years leadership, management, and education experience. Mr. Smith has also been a member of National College of Collegiate Teachers of English (NCCTE) since 2010. Mr. Smith resides inJacksonville, Florida.

Thomas Washington (Solomon & Glover Funeral Home)
Mr. Washington is a mentor and father-figure for many young-adults in the Northern Florida and Southern Georgia area. Mr. Washington has more than 15 years of leadership and management experience. Mr. Washington has been an advocate and mentor for the homeless 20+ years, and he continues to fight to make a difference in his society. Mr. Washington resides in Jacksonville, Florida.

Kwanza Yates (Campus Director – Jones College)

Ms. Kwanza Yates is the Campus Director of Jones College in Jacksonville, Florida. Ms. Yates is a Professor with more than five years of education experience and 15+ years in the leadership and management arena. Ms. Yates is also an alumnus of Youth Leadership in Jacksonville, Florida, where she resides.