Kuumba Academy Charter School’s Board of Directors has accumulated nearly 15 years of experience in school governance and oversight. Our governing body provides critical leadership in urban education, early learning, business, finance, human resources, law, nonprofit management, facilities management, operations, healthcare, and parent/community engagement.
Father, Talent Acquisition Professional, Mentor and Motivator. Born and raised in Wilmington Delaware and received his advanced education from Cheyney University with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering Management. Also, while at Cheyney, he became a member of the highly esteemed Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Through the years he’s received various awards and certifications in his career of Human Resources and Management such as Human Resource Certification from Villanova University and the Society of Human Resource Management, Management through People, and Outstanding Strategic Staffing Partner for CSC.
Over the course of more than 15 years, Herb has cultivated his craft in Strategic Talent Acquisition with various fortune 500 companies spanning markets in Global Information Technology, Banking, Staffing and Global Healthcare Technology.
Through it all, he’s come to realize the revelation of the calling on his life to lead, motivate and encourage people to be their very best they aspire to be. This has led him to over six years in leadership capacity of Men’s Ministry Groups and working with various non-profit organizations such as, Cornerstone Fellowship Baptist Church Brotherhood, Leander Morris-Allen Clark Music Scholarship Foundation, Kuumba Academy Charter School, The Monday Club, One Village Alliance, Raising Kings and the United Way of Delaware.
His favorite quote, which you will hear him say often,
“Be Encouraged, Stay Encouraged and Be Encouraging” H. Broadwater
Through her private practice, Dr. Coker provides medical services to a diverse patient population, including children, adolescents, and adults. Her work serves children, youth, and their families in ways that address a broad range of medical issues and require the leveraging of multiple resources and services.
Mr. Fisher is a certified public accountant with extensive experience in private industry, public accounting, municipal government, and not-for-profit organizations. He is an active member of KACS’ Citizen Budget Oversight Committee and provides KACS with hands-on financial oversight. As former Board President of the Christina Cultural Arts Center, Mr. Fisher is experienced in nonprofit oversight and has completed the State of Delaware Board Finance training.
Renowned for her visionary strategies and collaborative decision-making, Dr. Chestnut-Lee has a proven record of developing and implementing impactful educational programs. Dedication to fostering a positive and inclusive organizational culture is evident in her focus on student achievement, staff development, and community engagement. With strong interpersonal and communication skills, she drives continuous improvement and exceeds organizational goals.
Dr. Chestnut-Lee is passionately committed to promoting equity and excellence in education, ensuring compliance with all relevant laws and regulations.
Mr. Brown is KACS’ Interventionist and Assistant to the Dean. He is a seasoned professional with experience in teacher training, behavioral classroom management, arts integration, and curriculum development, and his diversity in the arts, behavior management, and leadership in many areas of educational programming has earned him respect among the educational and cultural community. Mr. Brown earned a B.A. in Political Science from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, and an M.Ed. from Cabrini College in Pennsylvania.
Ms. Jones-Avery has 25 years of experience with all operational aspects of not-for-profit business organizations. She has demonstrated her leadership skills by using cutting-edge development strategies in turn-around initiatives for under-performing operations. In her current role as Executive Director of the Christina Cultural Arts Center (CCAC), she has earned a reputation as a visionary leader in the Delaware arts, human services, and community development sectors. She successfully executed two capital campaigns that allowed vacant historic properties to become the sites of KACS and the CCAC. Ms. Jones-Avery has 30 Doctoral Credit Hours in Urban Affairs & Public Policy from the University of Delaware, and an M.A. in Health Services from West Chester University.
Leland Sylver is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, who currently works as an investment and wealth planner for BNY Mellon in Wilmington, DE. He has 10 years of financial services experience analyzing financial issues and bringing forth solutions to individuals, non-profit organizations, and small businesses. Leland serves on the KACS Citizen Budget Oversight Committee where he provides financial insight on the budget and other fiscal matters.
Leland is a native of Cleveland, OH and holds a bachelor’s degree in accountancy from Purdue University and a Master of Business Administration from Wilmington University. He enjoys serving the community, watching all Cleveland sports teams, a nice cigar and spending time with his fiancée and 1 year old son.
Dr. Masters has been teaching in New Castle and Wilmington since 2009 with a track record of demonstrated success in the classroom. As a Delaware-certified teacher, KACS teacher since 2016 and member of the Kuumba Arts Cadre, Dr. Masters has made significant progress in integrating arts into the ELA classroom for our students and bringing computer science to Kuumba's after school clubs. Dr. Masters has a B.F.A. in Fashion Design from Moore College of Art and Design, an M.S.Ed. in Elementary Education from Neumann University, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Wilmington University.
Kuumba Academy Charter School (KACS) is a dynamic learning environment where teachers, families, students, and community partners work together.