BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Sharon Jackson is a committed public health leader with more than 20 years of experience advancing community health, strengthening systems, and building meaningful partnerships. A proud graduate of North Carolina Central University, she holds a degree in Community Health Education and a Master of Public Administration.
Read moreIn 2018, Sharon founded Before Tomorrow, Inc., a national public health consulting firm that supports federal agencies, nonprofits, and community organizations through strategic guidance, technical assistance, and engaging training that helps move ideas into action.
A devoted member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, Sharon was initiated into Epsilon Phi Omega in 2008 and now serves with Chi Rho Omega, where she has held multiple leadership roles including Parliamentarian, Vice President, and Business Manager. Her service has been defined by strong governance, thoughtful leadership, and a genuine commitment to people and purpose. In 2020, she was honored with North Carolina Central University’s Forty Under 40 Award for her professional excellence and community impact.
As the Board Chair and President of the Cultivating Resources and Opportunities (CRO) Community Foundation, Sharon brings clarity, compassion, and vision, leading with intention while championing collaboration, accountability, and meaningful impact. She is deeply committed to building healthier, stronger communities and ensuring that service is felt where it matters most.
When she isn’t working, Sharon cherishes time with family and friends and the moments that keep her grounded, joyful, and inspired.
Marquita Robertson is a dynamic servant leader, social justice advocate, and champion for financial literacy and economic empowerment. A proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.®, Marquita was initiated into the Theta Alpha Chapter at East Carolina University on October 24, 2004. She currently serves as the Connection and Social Action Chairperson for the Chi Rho Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc.®, continuing to uplift and support her community through meaningful action and advocacy.
Read moreMarquita is the Executive Director of The Collaborative, leading efforts to close the wealth gap in North Carolina by partnering with financial institutions, nonprofits, and government agencies to empower underserved communities with the tools for financial independence. She has managed wealth-building programs for nearly 20 years, making a significant impact on financial education and advocacy.
Marquita’s public service includes three appointments by Governor Roy Cooper to the NC ABLE 529 program’s Board of Trustees, as well as serving as Chair of the NC Financial Literacy Council under former Governor McCrory. She also serves on the boards of the Coastal Credit Union Foundation, Dix Park Conservancy, Raleigh Little Theater, and United Way of North Carolina.
A native of Moyock, NC, Marquita holds degrees from East Carolina University and Norfolk State University. She is supported by her husband, Austin, and their children, Morgan and Austin Jr., and is committed to making a lasting impact on her community and beyond.
Caitland Smith is a professional with several years of experience in the sports management industry working for a company that sells suites and lounge access to the Olympic Games. Her current role involves being an expert in her company’s event management technology, building products, and managing any content that appears to a guest. She spent the summer of 2024 on-site at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Read moreCaitland was initiated into the Upsilon Eta Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. in 2021 and enjoys serving as a member of Chi Rho Omega. She is enthusiastic about empowering students to achieve a college education and educating them on the benefits it provides to diverse populations. There is a lot of mystery surrounding the college application and scholarship processes which can be solved through training, communication, and transparency.
Caitland was raised in Pelham, AL and received a full Division I scholarship to run track and field at the University of Texas at Austin before transferring to Arkansas State University. She later pursued her professional track career traveling as a member of Team USA to meets in Belarus, Qatar, and across the U.S. She has two Masters of Science degrees in sports and project management, respectively.
Tranequa Lanier, a proud native of South Boston, VA, is a dedicated professional with over 20 years of human resources experience in the US federal government. Armed with a Bachelor of Science in Decision Sciences & Management Information Systems from George Mason University and a Master’s in Business Administration focusing on Human Resources Management, Tranequa has built a successful career grounded in her passion for efficiency, organization, and continuous improvement.
Read moreCurrently serving as a Supervisory Human Resources Specialist, she leverages her extensive knowledge to streamline HR operations, making a significant impact in her department. Tranequa’s career is marked by her exceptional attention to detail, strong leadership, and a commitment to fostering collaborative environments.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Tranequa is a dedicated member of the Chi Rho Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®. Initiated in 2016, she has held numerous leadership roles, including financial secretary, committee chair, and treasurer, and currently serves as the CRO Foundation’s financial secretary.
Tranequa’s leadership is not confined to the workplace; she is deeply committed to community service and empowering others. A wife for over 18 years and the proud mother of two children, she balances her career and community work with grace and dedication, leaving a lasting impact on everyone she serves.
Kimbley Allen-Cox is a native of Greenville, NC. She was initiated in the Chi Rho Omega of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated in 2019. Kimbley has been an active member of Chi Rho Omega serving on many committees and most recently she is serving as the chapter’s president. She began serving on the Board of Directors of the Cultivation Resources & Opportunities Community Foundation in 2025.
Kimbley is a retired special education teacher and currently she and her husband Tory own a prestigious wedding venue located in Eastern North Carolina. When Kimbley is not working she and Mr. Cox love spending time with their three grandchildren: Carter Benjamin, Bailee Mae, and August Tory.
Toya Crichlow is a native of Boston, Massachusetts, and a graduate of Shaw University where
she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology.
While working towards her degree, she developed relationships with several area non-profit
organizations. Her exposure to the initiatives of these organizations allowed her to focus on the
needs of the constituents in her community and fostered relationship building skills.
These skills prepared her for a career within the Office of the Governor in the administrations of
Governors Jim Hunt and Michael Easley where she held the position of Technical Support
Specialist with the North Carolina Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service.
While in this capacity, she served as a member of the Raleigh Mayor’s Committee for Persons
with Disabilities. As a member of this esteemed committee, she coordinated annual job fairs for
members of the city of Raleigh’s disability community.
In the years that followed, Ms. Crichlow served as an Education Program Manager for a
pharmaceutical trade association in the Washington, DC area and an insurance trade association
in Cary, NC. By conducting continuing education seminars across the nation, she was allowed to
meet the needs of professionals seeking to maintain their licensure in the pharmaceutical and
insurance industries.
She was later granted an opportunity to return to state government by serving in the Office of
Governor Roy Cooper. During the first six years of the administration, she provided expertise in
project management and event coordination while serving as a liaison between the Governor’s
Office and bodies such as its cabinet agencies and the Council of State.
She currently serves with the North Carolina Department of Commerce where she works closely
with the Secretary of Commerce to meet the growing needs of the state of North Carolina as it
reaches its expansion goals and seeks to address workforce challenges through its First In Talent
strategic plan. In this role, she has been gifted the unique opportunity to combine her passion for
bringing awareness to areas of disenfranchisement and galvanizing support for under-represented
groups.
In her spare time, Ms. Crichlow serves as a community organizer engaging in: educational
events, mobilization efforts, food insecurity initiatives and environmental enhancements. These
activities are conducted through her membership in the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Chi
Rho Omega chapter where she serves as Vice President.
Her most valued accomplishments are her children. She is the proud mother of a son, Kai, whom
she often describes as a champion. Despite a severe speech delay coupled with learning
disabilities associated with Autism, he successfully graduated from high school with honors and
obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from NC A&T State University.
Kai is currently pursuing a Master of Science degree from his alma mater while serving with
various organizations as an Autism Advocate. Her daughter, Zoe, became an entrepreneur and
obtained her LLC at the age of seven. She has spent the past four years growing a successful
business providing hand-crafted reading accessories while fostering relationships throughout the
community.
Serena Flood is native of Baltimore, MD. She was initiated in the Gamma Chapter Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® (Tuskegee University) on in 1992. As an active member of the Chi Rho Omega Chapter, since 2016, Serena has held the following positions: Parliamentarian, Bylaws Committee Chair and Standards Chair. She started serving on the Board of Directors of the Cultivating Resources & Opportunities Community Foundation in 2022.
Read moreSerena is a Sr. Commissioning and Qualification Engineer, working with a consulting company, resourced to provide supplemental staffing and support and validation services, implementing digital validation services, for global pharmaceutical and medical device companies. She has served in engineering and validation roles in the pharmaceutical and medical industry for more than 20 years. She has served also operated her own validation consulting company for 4 years.
She received a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Tuskegee University and an Masters in Business Administration from Wake Forest University, with a concentration in Operations Management.
Serena resides in Wake Forest, NC with her husband, Jeffrey Flood, a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated®. She is a proud mother of three daughters, Jacqueline, Ava and Harper. In her spare time, Serena is the President and Vice-President of the PTSA boards at her daughters’ school.
Tangela Nixon is Customer Experience and Contact Center professional with over 20 years experience in contact center management and operations. As the Senior Director of Clinical Contact Center Operations with Labcorp, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills, effectively overseeing a team of over 500 Labcorp employees and offshore resources.
Tangela’s professional journey spans roles in contact center management as well as training and leadership development, with extensive experience in both Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and Financial Services sectors. She is passionate about staff engagement and development and enabling teams for success. During her tenure at Labcorp, she has championed her division’s Diversity and Inclusion Council, leading a cross-functional team to impact diversity and inclusion strategies for the team.
Read moreTangela’s educational background includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications and Women’s Studies from UNC Chapel Hill and she is currently pursuing an MBA at UNC Pembroke.
Tangela is a dedicated member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated ®. Since being initiated in February 1999, she has held a number of leadership roles and currently serves as Vice President of the Chi Rho Omega chapter in Knightdale, NC.
Mary Terrell Robinson is a seasoned HR compliance professional with over 20 years of experience. She specializes in developing and implementing employment compliance programs, with a strong focus on advancing workplace equity and regulatory adherence. With expertise in aligning organizational policies with evolving legal and ethical standards, she has successfully navigated complex compliance landscapes to foster inclusive and compliant workplaces worldwide
Read more A native of Louisburg, NC, Mary earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and a Master of Public Administration from North Carolina Central University. She holds certifications as a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and a Certified Affirmative Action Professional (CAAP). Mary’s dedication to community service is evident through her four-year tenure on the Board of Directors for the Cultivating Resources & Opportunities Community Foundation, where she served as Financial Secretary and Scholarship Chair. She also contributed to the “Care For Us All” initiative by The Patient Story, enhancing access to quality healthcare information for underserved communities. As a Life Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® and a charter member of the Chi Rho Omega Chapter in Knightdale, NC, Mary has held multiple leadership roles dedicated to service and community development. She currently serves as Treasurer, demonstrating her commitment to financial stewardship and impactful outreach. Additionally, she is an active member of Nelson Chapel Baptist Church in Louisburg, NC, where she participates in multiple ministries. Residing in Wake Forest, NC, with her husband Patrick Robinson, Mary is the proud mother of two daughters, Jala and JaNesa. Her blend of professional expertise and community involvement positions her as a resilient advocate for compliance and inclusivity in today’s dynamic environment.
Kia C. Bell is a detail-oriented, creative and results-driven communications professional with over 15 years of proficiency in communications, including roles in higher education, government and agency settings.
Read more Kia is often described as someone good at connecting the dots, whether it’s for relationship building or story development. The Atlanta native is revered as a steel magnolia – a woman who is strong and independent, yet feminine. She approaches any effort with grace, poise and dignity. In her role as Director of Strategic Communications for Walk West, a full-service integrated digital branding and marketing agency in North Carolina, she oversees strategic communications, executive branding, thought leadership and business growth initiatives. Her most recent leadership experience includes roles at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Tuskegee University and North Carolina Central University. Kia was initiated into the Kappa Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. in 2008. She brings her fundraising expertise to her role as chair of the Fundraising Committee for the Chi Rho Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She also contributes her leadership as co-chair of programs for the North Carolina Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America. As an advocate of educational advancement, she also offered her expertise as a member of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education’s Communication and Marketing Commission. Kia earned a bachelor’s degree in public relations and a master’s from Florida A&M University. She also holds numerous certifications in communications, media relations and social media. During her spare time, Kia’s favorite hobby is shopping and adding items to her online wish lists. Otherwise, you can catch her renewing her love for tennis with tennis lessons, curating travel stateside and abroad and trying new things to do in Raleigh. She also loves spending time with family and friends.
Marquita Brazier is an accomplished HR and talent acquisition professional with over a decade of combined experience in education, diversity, equity, inclusion and recruitment. She currently works in talent acquisition for a leading Aerospace and Defense company, where she supports early career hiring initiatives across the enterprise.
Read more A proud native of Jacksonville, North Carolina, Marquita is passionate about creating opportunities through education, workforce development, and women’s empowerment. Her commitment to innovation in recruitment was recognized in 2024 when she received the RippleMatch Recruiting Choice Talent Innovation Award. Marquita holds a Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration from Appalachian State University and a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication & Broadcasting from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. She also holds certifications in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Human Resources Management, and Women in Leadership from institutions including Cornell University, the University of South Florida, and Florida A&M University. A dedicated member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated – Chi Rho Omega Chapter, Marquita has led several chapter committees and remains actively engaged in advancing the sorority’s mission of service to all mankind. She also serves as a member of the Junior League, Continental Societies, Inc., and as a mentor in the UNC Greensboro MBA Program. In addition to her professional work and community service, Marquita is the owner of Love & Latitude Travel Partners. She enjoys uplifting her community, traveling, live music and shopping.
