Beyond Dreaming

Dr. Gregory Bernard Levett, Sr. began his entrepreneurial journey in 1980 with his wife, Betty. Together, they founded Gregory B. Levett & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory, which has expanded to four locations and a separate facility, Cremation Care of Georgia. Annually, Dr. Levett serves over 2,300 families and employs 175 staff members.

A pioneer in metro Atlanta, Dr. Levett's profound dedication is evident in his company's commitment to traditional and respectful funeral services—a legacy carried through four generations. Dr. Levett's philanthropic spirit, deeply rooted in his faith, has led his family to contribute over $2 million to educational institutions, religious organizations, hospitals, and community groups. DeKalb Medical Center, now Emory Hillandale Hospital, named its emergency department reception area in honor of Dr. Levett and his wife in recognition of their support.

An active board member of Emory University Hospital and Emory DeKalb Hospital's Budget and Finance Committee, Dr. Levett has also been honored with the President Barack Obama Lifetime Achievement Award and the 2015 Funeral Director of the Year by The American Funeral Director Magazine. His life's work is a testament to his belief in hard work, faith, and community service, illustrating that true success comes from serving and uplifting others.

Pastor Quincy Lavelle Carswell II accepted the assignment to serve alongside his father, Bishop Quincy Lavelle Carswell, as the Pastor of The Covenant Church in Decatur, GA, in 2012. For five years prior to serving as Pastor, he faithfully ministered as the Youth and Young Adults Pastor at The Covenant Church. He was ordained as an Elder of the Church of God under the covering of the Covenant Fellowship of Churches in September 2009 and licensed as a Minister of the Gospel in September 2004.

A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Pastor Carswell is a graduate of Morehouse College and Luther Rice University & Seminary, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Philosophy, and a Master of Divinity degree. Pastor Carswell is an innovative strategist, thought-provoking teacher, powerful preacher, and charismatic leader. With a heart for people and an unparalleled passion for doing the Lord’s work, he has dedicated his life to revitalizing communities, empowering families, and helping individuals discover their God-given purpose.

For over two decades, Pastor Carswell has been favored to stand in pulpits, assemblies, and institutions both locally and nationally, powerfully professing the unadulterated gospel of Jesus Christ. His dynamic approach to ministry has earned him countless recognitions and rewards, underscoring his commitment to excellence in service and his unwavering faith.

Since August 2022, Pastor Carswell has served as the Chief Chaplain of the Dekalb County Sheriff's Office under the leadership of Sheriff Melody Maddox. In this role, he continues to provide spiritual guidance and support, demonstrating his dedication to the well-being of his community.

Pastor Carswell is married to the former Dr. April Lasha Nellum of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Together, they are the proud parents of two sons, Quincy Lavelle III and Wesley Elijah. Their family embodies the values of faith, love, and service, continually striving to make a positive impact on those around them.

Brian has been a resident of Georgia and member of the Atlanta business community for 20 plus years. Originally a CPA, he has been in commercial banking providing financing to small and medium sized businesses for over 25 years. His experience includes the manufacturing, wholesale, retail and service industries. He holds his undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame and a Master’s Degree from Northwestern University. Brian resides in Milton GA with his wife Oprail.

Tomika L. Bullet, CPA is the Principal of Tax Controversy at Windham Brannon, a CPA firm headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, where she helps clients resolve their tax disputes including federal and state examinations, debt collection and various tax compliance notices.

Prior to joining Windham Brannon, Tomika worked at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in the Small Business/Self Employed (SB/SE) division where she specialized in the management of partnership, corporate and high net worth individual examinations.

Tomika received her Master of Taxation from Georgia State University and Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Tuskegee University. She has been a licensed CPA for over 20years and serves on the AICPA’s IRS Advocacy & Relations Committee. Tomika previously served as the Vice President of Operations for the Atlanta chapter of the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) and past Treasurer of the Atlanta Suburban Alumnae chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc and the Atlanta Tuskegee Alumni Club (ATAC).

Brandi is a professional tax consultant and is a Tax Principal and International Services Practice Co-Leader with Windham Brannon LLC (WB). She specializes in the areas of international tax planning and compliance for businesses, individuals and estates. She has more than 15 years of public accounting experience, devoting her time to assisting clients on transactions throughout all aspects of their organization’s and individual life cycle, including formation, structuring, acquisitions or dispositions for domestic parents with foreign subsidiaries or foreign parent companies with U.S. subsidiaries, compliance for individuals entering and exiting the U.S., compliance related to foreign partners invested in U.S. partnerships, consulting related to Foreign Investment in U.S. Real Estate (FIRPTA) and various other international tax planning assistance.

Brandi also has an extensive global network of relationships with tax advisors in many different foreign jurisdictions. She serves on the board of Abacus Worldwide, an association of accounting firms and law firms around the world, and she is also a trusted member and international tax advisor within AGN International, a global network of accounting firms. Her commitment to serving others extends beyond her clients to her colleagues within the firm – Brandi leads the WB Tax CPE Team and has developed and assisted in the development of many tax training programs at WB. Beyond the firm, Brandi has served on her church’s finance team for the past 15 years. She has also served on the Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants (GSCPA) task force and has shared her expertise at the Southeastern Accounting Showcase, AGN Europe/Middle East/Africa (EMEA) Conference and several Georgia Society chapters as a speaker.

Brandi earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Dillard University in New Orleans, Louisiana, and a master’s degree in taxation from Robinson College of Business at Georgia State University. She is a licensed CPA in the state of Georgia and holds memberships in the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), GSCPA and National Association of Black Accountants (NABA).

Brandi grew up in a West African/American home where she learned about the great culture and rich history of both sides of her families. She is also spiritually and financially active in her church, International Christian Fellowship. Brandi is married to Randolph Samuel, and she is a mom to two very active little boys, Ethan and Jacob.

Dave Cohen is a seasoned advertising specialist with nearly 30 years of experience in helping businesses build their brands, increase leads, and grow revenue. As a Senior Advertising Specialist at Cox Media Group (CMG), Dave excels in creating and executing integrated advertising campaigns across multiple platforms, including traditional media such as radio, TV, and outdoor billboards, as well as digital channels like search, social media, display, and streaming TV. His approach ensures consistent messaging that highlights clients' competitive advantages and meets future customer needs.

Dave leverages extensive research and data from top-tier partners, including Google, Meta, and Amazon, to precisely target ads to ideal potential customers. His clients often describe him as an integral part of their team, recognizing his ability to offer tailored solutions and his unwavering commitment to achieving their growth objectives.

Managing over $11 million in local advertising for numerous clients, Dave's expertise and dedication have earned him significant recognition. He has received CMG Atlanta’s top award seven times in the past 13 years and has twice been honored with CMG’s prestigious national accolade, the President's Cup.

As the Digital Media Director at Cox Media Group (CMG) Atlanta, Nora Chambliss spearheads a highly successful digital sales team. She collaborates with clients, CMG media consultants, and leadership to develop integrated strategies that drive exceptional results and deliver significant ROI. Under her leadership, CMG Atlanta's digital revenue and performance have experienced record growth for three consecutive years.

Nora brings over eleven years of expertise in digital marketing, customer-focused solutions, and a deep understanding of the consumer buying journey. She joined CMG in 2016 as a Digital Media Specialist and quickly demonstrated her capability, earning a promotion to Digital Media Director in 2020. Her strategic approach and innovative thinking have been pivotal in elevating CMG Atlanta's digital presence and effectiveness.

Nora holds a Bachelor's degree in Journalism from Southern Illinois University and an IAB Digital Media Sales certification, underscoring her commitment to professional development and industry excellence. Nora's accomplishments have been recognized with the 2019 Making A Difference Award and a nomination for LA TV Week’s 40 Under 40 in 2022.

Deidree is an original Georgia Peach. Growing up in the S.W.A.T’s of Atlanta (Southwest Atlanta), she is a proud graduated of “the” Frederick Douglass High School and even prouder alumnae of Clark Atlanta University. Having graduated from the last class of CLARK COLLEGE, in 1991’, with a B.A. in Broadcast Management.

Deidree embodies the credence of a professional in human resources. Understanding people and proficiently deploying policies, processes, protocols, and procedures. Deidree’s entire career has been alongside the direct leadership of executives. Her span of influence resonates with team members from the C-Suites to the front-line on the streets.

Deidree is a certified Professional in Human Resources (PHR) through the Society of Human Resources (SHRM),
a Myers Briggs Personality Type Indicator Practitioner (MBTI) and most recently certified in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI through SHRM). A recent retiree from DeKalb County Government, Deidree served 30 years in an administrative capacity. The latter tenure of her time she managed payroll and personnel services for the DeKalb County Public Works Department, Sanitation Division. In addition to overseeing payroll of nearly 700 employees, part of her responsibilities included, employee relations, training and development, on-boarding and recruiting.

Deidree is an engaged servant leader and shares her creative side to various community outreach efforts. Deidree has assisted with the Domestic Violence Task Force, Shop with a Cop, and the Thanksgiving Holiday food give-a-way projects, just to name a few. Two of her proudest charitable efforts are with the Hope for the Holidays annual toys for Christmas event in collaboration with the DeKalb County Child Advocacy Unit of Juvenile Courts and laying the groundwork for establishing a GED program for employees assigned to Public Works.

This love for service to the community extends beyond her employment; but also, where she calls home. Raising her family in Henry County, both she and her husband have volunteered in an array of school, civic and religious community efforts. Deidree strongly believes in FAITH, FAMILY, and FRIENDSHIP. She has a heart for helping others, encouraging the best out of others and is a true cheerleader for others.

Deidree is married to her high school sweetheart, Reginald, who just happens to be the first African – American sheriff in Henry County and is most proud of being the mother of four (4) amazing human beings. She is now affectionately named GIVA to a beautiful little angle, her granddaughter. Deidree’s greatest joy is seeing her children and now grandchild, flourish in life as productive citizens and caring human beings. She is an avid reader, loves the beach and dabbles in various forms of creative expressions. Her purpose and mantel in life is to serve as a beacon of hope, to be a living, breathing testimony of God’s grace, mercy, and blessings.

Entrepreneurial, results-driven seasoned executive with a 22-year successful track record. With extensive experience in Sales, Marketing, Operations, Franchising and Business Managing Prinicpal & Speaker, Predictive Success Corporation Talent Optimization | Business Strategy | Revenue Growth Development, Jason consistently earned top performance recognition for Sales Leadership. Accomplished in turning mediocre business units into high performing profit generating centers.

Ron Sanders Jr., PA-C, is an Atlanta-based Emergency Medicine Physician Assistant. A distinguished graduate, Ron completed his undergraduate studies at Augusta State University before earning his Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from the Medical College of Georgia, where he graduated as Valedictorian of his class. His professional journey is driven by a profound passion for medical education, process improvement, and mentorship.

Ron co-founded and currently serves as President for three prominent healthcare organizations: DriveThru Urgent Care, FirstClass Healthcare, and Viral Solutions. In these roles, he manages and oversees finance and strategic planning, develops and manages budgets exceeding $10 million, $30 million, and $20 million, respectively, and spearheads business development. Additionally, Ron plays a crucial role in recruiting and hiring professional staff and assisting in medical operations.

As Lead Physician Assistant at DeKalb Medical Center since 2014, Ron manages a team of 22 physician assistants, oversees scheduling, coordinates department meetings, and performs monthly evaluations. In his role as Director of Clinical Education for California Emergency Physicians since 2013, he trains midlevel providers and manages the fellowship program for newly hired physician assistants.

Ron also serves as a Clinical Preceptor for the Emory University Physician Assistant Program, providing an optimal training environment for students in critical care settings. His extensive experience and leadership across multiple healthcare organizations underscore his dedication to advancing medical education, improving processes, and mentoring future healthcare professionals.

Bernard Coxton Jr., PA-C, is an accomplished Emergency Medicine Physician Assistant based in Atlanta, GA. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Morehouse College and a Master of Science in Physician Assistant (MSPA) from the Medical College of Georgia. Before his medical career, Bernard dedicated himself to education as a high school biology and chemistry teacher in DeKalb County, reflecting his deep passion for education and public health awareness.

As the Chief Operating Officer of Viral Solutions, DriveThru Urgent Care, and FirstClass Healthcare, Bernard is pivotal in these organizations' strategic and operational leadership. His responsibilities include overseeing site development and facility buildout, recruiting and hiring medical and physician assistants, and designing and implementing efficient patient workflows. Bernard is also instrumental in training and developing medical staff, ensuring high patient care and operational excellence standards.

At Viral Solutions, Bernard manages operations for a CLIA-certified laboratory and oversees surveillance testing programs in public schools throughout Georgia. He designed operational processes for COVID-19 testing and vaccine administration and communicated directly with state officials for contract compliance.

Bernard's extensive experience in emergency medicine includes his tenure at Emory Decatur and Emory Hillandale Hospitals, where he evaluated patients with varying acuity levels, developed fast-track processes, and performed various medical procedures. His leadership and operational expertise make him a valuable asset in the healthcare industry, driving innovation and efficiency in all his roles.

Bernard's unique blend of educational and medical expertise makes him a dynamic leader dedicated to advancing healthcare services and public health initiatives. His commitment to both patient care and team development continues to drive the success and growth of the organizations he leads.

As Vice President of Technology, Mr. Shawn Graham creatively develops ethical and complementary uses of Artificial Intelligence in universities, government agencies, and businesses. He is dedicated to transforming operational processes to recapture costs, invigorate employees, modernize outdated systems, and establish competitive advantages that enhance efficiency, profitability, and productivity.

With over 15 years of technology experience, Mr. Graham is a staunch advocate for integrating AI, Augmented Reality, Machine Learning, and advanced technologies like ChatGPT in the workplace. His philosophy centers on aligning technology to meet the specific needs of institutions rather than forcing them to adapt to technology.

He oversees the Information Technology Division for Xerox Business Solutions Southeast in the states of Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and Mississippi.

Under his leadership, the Xerox Automation Team has established themselves as trusted technology advisors through strategic partnerships with industry-leading AI manufacturers, including Microsoft (Gold Partner), UIPath (Gold Partner), ABBYY, Workato, Celonis, and Turbotic, to name a few. For over eight years, this team has been at the forefront of deploying AI solutions, particularly in the form of Xerox Robotics Process Automation (RPA), which uses software robots to automate repetitive and labor-intensive tasks across various organizational processes.

Beyond his professional achievements, Mr. Graham is the co-founder and president of Hope Community, a nonprofit organization with over 400 members dedicated to addressing food insecurity and promoting food RX initiatives in both urban and rural underserved communities. His leadership in both corporate and nonprofit sectors underscores his commitment to leveraging technology for societal good and operational excellence.

Megan Thompson is a Senior Financial Advisor, Senior Vice President with the Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and founder of the Thompson Group that is based in Walnut Creek, California.

She graduated from The Ohio State University and has been a Financial Advisor since 2006, first with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, and now with Merrill Lynch.  Over her career she has built a strong base of individuals, families and small businesses specializing in retirement planning, wealth management, investment analysis and estate planning.

Megan currently resides in California- She enjoys skiing, wakesurfing, Crossfitting, running and traveling all over the globe with her husband and 2 French bulldogs!

Fun fact- She was a coxswain for the Mens Crew team at Ohio State University

Dr. Dub Taylor is a transformative leader, higher education executive, and consultant who leverages his business acumen to drive innovation in higher education, bolster enrollment, and increase graduation rates. He excels at creating dynamic, student-centered educational experiences that merge traditional academia with industry partnerships, preparing graduates to thrive in an increasingly globalizing economy. Dr. Taylor has a deep and authentic commitment to students—particularly first-generation college students from low-income and diverse backgrounds—and has a genuine willingness to support their needs and success. He has also built community academic impact partnerships in urban and rural areas across the United States.

In his current role as Vice President of Institutional Advancement at Allen University, Dr. Taylor has collaborated with various stakeholders to craft an ambitious vision focused on several transformational goals. These include strengthening the College's financial resources through new revenue generation, establishing partnerships that benefit the College and the community, and moving the institution back to the top of national HBCU rankings. As a visionary leader, Dr. Taylor draws upon his senior executive business experience to build strategic corporate partnerships, consult on legislative initiatives, secure financial resources, and drive university growth. He has achieved impactful results, such as increasing Title III grant funding from $1.8 million to $15 million within three years, expanding philanthropic support to 235 new donors in FY22-23, and assisting in securing over $50 million in funding for capital improvement projects, including the construction of a football stadium.

In collaboration with faculty and staff, Dr. Taylor has initiated targeted recruitment and enrollment initiatives, along with implementing retention strategies that significantly enhance institutional effectiveness to meet regional accreditation requirements. Additionally, he has led the expansion of partnerships with local and state school districts, bolstered alumni relations, and launched a state-wide branding and marketing campaign. He has also traveled nationally serving as an advocate and retention specialist for first-generation & nontraditional undergraduate and graduate students.

Driven by his passion for innovation, he has pioneered academic enrichment and workforce development opportunities through corporate partnerships. Notably, he assisted in partnering with The Boeing Company, BlueCrossBlueShield, Colonial Life, Dominion Energy, and Google, partnering with the Savannah River Nuclear Solutions - Plutonium Modernization Program (Pu PUMP), and he collaborated with the A.U. Agribusiness Incubator to enhance students' career readiness and promote diversity and inclusion.

Dr. Taylor previously served as a full-time faculty member at Strayer University, where he taught and developed undergraduate business and marketing courses online and in person for nearly 4,000 students. Similarly, he has also served as an online adjunct faculty member and program advisor at the University of West Alabama, where he developed curriculum and taught graduate-level global and social entrepreneurship courses and served as a course developer for the institution's Doctorate of Rural Education program. In addition to his prior teaching experience, Dr. Taylor serves as a subject matter expert and course developer for UNCF's Teaching and Learning Center, Training Development Workgroup. Most recently, he designed the course, Advancing High-Impact Donor Relationships: Executive Leadership in Fundraising at HBCUs and has consulted on multiple other projects.

Dr. Taylor is the founder of a leadership consulting practice, which he and his team transformed into a nationally and internationally competitive professional development training firm resulting in long-standing partnerships and increased revenues of more than $100 million for organizations. Before his appointment at Allen University, Dr. Taylor served in various executive roles, including Owner of Dub Taylor Consulting, President with Sales Gravy, Executive Vice President of Sales & Business Development with BACAS Interventional Pain Management in Houston, TX, Vice President of National Sales for KGB Deals in New York, NY, Regional Sales Director for Aramark Uniform Services in Memphis, TN, and Sales Executive for Coca-Cola Enterprise in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Beyond his administrative roles, Dr. Taylor is an avid researcher, presenter, educator, and highly sought-after business consultant and speaker. In addition, Dr. Taylor is tenaciously committed to the public good and is a known champion for equity, diversity, and inclusion. He volunteers for various nonprofit organizations, such as The Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and is an Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated member.

A native of Millry, Alabama, where he was raised on a family farm, Dr. Taylor contributes his relentless work ethic to his upbringing. He received his B.A. in History from Stillman College, an Executive MBA from the Jack Welch Management Institute, and a Master's Certification in Strategic Selling from the Miller Heiman Group. Most recently, he completed the HBCU Executive Leadership Institute micro-credential program on navigating board governance and the Wharton Executive Education Program on Executive Presence and Influence: Persuasive Leadership Development. Dr. Taylor also holds a Doctorate in Business Administration with a concentration in Leadership from Walden University. He is committed to promoting a culture of academic excellence while strengthening stakeholder engagement, ensuring that the institutions he serves thrive and succeed.