Meet our board
Kelli X
After nearly a decade of working with children and families living with mental illness and maneuvering the foster care system, Rev. Kelli X the Pastor of The Village Church stepped deeper in her call to ministry by attending Vanderbilt University Divinity School, where she earned a Master of Divinity 2012. Moved by Psalm 150 and Romans 12:1, Rev. X has dedicated her life and inspires her congregation to live lives of worship for and service to the world. Committed to speaking the truth to power, Rev. X has partnered throughout her ministry with various organizations such as Nashville Organized for Action and Hope (NOAH), Planned Parenthood, Moral Movement Tennessee, Southern Christian Coalition, Protect Our Care, and New Leaders Council (recruitment co-chair) to seek justice for all God's children.
Marsha Wilson
Marsha served as a Council Member for the State of Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities, a governor appointment, representing the Antioch, TN area. She is a graduate of the Partner in Policymaking TM Leadership Institue and sat of Mayor Karl Dean's Special Education Advisory Council. She received Prevention Specialist of the Yead while at NPP. Marsha is the Co-Founder of "The Overcomers Mininistry, Inc., She was the recipient of $20,000 + Administration on Development Disabilities (ADD) federal grants to increase participation of family members of children with disabilities along with other funding. Marsha co-authored two books with her for families with disabilities and is a participant of the National Association of Black Psychologists.}
Rico X
Rico X is a proud graduate of Tennessee State University, with a B.S. in Africana Studies. He also earned a Master in Public Policy from the University of Michigan and has established a 25-year career dedicated to serving children and young adults. He has worked with various youth development initiatives in Nashville, Detroit, and Philadelphia. Rico is currently the Vice President of School Age Services with the YMCA of Middle TN, administrating a $14 million department with 119 school-based sites in four counties across Middle Tennessee. Rico also plays an active role in the YMCA’s Employee Resource Groups, previously serving as the Chair of the African American Leadership Network and currently serving as the Executive Sponsor for the Women’s Leadership Resource Network. Rico’s brand of leadership and work ethic can be summed up by the following quote: “Don’t work for recognition, but do work worthy of recognition.”
Teneice Kirby
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Teneice's has earned a Technical Certificate in Early Childhood Education, an Associate Degree of Applied Science, and an Associate Degree of Science in Early Childhood Education from Nashville State Community College. She has also earned a dual Bachelor of Science in both General Education and Special Education. She obtained a Master of Education in Educational Leadership and a Master of Education in Reading Specialist with Dyslexia Certification. Her journey in Education started nearly 30 years ago with the birth of her oldest son. After giving birth to her second son she noticed various challenges both sons presented. Leaning into James 1:4-6, she began to ask God for wisdom, and she began to trust the process. The challenges she faced helped her to become a better teacher and grow as an advocate for families of students with different abilities. With over ten years of experience teaching she is excited to share both her personal and professional stories with families.
Ingrid Cockhren
Ingrid graduated from Tennessee State University with a B.S. in Psychology, she also earned her M.Ed in Child Studies at Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College. Her experience ranges from juvenile justice, family counseling, early childhood education, professional development & training, and community education. She is currently an adjunct professor at Tennessee State University and the Chief Executive Officer for PACEs Connection. Her consulting, facilitation, and DEI clients and affiliates include PACEs Connection, Thistle Farms, Inc., Metro Nashville’s Public Schools, Meharry Medical College, Tennessee State University Foundation, Tennessee’s Dept. of Children’s Services, Tennessee’s Office of Child Safety, Vanderbilt University & Medical Center, Raphah Institute, Mental Health Cooperative, American Institute of Architects, Indiana Youth Institute, Indiana University and the Tuskegee University.
