Founder, Owner, Visionary, Tennis Champion

I launched this business in August of 2021 with the goal of providing enriching experiences to the community. As a native of Richmond, Virginia, I grew up in some of the most impoverished neighborhoods in the area. This pushed me to start this business and do my part to empower both youth and adults in my community. I understand the dynamics of the area and am able to connect to youth on all levels and truly make learning fun. I have seen firsthand the detrimental effects of neglect, peer pressure, and lack of confidence on our youth. I choose to be a helping, calm, reassuring voice to remind them that they have a life worth living.

I am an uncle, former law enforcement officer, a mentor for VCU’s African American Alumni Council, an educator with Richmond Public Schools, and an adjunct professor for J. Sargent Reynolds Community College. I have a deep-seated desire to empower, teach, and encourage people to reach their fullest potential and meet goals well beyond their expectations while being a role model for the youth in my community.

Assistant Program Director, Media Specialist, Bookworm

Growing up in Hampton Roads, Virginia, I always knew I wanted to be a scientist. I spent all my summers at the library and in the Elizabeth River, exploring and learning more about the environment. I received my Bachelor’s degree in Organismal Biology from Christopher Newport University and my Master’s in Biology from the University of Kansas. After a brief teaching stint at KU, I fell in love with education and started my teaching career at the Richmond Technical Center.

I am very passionate about science and my ultimate goal in life is to pass on my love for the subject to students and the community. As a result, I work hard to provide an engaging, fun, and STEM-based learning experiences to all of our enrichment programs. Soon, I hope to launch my own programs with SSOS focused on nature and the environment.

When I’m not teaching students in our after school and summer programs, I am keeping up our social media platforms, making event flyers, and working on updating our website.

Mistress of Ceremonies, Business Advisor, State and Nationally Registered Pharmacy Technician

I grew up in some of the roughest neighborhoods in Richmond Virginia in the eighties and nineties. I am a proud product of Richmond Public Schools. I lived with my aunt during the later years of my childhood and found the stability that I needed and was so desperately looking for. I understand the importance of having someone that you can talk to and know that they actually care about you. This is why I am so happy to work with Mr. Miller and give back to the community.

I am a wife, mother of five daughters and am blessed to have 16 nieces and nephews. I have an extensive background in healthcare including owning my own Assisted Living Facility. I am currently a Program Director and Instructor at the Richmond Technical Center in the Medical Science Cluster and adjunct professor for Reynolds Community College. I love being able to expand my students’ outlook on life. I think the most important thing that I can teach a student is that there is more to life than what they are currently experiencing and living. I learned that as a teenager when my aunt packed me and all my cousins in her station wagon and drove us from Blackwell to Riverside Drive just to show us that the world is much bigger and diverse than we can ever imagine by driving us 10 minutes away from the projects that we knew, loved and could never imagine leaving.

Program Instructor, Mentor, Musician, Martial Arts Guru

Roderick Davis has worked in education for nearly 2 decades, having a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Architectural Drafting & Design from Virginia State University, Advanced Certifications in Principles of Engineering and Introduction to Engineering Design from Duke University, and several professional Computer Aided Drafting Certified User certifications. Mr. Davis was introduced to West African Drum and Dance in 1994 by his former teacher, mentor and founding member of Ezibu Muntu, Renne Knight. Roderick has actively dedicated himself as a drummer for 3 decades to Ezibu Muntu, Akoma de Gado, N’Goma, and to his community. He has held the positions of Lead Drummer and Musical Director for 20 years. He has also taught djembe music for 10 years as an adjunct professor at Virginia Commonwealth University and University of Richmond. While teaching at MLK Middle, Roderick created an after school program for young boys focusing on leadership through learning West African music, which had an 8 year span. He also volunteered at and was eventually employed at the Boys & Girls Club located at MLK Middle School's Extended Day Program.

Roderick is also the co-founder of Capoeira Resisténcia Richmond with world renowned capoeira master from São Paulo, Brazil, Mestre Panão. He has trained and taught under the direct tutelage of M. Panão for 17 years. Mr. Davis is now the group’s first graduated American Professor of capoeira and is now teaching this Brazilian martial art form in Richmond and Charlottesville VA.