Sedric M. Warren
Founder & Executive Director
“Salus Populi, Supremo Lex Esto”
Let the welfare of the people be the supreme law. This is the motto that Sedric lives by. As the son of two veterans who instilled the importance of service to others, he is committed to making a difference in this world. Over his 7 year career in Public Health, Sedric has worked in state government and academia spanning Community Programs, Student Development & HIV Prevention.
Originally from Columbia, South Carolina, Sedric received a BA in History with a Minor in Health Promotion, Education & Behavior from the University of South Carolina in 2012. In 2016, he completed his Master’s in Public Health at Capella University, with a concentration in Public Health Management & Policy.
He currently serves in various roles on several nonprofit boards including Secretary of the Black Alumni Collective, Vice-Chair of The Kneeland Center for Poetry, and the former Chair of the My Carolina Alumni Association’s Black Alumni Council. He believes in the power and capability of nonprofits and their commitments to change the world. It is that same belief that inspired him to establish Palmetto P.R.I.D.E. Sports in 2018.
Sedric currently resides in Indianapolis, Indiana where he is the creator and host of a weekly podcast titled Sed Talk and the Director of Philanthropy for his emerging investment company TRE-PHI Group, LLC. based in Atlanta, Georgia. Initiated in the Spring of 2009 at the University of South Carolina, Sedric is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. In his spare time, he enjoys watching and playing sports, traveling, reading, photography and journaling.
Kameisha Heppard
Board of Directors
Kameisha Heppard is a native Brooklyn, New York. She is the daughter of Elder, Denise Brown. She is a graduate of Midlands Technical College with an Associate of Arts degree in Human Services. She is also a graduate of Limestone College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work as well as the University of South Carolina with a Master of Science degree in Social Work. Additionally, she is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) with the state of South Carolina and she is currently studying to become a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) with the state of South Carolina.
Earlier in her career, Kameisha was a resource manager, supervising manager, dispatcher, field service coordinator, and program assistant for multiple businesses and nonprofits in the Midlands. From Boys and Girls Clubs of America to the Urban League, she has left a powerful impact on every organization she has helped. She has also served families at The Cooperative Ministry as the Director of Crisis Assistance and she helped children at Carolina's Children's Home and Child Protective Services where she investigated possible abuse cases. Moreover, as a counselor at Alternatives Life Center, she helped clients with mental health and substance issues by conducting assessments, creating individual treatment plans, using strengths-based and traumainformed approach counseling, and placing clients into appropriate care. Kameisha is currently the Vice President of Programs at Transitions Homeless Center in Columbia, SC. In this capacity, she is responsible for the oversight of all aspects of the agency’s youth, elderly, and general programmatic services.
Kameisha is the mother of three and the grandmother of two. Her family is her pride and joy and a central focus of her life. She is known by all she encounters as friendly, positive, and optimistic. In a crisis, she is cool-headed and stays the course. She always cares about people, ensuring subordinate and client needs are met first. Her favorite scripture passage is Psalm 121: 1-2, and her favorite saying is, "Bloom where you are planted." She is a strong Christian who truly loves God and desires to know Him in His totality.
Dr. Wendy Harriford-Platt
Board of Directors
A native of Columbia, Wendy Harriford-Platt is the daughter of Dean Willie L. Harriford, Jr. and Fosteen Ward Harriford and the mother to three children: Morgan, Jordan, and Taylor Platt. She is a product of the Richland 1 school district where she competed in oratorical contexts on the district, state, and national levels. She was on the Drew Park Sharks swim team through high school. She played on both the marching and concert bands. She graduated from Columbia High School. She attended Hampton University pursuing a major in Mass Communications. She finished her undergraduate work obtaining a Bachelors of Arts in English, carrying a minor in History, at Columbia College in Columbia, SC. She obtained her Masters in Education with a concentration in Divergent Learning. She finished up her work for her doctorate in Education at the University of South Carolina specializing in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Literacy. She also has completed coursework for endorsements as a Literacy Coach and an instructor in the College Board’s Advanced Placement program in English Language and Composition.
In her 17th year of teaching, she is currently a teacher at Kelly Mill MedPro Magnet in Blythewood. She is a certified AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) teacher. AVID is a global nonprofit organization dedicated to closing the achievement gap by preparing all students for college and other postsecondary opportunities. She is a member of the National Council of Teacher’s of English, the International Literacy Association, and the South Carolina State Council of the International Reading Association.
She has her own educational consulting company, The PlattFirm, which specializes in helping students of all ages meet their goals.
LaMarcus J. Hall
Board of Directors
LaMarcus J. Jall, M Ed. is the Assistant Director of Student Life and Development at Ivy Tech Community College. He also teachers first-year experience courses. He manages over 40 student organizations, intramural sports, and recreation and wellness. He enjoys working with students from all areas of life, while providing effective programming.
He received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Education from Georgia Southern University. He is also the author of “I Refuse to Let YOU Give Up: To My Teens Who Feel All Hope Is Gone.” LaMarcus has recently co-authored an article with Amy Anderson in Diverse Education entitled, “All Campuses Need Cultural Spaces”.
LaMarcus is a PhD student at Purdue University in the Curriculum and Instruction program. His research focuses on perceptions of men and women of color faculty in the academe at Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs). LaMarcus is a 2-time recipient of the Holmes Scholarship. LaMarcus was appointed to the Social Justice and Diversity committee for Purdue for College of Education. LaMarcus was featured in the April 2016 Launch Magazine of Purdue College of Education for his outstanding leadership, research and contributions to the college. He is an active member of Golden Key Honor Society, while maintaining over a 3.8 GPA on the 4.0 scale. Outside of the classroom and working, he enjoys community engagement and motivational speaking.
LaMarcus is the Director of Education for the Iota Lambda chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., active with 100 Black Men of Indianapolis and sits on several boards of directors in the Indianapolis community. Since his initiation through the Xi Tau Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. at Georgia Southern University, LaMarcus has remained active. He is also a member of professional organizations such as: American Education Research Association (AERA), National American Multicultural Education (NAME), National Association for Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), and the Black Doctoral Network (BDN).
Dr. Victoria Fletcher-Barnes
Board of Directors
Dr. Victoria Fletcher-Barnes is a native of Camden, South Carolina. She graduated from Camden High School with honors and received a BS in Microbiology from Clemson University. After graduating from Clemson University, she attended Howard University in Washington, DC and received a Doctorate of Dental Science. She has been practicing dentistry for over fifteen (15) years and currently owns and operates First Smiles Dental, which opened in December 2010 and is located in Camden, South Carolina.
Dr. Victoria Fletcher-Barnes is a member of the American Dental Association, the National Dental Association, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and the Academy of General Dentistry. She is also a member of Clemson Alumni Association, Howard Dental Alumni Association and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
She is married to Derrick Barnes, also a native of Camden, South Carolina. Dr. Victoria and Derrick are the proud parents of two children, Taylor and DJ. In her spare time Dr. Victoria enjoys spending time with her family, going to the movies and travelling.