Meet the Steering Committee

Eric D. Coleman is co-owner of WB Properties and CEO of Eric D. Coleman Financial Group. He is a retired business executive with over 25 years of corporate experience in engineering, sales, marketing, business development, and general management — and over 25 years as an entrepreneur.

He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering from the University of Kentucky and the Georgia Institute of Technology, and an MBA from Northwood University. He holds an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from West Virginia State University.

LaDessa Bryant Lewis is the co-founder and executive director of Men 2 Be Inc. She is an alumna of Christian County High School (class of 1996) who pursued cosmetology at Queen City Beauty College and has spent nearly 28 years as a licensed beautician and salon owner.

In response to the 2020 George Floyd movement, Lewis felt compelled to take action in her community. Despite having three daughters of her own with her husband Derrick Lewis, she recognized a profound community need for structured direction, positive affirmation, and accountability for young boys. Together with her husband, she established Men 2 Be to empower Black youth by teaching critical life skills, providing personalized academic tutoring, and building a sense of brotherhood.

Under her leadership, the volunteer-led nonprofit runs initiatives like “Man Cave Mondays” to help youth reverse negative behaviors and cultivate emotional maturity and confidence. Lewis led the effort to purchase and restore the historic Attucks High School building, and despite severe roof damage from a storm, she and her organization are actively hosting community forums and fundraising to transform the historically significant site into a vibrant community and workforce development center.

Derrick Lewis is the co-founder and program director of Men 2 Be, Inc. and a supervisor at Martinrea. With more than 20 years of experience in the manufacturing industry, Derrick brings extensive leadership, workforce knowledge and hands-on experience to his work with young people.

Derrick has also served his community as a Jr. Pro coach and has mentored numerous young men through the Men 2 Be program. He is passionate about helping boys develop character, accountability, work ethic, leadership and the practical skills needed to become successful men. His recognition as the 2024 Man of the Year by the Desert of Kentucky Shriners is a testament to his commitment to service and improving the quality of life for others.

His commitment to the restoration of the historic Attucks School reflects that same passion. Derrick sees Attucks as more than a building; he sees an opportunity to preserve an important part of Hopkinsville’s history while creating a place where future generations can receive mentorship, learn skilled trades, gain workforce experience, and discover pathways to success.

“Honoring the legacy of those who came before us while building opportunities for the generations coming behind us.”

Zirconia Alleyne Vansauwa is owner of Editor in Chic Communications. She is the former editor-in-chief of the Kentucky New Era newspaper, where she worked for seven years, and the former communications/community engagement coordinator for Sanctuary, Inc.

She is a professionally trained journalist with over 12 years of experience reporting, editing and graphic designing, and was reportedly the first African-American woman to lead a daily newspaper in Kentucky. She earned a bachelor’s degree in news/editorial journalism from Western Kentucky University and was selected as a Maynard 200 Fellow.

Today, she is passionate about working with small businesses and nonprofits to communicate their mission and share their stories. When she’s not clicking away on her laptop, she runs the award-winning Vansauwa’s Tacos and Vegan Eats food trailer alongside her husband.

“Although I don’t have a direct connection to Attucks, it is one of the last, if not the only, remaining pillars of Black history in Hopkinsville. We would be doing our city and future generations a disservice to not try tirelessly to save this landmark and return it to a place that exudes excellence.”

Susie Coleman Archer is a retired executive administrator and director of university enrollment affairs at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, where she worked for 20-plus years before retiring in 2024. She previously served as director of strategy and implementation at Vanderbilt, international director of international student and scholar services, and adviser to the vice provost for university enrollment affairs.

In addition to her roles in higher education administration, Susie was a member of the history faculty at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, TN, and also taught for the University of Maryland, European Branch, in Berlin, Germany, and adjunct courses for Columbia College (MO), Utah Branch.

Susie served as president of the Southern Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (SACRAO), the Tennessee Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (TACRAO), and the Utah Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, and has presented at conferences and events across the country.

She has a number of firsts in her career: the first African-American faculty member at Austin Peay State University; the first African-American Dean of Admissions at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville; the first African-American College Registrar in Utah; and the first African-American president of SACRAO, TACRAO and UACRAO. She is a member of Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society, Who’s Who Among Black Americans, and received the “Outstanding Young Women of America” designation in the 1970s.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in French and History and a master’s degree in history. She and her husband Dennis reside in Nashville. Susie graduated high school from Attucks and wants nothing more than to see it restored for the next generation.

Teresa Moss is a lifelong educator and community advocate with a career spanning more than 25 years in Department of Defense schools. She taught first and third grades and served as a counselor, including at Fort Campbell Middle School, and also worked as a news reporter for WHOP Radio.

Through the years, Teresa has served her community through nonprofit and education boards, including Habitat for Humanity, Sanctuary, Inc., the Hopkinsville-Christian County YMCA, and was elected to the Christian County Board of Education – District 2. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and journalism from the University of Kentucky, master’s degrees in guidance and counseling from Western Kentucky University and education from Trevecca Nazarene University, and an educational leadership degree from the University of the Cumberlands. She received Fort Campbell’s Outstanding Teacher award and served as president of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s Beta Rho Chapter.

Her connection to Attucks is deeply personal: her parents and uncles graduated from the school, and she attended in seventh and eighth grades. As a tutor with Men 2 Be, she helped develop its tutorial program and encourages young men to see education as a path to opportunity.

Anthony Pollard is an executive leader and dedicated community advocate with a proven track record in revenue growth, team building, and strategic governance. He currently serves as a US Sales and Business Development Leader at Amazon.

Anthony’s career spans senior executive leadership roles across major enterprises and business ownership. He previously served as Vice President of Strategic Sales at Allegion, PLC, leading a 100+ person sales organization across national channels, and spent 20 years at General Electric in key commercial roles, including Senior Director of National Accounts and Certified Six Sigma Black Belt, earning five President’s Club awards. He was also the Franchise Owner of 360 Painting of South-Central Maryland.

Deeply committed to civic governance, Anthony has held multiple executive board positions, including Board Chair for Imagine Foundations (supporting 900+ Prince George’s County students), Board Chair for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Baltimore, and President of the DC Chapter of the National Black MBA Association.

Anthony holds both a Bachelor of Business Administration and an MBA from the University of Kentucky. He is a Life Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., attends First Baptist Church of Glenarden, and resides in the Washington, DC area with his family.

Tavin White is a seasoned IT professional, entrepreneur, mentor, ministry leader and devoted family man with more than 20 years of experience in the technology field. He is the founder and CEO of BelieveNMe Technologies LLC, an Information Technology consulting firm providing technology solutions and support to dental offices, churches, small businesses and residential clients.

He holds an associate degree in Computer Science from ITT Technical Institute and has built a career around using his knowledge and technical gifts to serve his community. His commitment to service extends well beyond technology: Tavin is the founder of Kings United by Faith (KUF), a men’s ministry created to provide a space where men can come together, encourage one another and challenge each other to live according to Biblical standards. Through fellowship, accountability and faith, his desire is to see men grow stronger in their relationship with God, their families and one another.

Tavin also supports Men2Be through technical support, spiritual intercession, mentorship and practical advice whenever needed, and at True Light Christian Ministries he faithfully serves by providing technical support behind the scenes to help advance the work of the ministry.

Although technology is a major part of what Tavin does, it does not define all of who he is. At his core, Tavin is a family man with a heart for people — he values faith, family, service and community, and willingly pours love, encouragement, wisdom and experience into those who come knocking at his door. His life reflects a simple principle: gifts are not just meant to build a career — they are meant to serve a purpose.

Pastor Vice Killebrew is a dedicated educator, faith leader and community voice. A native of Hopkinsville and a 1993 graduate of Christian County High School, his deep roots in the community fuel his passion for creating positive, lasting change for the next generation.

He serves as a prominent mentor and board member for Men 2 Be Inc., and his commitment to uplifting local youth is further reflected in his leadership with the historic Attucks High School restoration project. As a passionate alumnus and community voice, he is deeply involved in efforts to transform Hopkinsville’s first school for Black students into a vibrant, modern community and youth center.

Killebrew serves as an equity coordinator and instructor for Christian County Public Schools, and his impact on students was beautifully highlighted in 2023 when the graduating class selected him to deliver the Christian County High School commencement address.

He is a graduate of Andersonville Theological Seminary and has pursued advanced studies toward a Master of Divinity degree. For over 16 years, he has led as the pastor of McCarroll Hill Baptist Church, and also serves on the Challenge House Board of Directors. Above all his professional achievements, Pastor Killebrew has been married to his wife, Beverly, for nearly 26 years with five children and nine grandchildren.

Patricia Brown Wilson is a proud alumna of Attucks High School — a member of its final graduating class. She serves on the Attucks Revive to Thrive Board to help preserve the school’s legacy and ensure its continued positive impact on the community.

During her time at Attucks, Patricia was an active cheerleader and majorette, creating lifelong friendships and memories that remain close to her heart. Her deep personal connection to the school drives her commitment to honoring its historic role in the community for future generations.

Professionally, Patricia spent over 20 years with Phelps Dodge Magnet Wire Company, advancing steadily from the shipping department into accounting and payroll administration. To support her career, she studied business at West Kentucky Vocational and Technical School and attended Hopkinsville Community College, and is a graduate of the Hopkinsville Leadership Class.

A dedicated community advocate, Patricia faithfully serves as a member of Virginia Street Baptist Church and actively supports higher education through the Essence of Elegance Social/Civic Club, which provides college scholarships to deserving students. Patricia is honored to bring her organizational experience, passion, and community pride to the Revive to Thrive Board.