Meet the Board
Melanie Holt
Founder & Managing Director
Melanie Holt is a multi-faceted educator with experience teaching students with disabilities, gifted students and students who are learning the english language. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration in 2002 and her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 2003 from Clark Atlanta University. She began her career in education and later matriculated to Georgia State University for her teaching credentials. Finding a keen interest in the field, she completed her Masters Degree in Education with a specialization in K-12 Studies.
In 2013, she created Project XL Readiness Program. With the freedom and creativity that Melanie is able to use during the summer, students are able to acquire skills they may have missed in school. The students are also exposed to the content that will be taught during the upcoming school year.
Mrs. Holt is currently certified to teach all elementary school content areas, all content areas for students with disabilities through high school, students identified as gifted, and students served through ESOL. Melanie believes that despite learning differences among individuals, the most successful students know how to use what they learn to reach their goals. It is her personal mission to advocate for students, help them eXceL, and help the community thrive!
Melanie has been married for over 14 years, and has had the pleasure of raising two sons. She is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, and likes to travel, craft, and spend time with her family in her free time.
Founder & Managing Director
Melanie Holt is a multi-faceted educator with experience teaching students with disabilities, gifted students and students who are learning the english language. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration in 2002 and her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 2003 from Clark Atlanta University. She began her career in education and later matriculated to Georgia State University for her teaching credentials. Finding a keen interest in the field, she completed her Masters Degree in Education with a specialization in K-12 Studies.
In 2013, she created Project XL Readiness Program. With the freedom and creativity that Melanie is able to use during the summer, students are able to acquire skills they may have missed in school. The students are also exposed to the content that will be taught during the upcoming school year.
Mrs. Holt is currently certified to teach all elementary school content areas, all content areas for students with disabilities through high school, students identified as gifted, and students served through ESOL. Melanie believes that despite learning differences among individuals, the most successful students know how to use what they learn to reach their goals. It is her personal mission to advocate for students, help them eXceL, and help the community thrive!
Melanie has been married for over 14 years, and has had the pleasure of raising two sons. She is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, and likes to travel, craft, and spend time with her family in her free time.
Charece Stokes
Executive Assistant
Charece Stokes is an AP/AR Specialist at Doehler North America. She brings over 15 years of support experience in youth programming, with expertise in
program logistics. As the former Assistant Director of the Cobb County Junior Basketball Conference for Osborne High School, she was responsible for student
registration and scheduling games for the season. She also assisted with all fundraising efforts and planning for annual banquets and activities. As Assistant
Director, she worked closely with program coaches and was the first point of contact for parents.
Charece believes that the children are our future, and we have to teach and guide them to success.
Executive Assistant
Charece Stokes is an AP/AR Specialist at Doehler North America. She brings over 15 years of support experience in youth programming, with expertise in
program logistics. As the former Assistant Director of the Cobb County Junior Basketball Conference for Osborne High School, she was responsible for student
registration and scheduling games for the season. She also assisted with all fundraising efforts and planning for annual banquets and activities. As Assistant
Director, she worked closely with program coaches and was the first point of contact for parents.
Charece believes that the children are our future, and we have to teach and guide them to success.
Bernardo Sellers
Board Chair
Bernardo M. Sellers is a banking professional with more than fifteen (15) years of experience in the banking industry. Bernardo is an expert in banking operations; federal and state banking regulations, such as the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) and related anti-money laundering regulations, namely KYC and OFAC Compliance,
and Truth-in-Lending Act; branch audit functions, including the completion of Branch Operations Review; risk assessment and fraud prevention; and compliance.
Bernardo, a native of Florence County, South Carolina, is a 2001 graduate of South Carolina State University, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing. He obtained his MBA in Business Administration in 2012 from Argosy University in Atlanta, Georgia. He has worked at several regional and national
banks, namely Branch Banking & Trust, Bank of America and PNC Bank. Currently, Bernardo is an Assistant Vice President at Ameris Bank in Fayetteville,
Georgia.
Bernardo is married to his college sweetheart, Tiffany, and they have two children, Aiden (11) and Jordyn (8). He is the Treasurer of the Fayetteville, Georgia
Rotary Club and an active member of Elizabeth Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. In his spare time, Bernardo enjoys sporting events and traveling.
Board Chair
Bernardo M. Sellers is a banking professional with more than fifteen (15) years of experience in the banking industry. Bernardo is an expert in banking operations; federal and state banking regulations, such as the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) and related anti-money laundering regulations, namely KYC and OFAC Compliance,
and Truth-in-Lending Act; branch audit functions, including the completion of Branch Operations Review; risk assessment and fraud prevention; and compliance.
Bernardo, a native of Florence County, South Carolina, is a 2001 graduate of South Carolina State University, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing. He obtained his MBA in Business Administration in 2012 from Argosy University in Atlanta, Georgia. He has worked at several regional and national
banks, namely Branch Banking & Trust, Bank of America and PNC Bank. Currently, Bernardo is an Assistant Vice President at Ameris Bank in Fayetteville,
Georgia.
Bernardo is married to his college sweetheart, Tiffany, and they have two children, Aiden (11) and Jordyn (8). He is the Treasurer of the Fayetteville, Georgia
Rotary Club and an active member of Elizabeth Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. In his spare time, Bernardo enjoys sporting events and traveling.
Renee Tiger
Board Secretary
Renee’ Tiger, was born and raised in San Francisco, CA. She has worked as a Special Agent for over 30 years, with the U.S. Government. In 2016, she was able to relocate her job and move to Atlanta, GA.
Renee has spent her free time volunteering with Project XL as their Board Secretary. She is very proficient in being organized and dealing with people. Along
with her volunteering, she likes to travel and spend time with family.
Board Secretary
Renee’ Tiger, was born and raised in San Francisco, CA. She has worked as a Special Agent for over 30 years, with the U.S. Government. In 2016, she was able to relocate her job and move to Atlanta, GA.
Renee has spent her free time volunteering with Project XL as their Board Secretary. She is very proficient in being organized and dealing with people. Along
with her volunteering, she likes to travel and spend time with family.
Asella Braxton
Director of Finance
Asella Braxton is the Director of Budgets and Contracts at Spelman College. She develops the College’s financial plan by forecasting revenues and expenditures for the academic year and aligning financial resources with strategic priorities.
During her 16-year tenure at Spelman College, Asella has consistently delivered balanced budgets even during the most turbulent economic times. Specifically, during the economic downshift in 2008 and the financial crisis resulting from the Coronavirus pandemic in 2020, Asella reevaluated and proposed appropriate modifications that resulted in a balanced five-year operating budget despite significant losses in revenue. In addition to delivering balanced budgets, Asella
also provides quality customer service, which earned her the Spelman College Standards of Excellence award in 2018.
Asella, a native New Yorker, earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting from Georgia State University in 2001 and is currently pursuing a
Master’s of Business Administration at Louisiana State University Shreveport.
Asella is a wife, married to her husband Joe for fifteen years, and a mother of two sons, Joseph III (12) and Joshua (5). She is also a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. In her free time, Asella enjoys relaxing, traveling, or going on outings with friends.
Director of Finance
Asella Braxton is the Director of Budgets and Contracts at Spelman College. She develops the College’s financial plan by forecasting revenues and expenditures for the academic year and aligning financial resources with strategic priorities.
During her 16-year tenure at Spelman College, Asella has consistently delivered balanced budgets even during the most turbulent economic times. Specifically, during the economic downshift in 2008 and the financial crisis resulting from the Coronavirus pandemic in 2020, Asella reevaluated and proposed appropriate modifications that resulted in a balanced five-year operating budget despite significant losses in revenue. In addition to delivering balanced budgets, Asella
also provides quality customer service, which earned her the Spelman College Standards of Excellence award in 2018.
Asella, a native New Yorker, earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting from Georgia State University in 2001 and is currently pursuing a
Master’s of Business Administration at Louisiana State University Shreveport.
Asella is a wife, married to her husband Joe for fifteen years, and a mother of two sons, Joseph III (12) and Joshua (5). She is also a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. In her free time, Asella enjoys relaxing, traveling, or going on outings with friends.
Sharon Williams
Director of Operations
ScienceTEMist Sharon Williams, she emphasizes the Science in STEM
She is a Master Science Teacher and Instructional Science Coach for M.R. Hollis Innovation Academy, an Advocate for Change, Founder of The Change, and
Project Manager for The Beeprint.
She has been teaching Science and STEM for 14 years. She has taught 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. During her years of service to the students of the metro Atlanta area, she has also taught Special Education. In addition, she has worked with Kindergarten through 2nd grade students during extracurricular
STEM activities outside of the classroom and sponsored an all girls technology and coding club.
She is a graduate of Tougaloo College (B.S. in Biology, Minor in Psychology) , Central Michigan University M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction), and Kennesaw
State University (Ed.S in Instructional Technology).
She has an 8 year old furkid named, Parker.
Director of Operations
ScienceTEMist Sharon Williams, she emphasizes the Science in STEM
She is a Master Science Teacher and Instructional Science Coach for M.R. Hollis Innovation Academy, an Advocate for Change, Founder of The Change, and
Project Manager for The Beeprint.
She has been teaching Science and STEM for 14 years. She has taught 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. During her years of service to the students of the metro Atlanta area, she has also taught Special Education. In addition, she has worked with Kindergarten through 2nd grade students during extracurricular
STEM activities outside of the classroom and sponsored an all girls technology and coding club.
She is a graduate of Tougaloo College (B.S. in Biology, Minor in Psychology) , Central Michigan University M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction), and Kennesaw
State University (Ed.S in Instructional Technology).
She has an 8 year old furkid named, Parker.
Olivia L. Seymore
Director of Community Events
For over 18 years, Olivia L. Seymore has been a noteworthy leader in the Marketing industry. You may know her from her work as the Marketing Manager at Entercom Communications, but Olivia L. Seymore can also be credited with contributions to serving on the board for The National Coalition of 100 Black
Women, Inc. –MECCA Chapter, in addition to serving on the board for Project XL Readiness Program.
Olivia L. Seymore has been honored with the 2019 Member of the Year Award from The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc.- MECCA Chapter. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a Concentration in Marketing from Clark Atlanta University and currently resides in Atlanta, GA.
Olivia L. Seymore has led an impressive career as a Marketing Specialist and Community Advocate in her 18 years working in the Entertainment Industry. She has created events that serve and celebrate the youth and teachers in the Metro Atlanta Area. In 2019, she was named the first recipient of the Greg Street
Community Service Award by Entercom for her advocacy and volunteering efforts in the community.
Serving as the Founder, CEO and Executive Director of See More To Life Foundation, Inc., Olivia L. Seymore plays a major role in ensuring
that youth get the exposure needed to transition into college and the workforce. Through her commitment to this role, she helps teenagers explore their options of future interest, while teaching them about leadership and life skills. She has also contributed her time to a number of different organizations including
American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, American Kidney Foundation, Hosea Helps, Project XL Readiness Program, Sisters of Today and
Tomorrow, Clark Atlanta University Alumni Association and The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc.-MECCA Chapter.
Director of Community Events
For over 18 years, Olivia L. Seymore has been a noteworthy leader in the Marketing industry. You may know her from her work as the Marketing Manager at Entercom Communications, but Olivia L. Seymore can also be credited with contributions to serving on the board for The National Coalition of 100 Black
Women, Inc. –MECCA Chapter, in addition to serving on the board for Project XL Readiness Program.
Olivia L. Seymore has been honored with the 2019 Member of the Year Award from The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc.- MECCA Chapter. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a Concentration in Marketing from Clark Atlanta University and currently resides in Atlanta, GA.
Olivia L. Seymore has led an impressive career as a Marketing Specialist and Community Advocate in her 18 years working in the Entertainment Industry. She has created events that serve and celebrate the youth and teachers in the Metro Atlanta Area. In 2019, she was named the first recipient of the Greg Street
Community Service Award by Entercom for her advocacy and volunteering efforts in the community.
Serving as the Founder, CEO and Executive Director of See More To Life Foundation, Inc., Olivia L. Seymore plays a major role in ensuring
that youth get the exposure needed to transition into college and the workforce. Through her commitment to this role, she helps teenagers explore their options of future interest, while teaching them about leadership and life skills. She has also contributed her time to a number of different organizations including
American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, American Kidney Foundation, Hosea Helps, Project XL Readiness Program, Sisters of Today and
Tomorrow, Clark Atlanta University Alumni Association and The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc.-MECCA Chapter.
*Yolanda Miller- Program Director
*K'Asha Davis- Director of Planning
*Alexis Felder-Director of Community Outreach
*K'Asha Davis- Director of Planning
*Alexis Felder-Director of Community Outreach