Our Research Team and Business Experience

Derrick Drakeford, Ph.D. CEO/Principal Investigator

I started my business 19 years ago on the unemployment line. My commitment is that we will always provide the highest level "community-minded" consulting

ddrakeford@drakefordassociates.org

919.484.1925

Derrick Drakeford, Ph.D. served on the faculty at the University of North Carolina at Chapel-Hill, North Carolina Central University, and Shaw University in Raleigh, NC. Derrick holds Ph.D. in Education from UNC-Chapel Hill, a Bachelors in political science from Bethune-Cookman University, and a Masters in Public Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's School of Government. He holds a certificate in Nonprofit Management from the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Social Work; and certificates in Proposal Writing and Fundraising for Nonprofits from the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana -Purdue University. Derrick received his Ph.D, from UNC-Chapel Hill. He has written ten books: 1) Finding Your Purpose in 15 Minutes,2) Fundraising for Nonprofits: What the Bible Says, 3) Starting Your Business from the Unemployment Line, 4) Jada Goes to Pre-School: A Book on Transitions, 5) P5: The Five Secrets to Successful Grant and Bid Proposals, 6) The 2 Laws of Standardized Testing, 7) Inclusion:The Art of Story Listening, 8) The Purpose Lifestyle, 9) Seed, Time, & Harvest: The Organic Sales Process, and 10) 31 Kings: Mental Health Game.

London Moore, Ph.D.

Vice President of Technology

dr.londonmoore@drakefordassociates.org

Dr. London Moore is passionate about teacher and leader training, culturally relevant instruction, critical race theory, business development and student-centered learning. She has a host of expertise in professional development, organizational management, teaching and learning, curriculum and assessment and education research. London Moore is the Director of Schools for NOVA Pioneer in Nairobi, Kenya. She is also an education and leadership consultant, the founder of Diaspora Travels, the co-founder of The Ghana Educational Collaborative and an adjunct professor. Prior to this she was the Founding Principal of THRIVE Baton Rouge, Louisiana’s first public boarding school. She was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She attended Tufts University in Boston, Massachusetts where she obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in 2019 in Political Science. She obtained her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership at Louisiana State University as well as her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction.

Dr. Brendan Corbett Csaposs

Researcher

dr.brendancsaposs@learnpurpose.org

Dr. Brendan Corbett Csaposs is an Innovative Global Leader, Coach, & Educator with over a decade of experience in leadership, a doctorate in Adult Learning, and the tried and tested management and development skills to help lead business in any sector. As a child struggling with learning differences and behavioral challenges, Dr. Brendan was later driven into the classroom, teaching special education and making sure that his students knew that no matter what was facing them, they had the opportunity to succeed. He carried this mindset withhim into his first role as a principal at the young age of 25, both in terms of how he approached students with challenges, but also in approaching how to coach and develop his adult teammates.

Barron Damon, MBM

Technology and Faculty Training

barron@drakefordassociates.org

Barron J. Damon has been a thought leader in the non-profit sector for over 18 years. Barron is a graduate of the University of South Carolina in Columbia where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Industrial Psychology and a Master’s degree in Business Management from Webster University. He also completed post graduate work at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill in Business and Public Health and a American Express Leadership Fellow. Barron is a seasoned Entrepreneur and Philanthropist and a Certified Professional Coach through the International Coaching Federation. He is also a Certified Non Profit Consultant and Certified Non-Profit Executive

though NANOE

LaTasha Best-Gaddy, MPA

Business Coach

La-Tasha Best-Gaddy is the Chief Strategist of Infinity Bridges, Inc. (IBI), a North Carolina based consulting and training firm that provides innovative solutions to systemic economic development challenges. La-Tasha has over 20 years of experience in the Accounting, Insurance, Financial Services, and Non-Profit Industry Sectors. She is a Business Counselor with the Small Business & Technology Development Center on the campus of NC Central University where she has obtained her BBA in Finance and her MPA as well.

Charles Campbell

Lead Technology Consultant/ Mobile App Developer

charles@cc5tudio.com

Charles is a Computer Science graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill and holds a Master of Science in the Management of Information Technology from McIntire School of Commerce at UVA. Charles has over 20 years of software development and engineering experience in a variety of development environments and platforms.

Pierre Barbee-Saunders

Photographer/ Videographer

Pierre is a visual artist who uses photo, video, and digital editing to bring art to life. Pierre is the owner of Envision photoworks. Pierre is a certificate graduate of the Purpose University Startup Curriculum and launched his business through the mobile app. Pierre served as an intern then joined the team in 2019.

Dan Holt

Marketing Consultant

Daniel Holt is a marketing and communications expert with 20 years of experience developing and executing strategic and innovative coalitions, managing crises, and raising organizational profiles at the highest levels of the federal, campaign, non-profit, and private sectors. He has served in five presidential appointments across two White House administrations, directing teams in high-stakes environments across the U.S. and around the world. He is an expert communicator and negotiator who believes that creativity, flexibility, and personal connection are tantamount to solving organizational challenges, and that most problems in business and in life can be solved by connecting the right people.

Kimberly Williams, JD MBA

Managing Director of Business Development

On the other side of every decision lies an opportunity, and Kimberly Williams fully embraces this belief. As an educator, lawyer, advocate, and mother, Kimberly has dedicated the past two decades to championing change and creating opportunities for others. Hailing from Louisiana, she recognizes the transformative power of education, having received a high-quality schooling at the Louisiana School for Math Science and Arts in Natchitoches.

Armed with a degree from Southern University and the Southern University Law Center, she embarked on her legal career in the Legal Department at JP Morgan Chase. Yet, when her hometown's high school came under state control, Kimberly swiftly sought ways to lend a hand.

Kimberly understood early on that not all children had access to the same quality of education. Over the past 15 years, Kimberly has held various roles that have allowed her to make a difference. She has collaborated with prominent organizations like the Gates Foundation, Friendship Public Charter Schools, and former Louisiana Superintendent John White. Her diverse experiences have encompassed being a teacher, a school leader, a policy advocate, a board lawyer, and a curriculum developer. She recently served as the Director of Development for a national foundation, where she spearheaded a successful $100 million fundraising campaign.

Adding to her impressive skill set, Kimberly holds an BS in Marketing and an MBA from Louisiana State University. This multidimensional background, blending policy, fundraising/development, business, and educational expertise, enables her to bring a fresh and innovative perspective to any situation she encounters. With unwavering trust in the process, Kimberly Williams continues to forge ahead, transforming the lives of countless individuals and paving the way for a brighter future.

Paula Hauf

Marketing Assistant

Highly organized, communication specialist that challenges and hones substantial web and print content development and project management skills. Possesses excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills as well as exceptional writing/editing skills. Versed in a range of communication media and technologies.

Akira Swan

Research Intern

Akira Swan is a 4th-year undergraduate at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Akira is pursuing a dual major in Legal Studies (B.A) and Political Science (B.S). Hailing from San Diego as a first generation student, her passion lies in criminal justice, prison, and education reform. Akira is a prominent student leader at her university, holding positions within student government, the Student Union Assembly, and the Committee on Affirmative Action and Diversity. Akira is committed to promoting diversity and equity in everything she does, and aims to leverage her opportunities to amplify marginalized voices.