Our Research Team and Business Experience

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

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 eight 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, and 8) The Purpose Lifestyle.

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

Research and Faculty Trainer

dr.braye@learnpurpose.org

Dr. Braye is a business owner, university professor, and retired US Army officer. She has a passion for supporting entrepreneurs in creating new business possibilities and opportunities. She holds a BA, Sociology and Theater Arts from Hollins University in Roanoke, VA; MSBA, Business Administration from Boston University in Boston, MA; PhD, Applied Management and Decision Sciences from Walden University in Minneapolis, MN; Professional Certified Coach (PCC), International Coach Federation; Certificate, Leadership Education Program from Harvard University in Cambridge, MA; and a Certificate, Executive Coach from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.

Business Coach

prof.latasha@learnpurpose.org

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.

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.

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.

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. 

 Executive Assistant to the President for the Phoenix, AZ Purpose Institute Campus  

Amanda is a veteran executive assistant with almost 10 years in the corporate world. Her passion for problem solving and organization is what makes her a key component to our team. She also serves as our intern coordinator. When she is not in the office knocking out work, you might catch her in the Superstition or Blue Ridge Mountains running down a trail.

Research Intern 

Curtis is a Junior Computer Engineering student at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. He specializes in the software aspect of his major 

and prioritizes coding in Java for his own personal projects. He is also knowledgeable in web development. 

Research Intern 

Prajeeth is currently a first-year Business Administration student at Cal Poly from Los Angeles, California. He plans to concentrate in Information Systems. In his free time he enjoys playing the basketball and violin while also spending time with friends and family.