The Parents' Advocate Board Members
Chelita Greenlee
FOUNDING CHAIRMAN
Chelita K. Greenlee is founder of Unlatched Educational Solutions in Anderson, SC. Having completed her B.S. Mathematics from The Fort Valley State University, she is currently completing her Masters in Secondary Education for Mathematics. An educator for 20 years, she has always had a desire to support students and parents. A sought-after test preparation specialist, she has facilitated workshops for school districts on ACT and SAT preparation. Believing in servant leadership, Unlatched Educational Solutions proudly provided free live virtual tutorials for over 250 middle, high school, and college students from 8 states in the areas of mathematics and science.
One of her guiding principles is the importance of the village of support. Through her latest venture, “The Parent’s Advocate”, her mission is to provide information and connect resources for parents to support their children academically, emotionally, and financially. Chelita can be found, alongside her husband Charles, cheering her daughter on at basketball or volleyball games. She loves anything politics and spending time with family.
Don
Peppers
Don Peppers has committed his life to advocating for the young people of Upstate SC over the last 20 years in many roles. Serving as a Board member for The Parents Advocate Organization is such an honor. Mr. Peppers attended Pendleton High School. He pursued a career in Video /Film Production at the Art Institute of Atlanta. After coming back home to SC and doing freelance work related to his studies, his life shifted into education and community advocacy. Mr. Peppers started substituting as a teacher in his hometown of Pendleton. During this time God got his attention. He began working as Special Education Paraprofessional and coaching basketball and football. Mr. Peppers also launched a nonprofit organization in 2004, Camp Proverbs which has now grown into the Proverbs Mentoring Organization. Through this work, Peppers has gained a reputation as a coach, mentor, advocate and educator committed to the youth of the Upstate of SC youth. During his time at Riverside Middle School, he was recognized as the Lighthouse Award Recipient , Humanitarian for Youth Award and Support Staff of the Year. He has been recognized as United Way 's Volunteer of the month. Friends of The Park honored him as Volunteer of the Year. He has been celebrated as a 107.3 JAMZ Upstate Black History Maker. Mr. Peppers and the Proverbs Mentoring Organization was featured in the Anderson Magazine for their community efforts throughout the years. Currently, Mr. Peppers is the Athletic Director at Anderson Christian School. He continues his role as Executive Director of Proverbs Mentoring Organization as well a Board member of the Anderson Cavaliers Football Organization and Founding member of the Pendleton Rhinos Investment Group. Peppers is married to Shelia Peppers. They are blessed with 4 beautiful children, Kristian(17), Sheldon (14), Kaitlyn (12) and Kerrington (9). He is a devoted member of Kingdom Vision Worship Center in Starr, SC under the leadership of Archbishop Harris E. Clark and Lady Betty Clark.
Shanita Wilkerson-Bryant
Shanita is passionate about all things community. She is the loving, proud mother of two adult sons.
Dr. Cynthia B. McCray
Cynthia McCray is a 28-year veteran educator who has held many positions including teacher, assistant principal, principal, coordinator, and currently Director of Leadership Development in Henry County School, Georgia. She received her Bachelor's of Science Degree in Education from Albany State University, Albany Ga in 1993. She continued pursuing higher education and earned her Master's of Education, Educational Specialist Degree, and Doctorate of Education Degree with a focus on Curriculum and Instruction. Cynthia has been a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. for almost 30 years. She's a firm believer that education is pivotal in every child's life; parents must not only be involved in their child's education, but maintain consistency and be actively engaged. THAT could be the major difference in success or failure. Cynthia is married to Jerald McCray and has two children, Jalen and Jade.
Melissa Watson, EdS
Melissa Watson currently serves as Durham Public School’s first Director of School Relations, a new position serving as a liaison to families needing assistance in working with their schools. Watson previously served as interim executive director of Elementary Learning and Leadership, and director of high school curriculum, and was a principal at Rocky Mount Prep and multiple schools in Charlotte; she was also the executive director of the Northeast Learning Community in Charlotte. She has an Education Specialist degree in Educational Leadership from Wingate University as well as Master’s degrees in School Administration and Pre-Elementary Education from UNC-Charlotte and Norfolk State, respectively.