Our Governing Board
Lara Sterling, President
Shaheen Solomon, Vice President and Treasurer
Dr. Andrea Crenshaw, Board Member, Secretary
Desmond Hardy, Board Member
Tanisha Taylor-Jones, Board Member
Dr. Camelle Simmons, Board Member
LARA STERLING
Board Chair and President
Lara Sterling holds the esteemed position of Board Chair and President at Rise Preparatory Charter Schools. She leverages her extensive legal expertise as a Corporate/Commercial Real Estate Paralegal at a prominent mid-sized law firm based in Atlanta, where she has garnered over two decades of experience within the legal sector.
Lara’s professional journey extends beyond her legal career, encompassing a deep commitment to community service and empowerment. Previously, she engaged in an internship with Destiny’s Daughters of Promise, a distinguished nonprofit organization in Cobb County dedicated to transforming the lives of at-risk teenage girls in the region.
Her dedication to philanthropy and community betterment extends further, as she has devoted her time and efforts to various charitable organizations, including The Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, and the Atlanta Community Food Bank.
Lara Sterling’s educational achievements are equally impressive, boasting a Masters’ Degree in Public Administration from Kennesaw State University and a Bachelor of Science in English Literature from Georgia State University. Her academic excellence is further recognized through her membership in esteemed professional associations, including the American Society of Public Administrators, the National Association of Black Public Administrators, and Pi Alpha Alpha, the prestigious International Honor Society for Public Affairs and Administration.
SHAHEEN SOLOMON
Board Vice-Chair
Shaheen Solomon holds the esteemed position of Vice Board Chair at Rise Preparatory Charter Schools, bringing a wealth of executive-level experience in the realm of communications and public relations to his role, with a special focus on branding, marketing, politics, and small businesses.
Mr. Solomon’s academic background includes a degree in Public Relations from Georgia Southern University and a Master’s in Business Administration from Tiffin University. His professional journey commenced as a communications and mass media specialist with Porter Novelli, an international communications firm based in Atlanta.
Throughout his career, Mr. Solomon has held pivotal roles in various organizations, including Manager of Public Relations for the Southeast United Dairy Industry, Director of Community Relations and Communications for Georgia Regional Hospital at Atlanta, Director of Development for the University of West Georgia, Senior Director of Public Relations for The Partnership, and as the founder of SOLOmedia Communications. His extensive background underscores his prowess in brand communications and consumer relations.
Beyond his professional achievements, Mr. Solomon is deeply committed to philanthropy and community engagement. He serves as a board member for both the Georgia Southern University Network of Black Alumni and Georgia Southern University Eagle Football Alumni Association, Board President of the Tributary Homeowners Association, and is an active member and board member of the Carrollton-Douglasville (GA) Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
DR. ANDREA CRENSHAW
Secretary
Dr. Andrea Crenshaw is a highly accomplished professional, currently serving as Secretary at Rise Preparatory Charter School and holding the position of Assistant Professor within the Department of Early Childhood through Secondary Education at the University of West Georgia.
She brings a wealth of educational expertise to her role, having earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education and a Master of Science in Social Foundations in Education from Georgia State University. Crenshaw’s commitment to scholarly excellence is further demonstrated by her Doctorate in Educational Leadership, which she earned from the University of Georgia.
Her research endeavors are notably broad in scope, focusing on the critical intersectionality of race and class in education, teacher education, culturally responsive pedagogy, and critical race theory in education. Her scholarship shines a light on the voices of marginalized youth and adults within educational and societal contexts.
Before her distinguished academic career, Dr. Crenshaw served as a dedicated teacher and administrator in K-12 education. Her commitment to an interdisciplinary approach of inquiry and advocacy in urban settings was a hallmark of her service. Today, Dr. Crenshaw brings her extensive knowledge, experience, and skills to higher education, where she passionately trains the next generation of educational leaders.
Throughout her career, Dr. Crenshaw remains steadfast in her commitment to embedding relevant issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion into her teaching, research, and service, contributing significantly to the advancement of education and the empowerment of marginalized communities.
DESMOND HARDY
Board Member at Large
Desmond J. Hardy is the most tenured board member at the RISE Schools. He is an IT Sales Leader and philanthropist who is dedicated to the transformation of local communities. Mentorship is at the heart of who he is, and he works assiduously to encourage Black boys for the past 20+ years. His fervor for giving back for more than two decades stems from Desmond’s intense understanding of the impact of a supportive community in the life of a child and how dire it is to lend a hand, ear, or shoulder to a young person. He has been a Big for the Big Brothers Big Sisters for Metro Atlanta for eleven years and counting. Additionally, Desmond has served on the board of directors for RISE Schools for the past four years.
Desmond earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Alabama A&M University, graduating with honors. He has worked for five Fortune 100 companies, garnering recognition such as the Top 20% of sales with each organization for over twenty years.
Excellence is who he is while leading with purposeful encouragement so anyone around him can innately visualize their greatness. Expanding on his gifts and interests, Desmond is also an avid reader, certified bibliophile, and podcast enthusiast. Influence cannot be copiously measured in simple terms. However, Desmond has been instrumental in paving the way and providing even a glimpse of hope where it is needed for decades. His power lies in his genuine kindness and devotion to worthy causes and individuals.
Desmond’s goal is to generate $50,000 in corporate sponsorships for RISE, while also establishing a pilot location for Big Brothers Big Sisters on the RISE campus, as well as funding a coding camp at AWS Innovation Academy.
TANISHA TAYLOR-JONES
Board Member at Large
Tanisha Taylor Jones holds the esteemed position of Board Member at Large for Rise Preparatory Charter School. A dynamic and dedicated individual, she is driven by a profound commitment to shaping a brighter future for our youth. Though originally from New Jersey, Tanisha has called Georgia her home for over two decades.
Her academic journey culminated in a degree from Georgia State University, and she has proudly served as a veteran educator with a rich and diverse experience spanning students from the ages of 2 to 18. Tanisha’s unwavering passion lies in nurturing the growth of these young minds, consistently seeking innovative and creative approaches to foster engaging learning experiences.
Beyond her role in education, Tanisha is a dedicated wife and mother of two, as well as a skilled business owner. Her extensive experience in managing teams and leading others toward greatness is a testament to her leadership abilities. Tanisha is a true team player and a visionary for positive change, working tirelessly to ensure that each day becomes an opportunity for personal and collective growth.
Dr. Camelle Simmons
Board Member
Dr. Camelle Simmons is a dedicated educational advocate and catalyst for change, bringing more than 17 years of experience to the forefront of fostering inclusive environments where everyone can flourish. With a profound understanding of supporting culturally and linguistically diverse populations, Dr. Simmons has held various roles at both local and district levels, consistently demonstrating her ability to provide educational leadership and technical guidance that leads to positive outcomes.