Allen Blue
Director of Resident Services
Burlington Housing Authority
Allen Blue is a dedicated community leader and seasoned public service professional with over 30 years of experience serving Alamance County. A native of Cumberland County, Allen holds a B.S. in Industrial Technology from North Carolina A&T State University and an Associate’s Degree in Overhead Linesman from Guilford Technical Institute.
He currently serves as the Director of Resident Services for the Burlington Housing Authority (BHA), where he supports public housing residents by coordinating vital community resources. In this role, Allen also oversees the BHA Pre-K program, which provides early childhood education and care for underserved families, and mentors student interns from Elon University.
Allen's career reflects a deep commitment to social impact. Prior to his tenure at BHA, he worked as a Gang Resource Officer for Alamance County and held leadership roles at Manasseh and Ephraim House for Recovery and Another Chance Treatment Center.
An active community advocate, Allen serves on numerous boards and councils, including the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council, United Way Community Council, Alamance Education Council, and NC Empowerment. He also leads and supports several initiatives focused on youth development, education, and family support, such as the Youth Empowerment Program, NC Summer Feeding Program, and The Incredible Years.
A proud member of Masonic Lodge 691 Morning Star, Allen Blue exemplifies service-driven leadership, mentoring, and empowerment in all aspects of his work.
Alderman Brid. General JR Gorham
Author, Speaker & Board of Alderman,
Town of Kernersville
James R. “J.R.” Gorham made history in 2008 as the first African-American General in the North Carolina National Guard. A native of Falkland, North Carolina, J.R. began his military service immediately after high school, enlisting in the U.S. Army in the mid-1970s. Following his active duty service, he used his military education benefits to attend East Carolina University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in 1981 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant through Officer Candidate School, graduating as Distinguished Honor Graduate.
Over the course of a distinguished 38-year military career, J.R. commanded at every level—from company to brigade—and held key leadership roles, including Joint Staff Director of the N.C. Joint Force Headquarters and Commander of the N.C. National Guard Joint Task Force. In 2004, he deployed to Iraq with the 130th Finance Battalion, where he was promoted to Colonel. He later earned a Master’s Degree from the U.S. Army War College before retiring from the Guard in 2012.
In addition to his military service, J.R. built a successful 29-year civilian career in banking, retiring as Vice President and Manager of Retail Banking at First Citizens Bank in 2010. He then served as Director of Special Projects at the N.C. Department of Public Safety, overseeing initiatives in school safety, military affairs, and suicide prevention through the N.C. Center for Safer Schools.
Today, J.R. is a respected motivational speaker, author, and elected member of the Kernersville Board of Aldermen. He remains active in the community and is a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. He lives in Kernersville, North Carolina, with his wife Barbara. Together, they have three children: Tony, Jaime, and Joshua.
Crystal Carroll
Author, Speaker, Entrepreneur,
Charter School Administration
Crystal Carroll is a seasoned business professional with extensive experience in business development, operations, and project management. Recognized for her reliability, integrity, and outstanding interpersonal skills, she consistently delivers results in fast-paced, high-stakes environments.
With over eight years at Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Crystal has established a strong track record in financial management, operational efficiency, and compliance. She has maintained a flawless audit history since her hire and is highly skilled in managing school financial transactions, budget reconciliations, and vendor payments.
As Chief Creative Officer of Crystal’s Ladybug Creations LLC, she is also an accomplished entrepreneur and the published author of three books, including Today I Saw a Ladybug. A sought-after motivational speaker, Crystal inspires audiences both locally and internationally with her empowering and engaging presentations.
Her professional expertise includes staff management, financial reporting, marketing strategy, and operational improvement. She is proficient in tools such as SAP Concur and QuickBooks and holds certifications in Salesforce and First Aid/CPR.
Driven by creativity, excellence, and community impact, Crystal Carroll exemplifies leadership and innovation in every facet of her work.
Brittany Norton
Director of Marketing and Communications
Reynolda House Museum of American Art
Brittany Norton is an accomplished marketing and communications professional with a strong background in arts, culture, and tourism promotion. She currently serves as the Director of Marketing and Communications at Reynolda House Museum of American Art, a role she has held since June 2023.
Prior to her current position, Brittany served as Communications Manager at Arts+ from 2021 to 2023, where she led efforts to promote arts education across the Charlotte area. Her career also includes nearly nine years with Visit Winston-Salem, where she advanced from Marketing and Communications Intern to Public Relations Manager. In that role, she managed content development, media outreach, and digital engagement to elevate the city’s cultural and tourism profile.
Brittany's passion for storytelling and community impact began during her time at UNC Charlotte, where she earned a B.A. in Mass Communication/Media Studies and served as Student Editor-in-Chief of the Black Student Union. She also gained early experience as an editorial intern with Pride Magazine.
With a career rooted in creativity, strategic communication, and a commitment to the arts, Brittany Norton continues to amplify the power of culture and connection through her work.
Dr. Bessie Fletcher, Ph.D
International Ministry Founder,
Author/Speaker, Internet Radio Host
Dr. Bessie is a globally recognized lecturer, corporate and personal development trainer, spiritual teacher, and motivational speaker. Since 1988, she has inspired and empowered individuals across all walks of life through her dynamic work with churches, community-based organizations, and Fortune 500 companies both in the U.S. and internationally.
Renowned for her transformative approach to “Intra-Conversations,” Dr. Bessie has successfully coached thousands in personal growth and relationship building. Her unique focus on strengthening bonds between mothers and daughters has made her a sought-after voice worldwide.
She is the Founder and Chaplain of Mother and Daughter Faith Trust Ministries, and the visionary behind the Mother and Daughter Global Movement Community, Matriarch Now, and Mother and Daughter Bible College. She also serves as Publisher of Mother and Daughter Bonding Magazine, Radio Host of the Mother and Daughter Roundtable, and Television Host on both the NOW Television Network and the Mother and Daughter Television Network. She is the author of two books, including her most recent title, Good News: God Speaks to Mothers and Daughters.
Dr. Bessie holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, a Master’s in Community Economic Development, a Ph.D. in Christian Clinical Psychology, post-master’s studies in Human Resources and Counseling, and a theological degree as an ordained Pastor and Chaplain.
With a lifelong mission to heal, empower, and uplift, Dr. Bessie continues to make a profound
impact through her ministries, media platforms, and global outreach.
Fella Huntley
Asst. Field Operations Manager
City of Winston Salem
(Non-Voting Member)
Fella Huntley brings over 30 years of dedicated public service with the City of Winston-Salem, where he earned recognition as a Top Performer in employee evaluations for more than seven consecutive years. Commended by the Utility Commission for his exceptional work, Fella has demonstrated strong leadership through the supervision of over 100 employees, overseeing performance evaluations, training programs, hiring processes, and quality inspections.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Fella has a longstanding passion for youth development and literacy. He has served for over 15 years as Director of Youth Ministry in local church leadership and spent more than two decades coaching youth football through Pop Warner organizations across Forsyth County. His commitment to education and mentorship is further reflected in his volunteer work as a reading companion in Forsyth County elementary schools, supporting early literacy and student engagement.
With a career grounded in service, leadership, and community impact, Fella Huntley brings valuable experience and a deep commitment to empowering young people through education and enrichment opportunities.
Angela Huntley
Founding Executive Director & Marketing Strategist
After spending 25+ years in media advertising, convincing local businesses and corporations that radio, TV, and print were the keys to success in the Greensboro market, Angela Huntley decided it was time to follow her own storyline. Literally.
In 2014, loosely inspired by the antics of her older son and his neighborhood crew, she wrote They Call Me Ham, a children’s chapter book that unexpectedly launched her second act: founding a boutique marketing and publishing agency. Since then, she has used her media savvy to manage marketing efforts for local nonprofits and guide independent authors through the publishing process.
In 2024, inspired by the literacy journey of her younger son, a creative writer in his childhood years, she founded NC EmpowerUp and created Early Scribes, a youth literacy program rooted in national research linking creative writing to improved reading skills. She’s passionate about helping young people discover their voices, turn storytelling into tangible products, and explore entrepreneurship as a way to leverage their creative talents.
When she’s not helping an author put their story to paper or leading a literacy camp for middle schoolers, she enjoys home improvement projects, RV adventures with her family, and laughing until it hurts with good friends.
