Our board consists of a group of professionals to help you get resource connectivity and more.
Miriam James-Singley, Founder & President
Miriam James-Singley a mother of four obtained her undergraduate Degree from South Carolina State University with a BSW in Social Work, currently pursuing her M.A. degree in Human Resource Management from Strayer University. Not only did Miriam obtain her undergrad in Social Work she also obtained her Level II credentials in Early Childhood Education from Denmark Technical College. Miriam has 15 plus years of experience working with diverse communities, children, and families in the field of Social Work and Education. Miriam is a Certified Notary Public for the State of South Carolina, a certified Benefits Counselor, Certified in CPR, First Aid, and AED. She worked as a director for a child care center, she worked in the school systems as an applied behavior therapist and an assistant teacher, she’s certified through children’s trust as a family, child, and parent facilitator with the strengthen families program, she’s worked as an early childhood interventionist, an adoption specialist, a medical social worker at a hospital of over 396 beds, a community health worker/ case manager serving over 75 women and children on one case load at a time, and currently she’s a Troop leader for girl scouts in her local community, a behavior interventionist, and a patient care advocate at HopeHealth. Miriam is an active member of the National Association of Community Health Workers (NACHW), the South Carolina Community Health Workers Associations (SCCHWA), and the National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC). Miriam is the founder of Miriam’s PARS, along with showing her commitment to her community by actively sitting on different committees at her children’s school, she also shows commitment to her husband she’s been with for over 10 years. Miriam brings with her an in-depth experience of advocating for clients’ needs on a broad spectrum.
Lisa Brown, Chair
Lisa Brown is a Speech Language Pathologist who has been practicing for 13 years. She obtained an undergraduate degree from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical University in 2007 and a masters in Speech Language Pathology from South Carolina State University in 2009. Lisa Brown is passionate about working with the special needs’ population, providing them with a way to express themselves and communicate their wants/needs. In her free time, she loves to spend time with her daughter, son, and husband.
DeAndra Ketter, Vice Chair
DeAndra Ketter, a native of Florence, South Carolina; graduated from Wilson High School in 2003. She graduated from Lander University in Greenwood, South Carolina earning a bachelor’s in science Degree in 2007. DeAndra furthered her education attending Capella University earning a Master’s in Science Degree in 2018. In January 2015, DeAndra began a Women’s Shelter known as The Place of Healing, Inc., that houses homeless women and children. DeAndra is a humanitarian who loves to help others who are in need. DeAndra is a mother of two who loves to travel and meet new people. Most importantly she enjoys laughing and putting smiles on people’s face.
Avery L. Fleming was born in Manning, South Carolina. At a very young age, he began working to support himself as he received his formal education within the public school system of Williamsburg County. He graduated from Kingstree Senior High School in 2003.
After which, Avery enrolled at Williamsburg Technical College under the General College Studies program and later transferred to Francis Marion University in Florence, SC. He completed his Bachelor of Science Degree with a concentration in Sociology and a minor in Business in the fall of 2008. Shortly following this, he began to work with behaviorally challenged youth at Palmetto Pee Dee Behavioral Health, where he worked as a mental health technician with individuals whose ages ranged from 7-18 years old. Although he enjoyed the work with the youth, he was determined to pursue various positions within the human services field in the years following.
Avery boasts a resume that includes employment with the Department of Mental Health as a Clinical Counselor, as well as a Social Services Coordinator with Alston Wilkes Society. Shortly following his journey at Alston Wilkes Society, Avery took his talents to the Department of Juvenile Justice, where he served as a Probation Officer to the youth of Charleston and Berkeley Counties respectively. During his time serving in these counties, Avery enrolled at Webster University where he studied his Master’s in Health Care Administration and a Master’s in Business Administration; of which he graduated in December of 2020.
Currently, Mr. Fleming serves as an Educational Advisor within the Upward Bound Program at Williamsburg Technical College in Kingstree, SC. Primarily serving grade levels 9-12th. Throughout Avery’s professional career, he has won numerous awards and has been granted the opportunity to be inside the room with individuals from all different walks of life to discuss the possibilities of a better tomorrow for all people.
Avery Fleming, Vice President
LJ Thomas, Secretary
LJ Thomas is an author, graphic designer, publicist, and grant writer. She has several books in publication and has been writing and editing for 40+ years. She spends her time helping businesses. She also writes business plans, feasibility reports, and action plans for companies. She provides author services which are listed on her website www.ppositivenetwork.com. She began editing and publishing back in the early ’80's and has been published in magazines, newsletters, and on websites. She is Co-owner of Jamalajaz Productions (www.jamalajaz.net) and creator and host of the Purely Positive Show "Spotlighting positive people doing positive things for a positive community" (purelypositiveshow@gmail.com), Art, Arts & mo' Artz "Bringing your art to the world" (moartzshow@gmail.com) and South Carolina Gets Lit, which focuses on “Exposing authors and building readers” (scgetslit@gmail.com). The show is a fundraiser for her literacy program. LJ's parent company is Purely Positive Network (www.ppositivenetwork.com) which focuses on bringing exposure in a positive way for books, brands, businesses, causes, events, products, and services. She holds several academic degrees in business and management. LJ believes everything good takes hard work, and is worth having, especially if it benefits others.
Dr. Onika T. Brown, Treasurer
Dr. Onika T. Brown is a wife and a mother. She is a woman who has seen and experienced the miracles of God and now works to bring that same message of life, empowerment and hope to others through many global initiatives which produce empowerment, character, and success in individuals.
Dr. Onika T. Brown is a Serial-Entrepreneur, Success Coach, and a Published Author.
A Doctoral of Divinity recipient from Apostolic University and a Doctrine of Philosophy in Humanities from the United Graduate College and Seminary International and with a background in nursing Dr. Brown’s unique training, educational experiences and life purposes have equipped her and purposed her to advance the Kingdom of God.
Dr. Brown serves as the Director of D.A.P.S. (Developing Attributes Producing Success) Mentoring Program, The CEO of New Beginning’s Tax & Financial Service and New Birth Health, LLC, and a published author of “You’re Not Crazy, You’re Just Prophetic.” Empowering individuals across the world she has brought meaningful impact that has produced personal development causing community change and understanding through “Practical” Kingdom messages how to live walk and stand victorious in a place of Kingdom power.
George Scipio
George Q. Scipio is a Respiratory Therapist who has been practicing for 10 years. He obtained an Associate and Science in Respiratory Therapist from Florence/Darlington Technical College in 2012 and he is Certified and Registered in Respiratory Therapy. George Scipio is currently employed at Medical University of South Carolina Downtown Columbia, Regency Hospital Company, and At Home Hospital Equipment. University of South Carolina is a 75-bed licensed hospital in the state of South Carolina. Regency Hospital Company is a long-term acute care 40 bed licensed rehabilitation hospital. At Home Hospital Equipment supplies respiratory equipment to residents of the northeast of South Carolina. He is a hard and dedicated worker. The passion and pride that he displays for his patients is unmatched. He dedicated his time to the Concerned Citizens of North Florence (non-profit organization) and the Dr. Iola Jones Community Center. George Scipio is also a member of the Parks and Beautification Board Commission of Florence, SC which works with the Florence city council to help with the upkeep of the community and parks in the city of Florence.
Lisa Samuel
Lisa Samuels has been Public Service worker 26 years. Served and worked on two Presidential initiatives. Under the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, The Regional opportunities program. As Community service Officer 111. She has personally Educated families and landlords. Successful moved 3745 families out of Poverty. Into Decent safe and Sanitary Housing. Because of the Successful program the New Jersey, was awarded the HUD Best Practice award. She worked for the Urban Legend for Bergen County in New Jersey. NJ Home Savors program. And Home keepers Program. Work directly with banks and homeowners to provide 50,000 towards their home mortgage. Paying mortgage up to one year. To keep families from losing their Homes. She worked as Case management with HOPWA, income support. And the Division of Aid services for the state of New York City. After service public service work, she went on to be President of LM Samuels Trucking company. Worked in Real estate for Century 21 Real Estate Company as a sales associate.