Next Level Macon

Educate. Enlighten. Empower.

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Board Members

  • Dr. Samantha Murfree, Chair

    Associate Dean of Student Affairs, Mercer University

  • Clarence Carner, Vice Chair

    Community Activist, Retired Military

  • Brenda Craw

    Retired Educator

  • Sekema Harmon

    Regional Director, Georgia Department of Family and Children Services

  • Kaitlin P. Hinson

    Attorney, District Attorney's Office

Leadership

  • Lakesia Toomer

    Executive Director
    Post-Secondary Studies
    • Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Georgia Southern University
    • Masters of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy from Mercer University School of Medicine
    Areas of Certification
    • Grant Writing
    • Child Abuse
    • Abstinence: WAIT & Choosing the Best
    Serving at NLCDC since 2000

  • Gail West

    Director of New Dawn Counseling Center
    Post-Secondary Studies
    • Bachelors of Arts from Mercer University
    • Masters of Public Administration from Georgia College
    • Masters of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy from Psychological Studies Institute (now Richmont Graduate University)
    • Counseling approach includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Family Systems, and Psychodynamic orientations

Administration

  • Crystal Moran

    Administrative Assistant
    Post-Secondary Studies
    • Valdosta State University
    • BS of Biology
    Serving at NLCDC Since 2012

  • Carol Treible

    Program Coordinator
    Post-Secondary Studies
    • West Virginia Wesleyan College & Wright State University
    • BS of Education & MS of Education
    Serving at NLCDC since 2010
    Involved in Camp Zion After-School Program & Summer Camp

Educators

  • Jermila Slocumb

    Life Skills Educator
    Post-Secondary Studies
    • Wesleyan College
    • BA of Education
    Serving at NLCDC since 2013
    Involved in Camp Zion Summer Camp

  • Kimberly Thomas

    Lead Educator
    Post-Secondary Studies
    • Georgia College & State University
    • BA of Psychology
    Serving at NLCDC since 2010
    Involved in Camp Zion After-School Program & Summer Camp

  • Shawanda Solomon

    Life Skills Educator
    Post-Secondary Studies
    • Macon State College & Attending Fort Valley State University
    • BS of Public Service
    Areas of Certification
    • Abstinence: Navigator, On Point, & WAIT
    Serving at NLCDC since 2008
    Involved in Camp Zion After-School Program & Summer Camp

  • Michelle Ray

    Lead Educator
    Post-Secondary Studies
    • Wesleyan College
    • BA of Education
    Areas of Certification
    • Georgia Educator Clearance certificate
    Serving at NLCDC since 2012
    Involved in Camp Zion After-School Program & Summer Camp

  • Keywon Harvey

    Lead Educator/Life Skills Educator
    Post-Secondary Studies
    • Keiser University & Claflin University
    • BA of Sociology & MS of Educational Leadership
    Areas of Certification
    • Georgia Educator Certificate SP ED General Curriculum (P-12)
    • Abstinence: Navigator & Choosing The Best
    Serving at NLCDC since 2012
    Involved in Camp Zion After-School Program & Summer Camp

  • Jazmine Dinkins

    Lead Educator
    Post-Secondary Studies
    • Fort Valley State University & University of North Dakota
    • BS of Early Childhood Education & MS of Special Education
    Areas of Certification
    • Georgia Educator Certificate: Early Childhood Education
    Serving at NLCDC since 2014
    Involved in Camp Zion Summer Camp

  • Karen Cromer

    Lead Educator
    Post-Secondary Studies
    • Francis Marion University & Lesley University
    • BS of Early Childhood Education & MS of Education
    Areas of Certification
    • Georgia Educator certificate: Early Childhood Education (P-5) & Teacher Support Specialist
    Serving at NLCDC since 2009
    Involved in Camp Zion After-School Program & Summer Camp

  • Kwatoria Bryant

    Lead Educator/Life Skills Educator
    Camp Zion Alumni
    Post-Secondary Studies
    • Georgia Southwestern State University
    • BS of Biology
    Areas of Certification
    • Abstinence: Choosing the Best, On Point, Navigator
    Serving at NLCDC since 2009
    Involved in Camp Zion After-School Program

Assistant Educators

  • Breyonna Vick

    Assistant Educator
    Camp Zion Alumni
    Post-Secondary Studies
    • Attending Kennesaw State University
    • Pursing Degree in Pharmacy
    • Projected Graduation Date 2016
    Serving at NLCDC since 2013
    Involved in Camp Zion Summer Camp

  • Sydni Russell

    Assistant Educator
    Camp Zion Alumni
    Post-Secondary Studies
    • Attending Georgia Southern University
    • Pursuing Degree in Marketing & Design
    • Projected Graduation date 2015
    Serving at NLCDC since 2011
    Involved in Camp Zion Summer Camp

  • Kayla Smith

    Assistant Educator
    Camp Zion Alumni
    Post-Secondary Studies
    • Attending Wesleyan College
    • Pursuing Degree in Business
    • Project Graduation Date 2016
    Serving at NLCDC since 2011
    Involved in Camp Zion After-School Program & Summer Camp

  • Briana Marshall

    Assistant Educator
    Camp Zion Alumni
    Post-Secondary Studies
    • Attending Central Georgia Technical College
    • Pursuing Degree in Early Childhood Education
    • Projected Graduation date 2016
    Serving at NLCDC since 2009
    Involved in Camp Zion After-School Program & Summer Camp

  • Brittany Gordon

    Assistant Educator
    Camp Zion Alumni
    Post-Secondary Studies
    • Attending Middle Georgia State College
    • Pursuing Degree in Human Resources with a minor in English
    Serving at NLCDC since 2013
    Involved in Camp Zion Summer Camp

  • Sherie Richardson

    Assistant Educator
    Post-Secondary Studies
    • Central Georgia Technical College
    • Pursuing Degree in Early Childhood Education
    • Projected Graduation date 2016
    Areas of Certification
    • Certified in Medical Assistance & Phlebotomy Technology
    Serving at NLCDC since 2008
    Involved in Camp Zion After-School Program & Summer Camp

Counselors

  • Carolyn Woodard

    MA, LPC, Counselor at New Dawn Counseling Center
    Post Secondary Studies
    • Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Wesleyan College
    • Masters of Psychology from Georgia School of Professional Psychology
    Counseling modality is primarily Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

  • Gail West

    Director of New Dawn Counseling Center
    Post-Secondary Studies
    • Bachelors of Arts from Mercer University
    • Masters of Public Administration from Georgia College
    • Masters of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy from Psychological Studies Institute (now Richmont Graduate University)
    • Counseling approach includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Family Systems, and Psychodynamic orientations

Support Staff

  • Deborah Pitts

    Staff Volunteer
    Serving at NLCDC since 2000
    Involved in Camp Zion After-School Program and Summer Camp

  • Eileen Straws

    Apprenticeship Coordinator (Contracted Services)
    Serving at NLCDC since 2010
    Involved in Camp Zion After-School Program & Summer Camp

  • Tammy Shelley

    Family Engagement Coordinator
    Post-Secondary Studies
    • Attending Middle Georgia State College
    • Pursuing Degree in Health Administration
    • Projected Graduation date 2015
    Serving at NLCDC since 2007
    Involved in Camp Zion After-School Program & Summer Camp

Nutritionists

  • Denise Rainey

    Nutritionist
    Areas of Certification
    • USDA Safe Serve Certification
    Serving at NLCDC since 2007
    Involved in Camp Zion After-School Program & Summer Camp

  • Louise Burnette

    Nutritionist
    Serving at NLCDC since 2008
    Involved in Camp Zion Summer Camp

  • Evelyn Smith

    Nutritionist
    Serving at NLCDC since 2007
    Involved in Camp Zion Summer Camp

Drivers

  • Johnny Gordon

    Driver
    Serving at NLCDC since 2007
    Involved in Camp Zion After-School Program & Summer Camp

  • Prentis Braswell

    Driver
    Post-Secondary Studies
    • Central Georgia Technical College
    • AS of Carpentry Cabinet Making
    Areas of Certification
    • Cabinet Making
    Serving at NLCDC since 2013
    Involved in Camp Zion After-School Program