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ABOUT OUR FOUNDER

“No man left behind” is a saying that has dual meaning for Tariq Shane. It not only holds meaning to him as a military veteran of the US Army, but it is a philosophy he practices in his civilian life. Mr. Shane was a Captain in the United States Army and served his country for six years. As a Gulf War Veteran, Mr. Shane saw how important teamwork and a strong support network were to survival. He realized how we needed to help each other to survive and prosper and that it is each individual’s responsibility to help. So it’s no surprise that after graduating from Virginia State University, a Historically Black College and University, cum lade with a B.A. in Criminal Justice and serving his country, Mr. Shane felt that it was his responsibility to help. As Mr. Shane was entering the workforce, he noticed that several of his fellow classmates were having trouble finding a job and he knew something needed to be done.

After speaking with career counselors at the schools of successful alumni and corporate partners, Mr. Shane decided to not do the traditional career fair route, but to do something more impactful and life-changing. In 2001, Mr. Shane created The Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Career Development Marketplace (CDM) to create a one-of-a-kind experience for HBCU students and simultaneously give back to the community that gave him his early foundation and sense of dedication. Mr. Shane is committed to providing these highly qualified students visibility with major corporations that they may not receive at their school.

Meet the Board

Abraham Wescott

Abraham Wescott has worked for the city of Akron for 31 years. He supervises and directs  professional Development staff in the coordination and implementation of development activities.  His job duties also includes working with senior staff to formulate  and establish goals for the city’s  annual work program.  Plans and directs the implementation of complex economic development and redevelopment projects.  Last his responsibilities involve the recruitment of new businesses, assist in arranging financing for businesses and directs the preparation of government grant applications to fund economic development. He serves as a principal source of information on community and economic development matters within the community, state and federal levels.

Abraham holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Virginia State University and a Masters degree from the University of Akron. He is married to Dr Angela Graves-Wescott, a Tennessee State University grad,  and they have three children , Alex, Nina, and Ryleigh.

Angela Phillips

Angela has spent more than 20 years in higher education mentoring, teaching, and serving at-promise students. She is the Program Coordinator of a learning community at a higher education institution where she focuses on providing unique and supportive experiences for students who are seeking to maximize their academic achievement. Angela received a Master of Science in Management with a specialization in Project Management and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Studies, minoring in Business from the University of Maryland’s Global Campus. Her passion for education and servant leadership is what motivates her to connect with the nonprofit education sector and HBCU student’s in particular. Angela has a strong sense of devotion for education equity and opportunity, and her mission is to see that all students are given the resources and opportunities that align with their goals to set them on their paths to success. When she is not advocating for students she enjoys songwriting and music performance.

Trinell Bowman

Ms. Bowman has served as a school social worker, instructional team leader, and mentor teacher, school testing Coordinator, secondary transition coordinator and Principal of James E. Duckworth Regional School for students with significant cognitive disabilities. During her tenure as Principal, she led curriculum-writing projects, served as a mentor principal and district trainer for the county’s curriculum framework guides for student with significant cognitive disabilities. She led efforts to increase student and as a result, the school was issued the Maryland School Performance Award from the Maryland State Department of Education in 2005, 2006 and 2007.

In the fall of 2007, Ms. Bowman began working at the Maryland State Department of Education to develop, manage and implement the state’s alternate and modified assessments for students with disabilities. During her time at the Department, she developed online interactive professional development modules in reading, mathematics and science for teachers and administrators who supported students with significant cognitive disabilities. Ms. Bowman also provided training and technical assistance to local schools systems in the area of curriculum, instruction, assessment, accommodations and the implementation of online testing systems for students with disabilities to include those with significant cognitive disabilities. In 2011, Ms. Bowman served as a Co-Author of a journal article, “Comparison of Paper-Pencil and Online Performances of Students with Learning Disabilities” which was published in the British Educational Research Journal. In 2012, she wrote a chapter in a publication for the United States Department of Education Office of Special Education Programs, which described the process the Maryland State Department of Education used to develop modified assessments for students with disabilities and the impact of instructional opportunities for students.

Ms. Bowman has served on various State taskforce committees to include the Universal Design for Learning. Ms. Bowman serves in a key leadership role within the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) assessment consortia. In her role with PARCC, she served as the Co-Chair of the Accessibility, Accommodations and Fairness workgroup and served as a lead writer for the PARCC Accessibility Features and Accommodations Manual policies. Ms. Bowman also served as the Project Director for the Guidelines for Accessibility Assessment (GAAP) grant that developed audio and sign language guidelines for large-scale assessments, which is now used nationally throughout the country.

Currently, Ms. Bowman serves as the Associate Superintendent for Special Education for Prince George’s County Public Schools, which services over 17,000 students with disabilities at 206 schools. Ms. Bowman serves on the following national advisory boards: National Center for Educational Outcomes, Council for Chief State School Officers Special Education Advisory Committee, and the TIES Center, which is national technical assistance center supporting inclusive practices and policies for students with significant cognitive disabilities. Ms. Bowman received her undergraduate degree in social work from Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland and her master’s degree from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. Ms. Bowman also attended Trinity Washington University in Washington, DC for her special education McDaniel College in Westminster for her and administrative certification. Ms. Bowman lives by the quote from Shirley Chisholm, which states “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.”

Joseph Parker

Joseph Parker is a multidimensional executive and leader with deep business development, consulting and systems development, professional services experience within the science & technology, law enforcement, military, aerospace, transportation, command & control, computers, communications, intelligence, reconnaissance, and surveillance, and information technology sectors. He leverages 47+ years’ experience with lifelong education and military, engineering, leadership, and business background to build corporate culture and capture billions of dollars in new business and drive quality, performance, sales, profitability, and growth in highly competitive markets. He has served at various levels, from engineer to a Corporate Officer, from small and mid-sized to large Fortune 200 businesses, leading, growing, and improving culture and performance.

Joseph founded and leads an engineering technology solutions company, crafting business and operational solutions, iN2STEM Solutions, Inc., in Reston, Virginia, providing innovative quantitative approaches to support decision making and reduce the costs and time-to-market of complex systems. He leads and coaches technical and management staff and fosters an entrepreneurial approach to business development and capture, and a learning environment that empowers all.

iN2STEM Solutions, Inc. is “Empowering The Next Generation” by creating more career opportunities for young people and returning military veterans in the science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) arenas to improve mission and business performance for their clients. Joseph is a lifetime learner, earning a Master of Engineering in Information and Systems Engineering, with a concentration in Business Administration, from the University of Virginia, School of Engineering and the Darden School of Business in 2005.

Joseph is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and currently serves as a board member for the iSchool for the Future; Historically Black College & University Career Development Marketplace; Fairfax County Public Schools Career-Technical Education Advisory Committee and the Virginia Governor’s STEM Academy at Marshall High School.

I am a firm believer that you remain humble.Never become complacent and keep God first.You can accomplish anything your heart desires.Words to Live By.
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