Team Members

Travis Smith is a proud graduate of the Lafayette High School class of 2008. He later attended Alabama State University on a full academic scholarship. In 2011, Smith founded Unite Inc. at Alabama State University to improve freshmen man retention rates.

Shenice Smith is a HBCU alumna and strong community advocate with expertise in Corporate Human Resources across a variety of industries such as banking, arts and entertainment, and retail. Shenice has partnered with community organizations to support workforce development, financial literacy, and affordable housing initiatives that serve low-income and minority populations.

Chelsea Okoroh is a native of Glenarden, Maryland. She is currently enrolled at Bowie State University where she will receive her Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration in May of 2021.

Makayla is from Phenix City, AL and have been a 9th grade ELA teacher for 3 years. I am very passionate about mental health and will be graduating soon with my Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I also am a proud graduate of Alabama A&M University.

Cara D. Mitchell is a highly skilled B2B and B2C Marketing professional dedicated to strategically providing high level ideas and solutions to critical business issues. Cara received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with a major of Marketing and a minor of International Business from Alabama State University and an MBA from Texas Southern University.

Precious White-Jordan is an accomplished educator and project coordinator. Precious has over 12 years in the k-12 public school setting, having worked as a career and technical education teacher, a special education teacher, and currently as an English language arts teacher at Inspire Virtual Academy in the Chambers County School District in Lafayette, Alabama.

Messiah Williams-Cole, from Camp Hill, AL, graduated from Opelika High School and later attended Auburn University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies. While at Auburn, he worked with various university departments and local schools — he was also elected Mayor of his hometown where he currently serves.

Kayla C. Elliott, Ph.D. is Director of Workforce Policy at The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, America’s Black think tank. Her team centers Black communities in policy solutions for the future of work, workforce development, and access to good jobs.

Jeremiah Streeter begins his first year at Alabama State University in the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics Student-Athlete Support Services (SASS) as the Assistant Director of Academic Services.

I'm a native of Valley, AL but currently reside in Phenix City where I am employed with Phenix City Board of Education. I began my educational career in 2006 after graduating from Tuskegee University.

Dr. Davis currently serves as Director of Research at EqRC. He identifies as a mixed-methods researcher-advocate with interests in inequitable K-12 schooling conditions that delimit post-secondary choices and opportunities for students of color and students from low-income backgrounds. Dr. Davis most recently served as Senior P-12 Research Associate at The
Education Trust.

Nicole Brooks is the Health Sciences Advisor/Recruiter specialist at Southern Union State Community College. Primarily focusing on advising and career development services, Brooks prioritizes increasing student enrollment and retention in the area of health sciences. Chiquita has over 8 years of logistical planning experience ranging from the medical field to higher education.

Hi! My name is Jazz Thomas! I am from Lafayette Alabama. I am currently a senior at the University of Alabama! I am also an Alumni of UNITE Inc.