OUR TEAM OF SUPPORT

Lyrikal is a native Memphian who utilizes her artistic abilities to tell stories. She also enjoys photography. With her photography, Lyrikal prefers to capture people in their natural state because it’s a reminder that there’s beauty in simplicity. Some of her art exemplifies topics that are typically seen as “taboo,” but she displays it 

Lyrikal is a native Memphian who utilizes her artistic abilities to tell stories. She also enjoys photography. With her photography, Lyrikal prefers to capture people in their natural state because it’s a reminder that there’s beauty in simplicity. Some of her art exemplifies topics that are typically seen as “taboo,” but she displays it in a way to make the viewers feel comfortable with communicating and sharing their own thoughts and opinions. She is primarily known from her business, Amazing Creations by Lyrikal, and her involvement in the community in efforts to bring individuals and families together with the help of her ACBL Paint by Numbers Kits. Lyrikal’s art has been featured all over Memphis and surrounding areas. These places include the Memphis Voyager Magazine, Paint Memphis Festival, Germantown Performing Arts Center, NAACP ACT-SO Competition, Memphis City Schools Board of Education, First Horizon Bank, The Brooks Museum of Memphis, Memphis College of Arts, Cooper Young Arts Festival, MLGW, Hattiloo Theatre, and many more. 

Beth love for art and learning is evident in the various NMSF activities she leads and facilitate, such as: The “gratitude in art” collage paintings sessions, ornament decoration station, vision board activity with youth, live paintings, senior art workshops. Beth is a graduate of the Memphis College of Art and State Tech with an associat

Beth love for art and learning is evident in the various NMSF activities she leads and facilitate, such as: The “gratitude in art” collage paintings sessions, ornament decoration station, vision board activity with youth, live paintings, senior art workshops. Beth is a graduate of the Memphis College of Art and State Tech with an associates and bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts and Graphic Design. She completed her MBA through Dowling College with a concentration in Information System Management. She is a certified Project Management Professional through the Project Management Institute. Beth has worked 25+ years in various corporate roles with FedEx, ServiceMaster. She is a Stirring Artist with Hope Church and previously coordinated WKNO Hope Stirring Artists exhibit. Beth trusts in Christ as her example and foundation to guide her through life. She loves nature, family, friends and new opportunities to meet others.

Candous is a 13-year veteran of the classroom and author of My Life as an Educator: What My Teacher Education Program Didn’t Teach Me, resides in Memphis, TN where she has taught English Language Arts, Etymology, and Mythology to students in grades 8-12. Her educational background in English Literature, coupled with pedagogical strategies

Candous is a 13-year veteran of the classroom and author of My Life as an Educator: What My Teacher Education Program Didn’t Teach Me, resides in Memphis, TN where she has taught English Language Arts, Etymology, and Mythology to students in grades 8-12. Her educational background in English Literature, coupled with pedagogical strategies, has given her the tools necessary to reach and teach the diverse groups of students who have entered her classroom over the years.  Her effectiveness in the classroom has been recognized by her peers who nominated her for Educator of the Year (2018), by her State Representatives who awarded her a House Resolution (2018), and by the education department at Christian Brothers University (BA and MAT) which awarded her the Outstanding M. A. T. Educator Award for 2018.  

 Zin'nia  is currently a student pursing a bachelors in both psychology and social work with a double minor in AMSL and Journalism. Inspired by being the oldest of  7. Zin'nia enjoys engaging the youth and educating those in need. She has been tutoring for more than 4 years assisting grades 5-12th, and is passionate about giving back thro

 Zin'nia  is currently a student pursing a bachelors in both psychology and social work with a double minor in AMSL and Journalism. Inspired by being the oldest of  7. Zin'nia enjoys engaging the youth and educating those in need. She has been tutoring for more than 4 years assisting grades 5-12th, and is passionate about giving back through volunteerism in her community.  Zin'nia is  part of the NMSF educational team were she hopes to engage with a wider range of students in showing them all just how powerful knowledge is. 

Cassandra Leake is a retired officer who started her career in Law Enforcement when she joined the US Air Force after HS in 1990. She served in the military as a Security Police for 8 years when she was honorable discharged in 1998. She quickly was hired by the Memphis Police Department in 1998 where she was employed for over 25 years. Sh

Cassandra Leake is a retired officer who started her career in Law Enforcement when she joined the US Air Force after HS in 1990. She served in the military as a Security Police for 8 years when she was honorable discharged in 1998. She quickly was hired by the Memphis Police Department in 1998 where she was employed for over 25 years. She is a former outreach instructor from the DARE/GREAT Unit where she spent most of her career teaching youth how to resist getting involved in gangs, drugs, and violence. She continues to mentor students even  after they graduate from high school to ensure they will continue to be productive citizens in their communities. Her passion for our youth sparked her desire to start an after-school Bible Club called the Good News Club, now operating in two elementary schools with over 150 students she leads each week in prayer, worship, Bible lessons, and more. Officer Leake also volunteers to mentors women who are struggling with drug, alcohol addictions, and other life altering circumstances. Her life motto and favorite Scripture is Micah 6:8 –
“Do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.”