Meet the Founder

Jaylen D. Berry

FOUNDER & BOARD CHAIR

Originally from the North End of Hartford, CT, Jaylen’s family moved to Windsor, CT when he was seven years old. Growing up, Jaylen enjoyed participating in both athletics and academics. He was nominated to the National Honor Society as a junior at Windsor and as a senior he was a 2013 Connecticut All-State football selection. After graduating Windsor High with honors, Jaylen went on to attend Wesleyan University.

It was during his time at Wesleyan that Jaylen realized his passion and desire to support communities of color and promote social mobility in his home state. While there, Jaylen was a member of the football team, a Patricelli Fellow, and a Residential Life House Manager. In August of 2016, he founded the “Jaylen D. Berry Scholarship Fund.” Today, the fund continues to support Connecticut youth who plan to utilize their education to foster positive social change. Since his graduation from Wesleyan in 2018, Jaylen has worked to expand the fund into a foundation, offering a number of programs aimed at that same initiative.

Meet the Board

  • Brandon McPherson

    VICE CHAIR

    Brandon McPherson grew up in Stone Mountain, GA, earning his Bachelor of Science Degree in Information Technology from the United States Naval Academy and a Master of Business Administration from Cornell University. He started his professional career serving as an officer in the United States Navy, eventually earning the rank of Lieutenant Commander. He later transitioned to Wall Street and served as a strategy executive at Goldman Sachs, Bank of America and JP Morgan. Today, he serves as a Senior Vice President at Warner Music Group where he leads cross functional initiatives within the Strategy and Business Operations division. Brandon and his wife, Sherrie McPherson, reside in New Jersey and support several non-profits and community initiatives.

  • Deloris Johnson Drakes

    TREASURER

    Deloris is a CPA with a Masters Degree in Accounting/Finance from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business and a BA in Accounting from Georgia State University. She has 40+ years of professional work experience in accounting, auditing and financial planning & analysis for both publicly and privately held corporations. In retirement, she is owner of AshDel Financial LLC and co-owner of family business, Johnson Apparel Group LLC doing business as E3 Promotions. Deloris is also a servant leader committed to community service. She volunteers her time on several non-profit Boards of Directors and with her church. Over 50 years of membership in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc she has held positions at local, regional and national levels. Deloris is the proud mother of daughter, Ashley Jehdai, whom she describes as her heartbeat.

  • Alfred Woodward

    SECRETARY

    Alfred was born and raised in Flint, Michigan. He’s a proud alumnus of Howard University where he graduated with a Bachelors in Business Administration with a Concentration in International Business. He started his career at Goldman Sachs in regulatory operations and worked in Hong Kong, China for a short term in 2018. He continued his career at Goldman in New York City. In 2020, Alfred transitioned into Human Capital Management focusing on recruiting and supporting junior Black and Hispanic/Latinx talent as well as professionals within the disabilities community to the firm. He is excited to bring his passion, expertise, and experience with Equity and Inclusion work to the foundation board.

  • Anthony Price

    Anthony Price is the Executive Director of Be The Change Venture, a nonprofit that ensures young people are prepared for the workforce. He has worked in both the public and private sector with years of experience in both program and business development, community outreach, and civic engagement. Anthony has also managed both small and large giving campaigns for nonprofits that seeks to alleviate disparities that prevent young people of color from achieving their dreams and goals. Overall, Anthony remains committed to bridging the gaps between potential and opportunity.

  • Angela Moore

    Angie is a Michigander at heart (and a Wolverine through and through, Go Blue!), growing up in a small town north of Detroit. She graduated from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. While there, she was a member of the business fraternity Phi Chi Theta and was a Summer Orientation Leader. She was also a part of the UM Waterski Club, through which she competed at tournaments in the Midwest. She currently works as a Director at PWC and still maintains friendships from the Waterski Club.

  • John McGhee

    John was born in Casper, Wyoming, but escaped cold weather permanently when his family moved to Gabon, West Africa, and later to Houston, TX. He earned a degree in International Management from Auburn University, and later earned his MBA (Finance/Entrepreneurship)from Rice University in Houston, where he also served as the Diving Coach while attending school. John has been with Dell Services for the past 17 years in a variety of Finance and Operations roles, primarily focused on Consulting, including global systems and process development activities and business controls.