Delores Duncan-White, Founder

Delores (DeDe) Duncan-White established the Shelley C. White, Jr. Memorial Scholarship in 2015 in the memory of her husband, the late Shelley C. White, Jr. Shelley Jr was a public servant who devoted his time and talent to uplift the community. In honor to Shelley’s dedication to his community, the foundation awards college scholarships to graduating seniors in Anne Arundel County. As the foundation continues to grow, the legacy of Shelley C. White, Jr. will be carried on through the education of the youth we serve. The foundation became a 501 c 3 organization in January 2018. DeDe is the Assistant Athletic Director of Academic for Student Athletes for the Naval Academy Athletic Association. Prior to her current position, DeDe served in the U.S. Navy for 23 years and achieved the rank of Commander (O-5) retiring in August 2007.

DeDe Duncan-White earned her master’s degree in military arts & science from Command & General Staff College in 1997 and her bachelor’s degree in accounting from Southern University A&M in 1984. DeDe Duncan-White and the late Detective Shelley C. White Jr., have one son, Shelley C. White, III, who is a 2016 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy.

Shelley C. White, III, Co-Founder

Shelley C. White, III is a Lieutenant Junior Grade in the U.S. Navy. A native of Annapolis, Maryland, LTJG Shelley White graduated from the United States Naval Academy in May 2016 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science. A native of Annapolis, MD and a 2011 graduate of Archbishop Spalding High School in Severn, Maryland.

For his initial sea tour Shelley is currently stationed onboard the USS JAMES E. WILLIAMS (DDG 95) homeported in Norfolk, Virginia. Onboard he serves as both the Communication Officers as well as the Information Systems Officer. In 2017, he completed a 7 month deployment to Fifth (Middle East) and Sixth Fleet (Europe) areas of operation conducting naval operations with allies and partners to advance security and stability. LTJG Shelley White is the son of CDR Delores Duncan-White, USN (Ret.) and the late Detective Shelley C. White Jr.

Kathryn Freeland, President

Kathryn B. Freeland is Chief Executive Officer of A-TEK, Inc., a Virginia based woman-owned small business that provides Enterprise IT, Cyber Security, Cyber Data, Analytics, Scientific Analysis, and Application Development solutions, services, and staffing to Federal Government agencies across multiple mission areas including Homeland Security, Healthcare, Intelligence, Law Enforcement, and Life Sciences.

As the CEO, Mrs. Freeland is directly responsible for leading the company’s strategic vision and direction, developing strategic and tactical goals, operating plans, and policies for the corporation, and implementing board approved plans. She directs the company with a highly strategic business plan, referred to as Vision 2020 – The Way Forward, with the goal of optimizing profits and return on invested capital. Mrs. Freeland plays a vital
role in business development, customer satisfaction, financial stability and employee relations.

A serial entrepreneur, she bootstrapped her first company RGII Technologies, Inc., an Information Technology, Systems Integration and Engineering Solutions Company who’s myriad of customers included nine presidential cabinet agencies of the federal government. Mrs. Freeland successfully built and sold RGII in 2003. Within a few short years she acquired A-TEK, Inc. as her reentry point into the federal government market. Today, she leads the growing enterprise with strategic vision and focus on “Redefining the Possible Through Science and Information Technology” for federal agencies with health, research, and scientific missions.

In addition to being an entrepreneur, Kathryn is also an author. She published her first book, Navigating Your Way to Business Success, An Entrepreneurs Journey, in 2009 to share her entrepreneurial journey, including the roadblocks, challenges, and successes, with those interested in a similar journey. Her entrepreneurial experiences are compelling and resonates with current business owners, would be entrepreneurs, and students who dream of one day owning their own businesses. Kathryn earned her MBA from the University of Maryland, is an alumni of Leadership Maryland, a member of Maryland Top 100 Women Circle of Excellence, and was featured in Black Enterprise Magazine as the Emerging Company of the Year. She currently serves on the board of directors of several education and health organizations.

Kyra Wade, Secretary

Kyra Wade, native of Annapolis and a graduate of Annapolis High School is currently employed at the Anne Arundel County Board of Education. She comes from a large “tight knit” loving family whose roots are based and deep rooted in Eastport, Maryland.

Kyra is also an active member of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church – Eastport, where she is a coordinator of the Winter Relief Homeless Ministry, an active member of The Next Generation (TNG) which is an organization established by the younger generation of Mt. Zion Church whose purpose and function is fundraising for the church, Coordinator of Membership Confirmation classes for the youth. She has also served in the following capacities: Coordinator of the Daughter’s of Zion Dance Ministry, Sunday School Teacher and Vacation Bible School Leader.

In addition to her role as Secretary for the Shelley C. White Jr. Memorial Scholarship, she also is an active member of the Virtuous Women’s Project which is a nonprofit organization that provides scholarships to female high school students who have a desire to further their education.

Kyra is the proud mother of Maleah, a freshman at Bowie State University. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors and at the beach.

Gwenn Dennis, Treasurer

Faye Currie, Member

A native of Annapolis, Faye is a graduate of St. Mary’s High School, Annapolis, MD. Faye is an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church serving on both the St. Mary’s school and alumni boards. She’s proud parent of two sons, Theandre’ and Jordan. Faye has many years of financial service experience with an extensive background in retail banking. She is currently employed as a Vice President/Branch Mgr. of CFG Community Bank Annapolis location. Faye began her banking career in 1985 with Second National Federal Savings Bank. Her extensive knowledge of the local banking market with over 30 yrs. in the financial industry throughout Anne Arundel County. Faye has managed consumer, business deposit portfolios and consumer lending areas for other banking institutions including Signet Bank, Farmers Bank of MD and Suburban Federal Savings Bank.

Faye is active in numerous community service and civic affiliations. On Sept 2016, Faye was honored by the 21st Century Education Foundation’s Business Partner Award presented to her by the Anne Arundel County Superintendent for her many years of work at Annapolis High School and most recently is working with the “Links Leadership Academy” established in 2014 at the high school.

Other Community Outreach Activities
Mayoral appointment to the City of Annapolis Financial Advisory Commission Member
Anne Arundel County Public Library Diversity Advisory board member
Leadership Anne Arundel FLG12 graduate
The Annapolis Chapter of the Links Incorporated-Service to Youth Facet Chair
Annapolis Optimist Club
Annapolis High School Signature Program- Integrated Community Stakeholder Team
City of Annapolis Alderwoman Sheila Finlayson – Campaign Treasurer
Sass and Science, Inc. Board member

Previously appointed by the Mayor’s office as a member of the City of Annapolis Salary Review Commission and member of the board of trustees for the Annapolis Symphony.

Deniece Fisher, Member

Brittany Golding, Member

Brittany Golding is a dedicated social activist devoted to upholding individuals, families, and communities together. She is originally a native from Hartford, Connecticut, and started her non-profit work in 2010 at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Asylum Hill in Hartford, CT. Since then Brittany obtained her BFA from Virginia Commonwealth University where she majored in Fashion Design. She continued her education and received her MSW from the University of Connecticut with a concentration in Community Organizing. For over seven years, Brittany has collectively worked in youth development, research, advocacy, case management, counseling, and leadership development. Brittany worked for various Boys & Girls Clubs in Connecticut, Virginia, and Maryland. Before relocating back to Maryland, Brittany was a Community Organizer for the Christian Activities Council where she worked on organizing parents to keep public schools open and with tenants for quality public housing. Brittany currently resides in Prince George’s County but has contributed work in Anne Arundel County and DC. It is in Brittany’s vision to continue to support communities in sustaining stability, healthy lifestyles, and the opportunity for growth.

Outside of her community work Brittany is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Artsyrella LLC. Artsyrella LLC is a brand dedicated to art, design, and fashion. Artsyrella provides graphic and web design services and has extended the brand by forming a clothing line called SALUTE by Artsyrella.

Robyn Green, Member

Robyn Green has dedicated her entire career to educating children. Prior to becoming director, she served as a resource teacher at NAPS. Robyn’s husband served in the Marine Corps, giving her the opportunity to work in school districts across the country. Robyn’s roles have included: Vice Principal at Ft. Meade High School; AVID teacher at Central Middle School and Broadneck High School; Assistant Principal at Hunters Creek Middle School in North Carolina; and an Intervention Specialist and language arts teacher at Daniell Middle School in metro Atlanta.

Robyn holds a Bachelor of Arts from Howard University in Print Journalism, a Masters of Secondary Education from Ball State University, and a Masters of Educational Leadership from Kennesaw State University, which focused on K-12 Administration.

Harold Lloyd, III, Member

Harold Lloyd, III – The first recipient of the Shelley C. White, Jr. Memorial Scholarship is an Annapolis, Maryland native. Harold is a senior at Frostburg State University majoring in Law and Society with a minor in Political Science. Creator of Superior Future is a non-profit organization located in Maryland that emphasizes education, opportunity, and scholarship with the youth.

Lydia Simmons, Member at Large

Talib Jamal Watson, Member

Talib Jamal Watson is a Former Head Coach of the Watson Jaguars Boys Travel Basketball Team. As Head Coach, his team won 3 Basketball Championships. Currently employed by Leidos IT Company. Talib is married to his beautiful wife of 30 years Michelle Watson and they have 2 adult sons, Teon and Tajuan Watson both sons participate in the Jaguars Travel Team. Watson’s Jaguars’ mission was to teach, educate and offer middle school boys the opportunity to learn the fundamental skills of basketball while fostering an atmosphere promoting faith, academic success, character-building, hard work, discipline, and healthy life choices are intertwined with achieving or excelling in life.

Alonzo Barber, Member

Alonzo Barber is Assistant General Counsel at Microsoft supporting the North America Enterprise Commercial business.  His tenure at Microsoft includes a three-year stint in Redmond supporting various engineering product groups including Windows Apps, IOT and HoloLens.  Before joining Microsoft in 2013, Alonzo held the position of Senior Counsel at Viacom/BET Networks in Washington, DC.  After receiving his commission from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1997, Alonzo spent 7 years serving as a submarine officer certified in all aspects of nuclear-powered submarines including five strategic patrols aboard the USS Florida (SSBN 728).  He also worked as an Admissions Officer at the Naval Academy until his separation from the military in 2004.

Alonzo earned his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center and holds a master’s in engineering management from Old Dominion University. He is certified to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark office and is a member of the Governance Committee of the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association.  An avid, sports fan, Alonzo spends his much of his free time coaching one of his children in a variety of sports or working on lowering his exceptionally high golf handicap.