Board Of Directors
Sherry Searcy
Executive Director
Sherry is a licensed real estate agent in the state of Michigan with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She is the founder and executive director of The Bryant Searcy Scholarship Foundation. She began her professional journey at the Department of Veteran Affairs, where she worked for eight years in various administrative roles. She then transitioned to Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, where she worked 23 years before pursuing real estate full-time.
During her tenure at Wayne State, she held multiple administrative positions, spending the last decade as a Business Manager. In this role, she managed a team of full-time and part-time student employees and supported the Facilities Management Department, including a Senior Director, three Directors, and eighteen project managers.
Currently, Sherry works with Keller Williams, one of the largest real estate brokerages in the United States. She assists buyers, sellers, and investors with real estate transactions and negotiations.
Beyond her professional life, Sherry is a dedicated member of her church, where she has been a part of the congregation for over 35 years and was recently ordained as a Deacon. She is also the proud mother of a 25-year-old daughter, and an aunt to ten nieces and nephews, and one great-niece. In her free time, Sherry enjoys working out, strength training, spending time with family, traveling, watching movies, and simply enjoying life.
Chasadie Searcy, the daughter of Bryant Searcy, was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. She graduated from North Farmington High School in 2017 and attended North Carolina Wesleyan University. There she earned a bachelor's degree in English and journalism in 2021.
She will be attending Shaw University in the fall to obtain her Master's of Divinity degree. Chasadie has a passion for serving at her local church, Word Tabernacle, as a youth investor and Director of Student discipleship
programming.
She also is very passionate about podcasting. She is the host of Chas' Corner of God's Green Earth podcast.
Chasadie Searcy
Executor
Pastor Lester E. Thomas is a native of Detroit and a graduate of the Detroit Public Schools (Cooley High). He currently serves as the West Campus Pastor of Third New Hope Baptist Church. A proud graduate of Fisk University, he is an advocate for HBCU’s and is a strong supporter of the UNCF.
He’s a referred federal law enforcement officer who is a servant leader and organizer in the community. He currently serves on the Crisis To Connection: An Imperative For Our Black Boys (The Children’s Center) and works with the Detroit Public Schools Community District. A proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. (Nu Omega Chapter).
Pastor Thomas has been married to his wife Renee for 30 years and they are the proud parents of three sons and two grandsons.
Pastor Lester E. Thomas
Chairman of the Board
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Harley M. Sherman is the sole shareholder of Harley M. Sherman, CPA, Inc. He has over 25 years of experience in accounting.
He services individual and small business clients in the medical, food service, not-for-profit, cannabis, real estate, governmental, and construction industries. Harley is a retired Adjunct Professor of Accounting and Income Tax at Oakland Community College.
In his spare time, Harley enjoys cooking, reading about military history, and refinishing wood furniture. A life-long resident of Southeast Michigan, he lives in Oak Park with his family, including One dog and a cat.
Harley Sherman
Treasurer
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Charise Conley is employed with the Third Judicial Circuit Court for over 30 years. She is a member of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Ecorse, Michigan, serving on New Membership Committee, and Women's Sunday school.
She has a certification in Etiquette and is the owner of Ms. Char's Charm Youth Etiquette. She is studying at WCCCD pursuing Associate of Arts degree.
She is the mother of two daughters, and she enjoys reading, home improvements, yoga, and roller skating.
Charise Conley
Secretary
Orlando T. Bogins is a strong advocate for educating our youth. As an alum of DPS, he has committed to break barriers that would be a stumbling block for educating our youth.
An educator for 28 years, Mr. Bogins has provided multiple life lessons that would shape our youth to being productive citizens. Currently, as Principal of University Middle and High School Academies, Southfield, MI, he has demonstrated that education must be aligned with a strong level of content knowledge, commitment to our community and compassion for every stakeholder.
Orlando T. Bogins
Scholarship Review Committee
Barbara Bates, Chief Operating Officer of Hedgesbeth Consultng LLC At Hedgesbeth Consultng LLC, we offer excellent Accounting and Finance support for Churches, Schools, Small Businesses and NonProfit Organizations.
I grew up in Ecorse Michigan and graduated from Ecorse Public Schools.I’m also a graduate of Rutgers University, where I earned a B.A. in Accounting and Walsh College, where I earned a MST Taxation.
I’m passionate about God, family, friends, commitments, tennis and exceeding expectations of my clients. When I’m not involved with my passions, you’ll find me enjoying my dogs, tennis, golfing, traveling and swimming.
Barbara Bates
Finance Committee
W. Pearl McCollough was born in Chicago, IIIinois and she attended Chicago Public Schools. She moved to Detroit in 1984.
She has a Masters of Science Degree in Counseling and is a licensed Professional Counselor. She is also an ordained Minister. a mother to one son and a grandmother of three
W. Pearl McCollough
Finance Committee
Cyderia Gates previously served as an Associate Minister at Third New Hope Baptist Church in Detroit.
She currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada, where she is a school-based Reading Specialist.
Cyderia Gates
Ex-Officio Member
Nikkiya Branch Penson
Attorney
Nikkiya Branch Penson, Esq. is a distinguished attorney, recognized for her expertise in litigation, strategy, innovation, and leadership. Presently, she serves as the Deputy General Counsel at the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department, where she offers her legal acumen as a litigator and policy advisor.
With over 14 years of experience in the field, Nikkiya's strength lies in her ability to deconstruct policy initiatives and work with stakeholders to prioritize policy objectives. Her visionary approach has been instrumental in developing and executing multiple local policies that have positively impacted the metro-Detroit area. Nikkiya values inclusivity and consistently devises innovative solutions that benefit everyone.
Nikkiya's legal expertise spans diverse disciplines, including real estate, employment, contracts, and personal injury. Her keen anticipation of her opponents' strategies gives her a tactical advantage as a litigator. When not engaged in legal work, Nikkiya pursues her passion for travel and mentors young professionals. She devotes herself to her community through her membership in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
