Meet The Team
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Alvin Allen
Chair
Alvin Allen, has 18 years of experience in the field of education. During his earlier educational travels, he was a middle school and high school teacher, a STEAM coordinator, and district math consultant. Currently, he serves as a Career and Technology Education Consultant for a school district in Columbia, SC. Other notable achievements of Alvin are his degree in Educational Technology from Webster University, serving as teacher of the year twice during his career, and recipient of the Instructional Technology Spotlight Award. Also, he had a 100% passing rate on the South Carolina Algebra 1 EOC for 7 years at three different inner city schools.
In his spare time, Alvin has self-published a trilogy of books Capers Middle School, Capers Middle School II: The Saga Continues, and Capers Middle School III: Life Is Not a Fairytale. The trilogy focuses on building relationships with students and the pressures students are faced with in school. He is also the cofounder of an educational consulting company called iLEGACY (Integrating and Leading Educators in Grooming and Cultivating Youth). Alvin feels that all students deserve the opportunity to learn. He goes by the motto, “Hardwork is the Key to Success!!!!”
Alva White
Secretary
“Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.” ~ Helen Keller ~.
Greetings, I am Alva White with 24 years of experience in the field of education. I have dedicated my career in education as a middle school teacher, curriculum resource teacher, and district math consultant. I have a BS in Mathematics from Benedict College, a Masters of Education in Divergent Learning from Columbia College, and experience with overseeing a youth program for girls, the Betty Shabazz Delta Academy Program, for the Columbia (SC) Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. I serve the mathematics education profession as an officer and board member for SCCTM (South Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics) and SCLME (South Carolina Leaders of Mathematics Education). Additionally, I was the 2019 recipient of the SCCTM Outstanding Contribution to Mathematics Education Award. As a mother of two, I look at every student as my very own. My love and passion is sharing my knowledge of math with others, students and teachers alike. I truly believe that “Knowledge is POWER.”
Johnny Deal
Program and Projects
Johnny is committed to enlightening the youth of all their future opportunities and helping them start identifying what they want to be tomorrow, they must start preparing for it today. Johnny currently works in the Data Analyst field with over 20 years of experience. Johnny also specializing in numerous computer software programs, with a background in video and audio production, editing and mastering with also over 20 years of experience. Johnny was born and spent his early childhood years in Queens, NY. He attended High School in Walterboro, SC and has lived the last 23 years in Columbia, SC.
Amiynah Haile
Sergeant
Arms
Amiynah Haile is a native of Nicaragua with ties in Panamá. She is married to Tony Haile and together they have five children. Amiynah received her undergraduate degree, a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Benedict College. Mrs. Haile earned a Master's Degree in Education from Cambridge College. She's a 31-year veteran educator of Richland One. Amiynah also taught Spanish for 29 years at St. John's Baptist Church Preschool. She's an active member of Word of God Church and Ministries. She enjoys traveling, learning, sewing, and helping people.
Carlos Thomas
Community
Liaison
The role of Community Liaison allows for Carlos to continue his dedication to forming strong bonds in the community. He has spent the last 10 years as a servant to the community through outreach such as: volunteering at Ngorili non-profit organizations and Caughman Park recreational centers, as well as becoming a mentor, which allows him to place emphasis on community and child development. The nonprofit Losology was birthed from Carlos’s passionate focus on his local community's quality of life and positive personal growth for children and adults alike. With the overstanding knowledge “It takes a village to raise a child”, Carlos is excited to become a part of the Building Legacies Team. He believes firmly, a thriving community is made of thriving individuals. He wants to assist every community possible to reach its full potential and joining with Building Legacies will be a catalyst to mold responsible productive individuals through mentorship and developmental programs. Thus, producing a strong foundation for communities to thrive. Carlos completed his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at Benedict College. He continued his education and holds Master of Arts degrees in Information Technology and Human Resource Management from Webster University.