Earica has created a foundation to support her numerous charitable activities
under one umbrella, J. Alexander's Foundation, Inc.
This foundation honors the legacy of her late father, Jerome Alexander, and continues to support children and families in underserved areas across the country. It has always been Earica’s passion to aid others and this foundation is her way to do just that.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The selection process for the Foundation Board of Directors comprised of electing members who are influential in the community; who have the potential of soliciting financial contributions for the benefit of families in need; who are well connected with other members of their communities who have the potential to support the organization; who are willing to assist the organization; and who have appropriate social skills and can encourage others to be involved with and supportive of the organization’s mission, programs and goals.
Serving on the Board of Directors for J. Alexander's Foundation, LLC is strictly a volunteer position. Board members receive no financial compensation for their participation either from Earica or from any of the foundation proceeds or endowments.
Earica Cole
Founder and President
Earica holds the highest rank within a well-known, multi-level sales and marketing company. In 2020, she was introduced to the world as a seven-figure earner and vowed to do more for children in need. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she launched ‘Kids are Counting on Us,’ a Math Tutoring program developed to assist elementary through middle-school children affected by pandemic-related school closures. The program relies on the assistance of certified teachers to provide their time, expertise, and resources for a very worthy and much needed Math Tutoring Facebook Group – provided free of charge to all participants.
Because of the financial success and opportunities afforded to her, Earica has decided to concentrate her financial resources to developing several other philanthropic projects. By establishing J. Alexander’s Foundation, LLC, she is able to assist children and young adults from underserved communities and children who have been diagnosed with Sickle Cell. "Our main priorities are providing funding for programs that support educational, social, and charitable activities that benefit underserved communities and those in general need", said Cole, when asked for a brief explanation of her mission and expectations of her foundation.
Maleika Lawson
Board Member
Maleika was born in Gainesville, FL and is a product of Duval County Public Schools. As an educator for 19 years, Maleika has served as a Teacher, Reading Specialist, Literacy Instructional Coach, and now currently serves as an Elementary Assistant Principal.
Maleika began her career in 2001, in Jacksonville, FL. After 13 successful years in the Duval County Public Schools, her family relocated to the DC Metro area, where she became a Reading Specialist for District of Columbia Public Schools. After five years with DCPS, Maleika was promoted to Assistant Principal, where she oversees the literacy and special education departments. Maleika is passionate about data-driven instruction and improving the achievement of struggling readers.
Maleika received her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Jacksonville University, and her Master’s degree in Reading Education from Nova Southeastern University.
Eara was born and raised in the panhandle of Florida during an era of segregation. She was raised by a Church of God in Christ Founder and Pastor, former Navy veteran and sharecropper father and a stay-at-home mother. Eara is the 12th of 18 children. Eara is the mother of Earica Cole. She was married to Jerome Alexander 23 years until his passing. Eara has two biological daughters and one son (deceased), but God gave her a heart to raise and nurture several young women as a ministry. Eara often had foster girls and helped raise three of her goddaughters.
Eara was the first African-American Officer for Florida National Bank in Jacksonville, FL. She has owned several businesses across the State of Florida. She is a licensed minister and serves as the CFO to Eara's Girls Media Group, LLC.
Eara Simpson
Treasurer
Kathy was born and raised in Vero Beach, FL. She graduated with a B.S. degree in Business Administration from Bethune Cookman College. It was there that she became a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
Kathy retired as an Analyst with Ally Financial after 35 years. She is currently the Operating Manager of Earica Cole, LLC and $5 Bling Bosses, LLC. She is also the Chief Operating Officer of Eara's Girls Media Group, LLC. Kathy owns and manages a very successful jewelry business. Kathy is a wife, mother of three, bonus mother of two, and grandmother of eight.
Kathy Levine
Secretary
Joedrecka S. Brown Speights,
MD, FAAFP
Board Member
Joedrecka is a Professor and Chair at Family Medicine and Rural Health, Florida State University College of Medicine. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians and fellowship-trained in maternal child health (MCH). Her experience includes medical director of a National Community Center of Excellence in Women’s Health, Office of Women’s Health, Department of Health and Human Services, where she enjoyed full scope Family Medicine, including operative obstetrics and global health.
She is an Atlantic Fellow for Health Equity through the Atlantic Institute and George Washington University. Her primary practice location is FSU Primary Health, Tallahassee, Florida. She and her husband, Gregory, co-Pastor University Ministries International in Tallahassee. She is the founder of JBS Ministries, the Edna S. Brown Foundation, and the Dr. Jo Show, which focuses on holistic health, education, empowerment, philanthropy and helping people traverse crises successfully. She is actively involved in service locally, regionally, and wellness and equity promotion nationally and internationally. Her interests include promotion of MCH equity especially through clinical care, community-engaged research, education, and empowerment of women and girls; wellness promotion and excellent living; spreading the love of Christ; exploring food and culture; physical activity and outdoor adventures; traveling (pre-covid); and spending time with Gregory, family and friends.
Besides serving on the board of J. Alexander’s Foundation, LLC, she also participates in board activities for the following:
-Tallahasse Memorial HealthCare Board of Directors
-Capital Medical Society Foundation Board
-Moffitt Cancer Center Board of Directors
-Senior Fellow Advisory Board, Atlantic Fellows for Health Equity, GW
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Vera McNeil was born in Panama City, Florida to the late Reverend Zed E. Brown and Lady Dazie Brown.
Vera McNeil has held executive level human resources positions in the cable industry for over 25 years. She retired from Corporate America on April 20, 2018 and celebrated 40 years of service.
Vera earned a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of South Florida. She has earned credit hours toward her Master’s degree and also holds an inactive Florida Real Estate Sales License.
In her spare time she spends time mentoring young women in the areas of business, career development and family as a priority. She enjoys lifting people up and encouraging them to be all that they were created to be and do. Since retirement she spends her free time with her grandbabies, traveling, and managing her Real Estate Investment properties.
Vera McNeil
Board Member
Karen is the owner and managing operator of The Corner House Bed & Breakfast in Nicholasville, KY. She is also the CEO of Pedigo Investment Company, a property investment company and the Founder of The Elier Vela Foundation, a non-profit organization to support military troops.
Additionally, Karen owns Give Me The Bling Paparazzi Jewelry, and in her spare time she loves to hand quilt and sew.
Karen Pedigo
Board Member
Keyona , MPH, is Sr. Director of Health Equity and Access and Sr. Director of the Socioeconomic Status (SES) portfolio of the American Psychological Association. She is responsible for directing, overseeing, facilitating and promoting psychology's contribution to 1) advancing health equity and access; and 2) the understanding of SES and the lives and well-being of low-income and economically disadvantaged populations. As such, Ms. King-Tsikata works to develop and facilitate relationships and activities to advance psychology as a major force in research, education, policy and advocacy related to Health Equity and SES. She received her B.S. in Health Science from the University of Florida and her MPH from University of South Carolina’s Arnold School of Public Health.
Keyona King-Tsikata
Board Member
Janel Williams
Board Member
Janel, a wife and mother of three sons, has been an active contributor within her community for well over 20 years. Becoming a member of the railroad industry in 1997, Janel was able to use her career platform to fulfill her passion for community service in various roles. In 2002, Janel became an active member of CSX’s African American Inclusion Group (AAIG), where she served on various committees that serviced projects that celebrated diversity and community service. In 2012, Janel served as President of AAIG and led various community service initiatives that included serving with United Way, Clara White Mission, Ronald McDonald House, Sickle Cell Foundation, Salvation Army Food Drive and Salvation Army Toy Drive.
Janel coordinated volunteer efforts at Hubbard House, where the team was specifically responsible for career development projects for the women at the center. When she left her railroad career to pursue her career as an entrepreneur, she was able to build relationships with Meals on Wheels where she currently serves annually alongside her family. Janel also facilitates food drives and care packages for the homeless with the support of her church family. Janel continues to demonstrate her passion for serving others and continues to seek opportunities where she can utilize her leadership skills and servant heart to the fullest. Janel is a firm believer in the “Pay It Forward” motto and believes that if you help one, you inadvertently help many.