Meet the Newest 20 Members of 4.0’s 2023 Angel Syndicate
We are excited to announce the 20 new members of 4.0’s 2023 Angel Syndicate! This cohort is composed of teachers, CEOs, entrepreneurs, researchers, and other leaders who will be funding the future of education together without restrictions. Over the next 3 months, these individuals will build skills and power to impact communities as education philanthropists.
About The Angel Syndicate:
The majority of philanthropic capital — $890B — is tied up in Wall Street. Less than $6B is deployed in K-12 education every year by foundations. We want to change that.
In 2020, inspired by the potential of shifting power and pooling funds to garner influence and address racial inequities in giving, 4.0 launched the Angel Syndicate to further the decentralization and democratization of philanthropy in the philanthropic education ecosystem.
The Angel Syndicate organizes people in more places to see themselves as philanthropists, pool their funds, and fund the future of education together without restrictions. The program pushes participants to reimagine and reclaim philanthropy in order to build a sustainable ecosystem that has a seat at the table for everyone.
Meet the 20 Change Makers Reimagining Education Philanthropy:
Aireane Montgomery | Atlanta, Georgia
About Aireane Montgomery: Aireane Montgomery is the founder, President, and CEO of Georgia Educators for Equity and Justice Inc., a nonprofit devoted to the liberation and belonging of Black educators and students across the State of Georgia. Aireane is dedicated to modeling education and advocacy that centers Black educators and students, therefore dismantling inequitable systems of teaching and learning.
Why they joined the Angel Syndicate: “I joined Angel Syndicate because I understand the importance of receiving unrestricted funding from sources that are grounded in Black liberation and love. Black businesses deserve an equitable shot at receiving the funds necessary to scale and provide the necessary impact for diverse Black stakeholders.”
Christopher C. King, MPA, MBA | Greenbelt, Maryland
About Christopher C. King, MPA, MBA: Christopher C. King, MPA, MBA is a venture partner, activist entrepreneur, professor, and author recognized by Black Enterprise, Village Capital, the National Institute of Health for impact and innovation achievements. The collection of this work led him to launch Theo Advisors and Theo Wealth to both invest in and directly support diverse founders. He has led angel rounds in a growing portfolio dating back to his first investment in 2020.
On his projects in philanthropy, he supported political and advocacy research for the City Fund and the campaign for systems of great schools. He is also the principal and founder at We Are Marcus (WAM), an education technology venture which creates scalable character analytics for students of color to affect suspension rates and substance abuse disorders. The company was founded in 2016. As the work continued, WAM re-launched WAM Academy in 2021 to build upon early successes.
Why they joined the Angel Syndicate: “1) To diversify and disrupt philanthropy. 2) support and invest in black education entrepreneurs.”
Cornelius Finley | Dallas, Texas
About Cornelius Finley: As a trained lawyer, a Fulbright scholar, U.S. Speaker expert, and co-founder of the U.S. Alumni Ambassador Program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Cornelius founded and created Access Unlimited. AU was birthed based on need and extreme frustration. AU does turn-around work, in partnership with NYCDOE and DallasISD, having currently 17 schools in its portfolio of successful turn-around institutions.That led to establishing a Comprehensive Management Organization, and developing its independent private and charter schools in New Orleans (private), Atlanta, and Dallas (charters).
Why they joined the Angel Syndicate: “I am a Tiny Alum (‘22). I started AU in 2017. The journey has been great, yet filled with much rejection that led to a true sense of humility. I understand that when one has a dream, a goal, and a duty to fight against any ism that seeks to destroy the livelihood of our most vulnerable populations one needs help, assistance and guidance. My journey has been a mixture of isolation, uplift, bliss, hell, and indifference. I want to lessen the isolation and ensure that one does not lose one’s dream due to lack of resources, guidance, and mentorship.”
DeMar Pitman | Florida
About DeMar Pitman: DeMar Pitman is an accomplished educator and technology leader with a background as a restorative justice coordinator at Title 1 schools for over 5 years. He is also a proud Army veteran and fellow of Echoing Green and The Roddenberry Foundation. DeMar established Discriminology and CypherDAO to empower Black and Brown communities, with Discriminology providing digital spaces for storytelling and coalition building around education data and CypherDAO making strategic investments in Black and Brown NFT creatives with the goal of supporting the digital creator renaissance and promoting equity in Web3.
Why they joined the Angel Syndicate: “As a devoted advocate for equity and justice, I, DeMar Pitman, found myself naturally drawn to the Angel Syndicate — a program that seeks to empower Black leaders as education philanthropists. Throughout my life, I have observed the pernicious effects of racial disparities in education, which has fueled my desire to create a just world for all. This led to the establishment of Discriminology and CypherDAO, organizations that embody my commitment to fostering educational equity and uplifting underrepresented digital creators. Joining the Angel Syndicate signifies my unwavering dedication to engendering positive change for Black and Brown communities.
The Angel Syndicate offers an opportunity for collaboration and synergy with individuals who share a common vision of dismantling the racial funding gap in education. By participating in this program, I affirm my dedication to confronting systemic barriers in philanthropy and education, all while embracing the power of collective action.
Through my involvement, I aspire to contribute to the creation of a more inclusive, democratic, and accountable model of education philanthropy — one that brings tangible, transformative change to marginalized communities. It is my belief that my expertise and passion will serve to further the Angel Syndicate’s noble pursuit of shifting power structures and promoting lasting social change — a testament to the power of unity and shared purpose.”
Evetty Satterfield | St. Louis , Missouri
About Evetty Satterfield: Evetty is the CEO at Advancing Lives, a DEIB leadership and culture education firm and concurrently serves as the Director of Community, Culture, and Strategy at Forsyth School. Previously, Evetty has served as an Ella Baker Trainer at the Children’s Defense Fund, and as Director of Student Services at the Manor Hall International School in Abu Dhabi. She is a Founding Corps Member of City Year Denver and East Tennessee Freedom School. In 2022, Evetty concluded a four-year term on the Knox County School Board. She’s a graduate of Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University and Washington University in St. Louis.
Why they joined the Angel Syndicate: “To learn the philanthropy game!”
Jasmine Alves | San Francisco, California
About Jasmine Alves: Jasmine Alves is a startup and venture capital attorney based in San Francisco. Jasmine started her career as a middle school science teacher with Teach for America in 2013. She taught for three years in Newark, New Jersey, where she utilized technology and innovative apps to engage students and drive learning outcomes. As an attorney, Jasmine supports companies and venture capital funds in the technology ecosystem from formation to exit. Jasmine is looking forward to supporting the mission of the Angel Syndicate to drive educational outcomes forward.
Why they joined the Angel Syndicate: “I joined the Angel Syndicate so that I would be able to gain skills, build relationships, and contribute capital to support initiatives that will drive education outcomes for people that come from communities that are similar to the community where I grew up and taught. Educational inequity is a problem of capital and resources, and I believe that the Angel Syndicate can play a role in helping close the education and resource gap for Black and Brown students.”
Jasmine Fryer | Cleveland, Ohio
About Jasmine Fryer: Jasmine Fryer is an education non-profit leader from Cleveland, Ohio. Throughout her career, she has focused on supporting educators and education leaders at the school and system levels. She is currently Chief Strategy Officer at BES (build. excel. sustain.) Previously, Jasmine worked at Chiefs for Change, the New York State Department of Education, and the Nellie Mae Education Foundation. She was a Fulbright Scholar and has worked, lived, and volunteered in Thailand, China, Morocco, Jordan, and Israel. Jasmine began her career as a middle school teacher and Teach For America Corps Member in New York.
Why they joined the Angel Syndicate: “I joined the Angel Syndicate for the opportunity to join a community of leaders from across the country, build skills together as committed education philanthropists, and co-invest in early-stage ventures that meet the needs of their communities.”
La’Brea Pringle | Raleigh, North Carolina
About La’Brea Pringle: La’Brea Pringle is a multi-hyphenate, anti-racist educator, curriculum designer, and doctoral candidate from Mount Vernon, New York. She has worked in K-12 education spaces for the last 9 years, and has recently transitioned to higher education. La’Brea founded The R.I.C.H. Academy — — a dream incubation firm for Black educators, creatives, and “edu-preneurs” to access tools around decolonizing learning and wealth in order to live in and on purpose.
Why they joined the Angel Syndicate: “I joined the Angel Syndicate because I am passionate about using my energy, power, and resources to help move folks towards liberation.”
LaTonya Turner | Zionsville, Indiana
About LaTonya Turner: Dr. LaTonya Turner is a former principal, counselor, and teacher; she is a highly sought-after educator who expertly trains educators to be high-performing leaders in K-12 and higher education systems. As a champion for diverse students, Dr. Turner continuously seeks ways to ensure all children, regardless of gender, race, or socioeconomic standing, have ample opportunity to maximize their potential. Turner’s advocacy is regularly expressed through institutional consulting, leadership coaching, and workshops for students, parents, and educators.
Why they joined the Angel Syndicate: “Too often, I have found that grant funders don’t look like me or give to those who look like me. I want to change the narrative, and being a part of a collective with the same mindset is empowering.”
Malika J.H. Graham-Bailey | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
About Malika J.H. Graham-Bailey: Malika serves as VP of Program for Summer Search, which empowers young people to discover their purpose and critical consciousness through 7+ years of professional mentoring and resource-bridging. She drives overall program strategy and performance, developing systems and leading innovation designed to deepen impact. Prior to Summer Search, Malika led National Operations for the Talent Identification Program and is deeply proud of her work in Chicago, helping scale efforts as a KIPP Board member and a Director of Programs at Youth Guidance, the parent organization of Becoming A Man (BAM)™. As a member of the Illinois Bar, Malika volunteers as Guardian Ad Litem for foster youth dually-involved with justice. She builds capacity and impact as an Executive Trainer for the woman-founded firm Raise for Good; and protects Black and Brown Genius as a member of the Village of Wisdom Board of Directors. She’s excited to redefine Black and Brown giving with her 4.0 Cohort and uplift models of cooperative economics in our social entrepreneurship communities.
Megan Lowe, PharmD | Cordova, Tennessee
About Megan Lowe, PharmD: Dr. Megan Lowe works as a Clinical Liaison in the hospice and palliative care sectors. She is also a Pharmacy Lecturer, Pharmacy Technician Instructor, and COVID-19 Vaccinator. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Jackson State University. She went on to complete a Doctor of Pharmacy degree at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, where she also received a post-doctoral teaching certification. As a servant-leader, she has served as a medical missionary in Africa and a teacher in Israel. She is a 4.0 Essentials Fellow and Atlantik-Brucke New Bridge Program Fellow. Dr. Lowe is a member of Philanthropic Educational Organization and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. She is the STEM Chair for her branch’s NAACP ACT-SO. She presently serves on the Board of Directors for Global Ministries/Division of Overseas Ministries of the Christian Church. Her most recent project has a mission to impact the next generation of young leaders through educational equity. Dr. Lowe is the Founder of the Rev. Barbara A. Lowe Pursuit of Purpose Scholarship Endowment that provides scholarships to students in the United Methodist Church. She serves in numerous other capacities throughout her community locally, regionally, and nationally.
Why they joined the Angel Syndicate: “I joined the Angel Syndicate because I desire to continue bridging gaps and building bridges in education through philanthropy. My philanthropic journey started in 2018 when I founded the Rev. Barbara A. Lowe Pursuit of Purpose Scholarship Endowment. In 2019, I was a 4.0 Essentials Fellow. The organization deeply invested in my journey towards educational equity. Joining the Angel Syndicate is a fantastic way to pay it forward, and I look forward to the journey!”
Mike Woodward | New Orleans, Louisiana
About Mike Woodward: Mike currently serves as a Regional Program Officer (U.S. South) at the Schott Foundation for Public Education. In this role, he works closely with grantees and external stakeholders to cultivate and support effective campaigns focused on building systems to provide all students an opportunity to learn and thrive. Mike comes to the Schott Foundation from College Track where he served as the Site Director and the Regional Executive Director in New Orleans, and most recently the Chief Program Officer nationally. Based in New Orleans, Louisiana, Mike is a self-proclaimed foodie and enjoys playing basketball, tennis, and chess.
Why they joined the Angel Syndicate: “As a first-generation college graduate who journeyed from small-town Virginia to Stanford University nineteen years ago, I realize that my trajectory was possible as a result of both my effort and others’ philanthropic support. Since graduating I have prioritized paying back the time and talent invested in me by those who preceded me by paying it forward to those who succeed me through my career in education. While serving as the Executive Director of College Track New Orleans I quickly realized that too often Black leaders are beholden to the funding priorities of their affluent White donors. That experience led me to join the Schott Foundation for Public Education as the Program Officer for the U.S. South and excited me about the 4.0 Angel Syndicate.
After spending the past fifteen years giving mostly of my time and talent to causes about which I am deeply passionate, I am now thrilled at the opportunity to join the Black Angel Syndicate to give of my treasure to increase the likelihood that others’ efforts are matched with philanthropic support, similar to how mine have been for the past nineteen years.”
Morgan Williams | Lehi, Utah
About Morgan Williams: Morgan Williams is CEO of Blendyd Studios, Inc. a software firm bringing solutions to recruiting in the trucking industry. Blendyd Studios is an evolution of EverWoke Inc. where Morgan served as CEO after her late twin brother passed away.
From published genomics researcher, to science teacher, to merchandising analysts, and national education reinvention leader, Morgan’s 12 year career has been grounded in disrupting conventional troupes in conservative industries.
Morgan, a philanthropist, speaker, and author, holds a B.A. from Spelman College, M. Ed. from University of St. Thomas-Houston, and will graduate May 2023 with an MBC from the University of Utah.
Why they joined the Angel Syndicate: “Inspired by Ibram X. Kendi’s quote, ‘Freedom was not the power to make choices; freedom was the power to create choices.’ I want to support those who are creating choices to reinvent education to have the freedom to do so.”
Nyesha Trusty | Houston, Texas
About Nyesha Trusty: Nye believes that Freedom lives at the intersection of radical imagination and ancestral knowing, and that philanthropy is the root of Revolution. Grounded in these truths, she cultivates spaces of healing, belonging, and affirmation by coaching humans toward recognizing and appreciating their unique gifts. Her own gifts as a Poet, Kemetic Yoga Instructor, and Spiritual Life Coach are the cornerstone of her role as Chief Visionary Officer of The Tithe Well, a suite of holistic wellness offerings to help educators fill, and feel, well. She currently lives in Houston with her wife and two dogs.
Why they joined the Angel Syndicate: “I believe that philanthropy is the root of Revolution. In order to bring about a world where we are all free, we must each reach into our temple of treasures, talents, and time- and give. The Angel Syndicate provides a space to give with intention and strategy.”
Olivia Nelson | Atlanta, Georgia
About Olivia Nelson: Olivia Nelson is a multi-hyphenate with a deep passion for dreaming up and building the equity-based education of the future. Whether through her service on a K-8 school board in NYC or her work consulting for early stage edtech startups, Olivia helps education practitioners to engage in human-centered design that lifts up the voices and experiences of historically under-resourced and minority groups. She is excited to be in community with other dreamers and doers.
Why they joined the Angel Syndicate: “I have always been on the receiving side of the money table and have noticed that oftentimes the folks on the giving side don’t look like me or any of the communities they serve. I am eager to engage in a more community-based giving praxis alongside other Black people with a variety of personal and professional experiences.”
Sandra Ajimotokin | Decatur, Georgia
About Sandra Ajimotokin: Sandra Ajimotokin is the CFO and Treasurer of Georgia Educators for Equity and Justice Inc. She brings financial management and operational experience from the private and public sector, with a focus on developing policies and procedures to improve performance and productivity. She has a passion for creating equitable environments for young students to become multi-talented and multi-faceted individuals. She hopes to facilitate the development of skills taught outside of the classroom such as personal finances and development, technology, visual and liberal arts, and more.
Why they joined the Angel Syndicate: “It’s been my life long dream to be able to help people achieve their dreams. I’ve made it out of the trenches and I want to help pull everyone else out with me. I finally have enough income to support my lifestyle with extra left over. I want to be extremely intentional and diligent with how I spend the extra funds I have. It must align with my dream. I believe this is the perfect program, especially since the children are the future and their current environment lacks the fundamental resources for them to grow their wings and fly. I believe the Black Angel Syndicate will produce solutions to this problem and I want to align my time, energy and resources to help ensure this is the case.”
Selamawit Gebre | Denver, Colorado
About Selamawit Gebre: Selamawit’s work is rooted in education as a practice of freedom and self-determination. Her work seeks to design spaces and systems that center equity-centered pedagogies. She is currently the Director of Strategic Initiatives and Impact at RESCHOOL, an organization seeking to ensure that the learning that happens everywhere is equitable to all young people. She also currently serves on the Board of the Chinook Fund, an organization that mobilizes resources around BIPOC-led social justice initiatives across Colorado. Selamawit received her Bachelor’s degree from Cornell University and is currently enrolled in the University of Pennsylvania’s Executive Program for Social Innovation Design.
Why they joined the Angel Syndicate: “I joined the Angel Syndicate to work alongside a community of Black leaders from across the nation who are exploring visions of collective power through pooling monetary resources and strategically investing in Black-led education ventures in service of designing a more equitable and just society.”
Shaella Freeman | Huntsville, Alabama
About Shaella Freeman: Shaella Freeman is an educator residing in Huntsville, Alabama. She started her teaching career in upper elementary and quickly recognized the impact of behavior and discipline on the teacher and classroom environment. As a result, she pursued a master’s degree in Emotional Behavioral Disorders and obtained certification as a Behavior Change Specialist.
Today , Shaella is the CEO of a professional development program aimed to support educators frustrated with discipline and unaware of strategies that fuel oppression. When Shaella is not working, she is at the gym lifting a new PR or on facetime with her 8-month old nephew.
Why they joined the Angel Syndicate: “I joined the Angel Syndicate because I’m currently in a season of unlearning and learning about biases and patterns I have within my work to reimagine education. During my 4.0 Essentials experience, I unpacked and unlearned concepts and thoughts about behavior and “classroom management”. After that experience, I started a business and as I define and redefine my role and opportunities in the community, I know the Angel Syndicate will provide an experience to aid in this process.”
Stas Schmiedt | Denver, Colorado
About Stas Schmiedt: Stas Schmiedt (they/them) is an abolitionist nonbinary BlaQ storyteller, organizer, healer, and imaginatrix rooted in Denver, Colorado. In 2013, Stas co-founded Spring Up, a collective of facilitators, artists, coaches, and care workers who practice and teach the liberatory arts. Spring Up (timetospringup.org) cultivates a culture of consent and liberty for all through storytelling, transformative justice and popular education.
Why they joined the Angel Syndicate: “I want to change the landscape of philanthropy and be part of a community of Black educators and innovators.”
Victoria Joseph | Fort Lauderdale, FL
About Victoria Joseph: Known for her tireless work ethic, Victoria Joseph learned at an early age that a better life for Haitians can start with just one. As the first student at The New Victorian School, a school founded by her parents who were educators, she learned the discipline of music and the importance of education. Now, more than 30 years later, more than 6,000 students’ lives have changed thanks to their education at The New Victorian School. She looks forward to continuing her family’s legacies for generations to come.
Why they joined the Angel Syndicate: I joined the Angel Syndicate to be amongst liked-minded education philanthropists who are working together to make change.
