Michael Kelly is the Manager of Kelly Consulting Alliance, a Phoenix-based firm specializing in economic development advocacy, management, public relations, marketing consultation, and power networking. He has a distinguished history in public service, including a pivotal role as Senior Policy Advisor for former Phoenix Mayor Skip Rimsza, contributing to downtown Phoenix’s economic revitalization. 

Kelly’s extensive volunteer work includes leadership positions on numerous boards and commissions, notably a 14-year tenure with the Arizona Community Foundation (ACF), where he co-founded the Black Philanthropy Initiative. He currently chairs the Ellis Center for Education Excellence at ACF and serves as President & CEO of The Leadership Consortium (TLC), advocating for educational programs and initiatives. 

TLC, a non-profit, historically provided scholarships to low-income and special needs children to attend private K-12 schools. For more than a decade, the non-profit has sponsored the Arizona Delegation to the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference held annually in Washington, D.C. 

A member of Valley Leadership Class XXI, Kelly holds a Master of Arts in Teaching and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Pittsburgh, as well as an Associate Degree in Social Work from Allegheny Community College. His diverse career also spans radio broadcasting, voice-over work, and television, earning national awards as a local music video program producer. 

Michael and his wife Vera have 3 adult children, Moise, Orisha, and Vaughn. And 5 grandchildren, Keairra, Licensed Cosmetologist, NC, Natalia, a student at the University of Arizona Barrett’s Honors College, Elon, Southern University, Baton Rouge, Caitlyn, Elementary School Honor Roll, and Christian, Brilliant 1st Grader! 

Bertrand Russell, Jr. Attorney at Law, is the founder and Senior Pastor of Fountain of Life House of Worship, a multigenerational and community-based church located at the base of South Mountain in Phoenix, Arizona. Fountain of Life was organized in 2003 and truly is “A Place Where Everyone is Loved.” The church has been blessed with many ministries to serve the community, including a private Christian school, and Fountain of Life is in the planning stages of building an affordable senior housing facility, along with a community life center and gym. 

A native of Phoenix, Arizona, Bishop Russell acknowledged at an early age the gifts and talents God had given him and his desire was to use them for Kingdom expansion. He served as Minister of Music for many years and served in numerous other capacities of ministry with a servant’s heart. Bishop Russell is an entrepreneur, and a bio-vocational pastor with a weekly television ministry in Phoenix, Arizona. He is the District Leader for the State of Arizona, Global United Fellowship under the leadership of Bishop Neil C. Ellis, Presiding Prelate. In July 2018, he was elevated to the office of Bishop under the leadership of Bishop Neil C. Ellis, Global United Fellowship. 

Bishop Russell was educated in Phoenix and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, Cum Laude, and a Juris Doctor Degree from Arizona State University. A practicing attorney for over 28 years, he is also the Founder of “The Law Offices of Bertrand Russell, Jr.” 

In 1982, Bishop Russell married his wife of over 36 years, Jeannette. They are the parents of two children, Maya and Kye, and their daughter-in-law Alicia, who all reside in Phoenix. They have two beautiful grandchildren, Aaliyah and Amir. Together the family serves in ministry at Fountain of Life with a mission to love God passionately and people patiently. 

Sonya Pearson, Ph.D., J.D. CEO, NuSerenity Wellness with advanced degrees in Law and Psychology and extensive experience in grant writing, entrepreneurship, and consulting. Her career is marked by nearly three decades of impactful leadership and strategic partnerships across the non-profit, education, and healthcare sectors. 

Dr. Pearson’s dedication to Equality, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (EDIB) is reflected in her roles with organizations like the Mesa United Food Bank, A New Leaf, and the Special Olympics, supporting marginalized communities and fostering civic engagement. Her journey began at Tulsa Regional Hospital as a Psychology Technician and at Rogers State College as a Counselor, forming a strong foundation in healthcare and counseling. 

Sonya founded NuSerenity, a Weight Loss and IV Therapy Medical Spa, pioneering telehealth and mobile services to improve healthcare accessibility. Dr. Pearson established a campus medical center at Crowder College, showcasing my leadership and innovation in healthcare services. 

As Vice President for the College of Southern Nevada (CSN) West Charleston region, she managed a $3 million budget and led a team of healthcare professionals, spear-heading partnerships to support a variety of health sciences programs. A highlight of her work is forging a strategic partnership with the United States Public Health Service (USPHS) to create sustainable, debt-free healthcare education pathways, directly addressing the pressing issue of student debt. 

This collaboration aims to support nearly 4,000 health sciences students, providing financial relief and hands-on healthcare experiences through tuition subsidies and accelerated academic programs. Throughout her career, she has cultivated partnerships with organizations such as Goodwill, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Urban League, and the NAACP, increasing resources and access to education. These collaborations align with the Arizona Congressional Black Caucus’s mission to enhance community engagement and teach marginalized populations. 

Jerry J. McPherson is an economic activist, community leader, and passionate advocate for underrepresented communities. Known for his commitment to social equity, Jerry’s career spans entrepreneurship, corporate, and non-profit sectors, where he has consistently championed empowerment and economic advancement. 

As the Executive Director of the Arizona Commission of African-American Affairs (AZCAAA), Jerry leads statewide initiatives aimed at promoting social, economic, and cultural growth for African Americans in Arizona. In this role, he oversees the implementation of strategic plans, collaborating with state agencies, community leaders, and policymakers to drive meaningful change across the state. 

Alongside his role at AZCAAA, Jerry is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and serves as the Managing Partner of The Mathias Group, a boutique public accounting firm. The Mathias Group specializes in nonprofit accounting, business acquisition consulting, and tax debt resolution, providing crucial financial guidance to both individuals and businesses. 

Jerry’s impact in the nonprofit sector is substantial. Previously, he served as Managing Director of Per Scholas Phoenix, where he forged strategic partnerships to support the mission of preparing underrepresented individuals for technology careers. As Director of Economic Empowerment for the Greater Phoenix Urban League, Jerry oversaw workforce development programs and the Entrepreneurship Center, equipping small businesses with vital resources for growth. 

An active community leader, Jerry has served on numerous boards, including the Greater Phoenix Urban League, Better Ballot Arizona, and the Pacific Southwest Minority Supplier Development Council. He is also a member of Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego’s African-American Advisory Council. A strong proponent of mentorship, Jerry co-founded YP CoNEXT @ ASU, which partners Arizona State University students with young professionals to foster leadership, life skills, and community engagement, supporting the transition from college to professional life. 

Jerry’s leadership has earned him accolades such as “40 Under 40” by both the *Phoenix Business Journal* and *CPA Practice Advisor*. He was recently honored with the 2025 MLK Living The Dream Award by the City of Phoenix. 

A U.S. Army National Guard veteran, Jerry holds a Bachelor’s in Accounting from Virginia State University, an HBCU, and a Certificate in Executive Leadership from Cornell University. He is also a graduate of the Flinn-Brown Fellowship and the National Urban League’s Emerging Leaders program through Duke University.