Dr. Sonji F. Daniel-Harold is an exemplary Educator , Administrator and Transformational Leader. She has assisted thousands of at-risk, historically disadvantaged students in Saint Louis, Missouri, as well as, wealthy, privileged students in Malibu, California to thrive, learn, grow and earn their accredited high school diplomas.

Many of the students under Dr. Harold’s mentorship have proceeded to become college students, technical school students, University graduates (such as Rutgers University, Carnegie Mellon University, Maryville University and Saint Louis University), members of the United States Air Force, the United States Army and West Point Academy, as well as, gainfully employed young adults and entrepreneurs. In addition, many of the young professionals she has mentored have grown in their profession and proceeded to achieve many accolades.

Dr. Harold has competed 3years of education in Seton Hall University's Registered Nursing program. She has also earned an Associate degree in Early Childhood Education; a Bachelor’s degree in Middle School Education-Mathematics; a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction and a Doctorate in Instructional Leadership. In addition, she has written her dissertation on ‘Improving the Academic Achievement of Students in Alternative Education Through the Implementation of the Resiliency Model’.

Dr. Harold has been nurturing and mentoring children, pre-teens and teenagers since she, herself, was a pre-teen. She has dedicated her life to the well-being and education of young people. After the tragic death of her seventeen-year old son, Sabree Marquis Daniel, she became even more determined to fulfill her God-given purpose of utilizing her gifts and talents to enrich the lives of children, teenagers and young adults, as well as victims of domestic violence.

Ms. Carlyse Appling is a distinguished professional, who has provided 25 years of unwavering service as a valuable United States government employee. She has enjoyed the past 12 years in sales as an independent contractor. In addition, Ms. Appling has nurtured and raised three successful college graduates, who are productive members of society. She is an avid reader, who enjoys culinary arts, documentaries and spending time with her two beautiful grandchildren.

Dr. Darrell E. Strong is a retired educational professional and current entrepreneur who believes in creating opportunities for growth and improvement for all. Dr. Strong’s 25-year career in education began in the Kansas City Missouri Public School District where he served as a middle school ROTC Instructor, health teacher and vice-principal. Dr. Strong was then hired by the Hazelwood School District and served as a Middle and High School Principal, Director of Alternative Education, Director of Secondary School Transformation and Assistant Superintendent Learning for Curriculum and Instruction and High School Programming.

Upon retirement, Dr. Strong opened successful logistics companies for both Amazon and FedEx with over 150 employees serving the greater St. Louis, Missouri area.

Dr. Strong enjoys time with his family, travel, fitness and mystery novels and movies.

Pat Clardy retired from Ameren Missouri in January of 2016 after working there for 43 years. She will tell however, that she is not retired, but refired. Because she knows that she’s walking in God’s destiny for her life, and fulfilling His purpose and plan, which is loving women of all ages and stages to life and to Jesus. Her and her family have attended Grace Church in Maryland Heights for many years, and she’s attended the church for 44 years. Since being at the church she was over a community group of women for 17 years called Women of Blessing, where God taught her there is no community like a community of women. Since 2018, she’s been the Lay Pastor over the Women’s Ministry where she provides events to help women grow closer to God and to each other, along with wisdom, counsel, mentoring, and encouragement because she believes we’re Better Together. 

Pat Gardenhire is a seasoned Human Resources Manager with over 30 years of HR management experience with a few Fortune 500 companies.  She worked as a generalist with her career encompassing organizational effectiveness training, State labor law expertise, contract negotiations and interpretation, benefits, safety, and ecological matters.

She also collaborated with other HR professionals and workforce personnel in the development of supervisory training and new program systems implementation.

Pat and her husband owned and operated a successful business for 20 years.  They have one daughter who is an AP high school teacher and one granddaughter who is a marriage and family counselor and certified life coach.

Pat is an active volunteer teacher of children and youth.  She uses her gift of exceptional creativity to foster individual and community learning that focuses on   educational, spiritual, and good character building.