Founder

Delores (DeDe) Duncan-White is in her 15th year at Navy, where she serves as the Assistant Athletic Director of Academics for Student Athletes.

Prior to her current position, Duncan-White served in the U.S. Navy for 23 years and achieved the rank of Commander (O-5) prior to her retirement in 2007. Her initial assignment was to the Air Anti-Submarine Squadron 41 at Naval Air Station North Island, where she served as Communications, Legal, Ordnance, Avionics and Line Branch Officer. She then went on to work as Assistant Administrative Officer, Training Support and Legal Officer at Naval Amphibious School in Coronado, Calif., before coming to the U.S. Naval Academy to serve as the 24th Company Officer from 1990-93.

DeDe Duncan-White then went on to fulfill the role of Program Manager of Leadership Continuum for the Chief of Naval Education and Training in Pensacola, Fla. From 1997-99, she commanded the Knoxville (Tenn.) Military Entrance Processing Station, before spending the next-two years as a Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Manpower and Reserve Affairs).

She returned to the U.S. Naval Academy in 2001 and served as Director of Learning Skills for six years until her retirement in August 2007.

DeDe serves on the Board of Director on several non-profits: Boys & Girls Clubs of Annapolis & Anne Arundel County, Pretty Girl Academy, Maryland Cultural and Conference Center (MC3), and Anne Arundel County Library Foundation. In 2015, DeDe established the Shelley C. White, Jr. Memorial Scholarship in the memory of her husband, the late Detective Shelley C. White, Jr. The Memorial Scholarship awards college scholarships to graduating “at-risk or disadvantaged” seniors in Anne Arundel County who desire to pursue higher education or master a trade through college or career readiness programs. The Memorial Scholarship became a 501 c 3 organization in January 2018.

DeDe Duncan-White earned her master's degree in military arts & science from Command & General Staff College in 1997 and her bachelor's degree in accounting from Southern University A&M in 1984. DeDe Duncan-White have one son, Shelley C. White, III, who is a 2016 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy.

Co-Founder

A native of Annapolis, Maryland, and a 2011 graduate of Archbishop Spalding High School in Severn, Maryland. Shelley went on to attend the United States Naval Academy, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Political Science and a commission as a Surface Warfare Officer in the United States Navy. He also was a member of the Naval Academy football team, where he was a four-year letterman and a part of the winningest class in school history. In 2018, he was inducted into Spalding’s Athletic Hall of Fame.

For his initial sea tour Shelley was stationed aboard the USS James E. Williams (DDG 95) homeported in Norfolk, Virginia, where he served as the Communication Officer and Information Systems/Cyber Security Officer. In 2017, he completed a seven-month deployment to Fifth (Middle East) and Sixth Fleet (Europe) areas of operation, conducting naval operations with allies and partners to advance security and stability. His second sea tour was aboard USS Rushmore (LSD 47) homeported in San Diego, CA, where he served as the ship’s Navigator. Shelley currently serves as the Air Control Division Officer and Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer instructor for the Surface Combat Systems Training Command in Hampton Roads, VA. His awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and the Navy Commendation Medal.

Shelley and his wife, Brooklyn, are parents of a daughter, Nyla. LT Shelley White is the son of CDR Delores Duncan-White, USN (Ret.), and the late Detective Shelley C. White Jr.

President

Kathryn B. Freeland is the Chief Executive Officer of A-TEK, Inc. This Virginia-based woman-owned small business provides Enterprise IT, Cyber Security, Cyber Data, Analytics, Scientific Analysis, and Application Development solutions, services, and staffing to Federal Government agencies across multiple mission areas, including Homeland Security, Healthcare, Intelligence, Law Enforcement, and Life Sciences.

As the CEO, Mrs. Freeland is directly responsible for leading the company’s strategic vision and direction, developing strategic and tactical goals, operating plans, and policies for the corporation, and implementing board-approved plans. She directs the company with a highly strategic business plan, referred to as Vision 2020 – The Way Forward, with the goal of optimizing profits and return on invested capital. Mrs. Freeland plays a vital role in business development, customer satisfaction, financial stability and employee relations.

A serial entrepreneur, she bootstrapped her first company RGII Technologies, Inc., an Information Technology, Systems Integration and Engineering Solutions Company who’s myriad of customers included nine presidential cabinet agencies of the federal government. Mrs. Freeland successfully built and sold RGII in 2003. Within a few short years she acquired A-TEK, Inc. as her reentry point into the federal government market. Today, she leads the growing enterprise with strategic vision and focus on “Redefining the Possible Through Science and Information Technology” for federal agencies with health, research, and scientific missions.

In addition to being an entrepreneur, Kathryn is also an author. She published her first book, Navigating Your Way to Business Success, An Entrepreneurs Journey, in 2009 to share her entrepreneurial journey, including the roadblocks, challenges, and successes, with those interested in a similar journey. Her entrepreneurial experiences are compelling and resonate with current business owners, would-be entrepreneurs, and students who dream of one day owning their own businesses.

Kathryn earned her MBA from the University of Maryland, is an alumni of Leadership Maryland, a member of Maryland Top 100 Women Circle of Excellence, and was featured in Black Enterprise Magazine as the Emerging Company of the Year. She currently serves on the board of directors of several education and health organizations.

Secretary

Kyra Wade, native of Annapolis and a graduate of Annapolis High School, is currently employed at the Anne Arundel County Board of Education. She comes from a large, “tight-knit,” loving family whose roots are based and deep-rooted in Eastport, Maryland.

Kyra is also an active member of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church – Eastport, where she is a coordinator of the Winter Relief Homeless Ministry, an active member of The Next Generation (TNG), which is an organization established by the younger generation of Mt. Zion Church whose purpose and function is fundraising for the church, Coordinator of Membership Confirmation classes for the youth.

She has also served in the following capacities: Coordinator of the Daughters of Zion Dance Ministry, Sunday School Teacher, and Vacation Bible School Leader.

In addition to her role as Secretary for the Shelley C. White Jr. Memorial Scholarship, she is also an active member of the Virtuous Women’s Project, a nonprofit organization that provides scholarships to female high school students who desire to further their education.

Kyra is the proud mother of one daughter. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors and at the

beach.

Treasurer

Gwendolyn (Gwenn) Dennis is the Director of Legacy Programs and Memorial Affairs for the USNA Alumni Association and Foundation. Before her current position, she was employed at Black Entertainment Television (BET) as the Director of Administration for the EVP, CAO & General Counsel for many years. Gwenn is involved in many community and faith-based organizations that are focused on the betterment of senior citizens, children advocacy, domestic violence, food pantry and homelessness. She is a retired Air Force veteran that served 27 years of military service. Gwenn currently resides in Upper Marlboro, MD with her family and has been the Treasurer and Event Planner for Shelley C. White, Jr. Memorial since 2018.

Board Member

Alonzo Barber is Assistant General Counsel at Microsoft supporting the North America Enterprise Commercial business. His tenure at Microsoft includes a three-year stint in Redmond supporting various engineering product groups including Windows Apps, IOT and HoloLens. Before joining Microsoft in 2013, Alonzo held the position of Senior Counsel at Viacom/BET Networks in Washington, DC. After receiving his commission from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1997, Alonzo spent 7 years serving as a submarine officer certified in all aspects of nuclear-powered submarines including five strategic patrols aboard the USS Florida (SSBN 728). He also worked as an Admissions Officer at the Naval Academy until his separation from the military in 2004.

Alonzo earned his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center and holds a master’s in engineering management from Old Dominion University. He is certified to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark office and is a member of the Governance Committee of the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association. An avid, sports fan, Alonzo spends his much of his free time coaching one of his children in a variety of sports or working on lowering his exceptionally high golf handicap.

Board Member

Board Member

Brittany Golding has been a long-standing Board Member of the Shelley C White, Jr. Memorial from when the organization developed. Her love for public service and community carries in different aspects of her life including her role as a Licensed Social Worker at Cadia Healthcare in Hyattsville, MD. Prior to her current title she has held positions with DC Department of Behavioral Health, Sasha Bruce Youthworks, The Center for Justice & Leadership, and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County. Since 2015 Brittany had been a passionate advocate for mental health, education, and the social welfare of marginalized groups. In Brittany’s spare time she still pursues her passion of visual arts through her graphic design business, Artsyrella Designs LLC and through acrylic and digital artwork that has been showcased in the Baltimore Artscape Exhibition.  

Brittany truly believes in providing youth and families with the skills and resources to thrive in their everyday life. Being an active Board Member with the Shelley C. White, Jr. Memorial, she

can continue that mission through the legacy of Mr. Shelley C. White, Jr.

Board Member

Robyn Green has dedicated nearly 18 years of her career to educating children. Immediately following her master’s in education, she started her teaching experience at Guion Creek Middle School teaching 7th grade in Indianapolis Indiana. She met and married a Marine and traveled to Marietta Georgia where they were stationed at Dobbins Air Force base, she was teaching in Cobb county schools for 4 years. During her time there she was a 6th grade ELA teacher, Graduation Coach, In-School Suspension Coordinator, a member of the Building Leadership team, and received a second master’s in School Leadership at Kennesaw State.

After receiving military orders to Camp LeJeune in Jacksonville North Carolina, she became an Assistant Principal with the Onslow County School District. There she became the proud mom of twin boys before moving to the Annapolis area where her family was stationed at the United States Naval Academy.

She applied and became the Head of School at NAPS, the Naval Academy Primary School in 2018. During her tenure there, enrollment has grown by almost 100 students, she led the school during COVID-19 and unprecedented times and continues to strive to retain teachers in the tough field of education. Robyn remains dedicated to leaving an impact as a passionate and driven School Leader.

As a Howard University graduate, Robyn serves on non-profit boards to remain connected to education within Annapolis and surrounding communities. She is a busy mom with active boys and enjoys attending Navy football games. Her favorite pastime is hanging out with her girlfriends from college and taking trips with her family.

Go Navy, BEAT Army!

Board Member

Harold Lloyd lll is an alumnus of both Lincoln University and Frostburg State University. Harold graduated from Frostburg with a degree in Law and Society with a minor in Political Science and Sociology and a Master's in Human Services from Lincoln. At the age of 20, Harold created his non-profit, Superior Future, with the help of his family and friends to produce more programs that offer individuals in low-income neighborhoods more opportunities and scholarship.

Harold is the first recipient of the Shelley C. White, Jr. Memorial Scholarship.

Board Member

Board Member

Lydia Simmons is the Founder and CEO of M.O.O, a postpartum health technology firm that addresses Maternal Health and Postpartum disparities by building a high-tech hormonal and nutritional ecosystem of service in postpartum education, wellness and recovery planning to empower mothers and parents to expect the most out of an informed postpartum and recover with lowered risks, negative effects, and morbidities.

Lydia is a tech enthusiast and also the Founder of Motherocity Heath Software, the world's first postpartum tracking app, which is accessible in over 20 languages on the Apple and Google Playstores. M.O.O., a first in several Women's Health Initiatives and widely acknowledged as having created the world's first Superfood Postnatal, aids in the nutritional and hormonal building blocks of postpartum families in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. M.O.O. and Motherocity are both built by Moms & Parents for Moms & Parents, with an audience of over 10 million people.

A life-threatening gap in her own postpartum care led Lydia to first develop a line of gluten-free, vegan, superfood-rich supplements for postpartum mothers. The Motherocity Postpartum App takes her company’s mission further, leveraging data science and artificial intelligence to provide women and new parents with the critical support they need, starting with the first 52 weeks after birth.

Experienced Intellectual & Creative Capital, Start-up, Bootstrapping, and Finance leader. Lydia is genetically entrepreneurial; a wealth builder who retired at the age of 34. Lydia is also a wife, mother, wisdom seeker, visionary, champion and speaker for maternal equity, postpartum and healthcare.

Board Member

Former Head Coach and President of the Watson’s Jaguars Boys Travel Basketball Team. As the Head Coach his Team won 3 Championships. Currently employed by Leidos IT Company. Talib is married to his Beautiful Wife of 30 years Michelle Watson and have 2 Adult sons Teon Watson and Tajuan Watson who were part of the Jaguars Travel team, and one grandson Teon Waston, Jr. (TJ). Our mission was to teach Positive Life lessons and to inform our young men if you Pray, Work Hard, Never quit, all that you ask for will be a reality.