Board of Directors

A School built WITH the Community

Tomi Shobo

Board Secretary

Tomi Shobo is the owner and founder of The EpiTomi, LLC. A consulting and event planning company where she culminates over 10 years of experience in event planning, event coordination, business networking, consulting, and personal branding.

Before starting her entrepreneurial journey in 2021, she worked in management for a private child care center (corporate and franchise) and then went on to work as a Partnership Director for an educational non-profit company. Tomi’s past experience working with community, schools, Fortune 500 Corporate business partners, non-profits, board members, and volunteers brought much success and positive outcomes, for the students of many metro-Atlanta Public School Districts (including DeKalb, Fulton County, Atlanta Public Schools, and numerous private schools). Aside from past work experience, Tomi has an inner drive and passion for the youth and the community.

Ms. Shobo earned her Bachelors of Science degree in Business Marketing from Albany State University in 2012. While in college, she started and led many organizations, including but not limited to, The Public Relations Committee for the Student Government Association. Over the years, Ms. Shobo works closely with youth enrichment programs, summer camps, and contributing towards enriching and transforming the lives of our future leaders and decision makers. Ms. Shobo is beyond thrilled to bring her passion, organization, experience, and skills as she serves as the Secretary of the Board of Directors for Georgia Leadership Academy.

Antonio D. Parks

Superintendent of Schools

Antonio Parks is a Georgia native, born and raised in West Atlanta. Growing up in the inner city of Atlanta, Georgia, and having younger brothers, He had always understood the importance of effective leadership, even more so when he joined the United States Navy. During basic training, he was appointed a division leader of 90 men.

As a leader of a group of men from ages 18-35 years old, from all corners of the world and strangers, it was his job to not only build comradery but take us to the top as a team. His appreciation of diversity and the ability to highlight and use each person’s strengths to reach this common goal was imperative to our Navy survival. He had the distinct pleasure of being a pioneer teacher in an innovative math program known as Teach to One (TTO). This program was intentionally designed to use data daily to drive instruction for the following day. This resulted in 50% of the middle school students I worked with consistently for two years’ growth. Additionally, he was a founding member in a newly implemented role as a Culturally Responsive Education (CRE) regional specialist for Denver’s Far North East region. This position required that he Aid in developing goals and objectives of the entire district Culturally Responsive Team. Managing and supporting 20 schools to ensure equitable practices and structures were being implemented to guarantee academic outcomes for students built his capacity as a district leader.

Before being a regional specialist, he was employed as an assistant principal at John H. Amesse Elementary. While working with turnaround schools in this role, he learned that student achievement and school success are not by chance, nor is it a quick fix, but rather a detailed and intentional process that requires consistency and dedication.

Ultimately, he wants to guarantee that students receive the best education possible. Lastly, he believes in distributive and servant leadership; he understands the value of teamwork and community; it truly takes a village to raise a child. He wants to be a part of that village, the village that inspires, promotes, loves, and protects our students. Therefore, meeting goals and contributing to Georgia Leadership Academy’s overall vision will always be his primary focus; this is inevitable with hard work and dedication.

Danielle Jones

Board Chair

Danielle has over 15 years of management, leadership, government contracting, and strategic planning experience, all essential attributes to the upward trajectory of GLA. She understands the government procurement process, including but not limited to RFPs, grants, proposal writing, cost proposals, and strategic partnerships.

These skill sets will assist GLA with procuring contract work for the school, finding and responding to RFPs and grants for funding, building authentic relationships for the school’s network, understanding the budget for the school, managing large teams, and managing multimillion-dollar contracts. Danielle is knowledgeable not only about business, procurement, and team management but also passionate about her work and giving back to youth, colleagues, and the community.

She is CEO of Exemplary Support Services (ESS Group), an International Training and Development Company. Through this she manages projects with colleges such as Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, NC, The Urban League of Greater Atlanta and the Pinky Cole Foundation and government agencies such as The Department of Navy and Army Corps of Engineers.

Cierra St. Hubert-Upshaw

Marketing Chair

Cierra currently advocates for students within the foster care system, specifically those with disabilities, as a Developmental Disabilities Professional (DDP). With an equity-driven approach, she acknowledges clients’ strengths and abilities by providing oversight to ensure individuals with disabilities meet the goals of their
Individualized Service Plan (ISP). As a founding board member, Cierra is able to bring passion and accountability to GLA as we aim to provide a Free and Appropriate Public Education to all students.

She brings a wealth of knowledge in the field of marketing as she is presently the CEO and Owner of Everything & Co. specializing in human resource consulting to include: branding, design services, tax consulting and grant writing. With over 10 years of Marketing and Human Resource experience, Cierra is elated to share her passion
with the Board of Directors through proliferating her commitment to social engagement, collaboration and equity, specifically as it pertains to recruiting students and families.

Morris Jackson

Academic Chair

Spanning over two decades of experience within the classroom, Mr. Jackson has continuously strengthened his classroom management system, lending itself to a collaborative and cohesive grade-level team. His pedagogy includes daily student engagement, call and response, and positive affirmations to empower students to build confidence and self-awareness within the classroom.

Mr. Jackson is a career learner as he adapts to his environment no matter the circumstance for the betterment of all students. Mr. Jackson also believes that each day should be an opportunity to start anew for the brighter future ahead.