Board

Ebony Morman
Founder & President
founder@butterflyacademy.org

Ebony Morman holds a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Northern Illinois University and a Master’s degree in Journalism from Columbia College Chicago. Following college, Ebony mentored students academically in writing. She also mentored students through after-school programs at a local YMCA. After graduating from Columbia College Chicago, Ebony was a writer and editor for an online news publication that spotlighted accomplishments and works of up-and-coming artists. Ebony’s career in education began in 2014 when she started teaching eighth-grade English Language Arts in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School District. From there, she went on to teach seventh-grade English Language Arts at a charter school in Matthews, NC. In addition to teaching, she was the Beginning Teacher Support Program Coordinator and had the opportunity to support and empower beginning teachers. Her strength and passion is building and sustaining meaningful relationships with youth.

In 2019, Ebony founded Butterfly Academy, Incorporated and fulfilled a lifelong dream of impacting generations of future leaders.

In her spare time, she enjoys mentoring youth, traveling, exercise, reading and spending time with family and friends.

Christine Kellum
 Vice President
vp@butterflyacademy.org

Christine Kellum holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with an emphasis in Educational Studies. Her passion to serve a larger community that recognizes the importance of an educational initiative lead her to furthering her academic pursuits. After earning a Master of Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction, specializing in Early Childhood Education, Christine has been devoted to collaborating with diverse populations to bring more awareness around the need for equitable learning environments for all, regardless of barriers. To help aid this personal and professional goal, as a life-long learner, Christine trained, volunteered, and presented workshops within the United States to provide educators, parents, and children with the education needed to be successful. Currently, she serves as a Learning Facilitator in Atlanta, GA.

Christine has a strong commitment to serving others and she understands that the gifts and talents granted to her are not her own. She is honored to have an opportunity to make a positive impact, work alongside and support a creative and engaged community of other advocates in Charlotte, NC.

Christine enjoys working out, traveling, cooking and spending time with family.

Crystal Glover
Treasurer
treasurer@butterflyacademy.org

Crystal Glover is a Control Account Manager in Colorado. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture with a minor in Construction Management. Throughout her career, she has successfully managed project performance of many projects varying in size from budgets of $300K to $450M. With over 10 years of experience specializing in project management and project controls, she is passionate about numbers, earned value management and completing projects on time and within budget.

When she isn’t working, Crystal enjoys spending time with her family, reading, traveling and hiking the various trails of the Pikes Peak region in Colorado.

Akeah Dillard
Secretary
secretary@butterflyacademy.org

Akeah Dillard is an eight year English Language Arts teacher who began teaching in Charlotte, NC. She currently teaches in the Triad area of North Carolina. She has taught ELA to both regular and honors classes along with Reading Intervention. Akeah has served as team lead teacher, member of the school’s leadership team, data team, hiring team, and AdvancED team. Akeah has earned a Master’s in Teaching from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in English, minoring in diverse literature and culture. Akeah has been recognized by administrators as a passionate, student-centered educator continually seeking to improve learning and school culture.

She currently devotes her time to reading pedagogic literature to refine her practice and raising her young child.

Nate' Jeffries
At-Large Member
board@butterflyacademy.org

• Nate' Jeffress is an innovative and strategic finance professional. She has profound experience working in healthcare, mental health, nonprofit and finance. Nate' has more than 11 years of hands-on health care experience. Before transitioning to finance, she worked in corporate and nonprofit finance.

  Nate's first love has always been children. While pursuing an undergraduate degree, she owned a tutoring company for children ages 5-17. She also tutored children overseas, providing English lessons to Chinese students. Nate’ was also an adjunct professor at Notre Dame of Maryland, where she taught graduate nursing students. She has an undergraduate degree in liberal arts from Notre Dame of Maryland and a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Maryland Global Campus.

  She currently works as a grant and contract specialist for a nonprofit organization and is a board member for a local community organization. When Nate' is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family, being outdoors, listening to music and reading.

Maurice Booker
At-Large Member
board@butterflyacademy.org

Maurice Booker is a fifth-grade math teacher in Detroit, MI. In his current role, he effectively manages all aspects of the classroom, including planning and instruction. He is a huge believer in educational equity for all children. He has completed 17 years of successful teaching in urban schools. As a facilitator, he develops a multitude of strategies to lead and engage his fellow contemporaries in increasing student achievement.

Maurice was born and raised in Chicago, IL. His childhood experiences fueled his need to further his education. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Michigan with a major in Language Arts and a minor in Social Studies. In August of 2005, he was invited to be a part of a pilot urban education program. He earned a Master of Arts degree in Urban/Multicultural Education from the University of Michigan, which has helped him understand the emotional and social state of affairs of urban youth. He’s had many experiences with students of diverse ages and backgrounds in a wide range of subject areas.

In his free time, Maurice enjoys playing golf and watching sports.