Who We Are

Amanda Johnson
Executive Director

Amanda Johnson’s breadth of teaching and leadership experience drives her to found and lead a high-achieving charter school in Clarksdale, MS.

Amanda Johnson is the Executive Director of Clarksdale Collegiate Public Charter School. Ms. Johnson earned a B.A. in Political Science from Rhodes College in Memphis, TN and began her career as an educator with Teach For America in 2003. As a corps member, she taught second grade in Marianna, Arkansas for three years. Next, she taught sixth grade at KIPP Delta College Preparatory School. She was a member of the first cohort of the Miles Family Fellowship before beginning KIPP’s Fisher Fellowship in 2008. A year later, Ms. Johnson founded and led KIPP Delta Elementary Literacy Academy (KIPP Delta ELA) for four years. After leading KIPP Delta ELA, she spent two years co-leading the Fisher Fellowship with the KIPP Foundation and spent a year and a half as Director of Curriculum and Instruction for KIPP Delta Public Schools. Most recently, Ms. Johnson completed the Building Excellent Schools Fellowship.

amanda johnson

Our Board of Directors

board of directors
aurelia jones taylor

Aurelia Jones-Taylor
Board Chair

Aurelia Jones-Taylor currently serves as Chief Executive Officer for the Aaron E. Henry Community Health Services Center, Inc., as well as, other programs under auspices of the corporation.

Ms. Jones-Taylor has directed Aaron E. Henry for close to thirty years, overseeing critical community initiatives including the Delta Area Rural Transit System and the Mississippi Children’s Health Project. Born and reared in Hollandale, MS, she received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics from Tougaloo College and a Masters of Business Administration in Finance from Jackson State University. Her extensive leadership experience includes serving as president of the Mississippi Primary Health Care Association and as a member of the National Rural Health Task Force.


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Steven Jossell
Board Secretary

Steven Jossell is a seasoned professional with more than 20 years of service in workforce development and community advancement, currently serving as Vice Chancellor for the University of Arkansas at Monticello.

A native of Marks, Mississippi, Mr. Jossell earned his B.S. in Business Administration from Mississippi Valley State University and his MBA from Delta State University. Prior to his current role at UAM, he served as the Executive Director of the Ned W. Gathwright Workforce Development Center at Coahoma Community College. Mr. Jossell has a proven track record of securing millions in external funding to expand educational opportunities and responsive training programs tailored to the needs of the Mississippi Delta. He was recognized as one of Mississippi’s Top Minority Leaders by the Delta Business Journal in 2017.


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Cassandra Williams
Board Treasurer

Cassandra Williams serves as the President of Hope Credit Union, where she guides the direction and growth of commercial lending and economic development activities across the Deep South.

Ms. Williams joined HOPE in 1999 as a commercial lender in the Mississippi Delta and has since provided leadership for community facilities, healthcare, and New Markets Tax Credit lending. She holds both a B.A. and an MBA from Delta State University. Dedicated to closing the racial wealth gap, she has served as an advisor for the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis and the Memphis CDFI Network. Her work is deeply personal, rooted in her family’s legacy of civil rights and healthcare service in the Delta.


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Eric Meier
Board Member

Eric Meier brings over 25 years of experience in the development of innovative software and healthcare solutions to his role as President and CEO of Owl Health.

Throughout his career, Mr. Meier has focused on using data and technology to expand access to care and improve clinical outcomes, particularly in behavioral health. He previously served as CEO of Cervel Neurotech and was the founder of Calypso Medical. His professional background includes corporate development at Johnson & Johnson. Mr. Meier earned his MBA from Stanford University and applies his expertise in operational scale and strategic growth to support the mission of Clarksdale Collegiate.


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Soenda Howell
Board Member

As a Partner at the Charter School Growth Fund, Ms. Howell leads the Emerging CMO Fund, which provides investment support to high-performing charter networks led by leaders of color.

With over 14 years of experience in education as a teacher and school leader, Ms. Howell has dedicated her career to educational equity. She previously provided direct support focused on instruction and strategy at the KIPP Foundation, where she also led leadership development programs. Ms. Howell began her career as a Teach for America Corps Member in New York City. She holds a B.A. from Swarthmore College and a Master of Arts from Teachers College, Columbia University.

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Millicent Dixon
Board Member

Millicent Dixon is the founder of Cornerstone Services and serves as a grant writer and government relations coordinator dedicated to the advancement of Clarksdale and the Delta.

Born in Los Angeles but a native of the Delta by choice, Ms. Dixon earned her degree in Political Science from Delta State University. Her professional career includes serving as a community development officer for Southern Bancorp and working for the Delta Regional Authority in Washington, D.C., as a designee to the White House Rural Council under the Obama administration. She has helped secure millions in grant funding for infrastructure and community stabilization projects in the City of Clarksdale.

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Oliver Clark
Board Member

Oliver Clark is an attorney at Chapman, Lewis & Swan in Clarksdale, where he specializes in general civil litigation and serves his hometown community.

A Clarksdale native, Mr. Clark earned his undergraduate degree in Political Science from Tennessee State University before receiving his Juris Doctor from the Southern Illinois University School of Law. During his legal studies, he was a member of the Moot Court Board and received the Thurgood Marshall Award. He is an active member of the Coahoma County Bar Association and the Mississippi Bar Association.

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Chuck Rutledge
Board Member

Chuck Rutledge is an independent real estate developer with a long history of community involvement and economic development in the Mississippi Delta.

Mr. Rutledge’s work focuses on projects that revitalize the local community and create sustainable growth. He has been a consistent supporter of educational initiatives in Clarksdale, believing that high-quality public schools are a cornerstone of economic prosperity. He brings a wealth of local knowledge and business acumen to the board's facility and finance committees.

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Amanda Crumley
Board Member

Amanda Crumley is the Chief Strategy Officer for Yaupon Brothers American Tea and a veteran communications strategist with decades of experience in public affairs.

Ms. Crumley has spent much of her career at the intersection of communications, strategy, and public service. Her background includes serving as a senior advisor for various national organizations and public initiatives. She brings a unique perspective on strategic growth and community storytelling to the board, helping to amplify the success of Clarksdale Collegiate's scholars.

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Kevin Bass
Board Member

Kevin Bass is an attorney at Williams and Bass, PLLC and a Municipal Court Judge who is deeply committed to serving marginalized communities through the law.

Mr. Bass earned his Bachelor of Business Administration from Jackson State University and his Juris Doctor from the University of Mississippi School of Law. In addition to his legal practice, he has served as an Assistant District Attorney and volunteers as a mock trial coach for public school students. He believes in the power of education as a tool for empowerment and works to ensure all students have access to a fair and rigorous academic environment.

Board Meetings
Board Meeting Information