Vision:
For CETA Foundation, Inc., to be recognized as a leading proponent of community awareness, neighborhood preparedness and individual self-sufficiency advocacy in Georgia and beyond.

Mission:
To provide information, education, and skills development to individuals, neighborhoods, and communities that lead to self-reliance, self-respect
Self-esteem and self-worth. With a special interest towards at-risk and economically deprived communities, CETA Foundation proposes to CREATE EMPOWERMENT in those who are systematically and socially disenfranchised while building AUTONOMY in their efforts towards self-determination.

Purpose:
Through workshops, seminars and interactive programs, CETA Foundation will provide individuals, neighborhoods and communities information, education and interactive programs and activities, and will make available resources that lead to self-reliance and self-determination.

Principles:
CETA Foundation is spiritually based, community oriented and charitable. We believe that all mankind should have informational access; should be afforded due process; and have the right of self determination as they carve their own niche in this society. We believe everyone is capable of participating when provided the right resources. Resources lead to self-reliance, which aids in self-respect and self-worth which leads to being a contributing member of this society.

Building stronger communities; changing lives

Board:

President - Stevie Baggs

President of the CETA (Creating Empowerment Through Autonomy) Foundation and current professional football player with the Arizona Cardinals, Stevie “Shakespeare” Baggs make plays both on and off the field. With a non-profit foundation focusing on empowering youth through measures of independence, Baggs is a certified advocate for change. The former HBCU stand-out International Business graduate of Bethune-Cookman University is a dynamic and well sought out speaker who’s both nationally and internationally known. As a highly requested speaker at high schools, colleges and universities alike, Baggs has continued to impact the lives of youth, one educational destination at a time. A true believer and supporter of philanthropy, Baggs dedicates his off-season time to educating the youth through his foundation efforts.

“Throughout my career I have endured many triumphs and tribulations. However, I understand that the taste of victory would not be as gratifying unless the defeats of life were present at some point. I have a passion to give back knowledge (knowledge is not knowledge unless you share it with someone else), so that it may assist in one becoming more independent. Furthermore, philanthropy is monument to me, for I understand that in life we do not because we know not. So I am compelled to share the knowledge about the game of life and football to the youth, so that they may understand that being an athlete or entertainer is not the only means to success. During my off-season I substitute teach, and it is through that experience that I have been driven to do professional football camps and life skills clinics whereby the CETA foundation strives to make a difference in the lives of the young people.”

Knowing firsthand what struggle and tenacity yields and despite many challenges, Baggs has become a professional football player. While growing up being pigeon-toed, Baggs heard the taunts and teasing about his inward-pointing toes, but never allowed that to stop him from achieving his goals. He became a three-time All-American at Bethune-Cookman University, and spent time briefly on the practice rosters of the Detroit Lions and the Jacksonville Jaguars. After playing in NFL Europe and with the Orlando Predators of the Arena Football League, Baggs signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2006 and had a brief encounter with Winnipeg’s practice roster in 2007. Baggs signed with the Edmonton Eskimos in 2007, for chance to start on the gridiron. The tenure lasted shortly, as Baggs dressed for seven games in 2007 and went on to sign with the Riders in September 2008 as a free agent.

With the same determination and fierceness that’s driven him through those times of transition, Baggs is working vigorously north of the border to solidify every opportunity to head back south for another chance to play in the big league. Early into the 2009 CFL season, Baggs was esteemed highly by many sport leaders as one of the Canadian Football League’s top defenders. With his strong defensive fortitude, he was recognized for his defensive ability and quickness in racking up sacks during week two, unanimously earning the CFL’s Defensive Player of the Week Award. Baggs ended the season with more than 55 tackles, lead the league in sacks, and was honored as a CFL Allstar.

Baggs is also considered as one of Atlanta’s top rising stars of today and future leaders of tomorrow. Often called to deliver messages of inspiration, Baggs uses his leverage of professional sport to promote a positive message of faith to impact and empower audiences across the globe. Through his humble attitude and gracious service to the community, Baggs has garnered the support and partnership of many renown charitable, educational and sport organizations such as The Boys & Girls Club, New Birth MBC (Bishop Eddie L. Long), The 100% Wrong Club, FCA ( Fellowship of Christian Athletes), Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE), Essence Magazine, Tyler Perry Studios, The Black College Hall of Fame, (AAG) Athlete Allied Group, The Hank Stewart Foundation, The Billy “White Shoes” Johnson Foundation, The Deshawn Snow Foundation, Gwinnett and Dekalb County Schools, and has been featured as a guest and in television studio and radio spotlights with NBC Sports, American Urban Radio Network, Hard Hitting Radio, CBS Sports, Pro Sports Wives Radio & Magazine, Praise 102.5, WJZZ 107.5, 1570 AM The Light, People TV, CSS, the CW and other on-air television and radio broadcasts, reaching a combined audience of more than 2 million viewers and listeners.

Chairman of the Board - Eugene Phillps

With more than 15 years of experience in youth development, organizational management, staff development, resource development and event coordination, Eugene W. Phillips has established himself as a sought after youth program facilitator, a dynamic business strategist, an innovative marketing professional, and a respected community leader.

In 2003, Eugene founded Phillips & Associates, an integrated, full-service consulting firm. Specializing in organizational effectiveness, Eugene provides creative program & business services to public and private organizations of all sizes. He works closely with clients to identify client & stakeholder needs, operational challenges and recommend solutions to optimize program effectiveness, maximize resources, increase market presence, and enhance business systems.

In his most recent role as Chairman of the Board of the CETA Foundation, Eugene provides governance for the Foundations programs and services which empower communities to be self-sufficient; self-reliant and build autonomy with civic resources. He served as a member of the professional advisory board to the Metropolitan Orlando Urban League and is a founding member of the Historically Black Colleges/Universities (HBCU) Sports Commission. Additional consulting roles have included engagements with the National Urban League Leadership Conference and Platinum Sports Management and Joyce Raynor-McRoy Ministries. As the Chief Advancement Officer for Bethune-Cookman College, he was responsible for the areas of Public Relations, Alumni Affairs and Development/Fund Raising, and the administration of the $1.69 million Kresge HBCU Initiative Grant for reach he was named a KRESGE Institutional Advancement Fellow.

Upon establishing Phillips & Associates, Eugene served as the Managing Director and Chief Liaison for the Florida Classic Football Bowl Experience, the nation’s largest football “bowl” game between NCAA Div. 1AA conference rivals. He oversaw all aspects of the event, including brand development, sponsor and volunteer coordination, fund-raising, and sales and marketing initiatives.

In addition to his professional experiences, Eugene is active with multiple community organizations, including the United Way, American Diabetes Association, the Boys and Girls Club, and serves on the Board of the CETA Foundation and The Negro Spiritual Scholarship Foundation. He has also been a member of professional associations, such as the National Social Science Association, the Council for Advancement in Support of Education, and the American Society of Training and Development.

Eugene began his higher education at Oakwood College. After entering the U.S. Army as a Behavioral Science Specialist, he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Columbia College. He then pursued graduate-level studies in Organizational Communication at Howard University.

Balancing creativity and innovation with practicality and sensibility, Eugene develops business and marketing plans suited to each client’s goals and objectives. He approaches each project with enthusiasm and determination and has been successful in fostering and maintaining strategic partnerships with individuals at all levels. His extensive professional experience, civic involvement, and educational background provide Eugene with the knowledge and skills to resolve companies’ most significant organizational challenges and enable clients to effectively “mind their own business.”

Vice Chair - Tyrone Williams

Tyrone Roderick Williams has spent the past 22 years leading real estate development efforts that enhance communities where people live, work and play. Mr. Williams is the Senior Development Director for Sustainable Neighborhood Development Strategies Inc. (SNDSI) in Atlanta, Georgia where he directs the acquisition, holding and disposition activities within a 20 block area in the Pittsburgh neighborhood. The project is currently the largest community revitalization project in the Atlanta metro region.

His community development activities have been at the forefront of affordable housing development. His broad knowledge and experience in affordable housing and community development include policy development, design, housing finance, and construction management, marketing and sales. He has directed program administration of HOME funds, Tax Exempt Bonds and has worked with a wide range of agencies, including HUD, Fannie Mae, FHA, and EPA.

Before coming to SNDSI, he held a number of senior positions, including Senior Program Director for the Atlanta Development Authority, Senior Development Director for the Integral Group in Atlanta, Vice President of Development for Market Developers in Houston and Program Director for the Houston office of the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC)

Mr. Williams’ sphere of influence extends to professional and civic endeavors. He has served as host and executive producer of the Ultimate Home Buying Seminar, an 8-part Television Series aired in Houston. He was also the executive producer and host of the Business and Financial Forum radio show in Houston.

He has served on the Board of the Fort Bend County Housing Finance Corporation in Texas and the International Network of Children’s Ministries. His volunteer activities also include working with KIPP Academy, Partners in Education, Communities in Schools and the National Association of Secondary School Principals.

Mr. Williams is a national conference speaker and media contributor. He is the author of the book Igniting the Power to Succeed. He received his Bachelor of Architecture from Prairie View A&M University and a Master of City Planning Degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Secretary - Delores Furlow

C. Delores Lee-Furlow is a native Atlantan and a product of the Atlanta Public School System. With over 20 years in the healthcare industry, she is an Executive Assistant at Grady Health System. She holds a Certificate in Healthcare Management and Leadership and an associate degree in Business. She is also a public speaker.

Since 2008, as a United Way Alumni she has served as a Certified Community Investment Volunteer specializing in the Impact Area of People at Risk.

Joining the Soul Patrol Youth Organization, during her teen years in the Thomasville Heights Community began a lifelong commitment to volunteering and advocating for people at risk – “the voiceless”. As such she has served as an officer on numerous boards, including the Soul Patrol Youth Organization, Georgia State P.T.A., Jean Childs Young and Benjamin E. Mays P.T.S.A.’s and School Councils and Adamsville/Collier Heights Neighborhood Community Taskforce & Committees.

Professionally, she has membership affiliations with the National Organization for Human Services and the Georgia Hospital Society for Healthcare Human Resources Administration, along with past memberships with United Way Toastmasters and the Atlanta Healthcare Chapters’ International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP).

Honored by the recent induction in the Tau Upsilon Alpha, National Organization for Human Services Honor Society, she also touts the title of Atlanta Healthcare Chapter’s Administrative Professional of the year, and was recognized in Canada, as a Georgia Division Distinguished Chapter President of the IAAP.

Delores believes that “helping is a natural extension of being human.”

She is divorced and has two daughters one is a Captain in the United States Army.

Treasurer - Eleonore Mabouka

While leaving in Switzerland, Eleonore has been working for twelve years in the deluxe hotel industry. She started as a Sales & Marketing Assistant for the Lausanne Palace, Lausanne, Switzerland. Then, she became a Sales Manager at Kempinski Le Mirador, Mont-Pelerin, Switzerland. Over the years, she acquired an excellent experience in Sales and Marketing and a large number of local and international customers ready to organize their annual or semi-annual conferences and meetings at the Kempinski Le Mirador. Her good communication skills and knowledge of the business is what makes her different from others in her profession.

Eleonore moved to Atlanta, Georgia in October 2001. Soon after, the Swiss American Society, a non-profit organization based in Atlanta, offered her the job of Treasurer. She was responsible for managing the finance and administrating fiscal matters of the organization for three years.

Then, in 2005, she was hired as a teacher assistant at the well known Atlanta International School where she was teaching French. In 2009, she became a member of the Oakland Meadow School Council in Lawrenceville, Georgia.

The same year, she decided to go back to school and obtain an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Accounting. She will graduate with honors in June 2011. Her long term goal is to become a CPA. Eleonore is determined and motivated to pursue her education with a Bachelor Degree in Accounting.

Executive Director - Lola Robinson

While working in the banking industry as an Assistant Branch Manager, Lola was introduced to the world of Telecommunications when she started her first job as a billing analyst for Microtel, in Boca Raton Florida . Microtel went through a myriad of mergers and acquisitions and eventually became MCI/Worldcom. During this transition, Lola held several positions, which included, but were not limited to the following: Ixplus Trainer, IS Liaison, Trainer (post conversions), Project Manger, Account Manager, Major Account Executive, and Wholesale Account Executive.

Lola was the first on-sight Account Manager deployed by the MCI/Worldcom pre merger, for the support of one of their largest clients, Comdata in Brentwood , Tennessee . With more than 17 years in the Telecommunications industry, Lola has worked for MCI/Wordcom, Bellsouth, and PAETEC. Having spent most of her career in telecommunications, she has experience with both sales and support for an array of network services, such as MPLS, Network Management, VOIP, Local, LD (dynamic IP, SIP, and TDM), Frame Relay, Internet, Co-location, and Network Security.

In addition to her career oriented success, Lola has spent countless hours pursuing philanthropic endeavors. CETA (Creating Empowerment through Autonomy) is her personal non-profit organization, which was founded in 2003, for at-risk teenagers. While working with the mayor of Orlando, as well as Orange County Youth/Family Services, Lola volunteered and sat on several boards. As a Bellsouth representative for the MLK Commission for the City of Orlando , she was the face of Bellsouth in the Orlando community. She also held the position of Regional President for Bellsouth Networking for African Americans in Telecommunications (BNAT), acting as the interface for internal employment growth. She and other members of BNAT developed an internal training program to stimulate opportunities for growth and career advancement. As the co-chair for UNCF, Lola visited college campuses to recruit and introduce the concept of the program to students.

While reaching out to disenfranchised and at risk teens, Lola has received several awards and accolades for her efforts in the community and on the job. She has written several user manuals, developed an internal tracking process for identified system enhancements and/or problems, and created an internal mentor/shadow program for aspiring telecommunication students. Both personally and professionally, Lola is always striving to exceed the standard. She is a veteran in the field of Sales and Marketing; her tenacity and ambition is what will continue to distinguish her from others in her profession.

Board Member - Demetrice Thomas

Demetrice Thomas joins the CETA foundation as an Operations Technician for Gannet Company and 11Alive News, Director of Productions for Imperial Productions and Manager of Operations for Deeply Rooted Natural Hair Care Centers. With a BS in Broadcasting and over 11 years experience in the industry, she has written, produced and directed commercials, reality show treatments, corporate training videos and manuals, episodic material and shorts for all levels of industry professionals.

With strong management and structural skills, Demetrice has been instrumental in Deeply Rooted Natural Hair Care Centers’ growth from 1,000 to over 9,500 clients since coming on board in 2003. The brand has become a staple and standard in the world of natural hair care and she is a key factor in that success.

With her already filled hands she reaches out to the youth of our generation as an instructor and mentor for YMMA Organization (Youth Media Minds of America). She aids in the youth learning all foundational aspects of video production, field production, script writing, live reporting and radio show formatting and hosting. However, the most fulfilling part is her opportunity to comfort, encourage and speak to them, skillfully, the wisdom necessary to grow into confident, integral, knowledgeable adults.

From the day-to-day operation of a television station, to the creative craftsmanship of others’ visions, to the heartfelt loyalty in building a natural hair care entity, to the rewards of giving back so freely to our promising youth, Demetrice is truly passionate about every endeavor she’s involved in and will continue to be instrumental in the accomplishments of them all.

Board Member - Federick Dais

Board Member - Perry Robinson