Meet Our Team

Turtles 2 Doves 23 is an organization of dreamers, doers, believers, and motivators. We hail from various backgrounds and bring original viewpoints, talents, and skills to the table. But for everything that makes us unique as individuals, we also have a lot in common. The most important thing we have in common is the passion we have for teens and young adult females. With our combined skill sets and beliefs, we will strive to bring out the best in every young lady we encounter and encourage them to put their best foot forward in all they do.  

Anne Marie Alston, affectionately known as “The Classy Lady” - And that is exactly what she hopes to share with young girls. As a world traveler for over twenty years, Anne Marie has seen both beauty and peril throughout the world, and she aspires to provide teens and young adults with a safe haven, where they can find direction and clarity toward achieving their goals.

Anne Marie’s non for profit foundation, Turtles 2 Doves 23 Inc. offers seminars, workshops and real-life experiences that will help shape the minds and build the character of those who attend. As the middle child of five sisters, Anne Marie recognizes the importance of camaraderie, love and support from other females, and with having two older and two younger sisters, Anne Marie has experienced both being mentored and mentoring. But not only has she mentored to her younger sisters; through her missionary work as a Christian, Anne Marie has also mentored a host of young ladies in cities such as New York, Detroit and Atlanta, as well as cities abroad. Anne Marie subscribes to the motto, “each one teaches one” and with Turtles 2 Doves 23 Inc. that is precisely what she plans to do.

Among Anne Marie's many talents, she is also a business mogul and entrepreneur, having received her education at Tuskegee Institute, now Tuskegee University. She is the owner of Bagalishes 4 Accessories, LLC-a fashionable handbag and accessory mobile store. Anne Marie is also the  founder and owner of Eventology 23, LLC-Atlanta's newest premiere venue for hosting corporate and social events.

Yolanda Harrell is an Elementary School teacher. She has a Bachelor of Arts and Master’s Degree in Elementary Education, and a state of Mississippi teaching license. She is currently working on her Doctor of Education degree at Walden University. She loves the art of learning and has been an elementary teacher for 12 years. She has been married for 18 years to her high school sweetheart. They have 3 children ages 10, 12, and 18. Her family worships at West End Church of Christ. Her two sons play soccer and basketball. Her daughter was the 2014 Miss GA Jr. Teen State Queen. Yolanda's husband is an SEC fanatic!!

Yolanda has a strong passion to educate young minds and help them blossom into well-rounded, responsible, and successful individuals. Her greatest strengths include inspiring and motivating students. She actively engages their eager minds by incorporating a variety of manipulative, enjoyable activities, and cooperative learning projects. In addition, she tailors lesson plans to meet their diverse interests, as well as demonstrate direct connections between the classroom and everyday life. She has taught summer school in one of the world’s poorest countries (Honduras), as a result, she understands the difficult nature of teaching impoverished students. Furthermore, she holds parent-teacher conferences on a regular basis to promote participation in the educational process, reinforce education in the home, and boost students; self-confidence and self-esteem. She has been blessed with the pleasure of teaching in one of Atlanta’s poorest communities through a Turnaround Initiative conducted by Atlanta Public Schools. Through the Turnaround Initiative, she learned how to remove learning barriers and provide a safe space and resources to help students do their best every day. Yolanda has seen outstanding growth in her students'  learning. As a result, she has been humbled as well as encouraged by the work that she has been able to do in Atlanta. She believes that when she is partnered with the right group of educators, together they can grow, lead, transform, and improve the lives of children one step at a time.​

Shalonda Gipson is a determined professional in the field of Higher Education. She works as a Business and Operations Manager for the Office of Student Development at Morehouse College. Shalonda is a Rochester, NY, native and holds a Bachelor's degree in Child Development and Family Studies Birth through Kindergarten, Licensure from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, and a Master’s degree in Higher Education and Leadership from Mercer University.

Shalonda is a distinguished individual with years of mentoring experience. She began as a mentor to young female students at Carver Road Church of Christ and has mentored students in various settings since. She is passionate about educating and developing future generations of young students. She is an active member of the West End Church of Christ in Atlanta, GA, as a leader and member of the youth and young adult ministries. Her goal in life is to ensure that all people are aware of their endless possibilities by exposing them to all the world has to offer.

College access is an area in which Shalonda is the most passionate. She believes that with exposure, preparation and guidance, attending college is an attainable goal for all students. It is important that students are aware of their innumerable opportunities to succeed in life, whether they attend college, start their own business or work in their desired field. She spends a lot of her time working with students ensuring they are exposed to people, places and things that will positively impact them and their futures.