Meet Our Team

Affectionately known as "The Classy Lady," Anne Marie Alston embodies the grace and purpose she aims to instill in young girls and boys. With over 28 years as a world traveler, Anne Marie has witnessed the world's beauty and its challenges. Her greatest aspiration is to provide teens and young adults with a safe haven through her work, offering them direction and clarity in achieving their personal and professional goals. 

Anne Marie's commitment to youth development is realized through her non-profit foundation, Turtles 2 Doves 23 Inc., which offers seminars, workshops, and real-life experiences designed to shape minds and build character.

Her deep understanding of connection and support comes from being the middle child of five sisters. With two older and two younger sisters, Anne Marie has experienced the vital roles of both being mentored and mentoring firsthand. Beyond her family, she has extended this guidance through extensive Christian missionary work, mentoring young ladies in major US cities like New York, Detroit, and Atlanta, as well as in various cities abroad. Anne Marie lives by the motto, "each one teaches one," and this principle is the driving force behind Turtles 2 Doves 23 Inc.

Anne Marie's strong work ethic was forged in her early corporate career, which included roles as a Capital Inventory Specialist at the New York University Accounting Department and a Payroll Processor at Rockefeller Center Corporation. These experiences laid a solid foundation for her transition to a career in the skies, where she later worked for Delta Airlines as a flight attendant in her 30s. Her tenure as a flight attendant has been instrumental in tremendously improving her geography skills, providing her with hands-on experience from flying all over the world and visiting countless cities, states, countries, and continents.

Anne Marie Alston, who proudly attended Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee University), is a formidable force in the business world. As a true entrepreneur and business mogul, she seamlessly blends her passion for style with her vision for event hosting. She is the dynamic owner of Bagalishes 4 Accessories, LLC, a fashionable mobile store specializing in handbags and accessories. Furthermore, Anne Marie is the founder and owner of Eventology 23, LLC, which has quickly established itself as Atlanta's newest premiere venue for hosting both corporate and social events. 

Shalonda Gipson is a compassionate educator, dynamic leader, and community advocate

devoted to creating spaces where young people and families can learn, grow, and thrive.

With more than a decade of experience in education and leadership, she has built her career

on the belief that service, equity, and empowerment are the foundations of lasting change.

In addition to her leadership with Turtles 2 Doves 23, Inc., where she directs education,

tutoring, and community-gardening initiatives, 

Shalonda works as a Special Education Team Lead and Third Grade Special Education Teacher within the Atlanta Public School district. Known for her empathy, consistency, and commitment to excellence, she advocates for students who need individualized support and ensures they receive the tools, encouragement, and opportunities necessary to reach their potential. Colleagues describe her as a servant leader, someone who leads by example, uplifts others, and approaches every challenge with professionalism and heart. Before returning to public education, Shalonda served in higher education at Morehouse College, where she worked as the Project Manager for Business and Campus Operations, managed student-development operations and strengthened systems that improved student success and engagement. These experiences deepened her understanding of the importance of access, structure, and exposure at every stage of learning from early childhood through college and beyond.

Shalonda is also a licensed real-estate agent, using her expertise to help individuals and

families build stability and generational wealth through homeownership. Outside of her professional roles, Shalonda is an active member of the Renaissance Church of Christ in Atlanta, GA, where she serves in youth and young-adult ministries. Whether teaching in the classroom, mentoring young women, or cultivating partnerships in the community, her purpose remains the same to plant seeds of knowledge, confidence, and opportunity that will continue to grow for generations to come. “I believe in leading with love, serving with purpose, and creating opportunities that help others see the power in who they already are.”

Miranda Hill is a social and behavioral scientist who earned her PhD and MPH in Health

Promotion and Behavior from the University of Georgia’s College of Public Health and

her B.S. from Spelman College. Dr. Hill is the Founding Principal at Hilltop Consulting,

LLC & an Assistant Professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, &

Reproductive Sciences at the University of California, San Francisco.

Dr. Hill’s passion for public health began over 15 years ago, when she volunteered as a

health educator and care linkage coordinator at women’s health centers. That

experience inspired her to lead community-based initiatives connecting low-income and

underrepresented women to life-saving health services — and ultimately sparked her

lifelong commitment to advancing community-engaged research and health promotion.

Today, Dr. Hill enjoys bringing researchers, practitioners, and community partners

together to build programs that address the needs of the communities they serve.

Guided by the principle “Nothing About Us, Without Us,” she works to ensure that the

voices of underserved groups are at the center of health policy, education, and system

reform. Her scientific scholarship in women’s health has been funded by federal, state,

and private foundations. Her research findings have been shared at international and

national conferences and in numerous peer-reviewed scientific publications.

As a co-Director in Turtles 2 Doves 23, she will share her expertise to empower girls in

their personal, interpersonal, and professional growth — helping them connect

knowledge about their bodies with self-care, confidence, and a clear sense of purpose

for the future. Dr. Hill believes that when girls understand how their bodies work and

how social and cultural factors shape women’s health, they gain the power to make

informed choices, advocate for themselves, and step boldly into their ambitions.

TeErra Bingham began her career as an attorney specializing in antitrust litigation. A proud

graduate of Spelman College, she went on to earn her Juris Doctor from Howard University

School of Law, where she also met her husband. Following graduation, she remained in

Washington, D.C., to practice law with Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, one of the world’s premier

corporate law firms.

After four years in the legal field, TeErra discovered her true calling in education—specifically,

in nurturing and teaching her own children at home. For the past 13 years, she has devoted

herself to creating a spiritually grounded and intellectually engaging homeschool environment

for her two children, Charlie and Carlie.

Blending her professional expertise with a passion for lifelong learning, TeErra approaches her

children’s education with excellence, creativity, and faith at the core. Beyond academics, she

emphasizes the value of service and compassion. She helped her son launch a service project,

Books Across Borders, which collects and ships books to under-resourced communities in Africa

to promote literacy. To date, the initiative has gathered and distributed more than 200 books.

TeErra is an active member of the Renaissance Church of Christ in Atlanta, Georgia, and enjoys

traveling, reading, and spending quality time with her family.

Keith Alston is a decorated Army veteran who dedicated 20 years to service, culminating in numerous leadership roles in demanding environments. Now retired, he is channeling his lifelong commitment to discipline, structure, and personal accountability toward a new mission: empowering and mentoring young men.

Alston's military experience instilled in him the core belief that structure is not a constraint, but a foundation for freedom and success. He passionately believes that every young man has immense potential that can be unlocked through consistent mentorship, clear expectations, and the development of internal fortitude.

His primary motivation stems from a desire to address the systemic challenges many young men face—the absence of reliable male role models and the lack of exposure to tangible life skills. Alston aims to provide a reliable, disciplined, yet deeply empathetic presence, teaching practical lessons on time management, goal setting, conflict resolution, and the profound value of integrity. He seeks to guide participants beyond fleeting motivation, helping them build the lasting habits necessary to become responsible, resilient, and contributing members of their communities.

With over three decades of experience spanning basic science and clinical research, Nancy M. Thomas possesses a unique blend of empathy and resolute determination. Her excellent interpersonal skills complement her expertise in developing and directing programs that offer patients essential advocacy, education, and navigation. Nancy's core mission is to leverage her research background to improve patient access to the latest, cutting-edge therapies.

Nancy’s scientific investigations involved the identification and characterization of a diabetes-specific protein, as well as training clinical and post-doctoral fellows. She is published in invited publications and chapters and was the senior author on a paper published in “Diabetes.”  She is also co-inventor for two submitted patent applications.

Nancy co-directed the design, implementation, and administration of the first educational branch of the IRB at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in NYC. She provided support and guidance to clinical research personnel concerning regulatory requirements, IRB mandates and protocol study design and implementation. Nancy co-founded Harlem Healthy Hearts, a community- based organization, in operation since 2011. HHH provides dynamic programs and workshops to increase awareness about heart health. In addition to education on nutrition, physical fitness, and emotional well-being directly to the Harlem community.

Professional Affiliations

National Association of Healthcare Advocacy Consultants (NAHAC); National Patient Advocate Foundation (NPAF); American Heart Association (AHA); Association of Black Cardiologists (ABC); NYC Health Department: Citywide High Blood Pressure Initiative; The PATIENTS Program at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy.

Deidre Thomas, an Atlanta native, began expressing her creative talents when she was only ten years old. In fact, it was at the age of ten when Deidre and her sister made a home movie out of

a shoebox, an empty paper towel roll, pieces of hard plastic and a flashlight. “I remember

my sister and I making up a story and actually drawing our ideas with colored magic

markers onto the plastic. We spliced the plastic through the paper towel roll, slid the roll

through a shoebox and shined the flashlight through the box. We didn’t have sound, so

we narrated the entire story for an astounded audience of five – our mother and four other

siblings.”

When Deidre entered college, modeling afforded her the opportunity to support her

education and to travel. Despite her mother’s insistence, Deidre left college early to pursue

her passion to write. She accepted an opportunity to write songs for various Motown

artists. “I love writing and being creative so, I really enjoyed writing for Motown; however,

I’ve always had a passion to write and direct for the big screen.”

In 1996, after losing her mother to breast cancer, Deidre focused diligently on making her

dream a reality by returning to school at The Hollywood Film Institute in Los Angeles. In

1998, Deidre launched her own company – Alli Way Productions, named after her mother

Alice. In the beginning, Deidre directed music videos and television commercials. In

spring of 2004, Deidre’s directorial debut in a feature, “Ahead of the Game” was acquired

by a distribution company and released nationally, after screening at Magic Johnson Theatres,

during The Pan African Film Festival in Los Angeles.

In April of 2006, Deidre and her cast of teens, completed an inner-city motivational tour

with her second feature entitled, “Living With Faith,” an inspirational drama about a

fifteen-year-old girl, who goes to live in a group home when her mother falls prey to drugs.

In the spring of 2013, Deidre collaborated with an African-based production company in

Ghana, in hopes of producing a riveting documentary, “Trokosi” a life of ritual servitude.

Deidre’s first short, “Crossing The Line” a story of forbidden love–screened at the Pan African

Film Festival in Los Angeles in February, 2014 and won Best Short Film at the Charlotte Black

Film Festival. Deidre’s passion for drama shines through in her second short “Aborted,” a

thought-provoking pro-choice/pro-life drama that will tug at your heart, and have you

questioning your inner conscience. Deidre’s third feature, “Shake” an erotic thriller is presently available through Amazon Prime and other streaming outlets, domestically and internationally.

Deidre is now dedicated to creating faith-based films and has spent the past few years

creating original content. In 2025, Deidre completed an in-the-can project, “I Had A Dream” a heartfelt story about a fictitious meeting that takes place between two of the most prolific leaders of our time - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. 

Trinity Elder brings over fifteen years of experience in project management, engineering, and creative design to her work empowering young girls through innovation and mentorship. As a skilled leader and collaborator, she combines technical expertise with a passion for creativity, guiding teams from concept to completion with excellence. Trinity is dedicated to helping young women discover their voices, build confidence, and explore careers in technology and design. Her mission is to ensure every girl sees herself as capable of creating, leading, and achieving success in any field she chooses. 

Trinity is a creative leader who loves helping young girls dream big and build confidence in who they are. She believes every girl has the power to create, lead, and inspire others. She’s passionate about showing the next generation how creativity, technology, and teamwork can open doors to amazing opportunities.

Emmy Nominated - Producer/Director/Choreographer/Songwriter/Performer and Playwright, Stepp Stewart, has been in show business for over 30 years touring in the United States, Europe, and Japan. He attended The Ohio State University with continuing studies in New York City while focusing on Theater and Dance. He is best known as the Dance Fitness Star of the Emmy Award Winning Television hit,  The Dr. Oz Show.  He has worked with Broadway's Tony award winning legends: George C. Wolfe, LaChanze, Ben Vereen, Savion Glover, Jennifer Holiday, Tommy Tune, Ann Reinking, Chita Rivera, Gene Saks, Christopher Gattelli, Lilias White, Maurice Hines and more. Stepp produced, directed and choreographed the Off Broadway production of RED HOT BROADWAY starring Tony Award Nominee for Smokey Joe's Cafe, BJ Crosby. His original Cast Album recordings include: Show N Tell-The Musical, and Cindy (A Different Kind Of Cinderella Story) starring 3 time Tony Award winner, Hinton Battle. His theatrical credits include: Jelly's Last Jam, Cats, Sophisticated Ladies, Bubbling Brown Sugar, Chicago, Applause, Hot Mikado, and Dreamgirls, to name  a few.  His television appearances include: The Arsenio Hall show, American Bandstand, Solid Gold, Good Morning America, The Joan Rivers Show and American Idol. Some of steps favorite moments include working out with President Barack Obama and performing for Prince Charles and Lady Diana. 

Stepp also teaches dance and theater workshops across the country and abroad along with owning The Dynamite National Talent Competition. He is an 11 year ambassador for Healthcorps, the charity of Dr. Mehmet & Lisa oz. He produces the live entertainment for the  annual Healthcorps celebrity Gala. His dance shoes are on display in the wold famous Hard Rock Cafe and he choreographed the halftime show for the Hula Bowl in Hawaii. His chart topping hits include: 2 Best selling Dance Workout DVD's, Stepp with Me & Burn It Up, and a #1 song on the Kids Music Charts called "Don't Talk to Strangers" and at #5 "ABC's".  Stepp can be easily found on YouTube and celebrated for singing the popular duet with Debbie Gibson, "Love Under My Pillow". He is currently working on a musical for the new Butterfly Palladium in California, opening in March 2019.  Stepp is a resident producer at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts Center in Decatur, GA.

Vicki Bingham is a dynamic leader with years of experience in education, community engagement, public speaking, motivation, business and life coaching. A former educator and principal, she has dedicated her career to empowering others through learning and leadership. Vicki is a published author and editor with Bingham Ventures, LLC, and the founder of ViBing Images, where she provided transformational coaching services. An energetic extrovert, she thrives on building relationships and strengthening communities. 

Vicki Bingham is a published author, former educator and principal, master trainer of trainers who has spent years shaping leaders both in education and business/life. Through her business ViBing Images, she offered coaching that helped people grow with purpose and passion. 

Demetris O. Coleman Sr. is a U.S. Air Force veteran with more than 20 years of honorable service and a lifelong commitment to leadership, integrity, and protection—whether in national defense, digital security, or financial empowerment. Today, he applies that same mission-driven mindset as a Cybersecurity Analyst Contractor, safeguarding enterprise environments and strengthening organizational resilience through Zero-Trust principles and endpoint security innovation.

Beyond cybersecurity, Demetris channels his strategic and analytical strengths into real-estate consulting and private lending as CEO of Coleman Realty Solutions, a firm he co-founded with his wife, Nawa K. Coleman. Together they connect investors to premium funding solutions nationwide, leveraging direct access to private-equity hedge funds and creative-finance lenders. Their programs help clients grow portfolios across single-family, multi-family, commercial, and land-development opportunities.

Grounded in faith, Demetris also serves as a Christian Bible-school teacher and mentor, equipping others to lead lives of purpose, discipline, and impact. His teaching philosophy unites spiritual discernment with real-world principles—preparing believers to steward resources wisely and build lasting legacies.

As a husband and father, Demetris values family as the foundation of every endeavor. His entrepreneurial spirit is rooted in service—helping others rise from uncertainty to confidence, from instability to ownership. Whether mentoring investors, guiding youth, or securing networks, he stands by one principle: true freedom begins with faith, knowledge, and stewardship.