ABOUT US
OUR MISSION
We are motivated to make a positive difference in society by providing financial assistance resources to young people attending HBCUs who have an interest in Food Science or Animal Science.
OUR VISION
We envision a world where students who attend HBCUs can graduate without an enormous amount of debt so they can continue to invest in their future.
OUR STORY
Yearly, Phyllis Gordon would provide care packages for freshman students attending Alabama A&M University in Metro Atlanta, Cobb County. In 2020, during the pandemic, she was unable to meet with students. Phyllis contacted the students because she wanted to give them gift cards. One of the students, Eboni, informed Phyllis that she was no longer at the university because her mom had lost her job. This broke Phyllis' heart and she knew she needed to do something to help students who were having hardships. So, she formed PG Heritage Foundation. Every student is not like Eboni where they go home, find another college and get a part-time job. They go home and do nothing. Approximately 70% are first-generation college students and 80% are on financial aid. So if there is a crisis in their lives, they return home. PG Heritage wants students to matriculate and graduate.
MEET OUR TEAM
Phyllis Gordon
Founder of PG Heritage Foundation
Phyllis Gordon is a native of Birmingham, Alabama. She holds a Bachelor of Science and Masters of Education degrees in Special Education with a concentration in Learning Disabilities from the illustrious Alabama A&M University and the University of Southern Mississippi, respectively. As an educator, she is trained in job coaching, and career readiness for persons with/without disabilities.
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As an educator, Phyllis focused on training and teaching individuals in becoming productive in employment and postsecondary education. She has trained students in the school system in various ways including in the hospitality industry on the campus of Morris Brown College and local hotels in Atlanta. Phyllis is a strong advocate for all students.
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She is currently a retired educator and has an array of talents that she uses to empower all students.
Phyllis works diligently with her alma mater and constantly involved in advocating and recruiting students. Through extensive Georgia United Methodist Foundation training and planned giving, it has provided Phyllis with an avenue to a larger and more impactful gift than ever. She is a charter member of the Heritage Society and legacy supporter for Miles College. Phyllis is well devised in the county she lives in. She completed the Cobb Leadership Academy 101 and is currently an ambassador for Peeblebrook High School located in Cobb County. In 2022, Phyllis was a recipient of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Educational Advancement Foundation Community Award.
Her mantra is: "God calls us to a life of charity that is rooted in joy, not duty" (2 Corinthians 9:6-7). We want to serve God by serving others and we are excited to have opportunities to use our gifts, talents, and time to make a difference. She is currently writing a book about persons with disabilities and how they all can learn, it just takes them longer. In her spare time she enjoys decorating, and traveling, and is a spectator of all sports and reading.
Dr. Marian Bryant
Board Member
Dr. Marian Bryant is a native of Dothan, Alabama. She earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Zoology from Alabama A&M University and her DMD from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Dr. Bryant has been a dentist in the Tennessee Valley/Huntsville, Alabama area for over 20 years.
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Dr. Bryant knows the importance of social responsibility. She is passionate and committed and seeks to improve the lives of others by participating in various volunteer opportunities: RAMP, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and the Madkin Chapel Church Mission Group. She also supports and shows interest in the community by being a blood donor.
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As a Doctor of Dentistry, she donates her time and talents at the free clinic in Huntsville, Alabama. At the inception of the free clinics in the Huntsville area, she was one of the first dentists to volunteer her time.
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Phyllis Kitchens Thurmond
Board Member
Phyllis Kitchens Thurmond is a native of Gray, Georgia. She attended Tuskegee University and Georgia State University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy and then earned a Master of Science in Exercise Physiology from Georgia State University. She specializes in Geriatrics and Home Health and has thirty-seven (37) years of experience in those areas.
Her affiliations include Alzheimer’s Association of Georgia Board of Directors, Leadership Society, advocate and fundraiser; Fort Valley State University Foundation Board of Directors, Pioneer Society and National Alumni Association Life Member; DeKalb for Seniors Board of Directors; Emory Goizueta Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center - Minority Enhancement Coalition member; Georgia Department of Corrections Citizens Advisory Panel; Georgia Crime Victims Support –
volunteer; American Physical Therapy Association - member; American Physical Therapy Association of Georgia - member; American Academy of Physical Therapy - charter member; Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated - South Atlantic Region Disaster Relief Chairman; Macon (GA) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated - Health/Human Services Facet and HeartLinks, Chair; Central Georgia Women’s Heart Coalition - Lead and Red Dress Luncheon, Chair; NCNW Gwinnett Section - charter member; Leadership DeKalb – class of 2019; Morehouse School of Medicine’s Hugh Gloster Society and Women with Heart - member; Tuskegee University Eminent Associate and Alumni Association (Atlanta) - member and Cascade United Methodist Church Health and Wellness, Co-chair.
She was recognized at the 2015 and 2017 South Atlantic Regional Conference of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated as the Individual Soror HBCU Hall of Fame recipient. 2018 and 2019 honors include the Alpha Kappa Alpha Educational Advancement Foundation, Incorporated’s Green Diamond award and Outstanding EAF General Member award for the South Atlantic Region, Nu Lambda Omega Chapter’s Ethel Hedgeman Lyle Service to Mankind award, American Physical Therapy Association (Geriatric section) Volunteer of the Year, Fort Valley State University Scholarship Luncheon Honoree and Tuskegee Alumni Achievement award (Atlanta chapter). Most recently in 2022 she was awarded the James Dixon Foundation President’s Inspiration award for her work as a community advocate for Alzheimer’s Disease.
Phyllis is a devoted contributor to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU’s). She lives by a Zig Ziglar quote that resonates her commitment to HBCU’s. He said, “Lack of direction, not lack of time is the problem. We all have twenty-four-hour days.” HBCU’s have deep roots in Phyllis’ heart. This has been shown by donations over the years to HBCU’s and many graduating high school students. Her contributions have included tuition assistance, university bench purchases, contributions to the brick campaigns, implementation of summer emergency funds, endowments in the names of her aunt, Dr. Justine Kitchens, her mother Mrs. Mildred Tuggle Kitchens and her mother-in-law Mrs. Maxine W. Thurmond. She participates annually in the Teacher’s Induction Ceremony at Fort Valley State University awarding scholarships to students majoring in education; and the establishment of the Dr. Justine Kitchens and Amelia Early - Marie Collins Scholarships for Middle Georgia high school students. In addition, Phyllis is a Charter contributor in the establishment of the Macon (GA) Chapter of the Links, Incorporated HBCU endowed scholarship fund. Phyllis is married to Earl Thurmond, MD, MBA, FACP.
Karen R. Lee
Advisory Board Member
Karen R. Lee, a native of Birmingham, Alabama, is a retired educator from Birmingham City Schools.
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She was educated in the public city schools of Birmingham. She is a graduate of Alabama A&M University where she received a B. S. Degree in the field of Special Education with a concentration in Mental Retardation, and a graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham where she received a Master of Arts degree in the field of Collaborative Education with a concentration in Autism.
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Currently, Ms. Lee is spending time serving others in the church, the schools, and the community. She is also actively engaged in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Omicron Omega Chapter, Birmingham, Alabama, and the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc., Nu Chapter, Birmingham, Alabama, where she strives daily to stand fast to the goals and ideals of both organizations. Educating and stimulating our youth to obtain their fullest potential is one of her main goals in life. It is evident that Ms. Lee has a passion and zeal for the concern for others’ well-being in her daily walk of life.
Nekia S. Barnes HT (ASCP) MBA
Board Member
Nekia S. Barnes, born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama. She attended Tuskegee
University for three years but did not finish due to financial hardship. She graduated
from Lawson State with an Associate of Science degree in Biology and Huntingdon
College earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Management in Healthcare. She
furthered her education at Faulkner University obtaining a Master of Business
Administration.
Nekia’s work ethic, and collegiate experience from Tuskegee University landed her an
opportunity in Histology/Pathology field. This exposure allowed her to tread new waters and explore a career by becoming a board-certified Histology Technician. Pathology is her passion, and her motto is “Path with a Purpose for the Patient”. Being in the field for over fourteen years, has blessed her with management experience, leadership skills, and bringing a fresh perspective to the laboratory environment.
