President: Mia Moody-Ramirez
Dr. Mia Moody-Ramirez is an associate professor of Journalism, PR & New Media and the director of American Studies at Baylor University. She is the co-author of The Obamas and Mass Media: Race, Gender, Religion, and Politics with Dr. Jannette Dates (Palgrave Macmillan, 2013). She is also the author of Black and Mainstream Press’ Framing of Racial Profiling: A Historical Perspective (University Press of America, 2009).The professor teaches PR and media research theory and methods courses. She specializes in new media portrayals of women and people of color. Her recent papers focus on the effects of the James Byrd Jr. dragging death on Jasper, Facebook hate groups, stereotypes of President Barack and Michelle Obama, male and female rappers’ differing views on the “independent woman,” and coverage of missing women. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Texas, two master's degrees from Baylor University and a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University. The Bryan native served as a staff writer and columnist for the lifestyle section of the Waco Tribune-Herald from 1990 to 1997, and was a general assignment reporter and intern at the Bryan-College Station Eagle in 1988-1990. She was editor and publisher of “FOR" Seasons Magazine and Elegant Woman Magazine. Moody-Ramírez is the proud wife of Augustine Ramirez and mother of Heidi, Timothy and William. Timothy and William are active in Cub Scouts, music and various other activities. Heidi enjoys cake decorating and hopes to become a nurse one day.
President Emeritus: Connie Nichols
Connie Powell Nichols majored in biology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a goal to discover a cure for cancer in the Amazon Rain Forest. But instead, she jumped to another field that, much like medical research, is constantly changing and developing.Nichols said Intellectual Property Law is an area that holds her attention and is one of the fastest evolving areas of law. Witness that when she started practice, copyright infringement issues via file sharing and Napster were just emerging on the legal landscape.After earning her J.D. cum laude from Indiana University School of Law, Bloomington, in 2000, where she served as senior managing editor for the Federal Communications Law Journal, Nichols entered private practice with the Chicago law firm of Winston & Strawn, LLP, where she practiced for four years in the firm's Intellectual Property group, representing Fortune 500 companies and major advertising agencies. Today, she is an associate professor of law at Baylor University where she teaches courses in Advance Trademark Practice & Litigation, E-Commerce, Information Privacy Law and Intellectual Property Capstone. She is the proud mother of Caden, 10, who is active in soccer, archery, GT and various other activities.
Recording Secretary: Kerry-Ann Frazier
Daryl and Kerry-Ann Frazier are parents to Vincent, Kayla and Andrew and new baby, London. Vincent is a 17-year-old Senior and academic scholar at Harker Heights High School. He is also a Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) Commander and Texas Bio-Tech Institute National Merit Scholar. Vincent plays, soccer, rugby and runs cross country in his spare time and he is also a member of Top Teens of America and The National Honor Society. Kayla is a 16-year-old sophomore and is also an academic scholar and leader. Kayla, affectionately known as “Lethal Lefty,” is the captain of her high school volleyball team and her competitive travel volleyball team as well. Kayla is also a contemporary dancer, cheerleader and actress in a variety of dramatic stage presentations. Andrew is the youngest member of the family. He is a 14-year-old 8th-grader who enjoys laughter and the dramatic arts. Andrew is an avid actor, artist, and rising scholar who also enjoys athletics. Andrew loves to run track and play soccer in his spare time. Daryl is a former NFL and University of Florida wide receiver, a former U.S. Army Captain and is currently a process manager with Georgia-Pacific. Daryl is an avid soccer and football player and enjoys history and reading fiction novels. Kerry-Ann is a graduate of University of Southern California and is the Founder and Director of the City of Harker Heights Healthy Homes Program. Kerry-Ann is also an accomplished playwright, contemporary dancer, and drama director. The Frazier’s have been members of Jack and Jill for two years and are looking forward to 18 more years of active membership after the birth of their child in the fall.
Protocol Chair: Greta Mathis
Douglas Mathis- Honor Student, Basketball Team MVP, Austin Regional History Bee participant , National History Bee participant, Track Team, ACSI Math Olympics participant, 1st place ACSI Regional Science Fair, Top Teens of America, Jack and Jill of America member since 2004, Army Community Service/ Family Advocacy Program Teen Delegate for Bronco Youth Center Joshua Mathis - Honor Student, ACSI Science Fair winner, Heart of a Warrior ACSI Track and Field award recipient, Heart of a Warrior Basketball recipient, ACSI Area Math Olympics Excellent Ribbon, ACSI Science Fair Superior Ribbon, ACSI District Math Olympics participant, Participant Public Speaking Children's Cluster, Jack and Jill of America member since 2004
Note ACSI = Association of Christian Schools International.
Latonia Wade, LCSW
This is the Wade family! Latonia is a LCSW working as a psychotherapist with the U.S. DoD, where she helps soldiers suffering with traumatic brain injuries and the effects of PTSD. She is also a second year doctoral student in the Clinical Psychology Program at Fielding Graduate University. Donald is a retired SFC with over 21 years of military service. He currently works as a contractor on Fort Hood. They are the proud parents of 6 beautiful children ranging in age from 15-23.
Dr. Lakia Scott
Dr. Lakia Scott is an Assistant Professor in the School of Education. She currently teaches undergraduate and graduate level courses in literacy and social issues in education. Her research interests include: creating urban literacy initiatives to advance student academic outcomes, increasing multicultural awareness and perspectives in teacher education programs, and extending the discussion on the academic and cultural relevance of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. She is co-author of “Last of the Black Titans: The Role of HBCUs in the 21st Century” and “Unshackled: Education for Freedom, Student Achievement, and Personal Emancipation.” In addition, she has published numerous journal articles and book reviews and presented nationally and internationally on topics of language and literacy, urban school trends, and social justice pedagogies. She is also a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., where she is most recently celebrating her eleventh year. She was also recently inducted into Jack and Jill of America, Inc.; a membership organization dedicated to nurturing future African American leaders by strengthening children through leadership development, volunteer service, philanthropic giving and civic duty. Dr. Scott is a member of Toliver Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, where Dr. Jimmy Hunter serves as Pastor. Her and her family live, work, and worship in Waco, Texas.
