WHO
WE ARE

BOARD MEMBERS.

James Matchett

President

Phone: 904-701-4740

James Matchett is a native Floridian and graduate of Miami Norland Senior High School. James is a military veteran who proudly served as a Master Technician and Drill Instructor and holds a bachelor's degree from Southern Illinois University. He currently works as a power production engineer and has served the community as a football and basketball coach, Guardian at Litem, mentor, and motivational speaker. Having lived and worked Internationally, he has also taught martial arts, self-defense, and horseback riding to underserved youth. With a passion for service after his grandparents and mother's legacy, James will lead the work and mission of GRGA, Inc., to continue serve the community.

Honorable
Flora Jackson

Vice President

Patrice Smith

Executive Director

Patrice Matchett Smith is an accomplished public servant with over 40 years of experience in law enforcement and education. She is a proud graduate of Miami Norland Senior High School and South Florida’s only Historically Black College and University (HBCU), Florida Memorial University. She was recognized and honored by the University as one of the school's history makers. She is the State’s first black female tri-county agent and has also been honored by the United States Marshal's Office.

Through her work in education she has championed and authored a plethora of projects and initiatives. Her most notable works include the graduation and placement of over 2500 students through a juvenile rehabilitation program, a once in a lifetime trip to Ghana for students in her District, and her recent initiative Pearls4Girls, Inc. mentoring and leadership program.

She is in her final year in her pursuit of a Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership and has focused her research studies on sustainable development, self-government, and the political economy. Her belief is “Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world,” by Nelson Mandela.

Dr. Sherrica Taylor

Treasurer

Dr. Sherrica Taylor, an experienced professional in higher education, received her doctoral degree from Northcentral University and her undergraduate degree from the University of South Florida. Sherrica is an effervescent motivator with a desire to see students learn and grow. She remains engaged in helping students identify their passions, outline their goals, and plan for their future. Currently as an instructor she aims to provide the highest level of education and critical thinking possible. She encourages students to utilize the resources available to them to gain greater levels of understanding and to achieve maximum success in their desired fields.
Community service and giving back is one of the principles by which she was raised. With a love for theater and creative writing she looks forward to one day servicing her community through the arts.

Rashid Wilson is a native Miamian who has had an extensive career in entertainment and food and hospitality. A private chef and restaurateur affectionately known as Chef Blaq, Rashid has catered and hosted events for the who's who of Atlanta's socialites. With background experience in music and entertainment, Rashid explored a career in theater. A playwright and actor having written successful plays in both in Miami Atlanta, he also has a number of appearances in various television shows and films including the Aretha Franklin Biopic, Coming to America, and Queen to name a few.

Rashid had a call to service for youth and started a male mentoring program Men of God Mentoring God’s Children (MGM). Through the years of administration the mentoring program serviced a host of young males teaching them, grooming, self-esteem, work skills, and education support. After becoming a father, Rashid began his community work within the school system serving as a Classroom Dad, Booster Fundraiser, and Chef for school events.

A graduate of the Miami Dade County Schools system, he attended Northern Virginia College and focused on entertainment and hospitality.

Rashid Wilson

Executive Board Member

Yukai Johnson is a highly experienced strategic planner, policy manager, and communications expert with extensive experience in education, community, and industry.

After spending time in K-12 education as a classroom teacher and in the business world in training and development, marketing, and as an entrepreneur, her experiences led her a career in higher education.

With a passion for community, Yukai co-founded a youth mentoring program, I Am One. Her and the co-founder managed the nonprofit for seven years through a partnership with with her Alma Mater, Miami Carol City Senior High School. She has also worked as an independent consultant and has volunteered within the community as a marketing and social media advisor, designer, communications specialist, community collaborator, advisory board member, and special events manager for various nonprofits, businesses, and City of Miami Gardens.
A graduate of Florida State University, she also holds a master's in higher education. She is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She also currently coaches and is an Executive Board Member for the Academy of Engineering and Biomedical Sciences and Julius Chambers High School. She helped establish GRGA and has served as its Administrator since inception.

Yukai Johnson

Executive Administrator

WHO WE ARE