building brighter futures

Meet The Team Driving Educational Opportunity Across Missouri

Our Leadership Team

Behind our mission is a team of committed leaders who ensure strong stewardship, thoughtful strategy, and meaningful impact. Their dedication guides our work to uplift family voices and strengthen educational opportunity throughout Missouri.

CEO & FOUNDER

Our Team

Carole King

Joplin Community Organizer

Cecil Cornish

Digital Communications & Engagement Coordinator

Te'Ara Arman

Community Organizing & Projects Manager

The Work That Inspires Us

Our team’s shared purpose is to support Missouri families in our most marginalized communities, to share power dynamics with elected leaders, ensure parent voices are heard, and become solution-oriented change agents within the community while obtaining political insight and sharpening parents’ political lenses through support from Activate MO.

Activate Missouri empowers families across the state to access equitable school choice by providing support through the following initiatives:

Board of Directors

Dr. Twyla Baylor

Dr. Twyla Baylor is a lifelong educator and advocate for student success. A graduate of McCluer High School in the Ferguson-Florissant School District, Dr. Baylor holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems with a minor in Business Administration from Missouri Baptist University. After a decade-long career in technology, she transitioned into education, earning a Master’s in Elementary Education in 2007. While teaching full-time, Dr. Baylor launched Soaring High Tutoring Academy, serving elementary and high school students with additional academic support. She later earned a second Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from Fontbonne University, where she also completed her doctoral degree in Collaborative High-Impact Instruction in 2024. Dr. Baylor brings to the Activate MO board a deep commitment to educational equity, decades of classroom experience, and a passion for innovative instruction that empowers students to reimagine what education can be.

Leslie Holloway

Leslie Holloway is a successful fundraising specialist with more than 30 years of experience, including annual and capital campaigns. Her commitment to supporting future leaders and ensuring equitable opportunities for underserved communities has been evident throughout her career. As conscientious executive who aggressively advocates for innovative programs, constructively challenges the status quo and assertively champions new initiatives, Leslie Holloway has served in chief fundraising roles at YWCA Metro St. Louis, United Negro College Fund, INROADS, Inc. and several universities including Harris-Stowe State University, The Wharton School at University of Pennsylvania and Tulane University. Leslie Holloway has been responsible for campaigns with fundraising goals of $22M annually. Leslie Holloway has also held executive roles in Alumni Relations and Institutional Board oversight. Leslie Holloway, a native St. Louisan, received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Master of Business Administration in Marketing and Management from Tulane University. She serves on the Flance Early Learning Center Board and as a member of several professional associations including the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and National Black MBA Association, Inc.

Alyxaundria Sanford

Alyxaundria Sanford is a seasoned journalist, educator, and digital engagement strategist with a deep commitment to social justice and community empowerment. Currently serving as the Digital Engagement Specialist at the Innocence Project, she leverages her extensive background in storytelling and advocacy to amplify voices and drive systemic change. Alyxaundria's illustrious career spans roles at prominent media outlets, including ABC, NBC, CBS, the New York Daily News, and City & State Magazine. She has also contributed to The Intercept as an Audience Engagement Producer. An Ohio native, Alyxaundria holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from Ohio University's E.W. Scripps School of Journalism, a master's degree from John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and is an alumna of the Engagement Journalism program at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism. Beyond her professional endeavors, Alyxaundria is passionate about the arts and culture, often attending Broadway shows, exploring new culinary experiences, and visiting exhibitions at the Brooklyn Museum. As a board member of Activate STL, Alyxaundria brings her expertise in media, advocacy, and community engagement to support the organization's mission of empowering parents and uplifting community voices.

Leslie Bland

Leslie Bland is an award-winning educator and community leader who helps organizations build cultures where people feel respected, supported, and empowered to do their best work, while closing gaps in communication, structure, and access along the way. With over a decade in education, including seven years as a lead classroom teacher, Leslie has built a reputation for strengthening school culture while driving measurable academic outcomes, particularly in English Language Arts. Her leadership has been recognized with two teacher leadership awards, at both the school and regional charter network levels. Beyond the classroom, she was honored with an Impact Award and mayoral proclamation from the city of Joplin, Missouri, for organizing a Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service through AmeriCorps that supported vulnerable communities. Leslie holds a Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning from Washington University in St. Louis, and is known for her ability to align strong culture with real, measurable growth.

Urail S. Williams

Urail S. Williams is an educator, consultant, and community leader with 20+ years of experience in criminal justice, education, nonprofit leadership, and public service. As Founder and CEO of C II C Consulting LLC, he helps organizations strengthen leadership, governance, and community engagement. A former Deputy Director of Community Engagement for the Missouri Charter Public School Commission, Urail is committed to developing leaders, building stronger communities, and driving meaningful systems change.

Lejla Husic

Lejla Husic was born and raised in Bosnia and Herzegovina and resettled in St. Louis in 1999. As an immigrant and proud graduate of St. Louis Public Schools, she has experienced firsthand how opportunity can create pathways to success and how a lack of access to resources can impact individuals and families. This perspective has shaped her passion for education, community engagement, and economic empowerment.

For the past 23 years, Lejla has built a career in banking, helping individuals, families, and businesses achieve their financial goals. Throughout her career, Lejla has been committed to expanding access to financial education and equipping people with the knowledge and confidence needed to make informed decisions, build financial stability, and create opportunities for future generations.

Lejla is especially passionate about supporting immigrant communities and helping families navigate the challenges and opportunities that come with building a new life. Having experienced that journey herself, she understands the importance of access to education, mentorship, financial resources, and strong community support systems. Lejla believes that when families are empowered, entire communities thrive.

In addition to her professional work, Lejla volunteers with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, helping low- and moderate-income individuals and families access free tax preparation services and valuable tax credits.

Through her personal journey, professional experience, and commitment to service, Lejla strives to help create opportunities for others, promote economic mobility, and ensure that all families have the tools and support they need to succeed.

"I am honored to support organizations like Activate MO that are dedicated to educating, training, and uplifting families and youth leaders across Missouri."