Meet our Board of Directors
Ariel Williams
Ariel Williams, J.D. serves as Board President for FUNDI Charter School. She brings approximately five years of experience in law and public policy, with expertise in negotiation, complex legal research, and community affairs.
Currently, Ariel serves as an Associate Lawyer at The Law Offices of Eric Tiebauer, where she regulates an active caseload of 60+ clients and serves as the primary contact for complex legal research and case management. Previously, she held roles including Law Clerk for the 16th Circuit Court of Mississippi and Intern for U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, demonstrating a proven track record in judicial adjudication support and constituent engagement.
Ariel holds a Doctor of Jurisprudence and a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy Leadership from the University of Mississippi. Her commitment to educational equity and economic opportunity aligns directly with FUNDI's mission to prepare Yazoo City students for STEAM careers and entrepreneurship.
As a World Champion negotiator and former Community Affairs Chair for the Black Law Students Association, Ariel is dedicated to utilizing her legal expertise to advocate for the success and empowerment of Yazoo City's youth.
Carrington Springer
Carrington Springer is a motivated and purpose driven professional with a strong foundation in criminal justice, education, and community engagement. He earned his associate degree from Itawamba Community College and went on to receive his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Mississippi. He is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice, further strengthening his commitment to the field.
Carrington has developed a well rounded legal background through a combination of internships and hands on experience. He completed an internship with the Mississippi Judicial College at the University of Mississippi, where he gained valuable exposure to the judicial system and legal education. He also interned with Pietrowski Law Firm in Oxford, Mississippi, where he enhanced his legal research and case preparation skills. In addition, Carrington served as a legal assistant at Washington Law Firm in Southaven, Mississippi, providing support in case management, client communication, and trial preparation.
Professionally, Carrington works within a law firm specializing in criminal law, where he is committed to advocating for and supporting individuals within the legal system. He is also a dedicated community advocate, actively working to support initiatives that promote growth, opportunity, and engagement within his community. In 2005,
Carrington ran for public office as an Alderman, demonstrating his early commitment to public service and civic leadership.
With a strong interest in leadership, public service, and community empowerment, Carrington is dedicated to building meaningful connections between institutions and the communities he serves. His academic background, professional experience, and commitment to service position him as an emerging leader focused on creating lasting and impactful change.
Birchel Washington
With a distinguished career spanning over three decades, Birchel Washington is a proven leader deeply committed to education, public service, and community empowerment. Deeply rooted in his Mississippi heritage, the Yazoo City native holds a B.A. degree in English with a concentration in Mass Communications and Journalism from Alcorn State University.
Mr. Washington’s expansive professional portfolio is anchored by his distinguished service as a Commissioned Officer in the United States Army. Drawing upon this foundation of strategic leadership and discipline, he has spent decades directing community-based initiatives designed to uplift individuals and families. His multifaceted expertise bridges several critical sectors, including financial services, human resources, community mental health, and educational instruction.
Today, Mr. Washington dedicates his efforts to advancing Financial literacy, equipping individuals with the strategic insights necessary to make informed decisions and build generational wealth. Across every facet of his career, he remains a Steadfast Advocate for cultivating growth, expanding opportunity, and elevating the communities he serves.
Dr.Georgia Ingram
Dr. Georgia Denise Kincaid Ingram brings decades of distinguished educational leadership and instructional expertise to FUNDI. Holding a Ph.D. in Educational Administration, she is a certified teacher, administrator, and dedicated public servant with deep roots in the Yazoo City community
Her expansive career includes serving as Interim Superintendent, School Improvement Officer, and Principal within the Yazoo City Municipal School District. As a School Leader, she successfully managed over $5 million in grants and drove significant academic turnarounds through data-driven strategies. In the classroom, Dr. Ingram has championed student success across diverse disciplines, notably doubling district Algebra I proficiency rates and integrating vital social-emotional learning into her curriculum.
Beyond her work in schools, Dr. Ingram is an active community advocate, serving as a Board Commissioner for the Yazoo City Public Service Commission and holding leadership roles within the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. As the co-owner of Pathways Into Empowerment Consulting LLC, she continues her lifelong commitment to professional development, school improvement, and empowering future generations of learners.
Dr. Barbara L. Howard
Dr. Barbara L. Howard brings a wealth of experience in teaching and learning, as well as STEM student recruitment and retention. Dr. Howard has taught middle school science, high school biology, and college-level teacher preparation courses. Dr. Howard is also a researcher with several peer-reviewed publications focused on best practices for teaching and retention in STEM. She is also a published author in the genres of Christian Inspiration and poetry.
Dr. Howard is a 2021 inductee into the University of Mississippi School of Education Hall of Fame. She holds a B.A. in Biological Sciences and an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Mississippi (1992; 1994). She also earned an Ed.S. in Supervision and Administration from Middle Tennessee State University (2001) and an Ed.D. in Administration and Supervision (Higher Education) from Tennessee State University (2005). She holds current teacher license certifications in the states of Mississippi and Tennessee.
Tosha L. Hughes
Tosha Lewis Hughes is an accomplished nonprofit executive and strategic advisor with more than 20 years of experience leading mission-driven organizations through growth, leadership transitions, and organizational transformation. Having served in CEO, Interim CEO, COO, and executive leadership roles, she brings extensive expertise in governance, strategic planning, operational excellence, organizational development, stakeholder engagement, and change management.
As Founder and Principal Advisor of Inflection Point Advisors, Tosha partners with nonprofit organizations and their governing boards to strengthen leadership, improve organizational effectiveness, navigate periods of transition, and build the capacity necessary for long-term mission success. Her work focuses on helping organizations move from vision to execution by aligning strategy, governance, operations, and
community engagement.
Throughout her career, Tosha has worked alongside boards, executive leaders, funders, community partners, and cross-sector stakeholders to develop sustainable organizations that expand opportunity and create meaningful community impact. She is particularly passionate about initiatives that improve educational access, strengthen communities, and create pathways to economic mobility for underserved populations.