Barbara Bartley Turkington

  Barbara Bartley Turkington is a retired business owner and accomplished entrepreneur. She honorably served more than 20 years in the United States Armed Forces, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and Commander. She is a former Executive Director of OASIS and later served as Assistant Director of Development at the St. Louis County Library. Mrs. Turkington has contributed her leadership to numerous boards, including the Boys & Girls Club of Greater St. Louis, and remains actively involved in several professional organizations, including the International Women’s Forum. 

 Simetia Josephine Odneal is a retired federal government employee who served with distinction in both the Department of Defense and the Defense Information Systems Agency. She brings over 30 years of experience as an Information Technology Specialist, with expertise spanning the Software Division and the Business Management Division. Throughout her career, she was an active committee member for the Federal Women’s Program and the Black History Program. As a professional organizer, she is known for bringing structure, clarity, and efficiency to every committee she serves. 

 Cherise Taylor is the Founder and Chief Joy Restoration Officer, as well as a Workplace Culture Consultant. She specializes in guiding organizations and individuals through the transformative process of aligning personal well-being with professional performance—turning emotional health into a measurable business advantage. She has worked with major corporations such as Bayer and TricorBraun. A highly sought-after speaker, she is known for inspiring positive change and bringing a spirit of joy and renewal into every environment she enters. 

Akberet Boykin-Farr serves as Vice President of Diversity & Social Responsibility at Emerson. She previously held the role of Director of Human Resources at Emerson and has contributed her leadership as a board member for City Academy and the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis.

Ms. Boykin-Farr is a seasoned human resources executive with over 20 years of experience and a proven track record in organizational development, talent acquisition and retention, benefits administration, human resources information systems, and regulatory compliance.

She joined the KIPP Board of Directors in June 2023 and continues to serve as a board member for both the St. Louis Urban League and Saint Louis University. In recognition of her outstanding leadership and impact, she has been named the recipient of the 2026 Salute to Excellence in Business Corporate Executive of the Year Award.

Deborah Lynn Wilson is a native St. Louisan, and a Department of Defense (DoD) retiree who served over 35 years with a background in Quality Assurance/Supply Chain

Management, Human Resources (specifically Labor Relations and Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)). She served as the Black Employment Program Manager, EEO Counselor, Federal Women’s Coordinator; while working with the Local Union, she served as a Union Steward, Chief Steward, Vice-President and President. Deborah is a detail-oriented professional with over 40 years of experience in event planning/coordinating, quality control/supply chain management, supervision and leadership training. She uses her organizational and leadership skills to make positive contributions to improve the quality of life for residents in her community.

Deborah has a Servant’s Heart, she stays active in the community by volunteering with various local organizations such as The Little Bit Foundation, she is a Trustee in her subdivision HOA, served with the National Coalition of 100 Black Women (NCBW), Inc. St. Louis Chapter as, the VP of Membership, Leadership Committee Chair, Wine Sip for Scholarship Assistant Chair, Political Committee Chairperson and on the League of Women Voters. She serves at her church, Church On The Rock (COTR) as an online prayer partner and Small Group Leader.