Meet Our Mississippi Board of Advisors
- Kevin Akins
- Nov 20
- 2 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
We're thrilled to announce our new Board of Advisors for IYT Mississippi! These dedicated individuals are deeply committed to moving the needle forward for young men of color, and we're honored to have their support.
Antonio Knight
Owner & CEO Freestyle Fitness 29
"I love helping youth."
Audwin Fletcher
Professor and Assistant Dean for Graduate Programs & Post-Grad Certificates
"Passion is what I bring, committed is what I am, service is what I do."
Deidre Wheaton
Associate Dean of Education, JSUM
"I believe in the work and mission of IYT, and I would love to see it take root in Mississippi's schools."
Dr. Jasmine Thorton
Chief Scholar and Family Experience Officer, RePublic Schools
"The work of IYT aligns with the very foundation of my 'why'—to ensure that Black and Brown scholars not only have access to high-quality educational opportunities, but that they feel seen, valued, and protected in those spaces. As a native of Mississippi and a lifelong advocate for school choice, I’ve spent my career building systems, founding programs, and shaping scholar experiences that reflect the belief that our kids deserve more—more love, more rigor, more access, and more dignity. IYT began in California, but the outcomes they’re producing are exactly what our boys across the country—and especially in the Deep South—deserve. Too many times, I’ve witnessed the devastation of losing beloved scholars to street violence. Young men with limitless potential cut down far too soon—not because they lacked talent or ambition, but because the systems meant to support them failed to wrap around them in meaningful ways. I carry those losses with me every single day. They fuel my urgency and my belief that we have a responsibility to create institutions that intervene, uplift, and transform lives. I want to help grow this work beyond California—to be part of a legacy that ensures that wherever our Black and Brown boys are, they have access to something powerful enough to change the trajectory of their lives."
Guy Parker, III
First VP, CBRE Inc.
"To further foster and assist in providing support and increased awareness related to the programs and objectives of IYT."
Nic Lott
Government Affairs Consultant, Lott & Associates Consultant
"I care about helping young men of color reach their full potential. Supporting college dreams and closing opportunity gaps is important to me, and I believe my experience and passion for equity can make a real difference."