Our Mission
SCD Enrichment Program recruits and supports gifted and talented and advanced coursework for secondary BIPOC students through support programming and gifted identification processes through the lens of culture
Our Vision
Our vision at SCD Enrichment Program (SCDEP) is to create a future where all students, regardless of their background, have equitable access to advanced coursework opportunities. By partnering with school districts, colleges, universities, community elders, organizations, teachers, families, and students, we are dedicated to transforming Gifted and Talented, honors, Concurrent Enrollment, Advance Placement, and International Baccalaureate classrooms and programs to mirror the rich diversity of our nation.
We recognize that culturally responsive identification criteria are essential in ensuring fair representation of BIPOC students in advanced coursework. Therefore, we are committed to developing and implementing culturally inclusive strategies that provide concrete solutions to increase the enrollment of students of color in Gifted & Talented and Advanced Coursework programs.
Breaking the Mold
A letter from our founder….
The SCD Enrichment Program was created as a result of my lived and professional experiences. As a child, I was ostracized and bullied for much of my schooling because of the misconception that “Black kids that are in AP classes think they are better, wanting to fit in with White students”.
Attending college at Hampton University, confirmed that my story was not as rare as I thought. Many of my peers experienced the same tragic experiences with no guidance to navigate the world of accelerated classes where they were one of few Black students in advanced coursework. Due to the lack of Black representation in my classes and little to no education available to dispute such misguided comments, I educated myself enough to reach out to mentors in the community to build my confidence.
In my eleven years of teaching, I have also observed the lack of representation and services for students of color in accelerated coursework.
As for my students of color that were enrolled in college level coursework, their stories mirrored the echo of my past experiences. My son also experienced severe bullying due to not fitting the mold of the “stereotypical accomplished student”. My son became suicidal and his grades ultimately dropped. With the help of counseling, mentors and parental support, he was able to overcome these tragedies.
I have always had a deep interest in social issues. As a student excelling in academics, while being homeless through middle school and high school, I know my success was short of a miracle. At the age of 19, I had the vision to create a program for students from similar backgrounds to succeed despite their circumstances. The mere fact that I was able to receive skills to graduate from college was enough motivation for me to launch my program to help other students become successful.
Shalelia J. Dillard
Founder, Executive Director
Martinez D. Anderson, Ph.D Research and Advanced Education Director
A native of Shreveport, Louisiana, Dr. Martinez D. Anderson currently resides in Dallas, Texas, where he has served as a dedicated secondary educator and now serves as a Professor at Texas Christian University. With over nine years of experience spanning K–12 education and the nonprofit sector, Dr. Anderson is an accomplished educator, researcher, and community leader committed to fostering equity and inclusion through education.
He earned his Ph.D. in Urban Higher Education from Jackson State University, where his research examined African American male persistence through the Anti-Deficit Achievement Framework. As a researcher, Dr. Anderson has led large-scale projects focused on education, equity, workforce development, environmental justice, parent engagement, and data-driven program improvement.
Dr. Anderson’s professional journey demonstrates a steadfast dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion. As the Founding DEI Director at UME Preparatory Academy, he developed and implemented initiatives that significantly enhanced students’ sense of belonging and academic achievement.
A full-time activist and community advocate, Dr. Anderson is passionate about empowering underserved youth and families through education, leadership development, and social justice. Outside his professional endeavors, he enjoys spending quality time with his family and friends.
Vashawn Buckley Operations Director/Manager
She is a Denver native from the Park Hill neighborhood and a graduate of George Washington High School. She earned her degree in Marketing from Hampton University in Hampton, VA. With over eight years of professional experience in talent acquisition and organizational operations, she develops scalable systems that enhance hiring, compliance, onboarding, and cross-departmental efficiency, applying a people-centered and data-informed approach to policy development, HR optimization, and mission-aligned nonprofit operations.
Her background also includes impactful work within school systems, where she cultivated a deep passion for supporting the success and educational advancement of underserved youth. Her leadership is distinguished by a commitment to operational excellence and a proven ability to strengthen organizational infrastructure in support of long-term sustainability. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys traveling and spending quality time with her family.
Alexandria Zoungrana Mentor Supervisor
Alexandria Zoungrana, a Denver, Colorado native and DPS alumna. She is a graduate of Manual High School and currently attends Metropolitan State University of Denver to study Integrative Healthcare with a Minor in Pre-Healthcare. Upon graduation, she plans to explore the field of medicine through clinical Research.
She has a strong passion for supporting her community and inspiring the youth; her role at SCD Enrichment allows her to do that. She supports the college mentors and gifted students of SCD by assisting with providing resources and programming that helps to improve the academic experience of the gifted students.
Meet our Board
Executive Director
Shalelia is a Denver native and Daniels Fund Scholar who graduated from South High School in 2003. She received a bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor of Spanish from Hampton University. While completing her last year of college, she worked for Upward Bound and realized that she would be fulfilled by teaching. She received her alternative teacher certification in Special Education in Austin, Texas. From there, Shalelia taught high school math, preschool, sixth and eighth grade science, and private school. While attending Hampton her sophomore year, she envisioned a program to enrich students with their culture while improving their academia. From this concept, the Student's Cultivating Dignity Enrichment Program was born.
As a teacher for eleven years, her number one focus was to significantly impact her students by sharing her real-life circumstances while instilling pride and confidence. Since she was in high school, her priority has been to give back to the community. From volunteering for the homeless to coaching a community cheerleading team, her focus has been on making her community a better place.
She is an alumna of the Urban Leadership Foundation of Colorado, The Denver Foundation’s Executive Directors of Color Institute, Moonshot edVentures cohort 3 graduate, a member of the Colorado Gifted Education State Advisory Committee (GE-SAC), the chair for the community outreach committee for Colorado Association for Gifted and Talented, the vice president of the Denver Metro Hampton Alumni Association, and is currently completing her Masters in Educational Psychology at the University of Northern Colorado with a Gifted and Talented Endorsement.
When Shalelia is not trying to make a difference in her community, she dedicates her time to her husband Joe and two boys, Jojo (16) and Elias (8). She is an artist who paints and quills and loves singing and listening to music. Shalelia was influenced by her past, experiences, professional experiences, and love for education and culture!
Board Member
Ashlee has been a member of Urban League Young Professionals since 2018. The Urban League believes in community, service, economic empowerment and uplifting the next generation. Ashlee currently serves the Board of Directors as treasurer. She has extensive experience in management and overseeing company budget and program financials and brings this expertise to her role on the board.
Ashlee serves on the board for St. Clair Drake Enrichment Program, a nonprofit that provides mentoring support for students of color in advanced placement coursework. Through the St. Clair Drake Enrichment Program, Ashlee founded the Enrichment Scholarship Fund which will provide support, mentorship and small scholarships to students of color seeking higher education. Ashlee previously served as a board member for the Trauma and Resilience Center (formally the Denver Center for Crime Victims) from 2013 to 2014.
Ashlee is a 2018 fellow of the Urban Leadership Foundation, a program designed to help participants become more effective, well-rounded, influential leaders in the areas of business, politics and community leadership. She is a 2019 fellow of Impact Denver through the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation. She is also a 2019 fellow of the Chinook Fund Giving Project, a program that brings together individuals who are passionate about social change and want to strengthen their skills in fundraising, grant making, and community building.
Ashlee has 4 children and is committed to shaping and inspiring them to be leaders in their community. Her proudest moments are giving back to the very community that she grew up in, alongside her children. In May 2018 she completed the Colorado Family Leadership Training Institute with her children. Ashlee is actively involved in the schools that her children attend and helped to organize and form student council at her oldest daughter’s middle school. She currently serves as parent chair.
Ashlee is passionate about community, service and making an impact. She often supports her community by organizing and participating in collection drives, fundraisers and various service projects that will serve those who may be economically disadvantaged.
Board Member
Erin Neill Williams is the Assistant Principal of Character + Culture and the 23/24 Head of High School at Girls Athletic Leadership School in Denver. She received her Bachelor's in Ethnic Studies and Sociology from the University of Colorado - Boulder and her Master's in Teaching from Loyola Marymount University. With over 20 years of experience in public education and the nonprofit sector, she has worked as a teacher, school administrator, and coach, gaining a deep understanding of the needs of gifted students and the challenges they face.
As a board member of SCD Enrichment, she is committed to using her expertise to help provide students with the support and resources they need to reach their full potential. Having been identified as GT as a child and currently raising two incredible GT kids, she is a strong advocate for gifted education and is passionate about creating opportunities for gifted students of color to learn and grow.
OUR PARTNERS
