Leadership

Brenda Roberts Fong is a native of Wilmington NC. She attended Ephesus Jr Academy and graduated from Williston Senior High School. She received her Certification as a Travel Consultant in New York City and retired from British Travel International. She received her Certification in Hospitality and Hotel Management from Cape Fear Community College. Currently, she serves as the First Vice President of New Hanover County NAACP and is the Chair of the NAACP Freedom Fund Committee. She is the Treasurer of the NHC Democratic Party.

Miriam has been a criminal defense attorney for 30 years in New Hanover County. She is current commissioner with IDS (Indigent Defense Services), spending a lot of time and energy trying improve legal representation for indigent defendants. Miriam volunteers at her church, St. James Episcopal Church, has participated in Lawyers for Literacy over the years (going in to elementary school and helping students with reading skills), and has volunteered at the Boys and Girls Club.

Kacie Harless spent the first part of her career as a juvenile justice corrections educator in West Virginia. She has master’s degrees in special education and business. When she moved to Wilmington, she pivoted to clinical research. She is a clinical trial associate with Apnimed.

Teresa Woods-Cox graduated from Ohio University with B.S.Ed. and from Campbell University with a M.Ed. in Counseling. For thirty years she served as the CEO of a commercial mechanical and electrical contractor. Currently she is a managing partner for Liberty Land Development and DeerwooD5 along with leading a non-profit, Kator Dunn Farm, which assists veterans through ecotherapy.

Dorian has organizational experience with the North Carolina AFL-CIO, where he focused on union organizing. Additionally, he is involved in connecting families and sharing their stories through NC Child, where he is currently community engagement manager for the east. He has been active in numerous organizations, including the NAACP, the Northside Food Co-op, and Cape Fear Community Land Trust.

Lynn is a retired educator, having taught special education students, served as an administrator, and traveled NC coaching principals in poor, rural schools in an attempt to improve the education for students, so that they were able to become contributing, educated members of society. She volunteers in schools, and contributes to Kids Making It.

Cindy is Sr. Member Services Officer at State Employees’ Credit Union. She has served as Treasurer of NHC NAACP branch for the past six years, helping to ensure that the branch remains financially healthy, organized, and in compliance. She has also served as Chair of the NHC Commission on African American History, Heritage, and Culture, leading efforts to preserve and promote
African American history throughout New Hanover County.

Brandy is a native of Pender County, NC.  She is a graduate of Fayetteville State University with a bachelor’s degree in nursing and is a registered nurse employed with Ciena Healthcare and Wellpath. Growing up in a rural community she has always understood the importance of resources and just how precious they can be which is why she believes you must give back and be the change you want to see. Her love for philanthropy was instilled in her from her grandparents who thought helping others was a gift. She continues now to work in Pender County and trusts in providing a patient-centered holistic approach to the patients she serves. As a board member she is passionate about decreasing recidivism through increasing reentry resources because she believes individuals are worth more than the worst mistake they have made in life. Her biggest honor in life is her mother, sister, nephew and great-niece. 

Cory “Blanco” Wrisborne was born and raised on the north side of Wilmington, NC and is a longtime advocate for progress in the inner-city community. Blanco has embraced his journey of adversity and credits his purpose to empower others through his story. He is an International Toastmasters Competition award winner and credits his success to never quit and “Keep Going.” Today, he is the owner of 10th & Hall, LLC providing home renovations and affordable housing throughout the region. His passion is to help save lives by pushing entrepreneurship and peace into the community.