President, Mr. Vonkurt Redley, M.A. Candidate 

Vonkurt is a current Social Studies Educator with the School District of Philadelphia. He taught at New Media Technology, Mastery Charter and Audenried High Schools in Philadelphia from September 2006 to April 2016. He is currently teaching at John Bartram High School and pursuing a Master of Science in Education from Cabrini University's Graduate School of Education. As an urban educator, Vonkurt has experienced meeting the needs of diverse learners. At Roosevelt Elementary School, he currently teaches students with a wide variety of learning needs, and he is dedicating himself to making his lessons accessible to all students. Vonkurt also ran track and field while attending Kutztown University. He ran the 110 Meter hurdles, 400-meter hurdles, and the 4x400 meter relay. From 2016-19, Vonkurt was the Head Track Coach and Basketball Coach at Roosevelt. His athletes competed in the 2017 and 2018 Penn Relays, receiving a third-place medal in the heavily competitive middle school division the MPAA Sports Program and Middle School Track Club.

Vice President, Mr. Jamar Davenport:

Jamar is a graduate of George Washington High School (Philadelphia) and Delaware State University. He majored in Sport Management and completed internships in Japan and at Rehoboth Beach (DE) in Aquatics. Those internships were in Aquatics, where Jamar served as a Lifeguard. Jamar also served as a Lifeguard with the City of Philadelphia Recreation Centers and with the renowned Nile Swim Club. His family also were members. Jamar was a walk-on with the Delaware State University Football Team and worked with DSU’s Wellness and Recreation Department. Jamar played Free Safety and was a Lifeguard (with) Aquatics. Jamar’s other football experience includes stints with several semi-professional football organizations. He played with the Tabor (Philadelphia) Rams, Delaware Blue Demons, Delaware Buccaneers and North Philadelphia Cowboys.

Treasurer, Mr. Christopher Signil, ESQ: 

Attorney Christopher Signil is an aggressive advocate who prioritizes protecting the interests of his clients and fighting for justice. Attorney Signil has spent nearly all his life in public service, community outreach and ministry. He remains committed to finding the best possible outcomes for his clients. His unique blend of technical proficiency and tenacity, helps guide his clients through the often complicated and convoluted legal process. Attorney Signil is also a minister, who finds joy in bringing healing, hope and encouragement to others. In his spare time Christopher enjoys riding his motorcycle, writing books, traveling, and going to sports events.

Chair, Coach Richard Drayton:

Coach Drayton is married to Robyn Drayton, and they have two children Rae and Rich III and a beautiful granddaughter Peyton. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Coach Drayton graduated from Central High School. After playing football and running track at Central he did the same at Temple University. At Temple, he earned a degree in Business Administration. Upon leaving Temple, he caught the coaching bug. A friend of his, Dominic Damico invited him to help with the receivers at Cardinal Dougherty and he has been coaching ever since. Coach Drayton returned to school to obtain a certification in Education. At Eastern and Lincoln University, he received certifications in Early Childhood Education, Middle School Math and Health and Physical Education. During that time, he also became a certified Personal Trainer which proved to be useful while coaching football, basketball, and track. Some of his coaching stops were North Penn High School (football), Wissahickon High School (football), and Cheltenham High School (football and girls track). He’s coached girls’ and boys’ basketball at the middle schools and served as a teacher. Currently, Coach Drayton is the Athletic Director and Head Football Coach at Central High School.

Program Mentors

Teresa Peck-Muhammad

Teresa is a veteran teacher with over 20 years experience in the School District of Philadelphia. She has experience teaching Kindergarten through 6th grade. Teresa is a proud alumni of Central High School, Class 252; and she received her Bachelor’s of Business Administration degree from Temple University in Philadelphia, Pa and her Master’s of Science degree from Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pa. Teresa has a passion for all youth activities. She's coached boys and girls track & field and flag football. Teresa has initiated and supervised many after school programs including the chess club, math club, STEM club, and currently serve as troop leader of Girl Scout Troop #9495. She values any opportunity that provides children with the space to get exercise, make friends, learn teamwork, and improve self-esteem.

Ms. Keisha Tanya Prosser, Health/Wellness, Culinary Arts and Dietician 

Keisha has over 20 years of experience in the food service industry. She is highly motivated and able to multi-task and prioritizes workload under pressure. Keisha has excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build rapport and develop regular clientele. She is attention to detail, and has an array preparation ideas for diverse menus of cuisine. Keisha is highly educated on nutritional information and healthy choice alternatives. Keisha graduated from The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College with a degree in Pastry Art. Keisha has taught over 150 youth Healthy Cooking and Food Safety throughout 2016-19.

Mr. Rick Howard, M. Ed, CSCS, *D, FNSCA

Rick Howard is a doctoral candidate at Rocky Mountain University in Health Promotion and Wellness. He is an Assistant Professor in Applied Sports Science at West Chester University (PA), teacher at Keilir in Iceland, and Fellow of the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Howard is the Director of Fitness at Wilmington (DE) Country Club, where he trains youth in fitness and sports performance to develop lifetime joy of being physically active.

Daniel LaMagna, Ed.D, Associate Vice President of Student Engagement

Dr. LaMagna has diverse experience between higher education and social services fields while developing expertise in interpersonal skills and leadership. He has held positions as a therapist, counselor, career coordinator, football coach, instructor, Dean of Students and he is currently the Associate Vice President of Student Engagement at Lackawanna College. My experience is multi-faceted spending seven years in the field of Sport Management. Dr. LaMagna managed branding, event management, marketing and public relations while leading the daily operations of the NEPA Miners Semi-Professional Football & Entertainment organization. With 18 years of service in minor league football, it was an honor for him to be inducted into the 2013 AAA Minor League Football Hall of Fame class in Palm Springs, California.

Mr. Henry Unite, Nonprofit Veteran

Mr. Unite, of South New Jersey, is a 18 year veteran of the nonprofit sector. He's worked in the social services, financial literacy and career workforce areas; assisting Philadelphia and South New Jersey constituents. 

Dr. Bradley Skelcher, Retired Provost, Delaware State University

During his DSU years, Dr. Skelcher has received the University Excellence Award for Teaching (2000), the DSU Diamond Extravaganza Award from Women’s Athletics (2016), the Community Uplifter Award from the DSU Early College High School (2016 and 2017), the Vice President’s Choice Award from the DSU Provost (2017) and the DSU Inspire Award (2017). He has also been recognized by the Delaware House of Representatives (2008) and the Central Delaware NAACP (2008) for his contributions in the preservation of African American history in the First State.