Our Mission

KRISTA JOHNSON

Executive Director + Founder

Dr. Krista L. Johnson has spent the past decade bridging her experience in theory and research to the clinical world of dyslexia remediation. She currently serves as the Executive Director of ALLMemphis, where she is responsible for overseeing the administration, programs, and strategic plan of ALLMemphis. Prior to this position, Johnson was the Director at the Erika Center at Bodine School where she served students in both independent and public-school settings through individual reading remediation or teacher mentorship. Johnson received her doctorate from Northwestern University in Communication Sciences and Disorders, with an emphasis in auditory neuroscience. Additionally, she holds a Master of Arts in Audiology and Hearing Science, a Master of Arts in Learning Disabilities, and has completed a certificate in cognitive science. She is also an Associate Level member of the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators, a Certified Dyslexia Practitioner through the International Dyslexia Association, and is a Certified Master Trainer in the Yoshimoto Orton-Gillingham Approach.

KRISTI BAKER

Director of Curriculum & Instruction

Dr. Kristi Baker is an experienced educator whose career has focused on improving academic and behavioral outcomes for all students, especially those from vulnerable populations. Kristi earned her PhD in Education from Southern Methodist University while also earning a Master’s in Special Education. Her doctoral research focused on literacy development and academic and behavioral interventions that address the over-classification of minority students in special education. Prior to pursuing her PhD, Kristi was the Special Education Coordinator for an urban charter district in Dallas, TX. In her role, she coached teachers and worked to implement systems around special education, 504, and RTI to ensure that all schools within the district had the resources needed to serve their growing populations of students with disabilities. Additionally, she has taught a broad spectrum of students from a variety of backgrounds in elementary through high school. She is excited to join the ALLMemphis team and is passionate about ensuring that all students have access to high-quality instruction.

LULU ABDUN

Data + Technology Specialist

Working at the intersection of technology and social change, Lulu is dedicated to finding data-driven solutions to improve education and our world. As the Data and Technology Specialist at ALLMemphis, Lulu oversees ALLMemphis’ evaluation framework and process. She drives continuous improvement with a focus on the use of technology to enhance, streamline, and innovate new ways of supporting ALLMemphis’ core programs. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Miami University (OH). Additionally, she has taught robotics and mobile app development in Shelby County Schools as well as created and managed several websites for nonprofits and other entities. She is an alumnus of the Public Policy and International Affairs Fellowship and graduate of Tech901 and LaunchCode. Committed to educational equity, Lulu is proud to be a part of a team that is grounded in research and focused on building a fully literate community.

Deidra Hawkins

Program Specialist Manager

Deidra’s dedication to educating youth, building relationships, and closing achievement gaps are evident in her role as a Program Specialist Manager. Deidra is a 2016 TFA Corps Member and taught Special Education with the Shelby County Schools District. She enjoys working with students and giving them access to the educational tools needed to build upon their foundation for academic success. Having a heart for the youth, Deidra is very active in her local community working with organizations to provide them with experiences and exposure. In her spare time, you can find Deidra planning events for young ladies throughout the city of Memphis, helping them to realize they are born to be MADE. With these events, Deidra’s goal is to provide youth with captured memories that may not ever be reproduced but generate a new perspective on life. Deidra has her Master’s degrees in Public Administration and Digital Media Management.

Nikeesha Kelley

Program Specialist Manager

Nikeesha Kelley is committed to student success inside of the classroom and in life. Nikeesha has a Bachelor’s degree in Learning and Behavior Disabilities and Elementary Education (2008) from Murray State University. Additionally, Nikeesha earned her Master’s degree from Murray State University in Special Education Moderate to Severe Disabilities (2011) and her second Master’s degree in Reading and Writing (2014), also from Murray State University. She has nine years of classroom experience where she has taught in various classroom settings including co-teaching in special education inclusion and self-contained classrooms with various disabilities. When she moved to Memphis, TN in 2016 to continue her teaching career as a High School Special Education teacher in the Hickory Hill area, Nikeesha quickly embraced her role as an ELA co-teacher and RTI team lead. Immediately she fell in love with the RTI process and knew this was where she could really impact student literacy. She was able to work with her team to find a curriculum designed to meet the needs of all students to ensure student success. As an ALLMemphis Program Specialist Manager, she is interested in building strong relationships with students and teachers while providing a literacy-rich curriculum in order to promote student growth and educational equity in the classroom.

HILLARIE HENDERSON

Program Specialist

After recognizing her passion for early literacy and instruction during her years as a teacher and school administrator, Hillarie joined the ALLMemphis team as a Program Specialist. Hillarie moved to Memphis in 2015 to join the Memphis Teacher Residency program and earned a Masters of Urban Education from Union University. Additionally, Hillarie earned her Educational Specialist degree in Educational Leadership from Arkansas State University. Prior to this position, Hillarie both taught and coached the ALLMemphis curriculum, which has allowed her to gracefully step into her role where she is supporting teacher development through data-informed and research-based strategies in an effort to provide equitable educational opportunities for all students. Hillarie seeks to support schools and teachers through relationship building, regular coaching, and data analysis that promotes best practices.

MEILI POWELL

Program Specialist

Meili Powell developed a passion for equity and relationship-building through working with students during her time at the University of Washington, where she studied early childhood education and history. Meili moved to Memphis in 2017 to join Teach for America. As a corps member, she taught reading, writing, and social studies for three years in Orange Mound and South Memphis as a 3rd and 1st grade teacher. Beyond the classroom, Meili has worked with Stand for Children as a Policy and Advocacy Fellow where she analyzed best literacy practices, researched trauma-informed work, and helped organize a “Funding Students First” campaign. Meili continues to support Stand for Children’s Momentum Memphis task force meetings, which engages community members to fight for a quality education for all. As a Program Specialist at ALLMemphis, Meili is now using her passion to support teachers and empower students to ultimately work toward literacy justice in our city.

HALEY MATHEWS

Project Manager Fellow

Haley serves as a Project Manager and Education Pioneers Fellow at ALLMemphis, where she coordinates partnerships, manages internal projects, and advocates for equitable funding for education. Haley moved to Memphis in 2016 to join Teach for America. She taught third grade reading and language arts for four years in North Memphis, Hickory Hill, and Raleigh. As a teacher, Haley saw the glaring need for a literacy curriculum that equips growing readers with critical skills and strategies through direct instruction. Beyond the classroom, Haley has worked as a policy intern for the Committee on the Judiciary in the U.S. House of Representatives and as an Urban Leaders Fellow for a member of the Dallas ISD school board. Haley holds a B.A. from Texas A&M University in Political Science. She is passionate about ensuring educational equity for students from historically marginalized backgrounds, and she sees ALLMemphis as a vital part of that endeavor.