AAYLC’s Board of Directors
Our board is committed to providing students and their families with the resources they need to make a difference in their communities. The AAYLC seeks leaders who want to use their abilities to provide strategic direction and purpose. If you'd like to be considered for our team, please click the button below.
Nicole Frazier
Board President - Information Technology Chair
Nicole is an accomplished leader with over 30 years of proven results. She has developed, implemented, and managed resources and solutions for several Fortune 500 companies in the software, telecommunications, and aerospace industries. Nicole is the Chief of Staff for Pratt Real Estate LLC - RE/MAX Professionals. For over 25 years, she has been a presenter, corporate sponsor, individual donor, volunteer, and board member of the African American Youth Leadership Conference (AAYLC). Nicole is dedicated to giving youth the tools they need to become successful adults. She believes that students who are guided and encouraged do well. Nicole also volunteers with the Tuskegee Airmen's Mile High Flight Program. Through Polk YEA! (Young Entrepreneurs Academy), she has mentored kids.
Dr. Paul Wiggins
Board Vice President - Community Outreach Chair
Paul works for the Colorado Governor's Office of Information Technology as a Senior Service Management Analyst. He has over 23 years of leadership, information technology, change management, and program management expertise. Paul is also a retired veteran, having served in the Air Force Reserve for 21 years. During his time in the Air Force, he had several positions in leadership, administration, service desk lead, and finally as a First Sergeant. He serves on various city and state boards to improve our communities. Paul is also an Air University course instructor, teaching the Applied Airmen Leadership Capstone. He is deeply committed to our youth and ensuring that they have access to all educational and leadership opportunities that will help them develop into our future leaders.
Harold J. Geolingo
Board Treasurer - Finance & Budget Chair
Harold (“Geo”) is a Healthcare Executive with over 32 years of leadership experience within the healthcare industry. He is currently the Senior Vice President of Clinical Operations at Peak Vista Community Health Centers and is a 20-year veteran of the United States Army. He is a proud and active member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. Geo is passionate about providing educational and developmental opportunities for youth so that they can succeed in our community. Being a member of the African American Youth Leadership Conference allows Geo to make a difference in the development of great young leaders and change agents.
Demetria Lister
Board Secretary - Public/Media Relations Chair
Demetria graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Communications. She brings over a decade of experience in communications to AAYLC by running the Student of the Month program and chairing the PR & Media Relations committee. She is currently responsible for implementing technology for doctors at Suki, a healthcare IT company. Demetria is devoted to serving others and feels that a healthy mind is essential for developing healthy leaders, particularly among our youth. As a member of the board, she is able to meet youth where they are and to serve as both a partner and an advocate for their holistic growth and well-being as they transition into adulthood.
Alice Miles
Board Director - Governance & Policy Chair
Alice is a qualified HeartMath Practitioner who is now pursuing her LCSW to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker as a Social Work Candidate (SWC). In 2023, she obtained her master's degree in social work with a Trauma concentration from Newman University. She works as a therapist, adoption case manager, and placement specialist, as well as a Domestic Violence Survivor Advocate who provides professional training and shares her knowledge as a speaker. Her propensity for travel has exposed Alice to unique variations in a range of cultures and strengthened her awareness of them, earning her the moniker "The Miss Frizzle of Mental Health." Alice's experiences motivated her to become an active volunteer in the Colorado Springs community. Her activism and volunteer activities earned her the Recognizing (y)our Resiliency Award from the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence in 2021, as well as the Gold Presidential Volunteer Service Award in 2020. She finds purpose in enabling youth to speak up for themselves and focuses on offering services to adolescents to help them maintain and enhance their mental health.
Adriene Patton
Board Director - Program Innovation Chair
Adrienne is a Senior Director of Operations with over 30 years of experience in healthcare and leadership, as well as 17 years of allied health education. All of this serves as a driving force in her interactions with the community. She began as a Medical Assistant and felt that she needed to be on both the clinical and administrative sides of the healthcare business, so she became an allied health educator while continuing to practice as a licensed Medical Assistant. Adriene progressed through the ranks to become the director of education for a technical institution. She presently works for Peak Vista Community Health Centers. Her entire professional career has been and continues to be about serving both individuals and her community. Adrienne's participation with the AAYLC allows her to learn from and interact with the next generation of leaders in the local community and beyond.
Nakia Plamer
Board Director - Financial Sustainability Chair
NaKia (“Kia) is the Director of the Colorado Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) at Mt. Carmel. She graduated from Fayetteville State University with a degree in Psychology. From Liberty University, she earned a master’s certificate in Military Resilience. Her leadership experience has progressed from community outreach and public awareness to non-profit management, all with a focus on serving the military community. With resiliency as the catalyst, she thrives through emboldening the hearts and minds of today’s youth. As a member of Sigma Gamma Rho, Sorority, Inc., Kia leads with a heart of service and a spirit of progression. Kia brings an entrepreneurial essence to the African American Youth Leadership Conference (AAYLC).
Cydnee Taylor
Student Liaison - Rampart High School
Cydnee is a senior at Rampart High School, where she is an Honor Student, Varsity Track Team member, and member of Key Club. Outside of school, Cydnee is involved in a variety of extracurricular activities, including the Stroud Scholars Program at Colorado College, the Colorado Springs Striders Track Club, Elevated (Sachs Foundation), and the Youth Committee for Mental Health (YCMH). Cydnee believes that youth who are driven, involved, and proactive change agents are the world's future. As a result, she believes that being a part of a youth organization allows her to grow in a constructive setting that fosters personal development.
DeShaun Ellison
Student Liaison - Widefield High School
DeShaun is a Junior at Widefield High School. He joined Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) this year in the aim of gaining a better grasp of the medical field. DeShaun recently applied to National Honors Society (NHS) in order to become more knowledgeable about finding potential scholarships. He is the Gladiator Marching Band Drum Major at Widefield High School. He appreciates being a member of the band and having the ability to lead, conduct, and direct the group. As a board member, he is learning how to work as part of a team and how to help other students become strong future leaders!