Our Board

So Others Ascend Righteously

Founder & Director
Kimberly A. Collins
Kimberly A. Collins, MFA, founded SOAR and her writing for healing workshops in 1990 after working as a teacher and bearing witness to the trauma, conflict, and confusion some of her young students faced.

Board Member, Treasurer
April Baskin
April E. Baskin, HCCP, TCS, CPM Candidate, is the Founder and Owner, of ALT Tax Services for the past 15 years.

Board Member, Chair
Margery Hannah, MFA
Margery is a writer with several years' experience in program development and management within the nonprofit sector.
Board Member
Dr. James Austin
Dr. James Austin is the founder of the JFA Institute which he launched 2003.

Advisory Board Member
Dr. Nicole Watford
Nicole Watford is a passionate educator who recently earned her doctorate to ensure the educational experiences of underserved students are more equitable.

Board Member, Secretary
Dr. Melane Ausbrooks.
Melane Conyers-Ausbrooks brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the board of SOAR, having served in multiple legal positions in the last twenty years.