Governance Board

The Utopian Academy for the Arts Governance Board 

The Utopian Academy for the Arts Governance Board is committed to providing children with a high-quality education that is focused on rigorous academics, the arts, leadership development, and community service. The UAFA Board oversees the operations of the Utopian Academy for the Arts Charter School Network, The Utopian Academy for the Arts Elementary School,  The Utopian Academy for the Arts Middle School, The Utopian Academy for the Arts Middle School at Trilith and The Utopian Academy for the Arts High School.

Not Pictured: Steven Garner, UAFA Board, Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

The board is comprised of a network of servant leaders who volunteer their time to further the mission of Utopian Academy and to ensure that all schools affiliated with the network are financially sustainable, and operate within state and federal guidelines. Board members are selected through an application process and are appointed to serve in the best interests of Utopian Academy students.

The board includes professionals of diverse backgrounds who have the expertise necessary to effectively govern a public charter school network. Some of the board’s noteworthy skills include accounting, arts, education, entrepreneurship, fundraising, human resources, legal services, marketing, nonprofit management, policymaking, and politics.

Meet the UAFA Governance Board

Name: Joshua Menifee

UAFA Board Position: Chair

Board Member Since: 2018

Company: UNCF

Title: Area Development Director

Contact Me: joshua.menifee@utopianacademy.com

Name: Reginald Colbert

UAFA Board Position: Vice Chair

Board Member Since: 2018

Company: Atlanta Public Schools

Title: Retired Educator

Contact Me: reginald.colbert@utopianacademy.com

 

Name: Terance Madden, Esq.

UAFA Board Position: Member

Board Member Since: 2020

Company: T. Madden & Associates

Title: Partner

Contact Me: terance.madden@utopianacademy.com

 

 

Contacting The Governance Board

To contact members for the Utopian Academy for the Arts Governance Board, please call 470-446-1070 or email the executive director (pamela.dingle@utopianacademy.com) and/or our governance board chair (joshua.menifee@utopianacademy.com).

Public Comment

All meetings of the Utopian Academy for the Arts Governance Board that are not executive sessions are open to the public and welcome public comment during most regularly scheduled meetings.

Individuals who wish to speak during the designated public comment period must sign up in the main office at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the start of the board meeting at which they wish to speak and must be present in-person. Individuals must provide the following information when signing-up to speak: name, city of residence, email address or telephone number, the agenda item or other topic to be addressed and, if applicable, the group or organization the person represents. The in-person requirement shall not apply when matters of health and safety require the Board to restrict public meeting attendance or the meeting is held virtually.  If meetings are to be held virtually, individuals who wish to speak must email Judy Richmond (governance board liaison) and/Mr. Joshua Menifee (governance board chair) at the following email addresses: Judy. Richmond@utopianacademy.com and Joshua.menifee@utopianacademy.com

 

 

Not Pictured

Name: Steven Garner, CPA

UAFA Board Position: Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Board Member Since: 2018

Company: Deloitte

Title: Senior Manager

Contact Me: steven.garner@utopianacademy.com

 

Not Pictured

Name:  Stephany Walls

UAFA Board Position:  Member

Years Serving UAFA:  2021

Company: Atlanta Public Schools

Title: Retired

Contact Me: Stephany.Walls@utopianacademy.com

 

Not Pictured

Dr. Aquanette Salter

UAFA Board Position: Member

Board Member Since: 2023

Company: DeKalb County Schools

Title: Assistant Principal

Contact Me: aquanette.salter@utopianacademy.com

 

Not Pictured

Name:  Christopher Copeland

UAFA Board Position:  Member

Years Serving UAFA:  2021

Company:  McKinsey & Company

Title:  Management Consultant

Contact Me:  Christopher.Copeland@utopianacademy.com

 

Not Pictured

Name:  Gavin McGuire

UAFA Board Position:  Member

Years Serving UAFA:  2022

Company:  The Grove Park Foundation

Title:  Executive Director

Contact Me:  gavin.mcguire@utopianacademy.com