Visionary Leadership
Our board is a diverse assembly of professionals from legal, medical, and business sectors, all united by a profound dedication to the legacy of Mary E. Demps. Through their varied expertise and collective commitment, they work tirelessly to expand educational access and create transformative scholarship opportunities for the next generation of scholars.
Board of Directors
J. Vincent Demps
Board Chairperson
Andrea S. Demps
Mr. Demps serves as the Chairman and is truly a valued member of the Mary E Demps Scholarship Fund family. He is the son of the honoree Ms. Demps and could not think of a better way to honor her memory. Mr. Demps is also a Fisk University Alum with a Masters Degree in Contract Law from University of Tennessee-Knoxville. He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc and 100 Black Men of Middle Tennessee. He is the former President of the Memphis Fisk Alumni Association and Treasurer of the Fisk Class 1991 Alumni. Vincent initiates, organizes, and develops new ways to increase donation efforts while corporate matching contributions.
Vice President
Ms. Demps is a University of Tennessee Alum, who also holds an MBA from Union University. She plays a major role in keeping the organization on task. Ms. Demps is personable and detail-oriented and is instrumental in establishing the initial parameters associated with the scholarships. We are so lucky to have such a wonderful woman on our team.
Calvin Capers
Treasurer
Dr. Ray Bennett
Mr. Calvin Capers is a former athlete as well as Fisk University Alum. Mr. Capers holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting. Calvin obtained a Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Memphis and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Mr. Capers volunteers his time and assists with donation efforts as well as helps to establish the parameters of the scholarships. We are very fortunate to have Calvin on our team.
EXTERNAL RELATIONS
Dr. Ray Bennett is a former athlete and Fisk University Alum as well as a graduate of Meharry Medical College. He is the founder of Wingard Primary Care in Peachtree City; GA. Dr. Bennett is a keen believer in the power of charity and volunteer work and is committed to changing the world. His dedication and input play a major role on the team. We are happy to have Dr. Bennett as part of the Mary E Demps Scholarship Fund team.
Dr. Fredric Garner
Strategic Director
Sincere Richards, Esq.
Dr. Fred Garner is a former Fisk University athlete with a Doctorate degree from the University of Memphis. Dr. Garner is an excellent educational advisor who helps to balance our team. He assists with developing the scholarship parameters and volunteers his time and resources to assist with donations. We are very fortunate to have Dr. Garner on our team.
LEGAL ADVISOR
Mr. Sincere Richards is a Tennessee State University Alum and a founding member of Richards and Colburn Law Group, who practices in TN and GA. Mr. Richards volunteers his legal expertise and helps to keep the team together as we work to grow our donation efforts and continue to look at future giving at other universities.
Jacqueline Watkins
Operations Manager
Tracey Thedford
With a keen belief in the power of charity and volunteer work, Ms. Watkins is committed to changing the world. There really couldn’t be a more dedicated Event Coordinator, and we’re so happy to have Ms. Watkins as part of the Mary E Demps Scholarship Fund team as she is truly a superstar.
Advocacy Lead
Mr. Tracey Thedford is a former athlete and a Fisk University Alum. He holds a master’s degree in Marketing from DePaul University. He is a strong advocate for HBCU enrollment is another valued member of the Mary E Demps Scholarship Fund family. Mr. Thedford as with all our other members helps to establish the parameters of the scholarships and assist with raising donations. We are very fortunate to have Mr. Thedford on our team.
Darryl Washington
EXTERNAL RELATIONS
Kevin Waters
Mr. Darryl Washington is a former athlete as well as a Fisk University Alum. Mr. Washington holds a Master's Degree in Public Administration from Texas Southern University. He is an advocate for HBCU support. Mr. Washington volunteers his time and assists with donation efforts as well as helps to establish the parameters of the scholarships. We are very fortunate to have Darryl on our team.
External Relations
Mr. Kevin Waters is a former Fisk University athlete and an Edward Waters University Alum. Mr. Waters holds a Business Management degree. Mr Waters is the owner of the Jacksonville 95ers a professional basketball team located in Jacksonville, Florida, and is a philanthropist and entrepreneur. Mr. Waters volunteers his time and assists with donation efforts as well as helps to establish the parameters of the scholarships. We are very fortunate to have Kevin on our team.
The Power of Our Collective Impact
Through strategic leadership, our board has assisted several college students and close to hundred youths by supporting fellow organizations with through financial assistance and support ensuring that structural barriers do not stand in the way of academic potential.