Staff

Meet With Our Staff

CEO/President

Gregory Johnson

Chief Executive Officer

Gregory Johnson

Chief Executive Officer

Gregory Johnson, a passionate philanthropist and esteemed community organizer, has been recently appointed as the CEO and President of the Foundation for the Mid South. Hailing proudly from Mississippi, Greg is committed to forging innovative pathways towards improved wages, savings, education, and entrepreneurship in underserved communities. He accomplishes this by fostering effective partnerships with private, public, and social sector organizations.

Greg’s previous positions include managing director of equity and economic opportunity at The Rockefeller Foundation, program officer at the Unitarian Universalist Veatch Program at Shelter Rock, and Manager of VIP relationships, corporate responsibility, and philanthropy in a corporate social responsibility office that supported access to clean water and higher education.

During his tenure as part of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s Mississippi and New Orleans team, Greg managed a diverse portfolio of nearly 140 grants amounting to over $90 million. In recognition of his exceptional contributions, Greg was awarded Philanthropist of the Year at the Young, Gifted & Empowered Awards in February 2020. Furthermore, C-Suite Quarterly acknowledged him as a NextGen 10 in Philanthropy, Art, and Culture in 2021.

Greg’s impact has resonated far and wide, leading to features in esteemed publications such as Forbes, CBS News, Newsweek, USA Today, and Black Enterprise. His forward-thinking approach and dedication to transformative change have solidified his reputation as a dynamic leader in the philanthropic sector.

Senior Leadership Team

Kimberly M. McMillan

Chief Financial Officer

Kimberly M. McMillan

Chief Financial Officer

Kimberly M. McMillan served as the Chief Financial Officer at the Foundation for the Mid South for 11 years before leaving in 2020. She returned to the organization in January 2023 as the chief financial officer. She is responsible for efficiently managing approximately $22 million in assets. Kimberly boasts over 30 years of experience in non-profit management, with a particular focus on accounting, finance, community development lending, and wealth building. She holds a BSBA degree in accounting and an MBA from Mississippi College. Throughout her career, she has served on numerous boards and committees aimed at promoting minority entrepreneurship, wealth building, and leadership.

Kimberly is married to Lee McMillan. They have three children: Crystal, Nicolette, and Alexis. They are active members of New Hope Baptist Church.

Meshelle Rawls

VP of People & Culture

Meshelle Rawls

VP of People & Culture

Meshelle Rawls is the Foundation’s Director of Administration. She joined the organization in 1997 and has been involved in various initiatives during her tenure. Her responsibilities include overseeing office operations and serving as the Human Resources manager. In her HR role, she manages HR processes, onboards new employees, and develops and implements personnel systems and practices. Additionally, Meshelle leads the Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (TRHT) portfolio, a $1.5M grant awarded by the W. K. Kellogg Foundation.

Meshelle is a Southeastern Council of Foundations Hull Fellow and a member of the Capital Area Human Resource Association (CAHRA). The Mississippi Business Journal recently recognized her as a Distinguished Leading Business Women and top ten finalist Businesswomen of the Year. She is a Life Member of the JSU National Alumni Association and President of the JSU Madison County Alumni Chapter. Meshelle is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, and Public Relations Chair of the Junior Auxiliary of Madison County. She also serves on various nonprofit and community-based boards.

Meshelle earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Jackson State University, a master’s degree in science from Belhaven University, and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy degree focused on Executive Leadership at Jackson State University. Meshelle is married to Dwight W. Rawls.

Cassio Batteast

VP for Programs

Cassio Batteast

VP for Programs

Cassio Batteast is a native of Charleston, Mississippi. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Child Development from Tougaloo College in Jackson, Mississippi. He also attended Jackson State University, where he received his Master of Arts degree in Urban & Regional Planning (Community Development). Cassio brings a host of advanced interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work closely with a wide range of constituents and has been involved in successfully developing programs and strategic partnerships with educational institutions, faith-based organizations, local governments, and other community/nonprofit organizations. Cassio Batteast has dedicated his career to working with and for disadvantaged youth, families, and communities across the State of Mississippi and its neighboring areas. Cassio Batteast formerly served as the Bank on Fellow/Economic Mobility Director for the United Way of Capital Area. He has extensive leadership experience and skills in program administration and development, non-profit management, fundraising, partnership integration, and marketing. He is actively involved in his community through a number of organizations, including the Center for the Study of Social Policy’s Strengthening Families, Kellogg Fellows Leadership Alliance, Leadership & Sustainability for Black Male Achievement, National Alliance of Children’s Trust and Prevention Fund, National Juvenile Justice Network & People Advocacy Institute. Cassio Batteast is a member of the Jackson Workforce Leadership Academy Class of 2020-21, one of several Workforce Leadership Academies in localities across North America.

Finance Team

Leo Richard

Senior Staff Accountant

Leo Richard

Senior Staff Accountant

Leo Richard currently serves as Senior Staff Accountant for the Foundation. Prior to joining the Foundation, he worked for Samac Technology & Networking Solutions Co, Inc. With over 35 years of experience in both corporate and nonprofit accounting, he specializes in providing tax planning and consulting services to individuals and businesses. He is also knowledgeable in financial statement preparation, budgeting, and cash flow management.

Leo is a resident of Richland who actively participates in his community. He is a dedicated member of New Jerusalem Church and has a BBA degree in accounting from Mississippi State University. In his free time, he enjoys gardening and working on his farm, where he raises cows and goats. He also cherishes spending time with his wife, Sarah, and his sons, Kenneth, and Joshua.

Program Team

George Stewart

Education Program Officer

George Stewart

Education Program Officer

George was introduced to education advocacy through his acceptance into the National Education Association (NEA) Teacher Leadership Institute (TLI). Since completing the program, George has become the president of the Jackson Association of Educators, the largest local educator association in the state of Mississippi. As president, George has led advocacy efforts that resulted in the largest educator pay raise in Mississippi history, led organizing campaigns that focused on safe drinking water in the city of Jackson and surrounding areas, and supported educators by leading in the organizing and facilitation of the Jackson Association of Educators Teacher Leadership Institute (TLI).

As a strong advocate for public education, he has collaborated with state legislators in writing and introducing education legislation in the Mississippi House of Representatives. As a huge supporter of community schools and education equity, George was a representative on the OUR JPS Community Schools Planning Team and the Mississippi NAACP Education Committee. George also supports families by serving as board president of Mississippi Families as Allies, the only state organization run for families by families. He is an alum of The Mississippi Black Leadership Institute, founded by Congressman Bennie Thompson, and an alum of the Congressional Black Caucus Institute Advocacy and Campaign Institute.

Stewart has also partnered and facilitated programs with community organizations such as Springboard to Opportunities, which works with lower-income families to provide educational resources for students, and Mississippi Public Broadcasting's Parents Are Teachers Too (PATT) program, which provides parents with tools and strategies to help families learn together at home.

Finally, George is a husband and father of two beautiful children attending Hinds County School District.

Lamella Scott

GEAR UP Interim Associate Director for Programming

Lamella Scott

GEAR UP Interim Associate Director for Programming

Lamella Scott currently serves as Program Coordinator for the GEAR UP Mississippi Delta Partnership with the Foundation for the Mid South. Since starting her tenure in April 2022, she has supported various middle schools in the Mississippi Delta. Before transitioning to her current role, Lamella spent the early part of her career teaching preschool and Family and Consumer Sciences at Yazoo City High School. Her primary responsibilities include supporting local efforts in school districts to enhance preparation for postsecondary education, as well as serving on each of the local advisory boards providing oversight to local GEAR UP implementation. She supports partner districts’ creation, implementation, and amendment of work plans; checks all activities for pre-approval prior to reimbursement as a part of the internal finance process; and liaises with local coordinators to support their efforts to provide direct student and family services.

Lamella is a native of Yazoo City, Mississippi. She has over 10 years of student support experience and earned a bachelor’s degree in Child Development and Family Studies from Alcorn State University. While on her break, she actively engages with her community by supporting the youth. She comes from a tight-knit and large family and is a mother to three kids - Kristian (15), Kaitlyn (13), and Lamello (3).

Carlos Rice

GEAR UP Coordinator

Carlos Rice

GEAR UP Coordinator

Carlos has a background in audio engineering and music industry studies from Delta State University. Carlos has held roles as a male counselor at GEAR Up Summer Camp and served as a student assistant in Delta State's Student Life organization. An advocate for youth empowerment, he was nominated Youth of the Year by the Boys and Girls Club of the Mississippi Delta.

Derykah Watts

Social Justice Program Associate

Derykah Watts

Social Justice Program Associate

Derykah Watts serves as the Social Justice Program Associate at the Foundation for the Mid South, where she contributes to the organization’s Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (TRHT) efforts. Her work centers on supporting initiatives that foster equity, healing, and stronger connections within communities across the region.

A native of Jackson, Mississippi, Derykah brings a strong sense of purpose and firsthand experience to her role. She has worked alongside schools and nonprofits to promote arts education in underserved areas and has been a vocal advocate for clean water access and public health in her hometown.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Jackson State University and an Associate of Arts from Hinds Community College, where she was honored to serve as Miss Hinds Community College in 2018. An alum of the Montage Theatre of Dance, Derykah remains active in the chapter and continues to use dance as a meaningful form of expression and connection.

At the Foundation, Derykah plays a key role in strengthening local partnerships, expanding inclusive programming, and supporting community-led solutions. Her dedication to justice, creativity, and collaboration is a vital part of the Foundation’s mission to create lasting change across the Mid South.

2024 Summer Interns

Jamyiyah Cotten

Fiscal/Grants Management Intern

Jamyiyah Cotten

Fiscal/Grants Management Intern

Jamyiyah Cotten, who proudly hails from Madison, MS, currently serves as the Foundation's Fiscal/Grants Management Intern. She is deeply committed to empowering underserved communities through strategic grant distribution and support.

Pursuing a Bachelor of Arts and Science in Mass Communications from Alcorn State University, with an anticipated graduation in Spring 2026, Jamyiyah exemplifies a dedication to academic excellence and community engagement. Jamyiyah’s dedication and achievements have been recognized with accolades, such as being named to the Presidents & Deans List, highlighting her academic excellence and commitment to learning.

In addition to her role as an intern, Jamyiyah is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., where she recently earned the honor of being elected as the President of her chapter for the upcoming school year. Her leadership within the sorority reflects her commitment to service and sisterhood, embodying the values of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Beyond her involvement in Greek life, Jamyiyah is an integral part of the Alcorn State University community. She is a member of the National Society of Leadership & Success and a key player on the university's Softball Team, demonstrating her dedication to leadership and teamwork both on and off the field.

Jamyiyah is deeply involved in community service initiatives outside her academic and athletic pursuits. She volunteers as a Bellringer for the Salvation Army and participates annually in events such as Making Strides for Breast Cancer Walk. Additionally, Jamyiyah dedicates her time to tutoring at the Christian Learning Center and Helping Hands Learning, embodying a spirit of giving back to her community.

With a passion for making a positive impact and a drive to succeed, Jamyiyah Cotten is poised to continue making meaningful contributions both in her academic pursuits and in her efforts to uplift and empower those around her.

Curtis Hill

TRHT Intern

Curtis Hill

TRHT Intern

Curtis began his work in social justice at Nollie Jenkins Family Center (NJFC), at the age of 13. At NJFC, Curtis led a youth leadership and development program that informed students of their rights inside of schools and the benefits of dismantling the school-to-prison pipeline. Following his tenure as a youth organizer, Curtis attended the University of Mississippi. He graduated from the University of Mississippi with a degree in English and was selected as a member of the 2020 class of Who’s Who of the University of Mississippi. Mr. Hills is currently a rising 2L at the Howard University School of Law (HUSL).

Prior to enrolling in law school, Curtis served as a Food Policy Analyst with Every Texan and as an Emerson National Hunger Fellow with the Congressional Hunger Center. At Every Texan, Curtis researched and authored policy proposals that advanced the landscape of childhood nutrition and Medicaid in Texas schools.

As an Emerson National Hunger Fellow, Curtis conducted research at the grassroots and federal levels on the impact of food insecurity among college students. During the pandemic, he helped organize thirteen county-wide food distributions and developed a long-overdue food pantry because his community needed food.

Although Curtis became an organizer to escape his grandfather’s farm and the humidity of Mississippi summers, he credits his grandfather with helping him understand the value of owning his own land. Curtis brings the tools and skills of a seasoned community organizer to the Foundation for the Mid South team.

John Robert Walker

Research Intern

John Robert Walker

Research Intern

John Robert Walker is currently serving as a research intern at the Foundation for the Mid South. Serving directly under the President/CEO and VP of Programs, John Robert hopes to soak up the breadth of knowledge and experience his advisors hold.

Working alongside other passionate youth in previous roles on the Mississippi Board of Education Student Advisory Council and Teen Health Mississippi Youth Council, John Robert strived to shape policy to eliminate disparities in education and healthcare and equip Mississippi's youth with opportunities to overcome stereotypes. He carries that mission with him today.

John Robert recently graduated from Starkville High School as a Salutatorian, STAR Student, and AP Scholar with Distinction. He plans to study Data Science and Ethics, Politics, and Economics at Yale University in the fall. Ultimately, he aims to utilize data science as a policymaking tool to improve health and educational outcomes in Mississippi.”

Staff

Meet With Our Staff

CEO/President

Gregory Johnson

Senior Leadership Team

Kimberly M. McMillan

Meshelle Rawls

Cassio Batteast

Finance Team

Leo Richard

Program Team

George Stewart

Lamella Scott

Carlos Rice

Derykah Watts

2024 Summer Interns

Jamyiyah Cotten

Curtis Hill

John Robert Walker

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