E3 Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization whose mission is to ensure those most impacted by inequities are educated, empowered, and elevate to exercise their agency collectively in the South. It works to educate Black and Brown families through culturally competent, relevant, and sustainable engagement, to empower through the coalition building of Black and Brown led-organizations, leaders, educators, children, and families, and to elevate Black and Brown communities to act in their power and purpose. The foundation is the brainchild of Audrey Lane and LaTisha Vaughn.
EDUCATE, EMPOWER, ELEVATE
Focus Areas
The work of E3 Foundation empowers Black and Brown families and educators and raises their combined influence to address the systemic challenges that affect them in education, housing, healthcare, workforce, and transportation in three focus areas:
Community Co-Creation
E3 Foundation partners with Black-led community-based organizations (CBOs) to shatter the barriers facing our communities’ families and children, leading to events that directly impact and empower families to advocate for their children and a long-term plan for coalition building.
Talent Pipeline Development
Through a regional talent strategy dedicated to promoting and supporting a pipeline of Black educators E3 Foundation creates regional cohort of effective leaders and teachers of color to ultimately improve student performance through their understanding and acknowledging culture, traditions, and norms that create a welcoming and successful environment for Black and Brown student.
Community Organizing and Advocacy
E3 Foundation is dedicated to uplifting the power of community through grassroots efforts of social justice through activism and political advocacy that will forever affect the lives of Black and Brown communities.
OUR IMPACT
OUR TEAM
Audrey KS Lane
Founding Partner/Executive Director E3 Foundation
audrey@thee3group.com
A native of Columbia, SC, Audrey was most recently the Executive Director of The Royal Foundation, a non-profit focused on the educational, economic, and healthy transformation of residents in the North Charleston community and an extension of the largest African American Christian congregation (4,000 members) in the Charleston metropolitan area. In addition, she is a K-12 consultant with expertise in talent pipeline development, leadership development, strategy, and project management. Prior to her current roles, she was the Chief of Access & Equity for the SC Public Charter School District. In this role, she was focused on ensuring academic success for ALL children of the SC Public Charter School District by removing unintentional or intentional barriers that prevent every child from receiving an equitable, fair public-school education. Before joining the SC Public Charter School District, Audrey was the Deputy for Human Capital Development for the Charleston County School District (CCSD). Audrey has a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Florida A&M University, an MBA in Marketing Management from DePaul University, and is a 2010 graduate of the Broad Residency for Urban Education.
Audrey’s Strengths:
Project Management, Human Capital Development, Strategic Planning, Stakeholder Engagement, and Non-Profit Leadership
LaTisha Vaughn
Founding Partner/Chief Programs Officer E3 Foundation
latisha@thee3group.com
Currently LaTisha spends her time as the Chief Programs Officer for a local non-profit and consulting with school districts and schools across the country utilizing her educational expertise and background experiences supporting antiracism and positive school culture. An accomplished educator with over 20 years of experience in both the traditional public-school environment and charter schools, she made SC home twelve years ago when she transitioned to Charleston and took the role as principal in the Charleston County School District in one of its high poverty schools. Prior to moving to Charleston LaTisha spent over five years in Atlanta, Georgia as one of the original staff members at Charles R. Drew Charter School, one of Atlanta’s most successful community revitalization projects. During her tenure with the Charleston County School District, after serving as principal for four years, she transitioned to the role of Assistant Associate Superintendent/Director of Educational Initiatives. LaTisha has a BS of Accounting from the University of Missouri, a BA in Elementary Education from Park University, and a MA in Educational Leadership from Georgia State University.
LaTisha’s Strengths:
Nonprofit Leadership, Results-Based Facilitation, School Leadership, Needs Assessment, Effective Curriculum & Instruction, and Stakeholder Engagement
Felicia Veasey
Director of Partnerships & Workforce Development
felicia@thee3group.com
Felicia brings over 15 years of experience in leadership, education, community engagement, and advocacy. Her background includes director-level roles at the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, where she was responsible for overseeing pandemic response efforts and spearheading programs aimed at expanding healthcare access for residents of the state. She has also served as a Site Director for the Charleston County School District’s 21st Century Community Learning Center, where she was responsible for delivering integrated systems of service to empower students and prepare them for a successful future in the workforce. Felicia is also an Adjunct Health Professor at ECPI and subject matter expert on S.T.E.M careers and talent pipeline development. A connector by nature, she has served on multiple coalitions and boards utilizing her relationships across government, community, and the private sector to facilitate partnerships that advance social causes. Her work in the community has led to recognition from several organizations including The State of South Carolina, Charleston Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and First Baptist Church of James Island. She is the recipient of the 2022 USC Arnold School of Public Health - James Clyburn Health Equity Leadership Award. Felicia is also a participant in the second cohort of the Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health Fellowship. She believes that education is a key driver of success for black and brown people world-wide and is passionate about causes that are focused on accelerating outcomes in this space. Felicia holds a BA in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Master of Health Administration from Tulane University.
Felicia’s Strengths:
Leadership, Program Management, Strategic Planning, Human Capital Management, Partnership Development, Relationship Management, Collaboration, Diversity and Culture, People Management
BOARD MEMBERS
Michelle A. Mapp, MEM, MPA, JD
Board Chairperson
Sherman Whites, Jr.
Senior Consultant &
Philanthropic Advisor
Board Member
Ashley Powell, Assoc. AIA, AICP
Deputy County Supervisor
Berkeley County Government
Board Member
Clare Kaye
Vice President
Director of Fund & Investor Accounting The Beach Company
Board Member
NEWS
ParentFest BACK A SECOND YEAR TO EMPOWER PARENTS
(CHARLESTON, S.C., Aug. 31, 2022)-- ParentFest is back for its second year on Saturday, Sept. 16, 8 AM to 2 PM, at Trident Technical College, 7000 Rivers Avenue, North Charleston, S.C. A continuation of the inaugural event, parents and families will receive resources that will empower them to be the best advocate they can be for their children. READ MORE HERE.
E3 Foundation RECEIVES W.K. KELLOGG FOUNDATION GRANT
(CHARLESTON, S.C., August 14, 2023) Today, E3 Foundation is proud to announce it is the recipient of a $100,000 grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF) to further its work of ensuring those most impacted by inequities are educated, empowered, and elevated to exercise their collective agency in the South. READ MORE HERE.
ProTruthSC AND SC UNITED COALITION HOLDS MEET ME AT THE STATEHOUSE EVENT FOR Freedom to Learn CAMPAIGN
(COLUMBIA, S.C., May 2, 2023) ProTruthSC and SC United Coalition will hold a special “Meet Me at the Statehouse” in observance of National Day of Action to kick-off the Freedom to Learn Campaign. This event will be the only event taking place in the state of South Carolina and is one of over 150 grassroots activations expected across the US and online on May 3. READ MORE HERE.
E3 MANAGEMENT
E3 (Educate, Empower, and Elevate) Management is a Black, women-led consulting group founded in 2016. With over 55 years of cross- sector experience, E3 works with leaders to provide strategic, equity based solutions to complex organizational problems. Our guiding principle, that those most impacted by systemic inequities - people of color- must be at the center of all decision-making, is not merely our North Star, but it is our fundamental approach to the work and is what sets us apart from the competition. E3 leaders are competent, committed, and community-minded leaders. They are experienced C-Suite Leaders in multiple sectors including non-profit, advocacy, private corporate, and public education. They provide voice to those closest to the problem and most impacted.
OUR SERVICES
Organizational Assessments/Equity Audits
Understanding where you are as an organization is essential to understanding where you believe you want to go. We will work with you to examine your organization's practices, processes, culture, and behaviors through a racial equity lens leading to recommendations that will help your organization achieve your strategic organizational goals.
Strategic Planning
Strategic planning is key to achieving goals and milestones. We will guide your internal team and board through an inclusive strategic planning process that aligns your values to your goals and intended outcomes.
Professional Development
Building the internal capacity of individuals is imperative to deliver on the goals of the organization. We will advise, design, and implement quality capacity-building professional development for your team and team members based on the needs of the organization.
Community Engagement
Authentic community engagement is the key to true alignment between strategic priorities and sustainable solutions for community-based organizations. We help build true and authentic community engagement strategies that support organizations in achieving their goals.
Leadership Coaching
Our team of experienced, successful Senior Level Leaders provide strategic coaching of C-Suite executives, emerging leaders, and teams of individuals leading to increased effectiveness and productivity with a goal of ensuring access and equity.
