Maria Rice, C’87

President

Ann-Maria Rice

Ann-Maria Rice – simply known as Maria graduated with a BA in political science in 1987. Maria currently serves as Chapter President after serving as VP and Recording Secretary.

Maria has over 20 years of business development, consulting, sales and leadership for various companies and organizations. 

Maria believes in putting humanity first while dedicating her life to serving others and helping young black girls find their black girl magic.

Maria Rice, C’87

Brunch Chair

Ann-Maria Rice

Ann-Maria Rice – simply known as Maria graduated with a BA in political science in 1987. Maria currently serves as Chapter President after serving as VP and Recording Secretary.

Maria has over 20 years of business development, consulting, sales and leadership for various companies and organizations.

Maria believes in putting humanity first while dedicating her life to serving others and helping young black girls find their black girl magic.

LaVerne Matthews, c'1980

Vice President

LaVerne Matthews

La Verne Matthews graduated with a BA in political science in 1980 and has worked in law enforcement for over 30 years, retiring from the Drug Enforcement Administration.

La Verne held several positions in the Los Angeles Chapter including Past President, parliamentarian, and college recruiter.

La Verne is the proud mother of Dr. Sydney Walker, a Spelman graduate of 2011. She is an advocate for black women and girls, a life member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, NAASC, the NAACP, NCNW, NC100BW, and the Links.

Shanon Belle, C’2008

Treasurer

Shanon Belle

Shanon Belle is from San Diego, CA.  She graduated from Spelman College with a B.S. in Chemistry in 2008. She works as a flight attendant for Southwest Airlines and serves on the NAASC-LA. 

One of her primary goals is to ensure that students of color have access to quality and affordable education.

Kimberly Murry, C’2004

Financial Secretary

Kimberly Murry

Kimberly Murry is a 2004 graduate of Spelman College. She is currently serving her second term as Financial secretary for the NAASC-LA.

Originally from Memphis, TN, she currently resides in Irvine, CA where she manages operations for Knollcrest, LLC a family controlled real estate investment group.

Tobi Shannon, C’2016

Recording Secretary

Tobi Shannon

Tobi Shannon, C’2016, is the Recording Secretary for the Chapter. A native of NC, she was president of the Seattle-Tacoma chapter, before moving to LA to pursue an MBA & MPA.

Currently, Tobi works to dismantle the anti-Blackness that pervades our society, which includes being in community with her Spelman sisters!

Lauren Richardson, C’2018

Assistant Recording Secretary

Lauren Richardson

Lauren Richardson graduated from Spelman College in C’2018. Since graduating, she has been an active member of the NAASC-LA. Lauren now serves on the executive board for the chapter as the Assistant Recording Secretary.

She always remembers that she is choosing to change the world by giving of herself to support Spelman College and the immediate student community that comes from her hometown of Los Angeles.

Kirra Epps, C’95

Corresponding Secretary

Kirra Epps

Kirra Epps graduated from Spelman College in 1995 and holds a B.A. in English. Throughout her 25-year tenure in the insurance industry, Kirra has served in a variety of leadership capacities.

Kirra has been a member of NAASC-LA for 4 years and mentors young women within her hometown for the Miss Bellflower Competition.

Yvonne Anderson, C’74

Parliamentarian

Yvonne Anderson

Yvonne Anderson MPA – Class of 1974; from Washington. D.C.  Experienced Manager and Analyst with a demonstrated work history in local government administration.

Previously employed with the County of Los Angeles- Department of Mental Health as a Healthcare Budget Analyst. Currently employed with the Gailen and Cathy Reevers Center for Community Empowerment as Executive Director.

Yvonne Anderson, C’74

100SPELMANLA Co-Chair

Yvonne Anderson

Yvonne Anderson MPA – Class of 1974; from Washington. D.C.  Experienced Manager and Analyst with a demonstrated work history in local government administration.

Previously employed with the County of Los Angeles- Department of Mental Health as a Healthcare Budget Analyst. Currently employed with the Gailen and Cathy Reevers Center for Community Empowerment as Executive Director.

Brittany Austin Cook, C’2006

Assistant Parliamentarian

Brittany Austin Cook

Brittany Austin-Cook was born in San Francisco, California. She graduated from Spelman College in 2006 earning her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.

Brittany went on to Mercer University School of Medicine and graduated in 2008 with her Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy.

She currently resides in Los Angeles and works with families struggling with addiction or mental health disorders.

Judy Carey Copes, C’69

Chaplin

Judy Carey Copes

Judy Carey Copes 1969, Sociology Major, Chaplin for NAASC-LA. Born, raised and educated in Detroit, Michigan. 

She is presently owner of JuAl Tutoring and Independent Project Consultant with Pearson.  Her passion is uplifting and inspiring future generations.

Trenee Sims, C’86

Historian

Trenee Sims

Trenee Sims is employed by the County of Los Angeles with nearly 25 years. She is currently a member of the National Council Of Negro Women, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Trenee’s passions include spending time with her family, training her Boxer puppies, cooking, gardening, and restoring old homes. Trenee graduated from Spelman in 1986 with a degree in English.

Tamika Bradyc '2006

Recruitment Chair

Tamika Brady

Tamika Brady is a business consultant with over 15 combined years of experience working in real estate, technology, and sales. She currently resides in Los Angeles and works for a technology and telecommunications company within their global real estate department as a portfolio manager and strategic market planner. Tamika graduated from Spelman College in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and MBA from Pepperdine University in 2020. In addition to her work, Tamika is the proud mother to her son Caleb and enjoys being an active member of the PTA where she serves as the co-chair of the literacy committee.  She enjoys volunteering, promoting academic excellence, and encourages college education.   Tamika is passionate about uplifting the next generation and believes education is the key to success. 

Jordan Greer, C’2012

Student Relationship Chair

Jordan Greer

Jordan received her B.A. in English and Secondary Education from Spelman College in 2012. Her professional interests include engaging higher education practitioners in meaningful conversations about racial equity and developing real-world solutions to equity problems within education.

She currently serves the NAASC-LA chapter as Current Student Relationship Chair.

Pia Days, C’2001

Social Media Chair

Pia Days

Pia is a 2001 graduate of Spelman College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Drama and a 2004 graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill (MFA).

After serving as Vice President with NAASC-LA, she became the Social Chair (2016-present).

She’s an actress and owner of Chocolate Tenders, LLC (Mobile Bartending). Pia is originally from Miami, Fl. and is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Erin Kimble

Membership Chair

Erin Kimble

Erin Kimble C’2019 is from Los Angeles, CA. graduated with a B.A in Psychology. She is a candidate for a Master of Science in Counseling with a focus in School Psychology at California State University, Los Angeles.

She currently serves as the Administrative Assistant Intern at UP Church. In her free time, Erin enjoys exploring restaurants and journaling.

Shanon Belle, C’2008

Co-chair of the Membership Committee

Kia Bahner

Kia D. Bahner graduated with a B.A. in English, class of 1987.  A native of Nashville, TN, Kia has had a lifelong affiliation with Historical Black Colleges and Universities. Having practically grown up around her parents’ alma mater, Fisk University, she has developed a keen sense of service to all. She served as both Vice President and President of the Nashville Spelman Alumnae chapter. Her career path has been in independent school admissions, and in that field she has made a priority of supporting young Black students. For the past three years, Kia has been active with  NAASCLA chapter as Assistant Recording Secretary and now as Co-chair of the Membership Committee.

MEMBERSHIP

JOIN. ENGAGE. ADVOCATE. VOLUNTEER.

Alumnae Donor Celebration

01-Maria
01-Maria
01-Maria
04-
06-
07-
Bridget Smith, C’83

Vice President

Bridget Smith

Bridget Tucker Smith, C’83, a native Atlantan, holds a B.S. in Biology and is enjoying a career within the biotechnology sector. 

Bridget brings extensive leadership experience to the chapter in fundraising, governance, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

She is also currently presiding as President, James Jordan Middle School Board of Trustees and is the proud mother of Safia Smith, Class of 2023.