FOUNDERS
Kimberli Rambo is a trailblazing HBCU graduate from the crossroads of Minnesota and Albany, GA. Armed with a degree in Criminal Justice from Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University, Kimberli swiftly ascended the ranks of the criminal justice field, mastering roles as a Special Investigator, Probation-Corrections Specialist, Public Safety Professional, and Legal Researcher. Fueled by an insatiable thirst for knowledge and impact, she furthered her education, earning a Master of Business Administration with a focus on Human Resources in November 2023, and solidified her expertise with the prestigious SHRM-CP credential in February 2024.
Today, Kimberli stands as a beacon of innovation and empowerment in her role as a Recruiting Analyst, shaping the future of consumer-facing businesses by placing exceptional leaders at their helm. Beyond her professional achievements, Kimberli's dedication to faith, family, and the advocacy for higher education at HBCUs illuminates her path. Actively engaged in her community and a proud aunt of four, Kimberli's light shines not only in the professional realm, but also in the lives she touches, embodying the transformative power of passion and purpose.
Kimberli Rambo
Erin Horne McKinney is an award-winning entrepreneur and leader serving as the inaugural National Executive Director of the Howard University & PNC National Center for Entrepreneurship (HUxPNC Center). She has more than two decades of entrepreneurship and tech policy, venture capital, economic and business development, Inclusion/Diversity/Equity/Allyship (IDEA), and marketing communications experience. Erin is a member of Pipeline Angels and serves as an advisor and mentor to startups, incubators, and accelerator programs.
She is a founding member of the Black Innovation Alliance (BIA) and serves on the advisory board for Collider's Inclusion Open program (funded by the Kauffman Foundation), and as a Board Director for Greater Twin Cities United Way, Tubman, and BIA. Erin served as the founding President & CEO of the African American Community Development Corporation (AACDC) in Minnesota and the Chair & Managing Partner of Minnesota Impact Partners (MIP). She is a proud graduate and active alum of Howard University in Washington, D.C.. Erin was recently featured in TIME Magazine as one of eighteen Black leaders working to end the racial wealth gap. Her greatest accomplishment is being the mom to two amazing young men.
Erin Horne McKinney
Annette Lee, a proud St. Paul, MN native, boasts a unique journey defined by her unwavering commitment to education and advocacy. A double HBCU Alumna, she earned her B.A. in Psychology from Fisk University in 2005, followed by an M.Ed in Special Education from Howard University in 2013, and an Ed.S from Mankato State University in 2022. For 14 years, Annette has served as a dedicated special education teacher in St. Paul Public Schools, specializing in Emotional Behavior Disability/Disorder. Currently, she channels her expertise as a Peer Assistance Review Coach within the district, nurturing the next generation of educators.
Beyond the classroom, Annette is a catalyst for change and empowerment. Co-founding the MN HBCU Alumni, she champions college and career readiness, serving as a fervent advocate for Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Now, she embarks on a new chapter as the Director of the PROCEED HBCU College Tour, marking its 20th year anniversary in 2024, while also assuming the role of Co-chair for the 17th Annual Thinking Early College and Career Fair. Currently residing in St. Paul Park with her husband and four children, Annette Lee epitomizes the spirit of leadership, service, and resilience in her quest to shape futures and uplift communities.