About Us
Vision Statement
We will be a premier provider of education that contributes to students becoming academically competent, demonstrating good character, using their knowledge critically, and exhibiting humane and wise leadership while embodying an African-centered perspective.
Mission Statement
Our mission is to provide our students with an excellent and comprehensive education in a nurturing and stimulating environment that emphasizes African and African American culture and history.
Nsoromma School at a Glance
Our Foundation
Academic Excellence
At The Nsoromma School, we blend traditional and innovative teaching methods to create a nurturing environment where each child can blossom and shine. We set high expectations, challenging students to reach their full potential. Drawing inspiration from our rich cultural history, we view academic excellence as both a realistic and necessary expectation for our children.
Character Development
At Nsoromma School, we promote cooperation, self-respect, and respect for others. We recognize the interconnectedness and interdependence of all things in the universe. Our curriculum stimulates a thirst for knowledge and understanding, encouraging students to appreciate the impact of their actions not only on an individual level but also on the broader community. We aim to build character and cultivate values that support and celebrate life.
Cultural Awareness
Our commitment to cultural awareness is deeply rooted in the history of academic excellence within African and African American cultures. From the ancient temples of Kemet to the secret reading lessons during the enslavement period in America and the free schools of the Reconstruction period, we embrace the strengths of our cultural ways of learning to facilitate academic excellence. We believe that understanding and appreciating one’s culture is the foundation for exploring and understanding others’.
Meet the Team
Esi Madge Gill Willis, Ph.D.
Director and Co-Founder
Dr. Willis has been involved in education in many roles for over 40 years including classroom teacher, school psychologist, college professor, and teacher trainer. Her work has focused on understanding how children learn and on developing the best environment and teaching strategies to facilitate educational excellence for children of African descent. She has researched and published on the roles of culture and language in children’s learning and on successful schools for our children. She earned her A.B. (Brown University in Psychology), M.S. (University of Pennsylvania in Psychological Services in Education), and Ph.D. (Georgia State University in Educational Psychology, under the direction of Dr. Asa G. Hilliard III) .
Carol Phelps
SAT, ACT, Youth Entrepreneurship
Ms. Phelps brings to Nsoromma a background in elementary education as well as an M.B.A. in finance and many years of experience as a financial analyst. Not surprisingly, she teaches entrepreneurship and financial literacy at Nsoromma and has helped many students start and maintain successful businesses. Carol has been an active promoter of entrepreneurship in the community and has worked closely with South West Atlanta Youth Business Organization (SWAYBO) and NFTE-related organizations for many years. The mother of two children, her son Marcus is an Nsoromma graduate.
Emmanuel Tillman
SAT, ACT, Math Enrichment
Emmanuel Tillman is an instructor in the Triple Threat SAT Prep Course. Emmanuel is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in systems engineering and an MBA from the University of Michigan. He and his wife are the parents of twin daughters who have participated in Nsoromma community programs.
Cinderella Uduh
Program Recruiter
Cinderella Uduh is a highly driven professional with over a decade of expertise in full-cycle recruiting, talent acquisition, sales, marketing, and business development. She joined the Springboard 2 Success Team in the Fall of 2023 to help bring bright eager students into the program. Ms. Uduh is a graduate of Spelman College with a BA in Economics, she furthered her education with an MBA from the University of Georgia. Hailing originally from New Jersey by way of Nigeria, Cinderella brings a diverse cultural perspective to her work. In her free time, she enjoys staying active through workouts and finds fulfillment in volunteering within her community.
Adero Prescott
Program Coordinator
Mrs. Prescott has over 14 years of experience helping companies and organizations develop and organize their people, practices, policies, and programs. Mrs. Prescott graduated from Bauder College, Atlanta, GA with a degree in Merchandising. She’s been working with Nsoromma School for 2 ½ years helping to build the Springboard 2 Success program team, writing monthly newsletters, connecting students and parents to programs and related resources, and creating Standard Operating Procedures. During her free time, Adero enjoys bonding with her husband and their blended family of 6, mentoring teen girls, hiking, swimming, watching movies, reading books, traveling, and shopping.
Makyla Jackson
College Advisor
Makyla Jackson has 5 years of experience helping students prepare for post graduation plans in college and career. Makyla graduated with her bachelors degree in interdisciplinary studies from Georgia State University and her masters degree in higher education administration from Georgia Southern University. She recently joined the Nsoromma team in the fall of 2023. She enjoys connecting with students, mentorship, and helping students realize their full potential. In her free time, Makyla enjoys reading, yoga, trying new foods, and spending time with her twin.