Board of Directors
The school is governed by the Capital Prep Charter Schools NY Board of Trustees. Each with their own diverse background, they bring a unique lens to the general management and operations of our schools, ensuring the school is an academic success, a viable organization, and faithful to the terms of its charter.
Tarik Brooks, Chair
Tarik Brooks is a seasoned executive with more than 22 years of experience driving large scale business transformations across several industry sectors including media, spirits and hospitality. He has extensive experience building companies in dynamic environments in the US and abroad, as well as a reputation for developing hard-driving teams. Throughout his career, Brooks has negotiated transactions, including acquisitions and capital raises, led major strategic initiatives from concept to operational launch and growth, and oversaw compliance in highly regulated industries. He most recently served as President of Combs Global, where he oversaw all business operations and investments.
Brooks holds a BBA in Business Administration and Management from Howard University and MBA from Harvard Business School. He also serves on the board of Cresco Labs, Revolt TV & Media and Resources for Every Creative (REC).
Dr. Steve Perry, Secretary
Dr. Steve Perry is the Founder and Head of Schools of Capital Preparatory Schools. At CPS, he sets the direction for the organization and represents the organization to its many constituents, including parents, investors, community members, district officials, policymakers, and partners. He previously held the position of Principal, Capital Preparatory Magnet School in Hartford, CT, which was a school he founded.
Dr. Perry earned a Doctorate of Educational Leadership from the University of Hartford, a Masters of Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Work and a Bachelors of Arts from University of Rhode Island.
As one of the few African-American leaders of school management organizations, Dr. Perry recognizes the importance of transforming historically disadvantaged communities. Born into his family’s third generation of poverty on his mother’s 16th birthday, Dr. Perry believes that the success of a life is determined by where you end, not where you start. It is this philosophy that inspired him to transform the lives of poor and minority children by providing them with access to a college education.
Rev. Dr. David R. Holder, Treasurer
David Randolph Holder is a fourth generation pastor, raised in Laurelton Queens, New York. He graduated from Talent Unlimited High School in NYC where he majored in voice. He was raised in the Presbyterian Church, spent his early adult years in both the Baptist Church and the Church of God In Christ, ordained in the A.M.E. Church and planted an Evangelical Covenant Church. Dr. Holder is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania (B.A. Neuroscience 1987), UCLA (M.B.A. Entertainment Management 1991), Fuller Theological Seminary (M.Div. 1995), Harvard University (Th.M. Community Development 1996), and Princeton Theological Seminary (D.Min. 2005).
Dr. Holder served as an associate minister at First A.M.E. Church in Pasadena, CA, St. Paul A.M.E. Church in Cambridge, MA and as the Assistant Pastor of Bethel A.M.E. Church in Bloomfield, CT. While at Bethel he founded Bethel Day Care Center as the Executive Director of Bethel Center for Humane Services. As part of the Evangelical Covenant Church, Dr. Holder founded New York Covenant Church (NYCC) on July 19,1998 and has been the Senior Pastor since its inception.
Derek Ferguson, Board Member
Derek Ferguson is the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) at TIAA, a leading provider of secure retirement and outcome-focused investment solutions to millions of people and thousands of institutions. As CAO, Ferguson and his team are responsible for leading the evolution of the company's strategy, planning and delivering strategic initiatives and overseeing the operations of the office of the CEO. Prior to joining TIAA, Derek served as the interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Robin Hood Foundation, which as New York's largest poverty-fighting organization is deeply mission driven. Derek also brings a wealth of experience from a range of industries such as music & entertainment and consulting, to name a few.
Derek holds a Bachelor's degree from the Wharton School of Business at University of Pennsylvania and MBA from Harvard University. He serves on numerous other boards including Revolt Media & TV, Riverside Hawks Basketball, and New York Covenant Development Corp.
Baye Adofo-Wilson, Esq., Board Member
Baye Adofo-Wilson, Esq. is a real estate developer, lawyer and consultant with an expertise in arts and cultural districts, sustainability, affordable and mixed-income housing development. He has a real estate development and consulting firm, BAW Development LLC, where he focuses on developing transformative, residential and mixed-use projects in urban communities. Baye is currently Of Counsel to Post Polak, PA focusing on New Jersey redevelopment law.
Baye is also on the Boards of Berkshire Bank, Berkshire Foundation and the Black Voters Matter Fund. He is a US Army Veteran, has a BA from Rutgers-Newark, a MRP from Cornell University and he is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Law School.
Rochelle Brown, Board Member
Rochelle Brown is the co-founder, Executive Producer, and Co-CEO of Powerhouse Productions, a role she has held since the company's establishment in 2003. Renowned as the "Shonda Rhimes” of Lifestyle and Culinary Television, Rochelle spearheads all aspects of content development and production within the organization.
Rochelle's expertise lies in identifying emerging talent and crafting compelling narratives around their brands and interests. With an illustrious career trajectory, she initially ventured into morning news and news magazine shows before contributing to the launch of the Food Network. Currently, she and her team are engaged in developing multiple shows featuring renowned celebrities, lifestyle experts, and sports personalities.
A New Jersey native, Rochelle is a devoted spouse and parent to Aubriana and Marcus. Outside her professional endeavors, she dedicates her time to mentoring aspiring individuals pursuing careers in Communications and Entertainment. Rochelle frequently shares her personal journey of perseverance and achievement as an inspirational speaker at schools, colleges, and universities.
Tenicka Boyd, Board MemberTenicka Boyd is a seasoned political strategist, community organizer, and education equity advocate with over 15 years of experience leading large-scale movements and building leadership pipelines in communities of color. She served as the National Organizing Director for the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) where she led a team working on political advocacy campaigns. Previously she served as the Chief of Staff at Color Of Change, a leading racial justice organization. She served as the National Director of the Leaders of Color Initiative at Democrats for Education Reform, where she developed and led programs to recruit and support Black and Latinx leaders seeking elected office across the country.
Previously, Tenicka created one of the largest parent organizing initiatives in the country focusing advocacy and electoral strategies to drive education reform. She also served as a Presidential Appointee in the Obama Administration, where she worked on domestic policy.
Tenicka holds a B.A.from Tennessee State University and a Master's Degree in Public Policy from the University of Michigan. She is a Pahara Fellow at the Aspen Institute, a featured writer, and television commentator. When she's not traveling the world in style with her husband and daughter, she's home in New York City.