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    Dr. George M. Greene describes himself as a young boy from  Montgomery County, NC.  At the age of nine, he publicly professed his faith in Christ as his Lord and Saviour and was baptized at Lilly Bridge Crossing after a revival during the second week of August 1971.  Dr. Greene was reared by God-fearing parents and attended Rope Grove AME Zion Church and Snow Hill AME Zion Church in Mt. Gilead, NC,. There, he was mentored by many of the seasoned elders.  

     “God has favored me,” Dr. Greene professes.  “I consider myself to be the least of those to be where I am today.  I came through grade school and had a third-grade teacher, Almetta Armstrong, who is still living today at the age of 94.  She brought me to Raleigh to attend the Barnum Bailey Circus, which was my first introduction to Raleigh.   God has placed me amongst others who had greatness in their destiny.  I am a servant, and have always been, and served my way into this space, and it has only been by God’s grace.”   

     Dr. Greene’s academic trek began in the Montgomery County Schools and continued at Shaw University in Raleigh, NC. He also attended Rutledge College, the University of Maryland (European Division), Colorado State, and Hosana College, where he received a Doctor of Ministry (DMin).  “My journey of leadership is owed to the mentoring elders in Montgomery County.  I have been blessed to be in some places and obtain some great opportunities to do some things,” he says.  Dr. Greene is a 22 Year decorated veteran of the Army National Guard.  For two decades, he also worked for the US Department of Homeland Security (TSA) as a Senior Manager at Raleigh/Durham International Airport.  Prior to his role with TSA, he worked for Bristol-Myers Squibb for over 16 years. 

Dr. Greene shares how he arrived in Raleigh, NC.  In 1979, his older brother James received a full football scholarship from NC State University.  “With my brother receiving his scholarship, it was big news in Montgomery County.  Shortly after, my dad would send me to the capital city to work and offer encouragement to my brother.  My dad also wanted to ensure that neither of us would return home to make a living,” Dr. Greene says.   Already being a part-time soldier, Dr. Greene worked multiple blue-collar jobs in Raleigh for many years before the door, and his opportunity for higher learning opened.     Dr. Greene shares his life with Kerri West Greene, a union of 16 years.  Together, they have five children and four grandchildren.  While Dr. Greene was serving as the Director of Evangelism at The Macedonia New Life Church in Raleigh, NC, Kerri was also teaching youth there in the same wing.  He says, “There were about 1000 disciples on the campus at the time.  Kerri asked me to go to a Durham Bulls game.  We weren’t able to go to the game because it was rained out, and we went to dinner instead.  Every day after that, we would meet for lunch or something, as our jobs were in close proximity to one another. And the rest is history,” he says.

     Shandra Stringer of West Palm Beach, FL, is a faith-driven woman, community leader, and lifelong learner who believes in the power of purpose, preparation, and people.  She is also a proud mother and mentor and earned her education in business and finance.  However, she states that much of her growth has come through lived experience, navigating real-life challenges, leadership transitions, and seasons of rebuilding.  “I’ve learned that life’s greatest lessons don’t always come from a classroom but from the courage to keep showing up when it would be easier to quit,” she says.

     Today, Shandra is the owner of Grassroots Consulting, Inc.  Her company provides professional consulting, corporate training, and development services for individuals, businesses, and organizations. She also specializes in capacity building, grant readiness, leadership development, and organizational structure for both nonprofit and for-profit entities.

     Grassroots Consulting, Inc. was birthed nearly two decades ago.  Shandra says it came from a place of purpose and pain.  She adds, “The vision came from seeing how many talented, committed people had ideas and heart but lacked structure, strategy, or access.  I started by helping small nonprofits and startups get organized, not just on paper, but in purpose.  Over time, that grew into a full consulting firm offering business, nonprofit, and professional development services.  The name “Grassroots” came from my belief that real change begins at the ground level with people who care enough to build something that lasts.”

     While managing Grassroots Consulting, Inc., Shandra also serves as a full-line insurance agent licensed in multiple states, serving clients with expertise in life, health, and retirement planning.  She is also a real estate associate, tax preparer, and retirement specialist.  These additional roses, she says, allow her to help individuals and families navigate financial decisions from multiple angles, whether they’re protecting what they’ve built, planning for retirement, or investing in their next opportunity.  Beyond consulting, Shandra has created several professional and empowerment platforms, including Becoming The Best You®️, Locker Room Talk©️, and The Village Speaks Talk Show©️, all designed to inspire personal growth and professional excellence.