LaMyra S. Dukes is a strategic leader joining our Board of Directors as Chairperson with over a decade of experience in non-profit governance, strategic planning, and program compliance, primarily serving early childhood and community development sectors in South Carolina. As a Certified Grants Specialist, LaMyra brings critical expertise in financial oversight, ensuring regulatory adherence, and securing resources necessary for organizational growth.
In her current role as a Program Officer for the Piedmont Region of South Carolina First Steps, she monitors programmatic compliance and provides coaching to executive directors on effective board governance, by-laws, and adherence to state regulations across a nine-county partnership network. This hands-on experience in training leadership and managing multi-county operations, including budget monitoring of over $200,000, ensures she possesses a keen understanding of the operational challenges and fiduciary responsibilities of non-profit boards.
Previously, as the Executive Director of Orangeburg County First Steps, LaMyra partnered directly with the Board of Directors to develop the organization’s vision and strategic plan. Her leadership included managing a significant operational budget, advocating with community leaders and funders, and successfully overseeing all internal program monitoring. LaMyra’s ability to interpret complex federal and state guidelines, translating regulations into clear policies, makes her an invaluable asset to our governance structure.
Jamie Devine serves as a board member of the Center of Excellence in Educator Preparation and Innovation, representing K-12 education. He is President/CEO of Community Assistance Provider, a local non-profit housing development corporation. A graduate of Benedict College in Columbia, SC, he is also a licensed realtor and a professional speaker.
He serves on numerous boards, commissions, and civic organizations. He is a member of the Richland School District One Board of School Commissioners and was elected chairman in 2013. Mr. Devine is also on the board of the South Carolina School Boards Association, the Association of Housing Counseling of North and South Carolina, the Brotherhood Ministry of Brookland Baptist Church, and the Midlands Advisory Board for Security Federal Bank. He chairs the Indian Water Council (Boy Scouts of America) Whitney M. Young Committee.
Mr. Devine is a 2003 graduate of Leadership Columbia, sponsored by the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce. He is a member of the 2007 “20 under 40” class presented by The State newspaper, and he was named “Top 40 Under 40” by Black Pages USA in 2014. He is a graduate of the South Carolina Economic Development Institute and the South Carolina Community Development Certificate Institute, having completed studies in Community Development.
Mr. Devine’s contributions to his community are further expressed through his work with his church, Brookland Baptist, and his fraternity, Omega Psi Phi, where he served on the executive committee.
His wife, Tameika Isaac Devine, is an attorney and South Carolina State Senator. They are the parents of four children, Tamia, Jade, and Jameson, and their angel baby, James Henry, who was born into heaven in 2014.
Ms. Mamie Shippy serves as a board member of the Center of Excellence in Educator Preparation and Innovation. Her board category is education practitioner. Ms. Shippy believes a strong social, emotional, physical, and cognitive foundation is essential for every child’s success. The early years are the most important, and her academic preparation and 40-plus years of experience in the public and private school arena have allowed her to support the growth and development of young children.
Ms. Shippy was a preschool/kindergarten teacher in public schools for 17 years, followed by an additional 14 years at the administrative level. She served as the director of a for-profit childcare center for two years and was an instructor in higher education for approximately 10 years. She firmly believes in the power of education and is committed to helping others realize the significance of that power.
She earned a Bachelor of Science in early childhood education from Lander University, a master’s in elementary education from Clemson University, and a master’s in early childhood education from the University of South Carolina. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in educational leadership, focusing on curriculum and instruction.
