Board of Directors
Bessie Harris, President
Bessie Harris has actively educated students for 32 years. She has served in many roles during her career. She has been a Special Education and Resource Teacher, she has lead schools in administrative positions such as Assistant Principal and Principal. She has come up through the ranks providing service and leadership to students, staff, parents, and the community. She is the mother of 3 sons which she affectionately calls “My 3 Sons”. She has two daughter-in-loves and 3 granddaughters.
Her Focus: Students, achievement, staff, parents, and transparency. All of her decisions will be made with students in mind.
Regina Walker, Vice President
Ms. Walker has served on PACE Academy’s Board of Directors since
2021. She is currently studying as a student with Kaplan University for
her Certified Financial Planner designation. She holds a Bachelor of
Business Administration from Eastern Michigan University, Master of
Science Management from Walsh College and holds the designation of
RICP from The American College of Financial Services.
She has worked in the financial services industry with Prudential
Advisors for over 15 years. Ms. Walker’s belief is that education is not a
luxury, rather a necessity and additional knowledge can be achieved at any age. She also believes education is the key in all aspects of life, whether a young impressionable child or as an adult.
Just as it is her purpose to ensure her clients are prepared for financial goals they set for themselves, she also believes our children should be properly prepared for future opportunities that lie ahead for them.
Ms. Walker enjoys the opportunity of giving back to her community. The joy of Ms. Walker’s life are her two natural- born daughters and the many additional children that call her mom.
Ms. Poole has served on the Board of Directors since 2017. Tina holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, a Master’s in Education Leadership and Policy Studies, enhanced by a K-12 Administrators Certificate from Wayne State University, and is currently pursuing an Education Specialist Certificate in Learning Design and Technology. She has worked in Higher Education for over 16 years.
Having a passion for education and diversity, Tina’s professional portfolio encompasses a broad spectrum of expertise, management, and leadership experience, inclusive of charter school management, higher education, donor relations, project management, research, grant writing, and the non-profit sector. Tina has traveled nationally as a speaker and lecturer. She demonstrates efficacy in her work ethics and is known for dealing with sensitive matters with transparency, clarity, diplomacy, and integrity.
Harriet C. Rice, Treasurer
Harriet Rice is a Human Resource Manager for an Educational Service Provider located in Michigan. She has been in this position since 2014. Prior to this employment, she owned and operator a homebased business called Upholstery Niche for seven years. She received her certification in fabricating Furniture, Ottomans, Headboards, and Cornice Boards from Custom Home Furnishings Academy located in Charlotte, NC.
Before she pursued an upholstery entrepreneurship, she was employed at AT&T, also known as Michigan Bell, Ameritech and Southwestern Bell Corporation, for a career stretching over 25 years. During this employment, she worked in various Management positions, like, Supervisor, Business Analyst, Development and Project Manager. She retired from AT&T in 2001.
One year following her retirement from AT&T, she worked at Schoolhouse Services and Staffing as a Permanent Substitute Teacher and Program Coordinator. She ended this employment after being given an opportunity to return to AT&T as Information Technology Consultant/Business Project Manager working for NextGen Information Services located in St. Louis, MO. This employment ended in 2006.
She has a Bachelor of General Studies Degree from Wayne State University and a Master of Science Administration
Degree from Central Michigan University.
Robynn Diamond Gamble, Board Member
Ms. Diamond Gamble began serving on PACE Academy’s Board of Directors in late fall 2022. She joined the Board with a wide range of Human Resources leadership experience in both the private sector and K-12 education. Ms. Diamond Gamble has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Oakland University and a Master of Public Administration, Human Resources, from Clark Atlanta University (CAU).
Presently, she serves as the Court Administrator for the 30th District Court in Highland Park, where she is responsible for planning and directing all non-judicial operations of the court inclusive of the development and implementation of policies, budget oversight and directing human resources initiatives.
Ms. Diamond Gamble remains committed to her undergraduate university and serves on the executive board for the Oakland University Black Alumni Chapter. She is also a dedicated member of the Pontiac Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., where she presently holds the position of Historian.
Her personal motto, adopted from her alma mater (CAU), is “I'll Find a Way or Make One"! She plans to utilize the same energy and passion as she supports PACE’s staff, parents and most importantly students in their aims of realizing and maximizing their fullest potential.
Ms. Diamond Gamble is married to a public school teacher and the two are adjusting to the empty nest syndrome as their children have lovingly abandoned them to pursue their own collegiate and career related aspirations. However, this leaves greater opportunity for service and providing support to their respective communities. Ms. Diamond Gamble is ecstatic to now be a part of the PACE community.
Ridgeley Hudson, Jr., Member