Ms. Anita Rhodes is Co-Founder of PESAA, serving as President & CEO. Ms. Rhodes is a self-motivated, dedicated, focused, highly organized professional who enjoys growing positive relationships with people from all walks of life. A retiree, she possesses over 35 years administrative and project management experience in business development environments in the private, not-for-profit and government sectors. Having more than 16 years of civic and community service including but not limited to co-founding the Single Adults Ministry at Calvary Chapel San Bernardino, serving as Children Church Teacher, Calvary Chapel San Bernardino, Children’s Sunday School teacher at Immanuel Baptist Church Highland, and founding president of the Kiwanis Club of Loma Linda Noon, Ms. Rhodes continues to be actively involved in advocating for children, most recently promoting the Education Freedom Act initiative, which would have amended the California Constitution to allow education tax dollars follow the child and empower parents with the right to decide where their child would attend school. Ms. Rhodes is married, has one adult child and resides in Beaumont, CA.
Ms. Ashley is Co-Founder of PESAA. Ms. Ashley received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Business and Finance. She is a U.S. Air Force Reserve Veteran. With a career spanning more than 40 years in Real Estate Appraisal. Her life experiences greatly contribute to her ability to provoke introspection and encouragement to people of all races, religions, and nationalities. Having grown-up during the civil rights era, Ms. Ashley has witnessed first-hand the invaluable role of strong traditional families, and how the family is 1) an essential component in the character development and civic maturation of our youth; 2) the building block for strong neighborhoods and schools; and 3) the chief instrument for combatting a growing social ambivalence to crime and social irresponsibility. Her personal life is punctuated by her commitment to family, church, and community, with a focus and advocacy for youth and their personal development. She is directly involved and maintains an active presence in the lives of youth black American males—promoting discipline, responsibility, needed social structure and a sense of direction and spirituality. She continues to be both a voice and advocate for All youth, with emphasis on Black American youth, which have been decimated by the breakdown of the family unit. She strives to promote positive engagement in the community, provide pride in history, with a strong sense of purpose, hope, as well as being a resource for education.