LITERACY - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Director of Communications
Alesha Edison Westbrook is a nonprofit development and marketing pro who believes in the power of literacy. For over 15 years, she has honed her skills to amplify the voices of those making a difference-turning captivating stories into tangible community change.
Currently serving as Director of Communications, she joined the Cape Fear Literacy Council (CFLC) in 2016 and has worn many hats, from Volunteer and Community Engagement Coordinator to Communications and Development Coordinator. Her written work, showcasing captivating narratives of CFLC's impact, has been featured in the Wilmington Business Journal, WILMA Magazine, and Atromitos Big Ideas blog.
When she isn't crafting content, she is a champion for the "growth mindset," dedicating her time to mentoring and advocating for children's enrichment. Edison Westbrook is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and the African American Business Council. She is an executive board member of Queen Camp, Inc. and a member-at-large on the board for Superstar Academy.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Program Assistant
Cathy Bowens is the Program Assistant for the Cape Fear Literacy Council.
She has worked in a number of diverse sectors and non-profits throughout her career. Cathy believes in the Cape Fear Literacy Council's mission to provide adults the opportunity to transform their lives with personalized instruction. Strong adults make for strong communities!
Ms. Bowens holds a B.A. degree in Political Science from North Carolina Central University and an M.A. degree in Liberal Studies from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. She enjoys reading, listening to music, and walking her dog Jaye along Wilmington's downtown riverfront.
Job Titles:
- Coordinator
- ESL Coordinator
Joanne Cheng is the ESL Coordinator at the Cape Fear Literacy Council. She is thrilled to be part of the Literacy Council's program to help people meet their personal educational goals.
Joanne came to the Literacy Council as a volunteer ESL teacher soon after her 2016 move to Wilmington. Her initial teaching involvement began years ago with a volunteer literacy tutor training program that gave her the "teaching bug." She has had diverse teaching opportunities in many different locales, from those among the U.N.-related international community in N.Y.C. to teaching college composition, to providing reading tutoring and enrichment for Pre-K through 3rd graders.
Ms. Cheng holds a B.A. in English from Emory University and an M.A. in Teaching with a concentration in E.S.L. from Georgetown University. She enjoys yoga, hiking, and golf. And, of course, reading!
Job Titles:
- Community Outreach Program Assistant
Joey Jackson started his career as a multimedia journalist in T.V. news where he developed his life-long passion for storytelling. From there, he transitioned to communication and marketing in the tech industry. The common theme throughout his career has been a passion for giving people a platform and empowering them to tell their stories.
He received a journalism degree from the University of Oregon and is currently pursuing a master's degree in clinical mental health counseling. He joined the Cape Fear Literacy Council in October of 2023.
Outside work, he enjoys reading, running, hiking, writing, traveling, and advocating for mental health.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Nancy Woolley is a graduate of the University of Virginia with a Master's in Literature. She has ten years of experience working with Tutoring and ESOL centers around the country.
Nancy is dedicated to education and convinced that a strong foundation in reading is important for all aspects of life. As a newcomer to Wilmington, she first joined the CFLC community as a volunteer tutor in 2011. After working with several students and seeing firsthand the need for adult literacy resources in the area, she was delighted to become a part of the staff in 2014.
Job Titles:
- Adult Literacy Coordinator
After following her husband's military career around the world, Wilmington became home for Terry O'Sullivan. Shortly thereafter, Terry was hired as CFLC's Financial Coordinator in 2006. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting from Westminster College of Salt Lake City. Terry has more than 25 years of experience with nonprofits.
When Terry isn't at CFLC, she is probably reading, cooking, sewing or spending time with her grandchildren.
Yasmin Shah Tomkinson came to the Cape Fear Literacy Council as a volunteer tutor in 2002. It was a great experience, and she was very pleased to join the staff in 2004. As Executive Director, she enjoys working strategically to ensure that CFLC continues to thrive. She is motivated by our adult learners and the volunteers who help them reach their goals.
Yasmin studied Education and American History at Vassar College and earned an MBA with a concentration in Non-Profit Management from Boston University. She worked for education-focused non-profits in rural Utah, Los Angeles, Baltimore, and Boston before moving to Wilmington. Yasmin enjoys hiking, reading, and making chocolate chip pancakes with her daughter on Saturday mornings.