Board of Directors

Michael Campbell holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Rockford College and a Master of Education Degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from Northern Illinois University. Mr. Campbell started his career in education as a classroom teacher. He co-founded Chicago International Charter School and served as director and founding principal of CICS’ Lloyd Boyd School in Chicago. He works as an administrator at Bloom Township High School in Chicago Heights. Mr. Campbell is a founding MHF Board Member.

Sylvia Reedy Gist holds Bachelor's and Master of Science degrees from Chicago State University and a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in History and Philosophy of Education from the University of Chicago. She has teaching experience in secondary schools, technical colleges, and higher education. Her administrative experience includes serving as a Coordinator of Technology Education, a Department Chair of Technology Education, and a College of Education Dean at Chicago State University. Among her publications is Educating a Southern Rural Community: A History of Schooling for Blacks in Holmes County, Mississippi, 1870 – 1993 and Miseducating Blacks in a Southern Rural Community:  The Case of Holmes County, Mississippi.  Dr. Gist is a founding MHF Board member and serves as President and Executive Director.

Edwin Gist holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Northern Illinois University, did graduate studies at Chicago State University, and is a certified public accountant (CPA). He worked as an accountant and internal auditor for various federal agencies and currently serves as a financial consultant for various private firms. Mr. Gist is a founding MHF Board member and serves as the MHF Treasurer.

Jennifer Jackson holds a Bachelor of Science degree in International Marketing from The University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa. She has experience in the corporate world, having worked as a sales & marketing director for a food company in Chicago. She founded Frock Shop Chicago in 2010 and was selected as one of the country’s Top 100 Urban Entrepreneurs by the CashFlow Organization. Her entrepreneurial winnings include Black Enterprise Magazine’s $10K Elevator Pitch Competition and National Black MBA Association’s $10K Whiteboard Challenge. She was selected as a participant in ARISE 2.0/University of Chicago Accelerator Program. Jennifer is a founding MHF Board member and serves as Board Secretary.

.Jacquline Saffold holds a Master of Science Degree in Administration and Supervision from Jackson (MS) State University and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Mississippi Valley State University.  She is a lifelong resident of Holmes County, MS, where she worked in the public school district as a classroom teacher, lead teacher, principal, and, recently, as an administrator. Her favorite Biblical scripture is:  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me:  Philippians 4:13.