Meet Our Team

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Kimberly Batten began her career as a grassroots organizer, lobbyist, training facilitator, and advocate for women and people of color after completing her undergraduate degree in Political Science at James Madison University. During this time, she learned how economic empowerment improved the overall lives of historically disenfranchised people. As a result, she worked in human resources in employment training, counseling, and placement. Kimberly’s career path segued into education as it is a remedy to un- and underemployment. In addition, it allowed her to advocate for the overall economic empowerment of those traditionally underrepresented in sustainable employment and career opportunities.

Kimberly earned her teaching certification and has worked as a special education teacher in Virginia and North Carolina for 19 years. Her frustration with the number of her high school students who read as low as the first-grade level catapulted her decision to complete her Master of Reading Education degree at The University of Virginia. After becoming a certified reading specialist, Kimberly transitioned to middle school, where she believed she could make the most lasting impact on the educational, financial, and employment futures of her students.

Kimberly began working with S.M.A.R.T. BUS because of its emphasis on bridging the educational gap for students of color and girls. Those who struggle to achieve due to their economic, racial, gender, or ability status are offered additional access to meaningful learning opportunities. However, equally important is the need for students who are neither identified as struggling learners nor academically gifted who need enrichment, coaching, and/or exposure to content in order to reach their fullest potential. The S.M.A.R.T. BUS team meets those needs.

Judge Fred Gore grew up in Supply, NC.  After high school he joined the North Carolina National Guard as an infantry soldier. Judge Gore attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where he majored in Business with a concentration in Marketing and obtained his B.S.B.A. in 1998. Judge Gore worked in the business world for several years with companies like Nike before going back to law school. He was admitted to Appalachian School of Law in Grundy VA., and graduated with his Juris Doctorate. In Law School Judge Gore excelled as a well-rounded student and member of his community while completing over 300 hours of community service and he was also selected to Who’s Who of American Law Students in 2003 and 2004. In 2014, while serving as a prosecutor, Judge Gore filed and ran for the District Court Bench and in November of 2014, he was elected to serve Bladen, Brunswick, and Columbus Counties as District Court Judge. He obtained his Certification as Juvenile Court Judge and served as the primary juvenile judge for the district until 2020. Judge Gore was elected to the North Carolina Court of Appeals in 2020 and started his eight-year term in 2021. Judge Gore remains active in the community and participates in many programs for children as he is the father of twin boys, 12 years of age.  

Principal James Hopkins graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a masters in school administration and was offered a job at Jordan High School. It was here that Hopkins started a bowtie club as a way to continue to connect with students and engage in rich conversations around social and academic etiquette as a means of providing support for future graduates enrolling in college, enlisting in the military, or seeking employment. It was during his time at Jordan High School where he began to see himself as a building level principal.  He first began his career as a school administrator in Carrboro High School in Chapel Hill, NC.  It was later in 2017 where he was offered a position as a principal for Lakewood Elementary. Hopkins has been recognized in the media for leading his school into monumental gains on End of Year Testing.  

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Nakia Drew is an accomplished IT professional whose career is defined by excellence, innovation, and a commitment to solving problems with integrity. Beyond his professional work, he is a devoted husband and father who believes in leading by example both at home and in the community.

Nakia is deeply rooted in faith and service. He serves as a Deacon and volunteers in numerous ministries, where he provides guidance, support, and encouragement. A dedicated mentor to men, he is passionate about equipping others with the tools to grow spiritually, personally, and professionally.

As an active community organizer, Nakia is committed to building stronger, more connected communities. He currently serves as the Vice President of the Raleigh Chapter of the King Movement Christian Organization, where he helps advance the mission of empowering men to live out their faith with strength and accountability.

With a heart for service and a gift for leadership, Nakia Drew continues to inspire and uplift those around him, embodying a life of purpose, faith, and impact.

Winifred Marecheau has twenty-six years of experience as a music educator. He has taught in Charlotte, NC; Hattiesburg, MS and Las Vegas, NV. He holds both a

Bachelors’ and a Masters’ Degree in Music Education. Mr. Marecheau believes that, “It is the responsibility of an educator to unlock the door of understanding which enables a student to learn.” He has worked with the All State and All County Orchestral programs for over nineteen years. Mr. Marecheau is a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and the North Carolina Music Educators Association. He was also the 2007 recipient of the Community

Recognition Award for Cultural Arts from the Raleigh-Wake National Pan-Hellenic Council.

S.M.A.R.T BUS has collaborated with Cantrailia’s Movement. A reputable dance company that operates in Wake County. The dance instructor, Cantrailia Blount, has almost 20 years of experience as a dance instructor and has been recognized with prestigious awards from various organizations. 

Cantrailia’s Movement is a vibrant and empowering program that celebrates both traditional and modern dance forms, providing students with a rich cultural experience while nurturing their artistic talents. This program instills confidence, promotes cultural pride, and fosters a love for dance in a supportive and inclusive environment. Students can express themselves creatively and develop skills at their own pace.