Our Team
Meet the people powering nationwide student support.
Meet the Team
Dr. Patrick Washington
Founder & CEO
pwashington@manupteach.org
Dr. Washington is a fifth-generation educator, inspired by his great-great-grandfather Richard Adkins, who was born into slavery in 1860. Richard became literate and taught other slaves to read. This family history lives through Dr. Washington, his mother, and several family members who pursued a career in public education. Dr. Washington is a cohort 4 members of New Leaders, Inc., and in 2008 became the first African-American superintendent of Benton County, Mississippi schools. Dr. Washington is the founding principal of Promise Academy Springhill, located in Memphis, TN, that opened in 2014. The urgency to launch the Man Up Teacher Fellowship was realized as he began to recruit teachers for Promise Academy, Spring Hill. “This is a movement, not a program, that is aimed to change the world by placing highly effective men of color in classrooms throughout our nation.” Dr. Washington is a graduate of Mississippi State University, Union University, and Ole Miss. He and his wife, Vicki, have two daughters, Olivia and Emily.
Ms. Nicole Lytle
Community Relations Director
Nicole has worked with a Memphis-based charter network as an office manager for over three years. Nicole worked in the business management sector prior to joining the charter schools' movement. As the Community Relations Director for Man Up Teacher Fellowship, she works with partnering colleges and universities to identify and enroll MUTF residents. A Middle Tennessee State University graduate, Nicole enjoys making memories with her wonderful children, Noah, Isaiah, and Skylar.
Ms. Carmenseda Fondren
Finance Manager
Carmen has worked in the charter school arena for over 3 years. In addition to working as the chief finance officer for Man Up Teacher Fellowship, Carmen works as the accounting assistant for a Memphis-based charter school/network. Carmen also worked in finance in the medical/business sector prior to joining the charter schools. Carmen is a Sanford-Brown College graduate and is also pursuing another degree in accounting. Carmen enjoys spending time with her 3 daughters, Brittany, Terri, and Victoria; her family; and her Pitbull, Grady.