GRANT REQUISITION SPECIALIST & DIRECTOR OF MARKETING

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Miriam Cepeda Gelman is a graduate of the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History and Art History and a Master of Arts in History. Born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley, she has a strong background in community outreach that has raised awareness at the local and national levels. 

Diversifying her skills in strong interpersonal communication and presentation has enabled her to maximize her marketing and public relations talents. Her experiences range from management to academic research, historical preservation, K-17 classroom development, and public and governmental relations. In doing so, she has developed the tools to constructively lead a team during stressful situations in a professional manner. 

Her involvement with CoLOURRise® Inc. stems from a commitment to serving underserved communities. This passion grew from her upbringing in a lower-income community on the South Texas border, where she witnessed firsthand the effects of poverty and the lack of educational resources. Additionally, her extensive travels to South America have brought her into contact with impoverished communities worldwide. Observing these communities, their resilience in the face of adversity, and their strength amid tremendous hardships have inspired her to use her talents to advocate for all underserved and oppressed peoples. She is particularly motivated by the suffering of the world's most vulnerable members: children. 

Miriam strongly believes that, through education and greater access to resources, the children of these underserved communities can reach heights their parents can only dream of. She has firmly resolved to make these dreams come true: that every child, regardless of locality or income group, will be given a chance to live a life of health and success.

She was the Director of the Gelman Stained Glass Museum. She sits on various boards, including CMAX System Inc. and Foundation, and the Texas State Bar Grievance Committee, South Texas Division. 

Currently, Miriam is the Chief Executive Officer of Talk Less More Action, LLC. She is also the Rio Grande Valley Development Manager for the Ronald McDonald House Charities South Texas.

Mathias Luka Agbu is a Nigerian-born author, engineer, thinker, philanthropist, and transformational leader who lives in Houston, Texas, USA. He is a member of the Maxwell Leadership Team and a Maxwell-certified coach, speaker, and trainer.

He is the founder of the Luka Agbu Memorial Foundation. He holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the Federal University of Technology at Minna, Nigeria, and the University of Texas at Arlington, USA. As an experienced Mechanical engineer, he has worked and led major Oil and Gas projects across North America and Africa.

Despite sojourning in the United States for over two decades, Mathias has maintained a strong connection with his community back in Nigeria. In 2008, he founded the Luka Agbu Memorial Foundation (LAMF). Based in his hometown of Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria, the Foundation provides scholarships to orphaned and disadvantaged children and empowers youth to be community transformers across Taraba State.

His passion for meaningful change in people is manifested through his laudable initiatives, including the Emerging Leaders Conference, Youth Leadership Workshop, Youth Mentoring Programs, Leadership Interview Series on social media, and his regular commentary on contemporary and topical issues. 

Mathias is happily married to his wife, Favor Wazota Agbu. They are blessed with five children.