Meet the Board
Behind the Movement
Kayla Celeste
Grant-Dixon
Executive Director & Founder
Kayla Celeste Grant-Dixon is an entrepreneur, licensed cosmetologist, and nonprofit leader who founded the Celeste ecosystem—a charter academy, 501(c)(3) foundation, athleisure brand, and salon training hub designed to expand economic mobility for students. A graduate of Florida A&M University and Paul Mitchell the School, she brings expertise in business development, communication, beauty education, and community programming. Kayla oversees CBA’s strategic vision, multi-stream revenue model, curriculum innovation, and community partnerships, using her lived experience and leadership training to guide a transformative, career-aligned school model.
Pauline
Grant-Jones
Board Chair & Chief Financial Officer (CPA)
Pauline Grant-Jones is a Certified Public Accountant with over 30 years of experience in financial management, nonprofit compliance, and strategic budgeting. As Board Chair and CFO, she provides fiscal governance across CBA’s charter school, nonprofit programs, athleisure fundraising operations, and salon-based revenue initiatives. Her expertise in financial controls, GAAP compliance, and grant readiness ensures CBA maintains strong internal systems, transparent reporting, and long-term sustainability.
Wendy Blake
Vice Chair – Strategic Operations
Wendy Blake is a retired senior executive from Liberty Mutual Insurance with extensive experience in operations leadership, organizational systems, and technology implementation. She strengthens CBA’s governance structure, supports operational planning for the academy’s launch, and contributes deep community engagement experience through her work with the North Mecklenburg Women’s Club. Wendy’s strategic insight enhances CBA’s capacity to scale a multi-entity model that blends education, entrepreneurship, and community service.
Crystal Massey
Treasurer
Crystal Massey is a Charlotte native and corporate operations professional with experience in strategic leadership, team development, and small-business growth. As Treasurer, she oversees budgeting, financial planning, donor stewardship, and fundraising efforts across CBA’s nonprofit and earned-income ventures, including the athleisure brand and mentorship-based salon hub. Her community-rooted relationships and operational expertise strengthen CBA’s sustainability and long-term financial health.
Treyvon
Edmonds
Community Relations Chair
Treyvon Edmonds is an experienced community and political operations leader with a background in governance, compliance, and stakeholder engagement. His work managing canvassing teams and community partnerships equips him to support CBA’s policy development, oversight responsibilities, and strategic outreach. As Governance Chair, he ensures board accountability, strengthens community relationships, and supports transparent, mission-aligned decision-making.
Tawana Wiggins
Academics Chair
Tawana Wiggins is a former high school principal and curriculum leader with more than 20 years of experience improving student outcomes, coaching educators, and building schoolwide academic systems. She has led charter and district schools, overseen instructional teams, strengthened MTSS structures, and managed both child nutrition and operations programs. As Academics Chair, she guides CBA’s curriculum alignment, instructional strategy, licensure preparation systems, and accountability structures, ensuring a rigorous and equitable academic program.
Treyvon Edmonds
Community Relations Chairman
Treyvon Edmonds is an experienced community and political operations leader with a background in governance, compliance, and stakeholder engagement. His work managing canvassing teams and community partnerships equips him to support CBA’s policy development, oversight responsibilities, and strategic outreach. As Governance Chair, he ensures board accountability, strengthens community relationships, and supports transparent, mission-aligned decision-making.