FOUNDERS
Annette Lee
Annette Lee, a proud St. Paul, MN native, has built a distinguished career rooted in education, advocacy, and community empowerment. A double HBCU alumna, she earned her B.A. in Psychology from Fisk University (2005), an M.Ed. in Special Education from Howard University (2013), and an Ed.S from Mankato State University (2022).
For 14 years, Annette served as a Special Education teacher in St. Paul Public Schools, specializing in Emotional Behavior Disability/Disorder. She expanded her leadership within the district as a Peer Assistance Review Coach and now serves as the Grow Your Own (GYO) Pathway Supervisor for Saint Paul Public Schools, where she works to cultivate and sustain a diverse educator workforce.
Beyond her professional roles, Annette is a transformative community leader. As co-founder of MN HBCU Alumni, she champions college and career readiness and is a passionate advocate for Historically Black Colleges and Universities. In recognition of this work, she and the MN HBCU Alumni team received the Game Ball for outstanding community impact. Annette also serves as Co-chair for the PBC Annual HBCU College Tour, celebrating its 22nd anniversary in 2025. Her commitment to youth and cultural empowerment extends to her role as a Board Director for Crowning the Culture, and she continues to advance college access as Co-chair for the Annual SPPS Thinking Early College and Career Fair.
Residing in St. Paul Park with her husband and four children, Annette Lee exemplifies leadership, service, and resilience—dedicating her life to shaping futures, strengthening communities, and expanding opportunities for generations to come.
Erin Horne McKinney
Erin Horne McKinney is an accomplished and award-winning change maker and movement builder, dedicated to advancing growth and fostering community impact. She brings a wealth of experience in innovation, strategy, and leadership to her current role as the Founder and CEO of the HBCU National Innovation Consortium for Entrepreneurship (HBCU NICE).
Prior to her current position, Erin held key executive roles that underscore her commitment to championing community development and economic empowerment. She served as the founding National Executive Director of the Howard University & PNC National Center for Entrepreneurship (HUxPNC Center), Executive Vice President of Innovation and Strategy for the Association of Enterprise Opportunity (AEO), CEO of WomenVenture, and Managing Partner of Inclusion (Chief Inclusion Officer) for JumpStart Inc. Erin's influence extends to her tenure as the inaugural Senior Advisor on Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the Executive Office of the Mayor of Washington D.C.
Dedicated to advocacy across the economic landscape, Erin is a member of Pipeline Angels and lends her expertise as an advisor and mentor to startups, incubators, and accelerator programs. She serves as Board Chair for the Black Innovation Alliance and for the Mayor of Washington D.C.'s Innovation, Technology & Inclusion Council. She also holds a board seat with MN HBCU Alumni and the Greater Twin Cities United Way. Erin remains an engaged alum of Howard University, contributing to the University's legacy of excellence.
Kimberli White is a dynamic HBCU advocate and community builder, proudly representing the legacy of Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with a minor in Sociology from FAMU in 2017, launching a career in the legal and justice system that spans investigative work, probation support, legal research, and federal court operations. Her experience reflects a commitment to integrity, fairness, and access within systems that shape real lives.
Motivated by a passion for leadership and organizational excellence, Kimberli earned her MBA with a concentration in Human Resources in November 2023, followed by her SHRM-CP credential in February 2024, strengthening her expertise in organizational strategy, compliance, and talent development.
In 2024, Kimberli relocated to Philadelphia, PA with her husband, Brian, continuing her pursuit of meaningful work, community connection, and service leadership. She is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, and remains dedicated to advancing culture, opportunity, and representation within the HBCU community and beyond.