Who We Are
"Ashley Brooke" Puryear, Executive Director & Co-Founder
She’s all things business and graphic design!
Ashley Brooke takes a vision and turns it into reality through intentional strategic development. Leading program development, administrative oversight, and professional development, she weaves together the story of TRIBE while inspiring action and change within our communities. As a holistic educator, change agent, mentor, partner, and friend, Ashley Brooke provides emotional and spiritual support to TRIBE and their families.
A native of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Ashley Brooke has established roots in several states: Georgia, California, Michigan, and Massachusetts. She’s a proud graduate of North Carolina Agricultural & Technical (NC A&T) State University where she earned a Bachelors of Science in Marketing. During her collegiate years, Ashley Brooke was heavily involved in various campus organizations – serving as an Executive Board member for all.
Prior to following her passion of working with youth, Ashley Brooke fulfilled roles in marketing, sales, and business development for Fortune 100 tech companies (Cisco Systems, Oracle Corporation). Quarter after quarter, she consistently performed above quota while expanding opportunities for partners and customers.
As a former high school Marketing educator and current youth entrepreneurial apprenticeship program manager, Ashley Brooke values self-sustaining ventures that strengthen our communities and lead to positive lifestyles. Beneath it all, she remains grounded in the mind/body balance of life – all while enjoying a cup of hot tea and kicking it with the TRIBE.
LeShéa Agnew, Artistic Director & Co-Founder
Yebo!
LeShéa Agnew is a national, award-winning broadcast journalist, published poet, educator, Tai Chi instructor, advocate, and dedicated student of life.
She began her career as an anchor, reporter and producer for NPR-affiliate WFDD in her hometown (Winston-Salem, NC) and continued reporting in Rochester, NY. LeShéa was the co-creator of a grassroots St. Louis, MO news media outlet dedicated to the African-American community. Some of her many exclusive on-air interviews include Maya Angelou, bell hooks, Cokie Roberts, Trayvon Martin's father, Hill Harper, and Common.
LeShéa graduated from Salem College in 2008 with a degree in Mass Communication. The daughter of a poet and playwright, she began honing her craft at a young age on stages in NC, New York, and St. Louis.
LeShéa is certified by internationally renowned Sifu, J. Justin Meehan and the Feng Zhiqiang Chen Style Taiji Quan Academy to teach Taiji forms and Qigong for relaxation and health. The ancient Chinese practices of Tai Chi and Qigong combine slow, low-impact movements, breathing exercises, and mindful intention to improve overall health and ward off disease.
LeShéa honored a promise to her community by returning to NC to teach English Language Arts to marginalized and underrepresented students in schools similar to her own. She teaches IB and Honors English at a Title I high school in Charlotte, NC.
