Lydell Fortune was born and raised in Caroline County and is a graduate of Caroline High School. He is a graduate of Virginia Tech with a degree in political science and he earned a Juris

Lydell's professional career as a human resources professional included supporting educational opportunities for students at K-12 and post-secondary institutions. He previously served on the

Lydell is a board member of C.E.R.V.E. and is currently Worshipful Master of Welcome Lodge #125, Prince Hall Affiliated. 

Lydell is the father of a 19-year-old daughter who attends Hampton University and a 12-year-old son. Lydell is a member of Oxford Mt. Zion Baptist Church. 

Lydell is a candidate for the Caroline County School Board representing the Mattaponi District.  You can learn more about his campaign on his Facebook page.

Dr. JoWanda Rollins-Fells began her public service work in k-12 public education as a highly credentialed teacher and leader teaching 3rd and 4th graders for 15 years. She also served as the Collaboration Instructional Specialist and was the first teacher in Caroline County to earn the honorable distinction of being a National Board Certified Teacher.

During JoWanda's tenure in Caroline County, she served on several district and statewide committees focused on standardized testing, performance evaluations, content review, policy advocacy, students with exceptionalities, and schools in rural environments.

JoWanda has served two terms as a Caroline County School Board representative for the Reedy Church District and has served in the capacity of Vice Chair and Chair. In 2020, JoWanda was also elected to serve as the Eastern Region Chair representing 15 school boards in Virginia in addition to Caroline County. In 2022, she was elected as a representative for the entire state with the Virginia School Board Association.

JoWanda's passion for public education, knowledge, and professionalism established a positive reputation that helped charter the uncertain times of COVID-19 under her leadership. Under her leadership, the Caroline County School Board has been recognized as a Master Board of Distinction and she has been recognized as the School Board Representative of the Year for the State of Virginia.

JoWanda is running for her third term as the Reedy Church School Board representative. To learn more about Dr. JoWanda Rollins-Fells visit her Facebook page.

Anthony Lippa, III, is a lifelong resident of Caroline County and a graduate of Caroline High School's class of 2010. Anthony began his public service career in 2011 as a dispatcher with the Sheriff’s Office. He graduated from RRCJA and became a patrol deputy in 2012. Since then he has been promoted to his current role as Sergeant. In his career, Anthony has dealt with each county's court and has years of experience with the Code of Virginia. Anthony is running for Clerk of Court for Caroline County. Lippa says that his organizational skills, proven leadership, and technological ability will advance the circuit court for our future.

You can learn more about Anthony by visiting his Facebook page.

Allison is running to represent the Western Caroline District as their School Board Member. You can learn more about Allison on her Facebook page.

Floyd Thomas was born in White Plains, NY, and educated in the public school system.  Mr. Thomas has deep roots in Caroline County having spent every summer of his childhood there at the home of his grandmother. He attended Howard University on an academic scholarship and majored in Architecture.  He worked for several computer-aided design firms as that industry developed. Later, as a software sales representative, Floyd was employed by industry leaders - PeopleSoft, Oracle, and Adobe. 

Floyd is currently serving as Chairman of the Board of Supervisors representing the Mattaponi District.  He is also a charter member of the Broadband committee, which received State grants for internet expansion in 2021 and 2023 eventually giving everyone high-speed internet access.  Floyd worked to get the Carmel Church Fire Station located, approved, and built. His main area of focus has been to recruit new businesses to the area, which aligns with his theme, “Economic Development keeps our taxes low and creates job opportunities.”

Mr. Thomas is currently running for another term to represent the Mattaponi District as a member of the Board of Supervisors. You can learn more about Mr. Thomas on his Facebook page.

Cary Bowen has dedicated his entire career to the practice of criminal law, primarily defending individuals accused or convicted of crimes. With over 45 years of criminal defense work under his belt, he is passionate about the practice of law and the criminal justice system. He firmly believes in the judicial process and is committed to preserving justice and maintaining the integrity of our criminal justice system. As a prosecutor, Cary says he will strive to uphold the principles of fairness, impartiality, and justice.

Moreover, as a long-term resident of Caroline County, he cares deeply about the county and its citizens. Cary is running for Caroline County's Commonwealth Attorney.

Tonya Edwards is a full-time court professional, veteran's wife, and mother. Tonya is originally from Spotsylvania County, Virginia. She obtained her undergraduate degrees in psychology and political science from the University of Mary Washington. Upon graduating college, Tonya worked in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court for five years before going to law school. She then obtained a law degree from the University of the District of Columbia. After passing the bar, she spent a year as a law clerk in Hanover Circuit Court.

After completing her clerkship, Tonya started working in the Hanover Circuit Court Clerk's Office as a Deputy Clerk III and was subsequently promoted to Legal Affairs Manager. Between employment and time in law school, Tonya has over 15 years of court and legal experience.

In Tonya's spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, going to Kings Dominion, and riding with her husband on their motorcycle.

Tonya is currently a candidate for Caroline County's Clerk of Court. Learn more about Tonya on her Facebook page.

Kellé Thorpe is the founder and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Kommas with Kellé. As a fractional CFO, business advisor, and speaker, Kellé leads service-based business owners and senior-level corporate executives to elevate profitability without burnout. Her commitment to unlocking the story behind their numbers, optimizing productivity, and driving revenue growth through her proven 5-Step Profit Acceleration Methodology is relentless.

Kellé launched her firm in 2020. Leveraging 20+ years of corporate strategic expertise, her business rapidly grew into a profitable multi-six-figure firm in the pandemic's first year – all without burnout.  

Kommas with Kellé does business bookkeeping and accounting and provides Chief Executive Officers with financial strategies to stay in their zone of genius, have the work-life balance envisioned when deciding to become an entrepreneur and make a sustainable profit for long-term wealth and legacy. 

Their tailored flat-fee structure optimizes cost predictability allowing business owners to have their very own CFO in their back pocket without the six-figure cost of a C-Suite employee on payroll. 

You can connect with Kellé on all social media platforms at @kommaswithkelle and her business website at www.kommaswithkelle.com.

In this episode, Brian uncovers some of the secrets to taking your business to the next level and introduces the principle of the 4C's that help you to be comfortable being uncomfortable.

Reach out to Brian through his website, https://stretchmedstudios.com/.

Karen Simon is a Maryland Native who grew up with a passion for acting. As a little girl, she would watch all genres of TV shows; old-school comedy was one of her favorites. As Karen got older she began taking her love of acting more seriously and took acting classes in Atlanta where she lived for over 10 years. She returned to her home state of Maryland but continued acting, and became a member of The Acting Center in Washington DC. It was here her acting flourished. Karen also had the opportunity to experience what it was like to work behind the camera. She later worked as a Backstage Manager at her local church, and before long she started her own production company, Lady K Productions. With upcoming productions like The Family Business, War of Minds, NYCstyle, The Love I Lost, I AM King, and The Temptations of Joshua already in the works, Karen is moving full speed ahead.

But that's not all. Karen is also about to start a clothing line for women. This powerful African American woman is well on her way. With a great team on her side, there’s nothing she can’t do in her lifetime!

Listen in as Karen shares how God has moved in her life to guide her to be able to fund her film projects and how leaning on her purpose has impacted her life.

You can connect with Karen on IG @Ladyk4sure; Twitter (Ladykpro); LinkedIn (Karen Simon); and Facebook @ Lady K Productions.