about us
College is a main route out of poverty, a cornerstone in the building of a great society, and a key hiring prerequisite of many employers. But far too many students are facing poverty during college, keeping them from achieving academic success. Financial aid falls well short of today’s prices and many college students do not have basic needs like sufficient clothing, dorm bedding essentials, toiletries and personal items, laundry and cleaning supplies and school supplies.
The ALLiance Foundation was founded to help college students meet those basic living expenses. We do this work by providing resources directly to students to help meet their basic needs, and then by engaging those same students in sharing their stories to help create change.
About
Michael Boyd
Michael Boyd is a native of Memphis, Tn and the oldest of three sons. He has served on several committees and held various leadership roles in his fraternity in both the District and Regional levels. As a former Officer in the U.S. Army, he has served on various Boards and nonprofits. He is married to Robin Carey-Boyd a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.-East St. Louis Alumnae Chapter. His philosophy about life is to encourage the growth of others: through innovative thinking, accountability, civic engagement, and measurable out-comes, while developing opportunities and challenging individuals to reach beyond their comfort zone. Michael passionately believes there is no limit to what you can do when you’re doing it from the heart and not for self-glorification.
About
Joe Cooper
Joe is a proud graduate of Lincoln University earning a BS in Animal Science and Agriculture. He has been a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. for over 35 years. The Cooper family has 100 years of deep roots at Lincoln University with over 60 Coopers graduating from Lincoln including his father, aunts, and uncles.
Joe has worked in the automobile industry for over 25 years where he has been involved in selling, buying, training, certification, and managing staff. He has earned several customer service awards, personal, and team Exceptional Achievement awards. Joe has leadership skills that allow his team to believe in the process and develop themselves as team players. Joe has a contagious personality and if you have met him, you will remember this interaction for the rest of your life.
He has worked with “Youth in Training” at Shalom City of Peace in Florissant, Missouri for years and enjoys teaching them Bible and life lessons like fishing and playing chess. Joe has held several positions in the Alumni chapter of Delta Epsilon Lambda DEL East St. Louis, Illinois, and works as a passionate member of the Lincoln University St. Louis Alumni Chapter.
His personal motto is, “If I can help others get their wants and needs in life, the Good Lord will continue to bless me with my wants and needs in life.”
About
Eric Hester
Eric enjoys motivating and mentoring students from underserved communities to continue their education, complete high school and enter college. A native of Essex, Missouri, he matriculated to Lincoln University, where he was a Distinguished Military Graduate in Army ROTC and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration. While at Lincoln University, he joined the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. through the Alpha Psi Chapter on November 14, 1987. He earned his Master of Business Administration degree from Touro University in 2005.
After college, Eric was commissioned in the U.S. Army as an Armor Officer and served twenty-nine years before retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel on January 1, 2017. He has received numerous military awards and decorations to the Legion of Merit medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, three Meritorious Service Medals, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, two National Defense Medals, and the Army Parachutist Badge.
Eric is married with five children. Since retiring from the Army, Eric enjoys traveling, golfing and reconnecting with family and friends. He is a current member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Gamma Zeta Lambda chapter in Tampa, Florida.
About
lonnie boyd
Lonnie is a native of Memphis, Tennessee, and a graduate of Lincoln University of Missouri, Jefferson City, Missouri. While attending Lincoln University (LU), Lonnie joined the US Army Reserves and became an active participant in LU’s Army ROTC program, where he would later be commissioned as an 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army Reserves. Lonnie also joined the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. through the Alpha Psi Chapter on November 14, 1987.
After his tenure at LU, Lonnie enjoyed an expansive career in federal law enforcement. With more than 27 years of extensive experience successfully working at a high-level as a manager, team member, trainer and collaborator to advance the mission of the Federal government that included protecting the US food supply and the Nation's tax system from fraud, Lonnie retired as a Special Agent in Charge from the United States Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General.
Lonnie is passionate about connecting his experiences with students and young adults who are faced with uncertainty. Over several years as an unpaid volunteer, Lonnie strives to make a difference in his community as well as in the lives of students.
