Faculty & Staff

Brandon P. Fleming is the nationally acclaimed founder of The Veritas Schools, where he serves as President & CEO and Chief Instructor.  Fleming designed and leads the facilitation of the award-winning curriculum that develops scholars in the Veritas Debate Institute and Veritas Preparatory Program.

Fleming is the subject of the book-turned-stage-play and forthcoming television and film biopic, MISEDUCATED – which was originally Fleming’s Master’s degree thesis at the University of Georgia. Over the past decade, Fleming has emerged as one of the most awarded and sought-after educators and transformational speakers in the world. His miraculous journey has been featured by Forbes, CNN, Good Morning America, and dozens of other global outlets for one reason: Fleming embodies what it means to drive performance, build resilient cultures, and unlock human potential. Rising from a drug-dealing dropout to an award-winning Harvard debate coach, he has become a case study in personal reinvention, organizational excellence, and scalable impact.

By 26, Fleming became one of the youngest educators to be recruited as a debate coach at Harvard University. By 28, he was one of the youngest to address the world on a global stage at the United Nations. By 29, he made the Forbes list and The Root Magazine named him one of the 100 most influential African Americans in the United States. Today, he is Founder & CEO of The Veritas Schools, an award-winning author, and a keynote speaker for companies seeking to cultivate future-ready talent and high-performance teams.

Fleming has keynoted and trained leaders at the nation’s most influential corporations, including Airbnb, Bank of America, KPMG, Walmart, McDonald’s, and JPMorgan Chase. Companies turn to Fleming to learn the methodology behind his unprecedented track record: the ability to identify hidden potential, build inclusive and psychologically safe environments, strengthen leadership pipelines, and engineer cultures where people thrive.

Fleming’s work became a national phenomenon after he started a school with a group of perceived underdogs and transformed them into academic champions at the Harvard Debate Council in Cambridge, MA. He shocked the nation when he took a group of untrained students from mostly under-resourced schools in Atlanta and promised to prepare them for a global debate competition against elite debaters from over 25 countries worldwide–a seemingly impossible feat.  He single-handedly trained them for only one year, accelerating their performance to such a degree that the group dominated and won the competition at the Harvard Debate Council Summer Workshops, breaking national headlines.  Then, the next year, he did it again with a different group.  And again with a third, and a fourth, and a fifth, sixth, and seventh.  For seven consecutive years, Fleming’s students outperformed thousands across the globe as seven-time consecutive champions.  Fleming’s repeatable formula for talent acceleration has since been shared with hundreds of thousands of leaders worldwide as a framework for driving breakthrough performance.

As a businessman, Fleming has grown Veritas into a rapidly scaling national enterprise that has secured investments from notable companies, including The Coca-Cola Company, UPS, Chick-fil-A, and Steve Harvey, among others.  Veritas is redefining the future of learning, leadership, and workforce development. His insights help companies accelerate talent, strengthen their culture, build adaptable teams, and build talent pipelines for long-term success.

Tameka A. Thomas, Ed.S. is the Chief Operating Officer and Head of Schools at The Veritas Schools, where she serves as a driving force behind the organization’s rapid growth, operational excellence, and national expansion. Recruited in 2021 to help scale the organization, Thomas brings more than 25 years of educational leadership experience spanning K–12 and higher education, with a career defined by building systems that transform student outcomes at scale.

At Veritas, Thomas has led the organization’s expansion from a single program into a multi-campus model, laying the operational and academic foundation for national growth. She oversees organizational strategy, school leadership, and the infrastructure that powers Veritas’s mission to develop high-achieving scholars and future leaders. Under her leadership, Veritas enrollment has more than tripled, and its academic model has been positioned for sustained impact across major markets in the United States.

Prior to joining Veritas, Thomas held leadership roles across every level of education, earning a reputation for delivering measurable results in student achievement and institutional effectiveness. She designed and implemented a district-wide literacy strategy serving more than 55,000 students, resulting in over 20 percent gains in reading proficiency across grades K–12. Her expertise led to her selection as a contributor to the refinement of Georgia’s Standards of Excellence, placing her among a select group of leaders shaping state-level education policy. She has also trained educators and school leaders across Georgia in leadership development, curriculum design, and instructional improvement.

Thomas began her career at Brooklyn College, where she led a student retention initiative that increased sophomore persistence and graduation rates by 20 percent. That early work cemented her belief that when institutions build the right systems and supports, student success is not accidental, it is inevitable.

Thomas has received regional recognition for her achievements in business and leadership, being one of 50 Metro Atlanta leaders selected by the Atlanta Regional Commission for the Regional Leadership Institute Class of 2025.

Thomas holds a Master’s degree in Leadership and an Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in Curriculum and Development, along with advanced certifications in educational leadership and reading instruction. Thomas considers her work at Veritas the most meaningful chapter of her career, driven by a deep commitment to ensuring that every young person has access to the opportunities and support needed to reach their full potential.

Jacquelyn Berry serves as the Executive Assistant to the CEO at Veritas, where she is a dedicated partner in advancing the organization’s business operations and supporting the growth and success of its scholars, families, and community.

With over 15 years of experience supporting senior leadership, Jacquelyn brings a thoughtful, people-centered approach to her work. She plays a key role in ensuring the seamless coordination of executive priorities, board engagement, and school-wide initiatives, while helping to create meaningful experiences for families and stakeholders. Jacquelyn works behind the scenes to ensure that every interaction reflects the excellence and care that define the Veritas community.

Jacquelyn is passionate about building strong relationships and creating systems that support both operational excellence and a sense of belonging. Whether coordinating major events, supporting leadership, or engaging with families, she is committed to fostering a welcoming and well-organized environment where scholars and families can thrive.

Her background in executive support across complex organizations has equipped her with the ability to bring structure, clarity, and efficiency to dynamic environments—always with a focus on service, impact, and community.

Maya Pierce Drake is a finance executive, strategic advisor, and entrepreneur with more than 15 years of experience in financial planning, operational strategy, business transformation, and performance reporting. She brings a unique blend of Fortune 100 corporate finance experience and hands-on entrepreneurial advisory to her role with The Veritas Schools.

Prior to joining Veritas, Maya served as Chief of Staff to the CIO of Honeywell Connected Enterprises, where she supported executive strategy, managed a $27 million IT budget, led financial planning cycles, and developed reporting processes to measure organizational performance. She also spent more than a decade at General Electric, holding finance leadership roles across FP&A, controllership, ERP implementation, process improvement, and global business transformation.

Maya is the Founder and CEO of Wealth of Knowledge Enterprises, a financial consulting firm providing accounting, tax strategy, bookkeeping, and advisory services to individuals, entrepreneurs, small businesses, and nonprofit organizations. Since launching the firm in 2017, she has supported more than 200 clients across 17 states, helping them build stronger financial systems and make confident, data-informed decisions.

Maya is an Enrolled Agent, Certified QuickBooks Accountant, and Georgia Real Estate Broker. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Economics with a concentration in Management and Organization from Spelman College.

Kennedy Thomas serves as Program and Admissions Coordinator at The Veritas Schools, where she supports admissions operations across multiple campuses while helping advance organizational growth and student engagement initiatives. In her role, she oversees admissions processes, contributes to data analytics and organizational reporting, and assists in the planning and facilitation of academic and leadership programming designed to support scholar success.

Having served with Veritas for four years, Kennedy is passionate about creating systems and experiences that expand educational access and foster student development. Her work combines operational coordination with a strong commitment to mentorship, leadership, and community impact.

Kennedy is currently completing her final year at the University of Georgia, where she studies Biology and Public Health on the pre-med track. Throughout her time at UGA, she has held several leadership positions focused on service, advocacy, and professional development. She currently serves as President of the UGA chapter of the National Society of Black Women in Medicine after previously serving as Director of Fundraising. She also serves as Tech and Media Chair for Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, where she supports educational initiatives and organizational engagement.

Beyond campus leadership, Kennedy is a dedicated volunteer with Piedmont Athens Regional and serves as an Alumni Ambassador and Liaison for the Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Power and Potential, where she works collaboratively with leadership to strengthen relationships between alumni, youth ambassadors, and community stakeholders. Through her academic, professional, and service experiences, Kennedy remains committed to advancing educational equity, healthcare advocacy, and youth empowerment.

Isaiah Stephens is a Veritas alumnus (‘21) and Lead Instructor at the Veritas Debate Institute.  Stephens is an award-winning debater and public speaker who has been teaching at The Veritas Schools since 2022, teaching debate and supporting the academic development of students from diverse backgrounds. Over that time, he has helped equip more than 175 students with the skills to think critically, communicate effectively, and engage academic spaces with confidence.

An internationally recognized speech & debate competitor, Stephens has represented the United States in Bermuda, Malaysia, and Australia, refining the persuasive and analytical abilities that define his work in the classroom. Through his work, Stephens is committed to expanding educational access and cultivating the next generation of thoughtful, articulate, and impactful leaders.

George Bronner is a Veritas alumnus (‘21) and Lead Instructor at the Veritas Debate Institute. Furthering standards of higher academic excellence. He has demonstrated a commitment to global understanding. George participated in the Veritas Global Travel Program, where he studied international issues and immersed himself in foreign culture during travels in Poland and the UAE.

Jason Dural is a Veritas alumnus (‘25) and Teaching Assistant at the Veritas Debate Institute.  As a National Merit Finalist, Coca-Cola Scholars Finalist, and U.S. Presidential Scholar Nominee, he has distinguished himself throughboth academic excellence and commitment to mentorship. After completing his year as a Veritas Scholar — earning top ranks in Harvard’s international debate competition and being selected as an alumni instructor — he now facilitates weekly instruction in philosophy, theology, and rhetoric for over 85 high school students.

Jason is a nationally recognized debater and Co-Captain of the inaugural cohort of Team Georgia Debate, one of only 12 students selected statewide to represent Georgia in the World Schools format. As Co-Captain of the Westminster Varsity Debate Team, he has led his team to multiple bids to the Tournament of Champions while earning top-speaker distinctions in international tournaments. His success as a debater and educator has led to his selection by the Harvard Debate Council as an instructor for its international summer workshop in Tanzania.

Beyond competition, Jason’s work is grounded in expanding access to opportunity. As a leader of The Village, a cross-school affinity group for Black families across Westminster and surrounding schools, he organizes community events and spearheaded a mentorship program pairing upperclassmen with underclassmen for guidance through high school. He is also the founder of Focus for Fairness, a research initiative investigating disparities in ADHD accommodations among minorities. Drawing from his work advocating for educational access within Black and neurodivergent communities, Jason approaches teaching with a focus on empowerment, ensuring students are not only included in academic spaces, but equipped to thrive within them.

Dural will also represent Veritas at a summer residency at the University of Oxford, where he will study international public policy.

Fatmata Bah is a Veritas alumnae (‘25) and Teaching Assistant at the Veritas Debate Institute and Lead Instructor at the Veritas Preparatory Program, where she supports instruction across debate, rhetoric, and the social sciences. Bah has competed in World Schools Debate with Team Georgia and in Public Forum at the Harvard Debate Council Summer Workshops. She is a QuestBridge College Prep Scholar and a finalist for the QuestBridge National College Match. She has also been selected for multiple prestigious academic programs, including Yale Young Global Scholars and the Seeds of Fortune Cornell University program.

In line with her interest in medicine, Bah has gained early exposure to the healthcare field through her involvement in the Grady Teen Leadership Program and the Morehouse School of Medicine HCEP Internship, where she further explored healthcare and service pathways. Within Veritas, Fatmata has been selected to represent the organization at a summer residency at the University of Oxford, where she will study medicine.  Beyond her work in debate and mentorship, Bah is deeply interested in pursuing a career in medicine and advancing health equity. She hopes to combine her passion for communication, leadership, and service to make a meaningful impact in healthcare and underserved communities.

Suhailah Owuo-Hagood is a Veritas alumnae (‘25) and Teaching Assistant at the Veritas Debate Institute, where she facilitates weekly instruction in philosophy, theology, and rhetoric for over 80 scholars. Following a standout tenure as a Veritas Scholar and a top-ranked finish at the Harvard Debate Council’s summer debate competition, she was selected as one of only five instructors from a pool of 500 alumni. In this role, she has contributed 500+ volunteer hours to instructional design and the development of innovative pedagogical methods to advance the Veritas classroom experience. As a representative of the Veritas Global Travel Program to South Africa, her work in Soweto earned front-page national press coverage for fostering international educational exchange. During this journey, she facilitated a private diplomatic session with former political prisoner Lionel Davis to bridge Apartheid-era historical lessons with modern leadership strategies. Building on this global momentum, she was recently selected as one of five inaugural scholars to be sponsored by The Veritas Schools for a 2026 residency at Oxford University to study Business and Enterprise.

A Junior and Advanced Placement Scholar at Campbell High School, Suhailah serves as President of the Muslim Student Association and is enrolled in the Entrepreneurial Pathway. As the founder of HeadChef Su, she executed 1,000+ transactions in six months, utilizing the capital to fund a Ramadan initiative providing 2,000+ meals to community members. A seasoned orator, she has delivered keynotes for executives at Coca-Cola, Chick-fil-A, Life Atlanta, the Sartain Lanier Family Foundation, and the Atlanta Hawks, and led panels for 2,000+ leaders at National MentorCon. Furthermore, as Lead Public Speaking Supervisor for Girls of Excellence, she has mentored 300+ young women in navigating the complexities of girlhood through peer-led leadership and corporate advocacy.

Suraya Khoja is a Veritas alumnae (‘25) and Teaching Assistant the Veritas Debate Institute.  Khoja placed as a semi-finalist in Public Forum at the Harvard International Debate Tournament. Recognizing her academic trajectory, she was selected as one of five inaugural Veritas representatives for a 2026 residency at Oxford University to study medicine.

Outside of Veritas, her community impact includes over 500 hours of service every year through the Ismaili Volunteer Corps where she has been serving since the age of eight. As a globally engaged scholar, Suraya contributes to healthcare infrastructure initiatives in Northern Pakistan through the Aga Khan Development Network. Locally, she serves as Head of Youth Engagement in her place of worship, guiding young members of the community. She continues

to deepen her critical thinking skills while paying it forward as a speech and debate coach at her local middle school equipping 50+ students with tools to find their voice. A 2nd Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo, Suraya leverages elite discipline and composure to bridge the gap between advocacy and global health innovation.

Sire Washington is a Veritas alumnus (‘24) and Lead Instructor at the Veritas Preparatory Program.  As a debate competitor, Washington ranked among the top-performing scholars at the Harvard Debate Council Summer Workshops, where he was a semi-finalist.  Washington has a deep commitment to addressing inequities in education. Driven by a passion for learning and global engagement, he has expanded his academic experiences internationally in both Canada and Italy through the Veritas Global Travel Program.

Sire believes that education must be paired with action. He currently serves as Student-Body President at KIPP Atlanta Collegiate and Vice-Chair of the Fulton County Youth Commission, the largest youth commission in the nation, where he actively works to advance policy and advocate for young people. Through this role, he has lobbied and promoted legislation at the congressional level, collaborating with national and state representatives.

His experience is further strengthened by internships with three state representatives, equipping him with firsthand insight into the legislative process and preparing him to pursue a future in public service. Sire is dedicated to leveraging his leadership, voice, and experiences to create meaningful change in his community and beyond.