Executive Director, Founded Southeast Raleigh Community Learning Center, Inc. in 2012

Mrs. McCargo is the Founder of Southeast Raleigh Community Learning Center, Inc. (SERCLC) and is its Executive Director. Mrs. McCargo has experience in developing services to help the community build successful and academically strong children. Mrs. McCargo is the owner of Wanda's Little Hands Educational Center, Inc. She was one of the principals in creating another non-profit organization in East Raleigh , Communities Organizing to Nurture and Celebrate East Raleigh talent (CONCERT). Mrs. McCargo has demonstrated her commitment to the Southeast Raleigh community through other numerous groups and efforts.

Board Chair

Dr. Sarah McManus is an educator with over 30 years of experience working with children and adults of all ages and teaching and supporting a variety of subject areas. Her work history includes statewide educational leadership, national consultation and presentations, local classroom instruction, summer programming, and individual tutoring. She has a growth mindset and believes that all students can learn when provided the necessary access, support, and a qualified facilitator of learning.

Dr. McManus is a three-time graduate of North Carolina State University where she met her husband of 30 years. She is happily married, has two beautiful daughters and is a proud grandmother. Dr. McManus is a Deaconess at First Baptist Church in Raleigh, NC where she enjoys visiting the sick-and-shut-in members and serving the Lord.

Dr. McManus brought her high school, community college, and university teaching experiences with her when she began working at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) in 1999. Those experiences helped her succeed in numerous roles. She currently serves as the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Director and Digital Learning Director for the NC Deaf and Blind schools which include the Eastern North Carolina School for the Deaf in Wilson, the Governor Morehead School for the Blind in Raleigh, and the North Carolina School for the Deaf in Morganton. As the CTE Director, Dr. McManus works with schools to identify which career pathways will be offered to students, find funding and other supports to ensure the pathways are effective, and ensures all assessments are administered for measuring how well students are doing.

Board Member

Ms. Branch worked extensively as an Administrative Assistant. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. Her experience includes human resources, managing and coordinating, resolving conflict and delegating meeting tasks. Ms. Branch has established excellent working relationships with internal and external clients, consumers and internal and external staff.

Board Member

For more than twenty years Mrs. Jones has devoted herself to educating children in middle and high school. A former Business Education teacher, she believes the fundamental goal of teaching is to foster learning. Mrs. Jones holds a degree in Business Administration from North Carolina Wesleyan University, a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix and an Ed. S (Educational Specialist) in Administrative Leadership from Walden University. Besides holding a teaching license, she is also licensed as a Real Estate Broker for the State of North Carolina.

Married to her love, Calvin for 35 years, they have two adult children (Christopher and Camille). They are active members of Juniper Level Missionary Baptist Church in Garner, North Carolina. Her favorite Bible verse is Psalms 84:10, “For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.” She is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the National Council of Negro Women, and The Order of the Eastern Star.

Board Member

Joan Crump was born in Greenville, NC. She is owner and principal decorator of J&J’s Interior Designs, LLC. Prior to pursuing interior decorating and designing, Joan earned an Associate Degree from Durham Business College, Bachelor of Science Degree in Clothing and Textiles from North Carolina Central University, and a Master’s in Human Resource Management from Rutgers University. She worked and retired from IBM Corporation and Department of Public Instructions as a HR Professional.

Joan is currently a Mentor and Chair for the LSEP program at North Carolina Central University and serve as a Mediator. She is an appointed Fiduciary for the Veteran Administration.

She always had a desire and flare to make changes in order to take things to another level of excellence. She believes that the present existence of anything has a greater existence once explored through the eyes of creativity. Her ultimate goal is to be able to make a difference where others will notice and desire to be a part of the change.

Board Member

Rebekah Dixon, a native of Greenville, NC, has been an educational and youth program specialist in Raleigh for over 18 years. She believes the best way to improve the community is to create opportunities to enhance learning opportunities for the youth of Raleigh. Rebekah holds a Bachelor of Science in Program Management from North Carolina State University, a Master in Education with a concentration in Secondary Education from Grand Canyon University, and a current doctoral student in Educational Leadership K-12 at Grand Canyon University.

She currently oversees and manages the Raleigh Summer Youth Employment Program with the City of Raleigh. In the evening, Rebekah serves as an Advisor and Instructor in the GED program at Wake Tech. She also has her own tax business, Dixon Tax Firm.

Rebekah loves attending live concerts, attending sporting events and cheering on her favorite sports teams, and sitting by the ocean.

Board Member

Mr. Anthony Pope is a 1979 Honors Graduate (Magna Cum Laude) of North Carolina Agriculture & Technical State University in Greensboro N.C where he received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Health Education, Physical Education and a minor in Biology. His professional career spans 42 in various capacities of the public and private sectors as an administrator, teacher, coach, career specialist, independent consultant/business owner, and motivational speaker, just to mention a few.

Mr. Pope retired in 2021 after spending the last 16 years of his career in Higher Education with the N.C. Community College System at Wake Technical and Vance Granville Community Colleges, as a director, academic advisor, male mentoring coordinator, enrollment specialist and professional development trainer. As a lifelong educator, he is passionate about helping all individuals to achieve their greatest potential both personally and professionally, especially our youth and young adults, He is equally passionate about serving his community.

After retiring, Mr. Pope organized a group of men in June 2021 that he had known since his early years living and growing up in Raleigh. This group would eventually come to be known as “The Men of Southeast Raleigh.” The mission of this group is to connect, collaborate and partner with individual, families, schools, churches, agencies and other organizations to help accomplish their goals or projects.

Board Member

Mrs. Gloria Busch is a native of the Eastern Shore of Virginia. She attended the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. After graduation in 1982, she taught school for a while in Virginia. Teaching gave her the opportunity to make an impact by helping students with independence, developing life skills, structure and good communication skills.

As a teacher, she also provided the opportunity to work with the parents by providing resources for families in mental health services, medical/Medicaid services, food and clothing.

Her love for families.propelled her to accept a position as Director of Social Services/Admission social worker. She worked as an advocate for patients with doctors to ensure the best possible care and treatment for them.

In 1982, she accepted a position in Raleigh as Director of Social Services at one of the largest nursing home facilities in Johnston County, Here. she was the facilitator of the Alzheimer’s Group for the community and the contact person for Hospice Care which provided families and patients to exit the nursing home for becoming a patient in a facility. Mrs. Busch later transferred to Wake County Department Health and Human Services. working in child welfare as a supervisor for 30 years. Her passion for children’s safety and protection is immeasurable. Her extensive work with the courts, police departments, mental health facilities, hospitals and families/caretakers. are critical as a Board member.

Mrs. BuIch has been married for over 35 years and has two beautiful daughters and two grandsons. She is also a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.

Board Member

Adrian, the seasoned owner of Any Day Heating and Cooling, brings over two decades of expertise to the industry. He leads his team with a philosophy of providing exceptional service every day, ensuring swift, top-quality solutions in residential heating and cooling. At the heart of his business is a commitment to innovation, integrating cutting-edge technology and best practices.

Beyond his entrepreneurial success, Adrian is deeply passionate about community empowerment. He dedicates himself to helping individuals overcome personal limitations and self-doubt, guiding them to discover and embrace their true selves. His approach combines practical career guidance in the home service industry, particularly HVAC, plumbing, and electrical, with personal development.

Adrian's efforts extend to mentoring, where he shares his knowledge and experience to inspire others to recognize and pursue their potential. His personal interests, like spending quality time with his family, running, deep sea fishing, and reading about personal development, business, and real estate investing, complement his holistic approach to life.

A true advocate for positive transformation, Adrian actively encourages individuals to break free from their limiting beliefs, paving the way for personal and professional growth. His dedication to his profession, community involvement, and personal development marks him as a leader committed to uplifting others and fostering self-discovery.