Radia Heyward, Community Engagement Manager
Radia Heyward is a native of Ft. Campbell, Kentucky but calls Columbia, South Carolina home. She is the mother of three children, Jayson Eric Gregory, 15; Jarad William James, 14; and Little Miss Jayde Ryane’, 8. Radia is extremely passionate about serving others and “Paying It Forward.” She is very active in her community and local organizations such as Neighbors Helping Neighbors, CDC, Royal Foundation, Project Man Up, and the Charleston County Democratic Party. She and her family are active members of Royal Missionary Baptist Church. Radia’s love for her family and friends has renewed her spirit in writing and the performing arts. She has a tremendous amount experience and knowledge in community organization and the non profit arena as a former campaign manager for Senator Marlon Kimpson.
AnnaMaria Sebastiano, Parent Engagement AmeriCorps *VISTA
AnnaMaria Sebastiano is originally from Massachusetts where she taught as an Early Intervention Teacher. She attended The University of Alabama and is continuing her degree online in Human Environmental Sciences. AnnaMaria’s background includes working as a Mental Health Worker in a Community Autism Intervention Program as well as in an Intensive Residential Treatment Program. She has an extensive background in Transitional Programs for 18-21 year old students with disabilities and has held a role in the Educational Theater Association for many years. Her role as a Parent Engagement AmeriCorps *VISTA supports CPN’s mission by enhancing parent-teacher relationships in the CPN Learning Community’s four schools with AnnaMaria’s leadership. The Parent-Teacher Home Visitor Project, a national model, is launching this school year at all four of CPNLC schools. Through this project teachers and parents build a trusting relationship for the benefit of each child’s educational success.
