Board of Directors – Mikayla Newton Foundation

MIKAYLA NEWTON

PRESIDENT AND FOUNDER

Mikayla Newton is the President and founder of the Mikayla Newton Foundation. She has worked in the industry as a reporter/anchor for several years for companies, such as Nexstar Media Group, CNN, HLN, and WAGA-TV. Mikayla graduated from Georgia State University where she received a B.A. in broadcast journalism with a minor in Spanish and has her master’s in communications from Syracuse University. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She is also a member of the National Association of Black Journalists.

DR. LAURA LENEAR DORSEY

DIRECTOR OF SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS

LLD Scholars was founded by Dr. Laura Lenear Dorsey, a seasoned educator with over 30 years of experience, including a distinguished career as a college professor. Recognizing the need for comprehensive support for young people beyond traditional college pathways, Dr. Dorsey established LLD Scholars to empower students to achieve their full potential, regardless of their chosen path.

Over the past 15 years, Dr. Dorsey has dedicated her life to this mission, impacting the lives of over 150,000 students. Through LLD Scholars, she has facilitated over $1 billion in scholarships, guided students into prestigious positions at Fortune 500 companies, and supported aspiring entrepreneurs in launching successful businesses.

Driven by a commitment to community and a desire to create a lasting impact, Dr. Dorsey, alongside a team of talented educators, executives, and industry leaders, is expanding LLD Scholars’ reach nationwide through a series of dynamic College & Career Expos. These expos bring together a wealth of resources, including college representatives, career counselors, and scholarship opportunities, empowering students to explore their diverse pathways and make informed decisions about their futures.

LOU HOLDER

DIRECTOR OF STUDENT ENGAGEMENT

Mr. Lou Holder, an Emmy award-winning sports personality, notable public speaker, and teacher, created HolderSports, a sports media consultancy, which provides “difference-making” communications services such as On-Air Talent, Motivational Speaking, Emceeing, Media Coaching, Broadcast Instruction, Public Relations, and Image Consulting. Mr. Holder also serves as a Professor teaching a variety of communications and mass media classes on the scholastic and collegiate levels.

Mr. Holder has a very successful and extensive career as a sports anchor, reporter, and talk show host/contributor who has worked with many notable television and radio venues: NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX, Comcast SportsNet (CSN), Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN), CW Television Network, CBS Radio, and ESPN Radio.

Mr. Holder won his first Emmy for Outstanding Sports Reporting in 2003. His wide sports coverage has included both major and championship events affiliated with prestigious organizations such as the National Football League (NFL), Professional Golf Association (PGA), Major League Baseball (MLB), National Basketball Association (NBA), and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Mr. Holder has also had the privilege, during his career, to interview an impressive list of sports figures that includes personalities such as Tiger Woods, Kobe Bryant, John Thompson, Joe Gibbs, Venus & Serena Williams, David Beckham, and Mike Tyson.

Lou belongs to many organizations including the National Association of Black Sports Professionals, National Association of Black Journalists, Washington Sports Business Professionals, Public Relations Society of America, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., INROADS, and the Boy Scouts of America.

Mr. Holder holds a master’s degree in sports administration from Temple University and a bachelor’s degree in communications from Rutgers University. Mr. Holder resides in Prince George’s County Maryland with his wife Charisse and has two adult children, Jordan and Jasmine.

MAIYA NEWTON

BUSINESS AFFAIRS COORDINATOR

Maiya Newton graduated from Georgia State University with a dual degree in Computer Information Systems and Managerial Sciences. She is a former athlete and entrepreneur with a background in project management. She is currently transitioning from the Tech industry to the Sports and Outdoor Products Industry while pursuing her Master’s in Sports Product Management at the University of Oregon and has studied Fashion Design and Visual Merchandising at NABA in Milan, Italy. With a passion for activewear design and business development, Maiya is focused on building the #1 sportswear brand in the world.