History of impact academy
Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today. –Malcolm X
As she experienced the shift in education, because of the COVID-19 international health pandemic, she felt the charge to actualize her God-given purpose. She dreamed of creating educational programming for our children that nurtured their brilliance and had God at its center. God speaks and sends messages to us in so many different ways. In 2020, Jennifer A. Pickett received confirmation that her outrageous idea was not so impossible, from her sister Whitney Wilfred. After this first confirmation, Jennifer reached out to Nicole O. Webster, who immediately voiced that the idea had to be brought to fruition; confirming for a second time, what God had already placed on Jennifer’s spirit. Jennifer and Nicole then began to outline a plan and scheduled a meeting to share the idea with Pastor Maurice S. Porter, I. With his support, the vision of Impact Academy was born.
On August 14th 2020 at 4:00 PM, in fellowship with three of their sisters-in-Christ - Nichelle G. Woodson, Samara M. Scott, and Ivori A. Smith - crafted the vision of Impact Academy. Each of these women bring something different to Impact Academy: Jennifer is the numinous visionary, Nicole is the innovative coordinator who brings the ideas to life, Nichelle is the strategic developer who holds everything together, Samara is the empirical data analyst and administrator, and Ivori is the creative curator. With a driving mission to provide a Christ-centered educational experience, the founders began to design the first of Impact Academy’s educational programming; offering a virtual tutoring program to students in Kindergarten through eighth grade.
Impact Academy stands on a Christ centered foundation. The founders believe that all children deserve, and have the right to, educational experiences where the standard is excellence. Because of their strong faith and belief that all things are possible through Christ, the founders believe they have an obligation to provide impactful educational opportunities to the youth in their community. They are assured, through the Word of God, that Impact Academy will now and forever, nurture brilliance for success
impact academy founders
Jennifer A Pickett, M.A. SpEd, BCBA, LBA
Jennifer A. Pickett is a woman of many hats. She is a wife, mother, daughter, entrepreneur, student, youth ministry leader, and a minister in training. Jennifer resides in Middletown, CT with her amazing husband Jeremie Pickett and their three beautiful children. Jennifer was born and raised in the North End of Hartford with two amazing and supportive parents. Jennifer’s mother, who was in education for 37 ½ years, always saw a special gift in children and was constantly involved with the youth; so it is fair to say that Jennifer is following in her mother's footsteps. Jennifer is the Chief Executive Officer of Blessed Mama LLC; a company dedicated to uplifting mothers through blogging and vlogging. Jennifer is an active member in Jack and Jill of America Incorporated and proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated.
Jennifer obtained her Bachelors of Science in Interpersonal and Relational Communication with a Minor in Psychology from Southern Connecticut State University, Masters of Arts in Special Education and a Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis from the University of Saint Joseph. Jennifer is currently enrolled at Fuller Theological Seminary, where she will obtain her Masters of Divinity. She is a Licensed Board Certified Behavior Analysis. Jennifer devotedly serves as youth director, wave member, shift dancer, and minister in training at Impact Church International. Jennifer believes that every child is a gift from God and every child has a special gift that needs to be shared; and with God’s help, the right guidance, and platform they can excel.
Nicole O. Webster, B.S., M.A.
Nicole O. Webster, B.S., M.A. is a powerhouse, multi-faceted, mother of two loving boys. She is an entrepreneur, owner and founder of her own event planning and project management firm. She is a co-founder of West Indian Girls Rock Inc.,which is a Non-for-Profit scholarship based organization that fosters the empowerment of West Indian Girls and young women to promote self-love, self-care, pursuing higher education and to encourage pride in their cultural heritage.
Nicole is an active member of Impact Church International located locally in the Greater Hartford area in Connecticut, where she is one of Five Founding Members of the Impact Academy, which is the educational sector of Impact Church International. She is the Director of Protocol, overseeing the operation of the weekly Sunday Worship Experience; the planning, procurement and execution of special events, and the Admin for Impact Society, which is the Worship and Arts Ministry.
She was born and raised in Bloomfield, CT to parents who migrated from the island of St. Kitts W.I. to America, with dreams of creating a better life for their children. From a young age the foundation was laid for Nicole to prosper in life through the daily teachings of good work ethic, perseverance and the driving force of having faith in God to make anything she put her mind to come to fruition.
In 2003 she obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from Virginia State University. She furthered her studies in 2009, completing a rigorous Counseling program at the University of Saint Joseph, formerly known as Saint Joseph College, where she earned a Master’s Degree in Community Counseling. Her wealth of knowledge in both industries has helped to propel and define where her purpose meets passion. She currently works for the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation, as an Associate Accounts Examiner, in the Division of Internal Audits. Though auditing has allowed her to further her experience and gain more knowledge in the Accounting industry, it is the work that she does for the Lord that has proven that his plan for her life is greater, and required to be used for his glory on a grander scale. She now uses the fundamentals of her counseling studies in her day to day operations at the State and working to win souls for the Kingdom at her church home.
Nicole’s motto is work smarter not harder and always smile through it all!
Samara M. Scott
Samara M. Scott, a Connecticut native, is a very active and devoted Christian wife and mother to a wonderful husband, their awesome children and beloved godchildren. She is a dedicated member of Impact Church International and is grateful to be a part of a family-oriented community, where she has been able to focus on her ever-expanding walk in Christ.
Growing up in Windsor with busy parents and siblings, Samara, the big sister and eldest of 3 younger brothers, quickly learned that the measurement of time, although a social construct, is our most precious commodity. Her family's academic and athletic schedules were structured and family time was very important. “I don’t enjoy wasting mine and do not waste the time of others; being organized and fluid is key in staying ahead. Rigidity only leads to disappointment—especially when it relates to working with and for children.” Samara is an avid student in and outside the classroom, always seeking to broaden her knowledge base and interpersonal connections. She obtained her Associate in Science degree in Biology and switching gears, attended the University of Maryland - Global Campus, earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Business Management. Her career has been focused in this field for over 17 years, an accountant and operations consultant for over 15. She is a certified Youth Mental Health First Aid Responder and has served in the community as the Policy Board Treasurer of First Church Early Learning Center; youth mentor; K-12 tutor; Unified Sports parent and volunteer as well as in several other capacities—the common denominator has always been meeting the needs of our youth and their families.
Samara is the Founder and CEO of D&S Consulting and cheerfully serves as Impact Church International's Director of Administration and is an Impact Kidz team member.
Samara wholeheartedly believes “If God be for me, nothing more can be said.”
Nichelle G. Woodson, MSW
Nichelle G. Woodson was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad and grew up in Bloomfield, CT. Nichelle comes from a family of educators; the matriarchal foundation of her desire to become an educator was laid by her great-grandmother, who was a prominent educator in her Trinidadian community of St. James. Nichelle holds a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology from Vassar College, Masters of Social Work from the oldest school of social in the country, Columbia University School of Social Work, and Sixth Year Degree and Intermediate Administrator Certification from Central Connecticut State University. Nichelle has been an educator for over two decades; starting her career as an elementary school teacher in Jersey City, NJ, and continuing her professional trajectory through her roles as a School Social Worker, Dean of Student Services, and a Middle School Principal. Nichelle is currently the Network Success Manager, at the educational non-profit organization, CT RISE Network, where she works with urban high school educators across the state of Connecticut to ensure high school students reach their full potential and educators are empowered to achieve breakthrough results.
Over the course of her educational tenure, Nichelle has received several awards. Her most treasured are the Claremont-Lafayette Presbyterian Church Teaching Award, the Georgia L. McMurray Award, given to one student out of all six graduate schools of social work in New York City, for recognition of outstanding accomplishments and contributions to services for children and families, and the William A. Yandow Educator Award, for her work as an administrator using arts to foster transformational growth. Nichelle is a member of Impact Church International who proudly and joyfully serves as the co-lead on the Impact Cares ministry. Nichelle believes that all children are gifted, the only variable is the timing in which their gifts are realized and applied!
Ivori A. Smith, M.Ed
Ivori A. Smith, M.Ed, was born in Hartford, CT among the birthing of hip hop culture and the conscious birthing of black liberation. Though perceived odds were against her; Ivori singularly devoted herself to success. With a proven past of educational excellence as well as professional profundity, Ivori personifies what it means to mortify the odds and rise above and beyond the challenges which include attending and graduating from Johnson C. Smith University with a Bachelors of Arts in Liberal Studies concentrating in English and Elementary Education and University of Saint Joseph ;CT) with a Master’s in Secondary Education concentrating in Curriculum and Instruction respectfully. As an accomplished educator of 15 years, who is now in pursuit of a degree in Educational Leadership from Wingate University (NC). Ivori is currently the Middle and High School Interventionist/MTSS Coordinator at Cabarrus Charter Academy Upper School in Concord, NC and has been highlighted for her uncanny ability to relate and identify with the learning potential of all students assigned to her care. Ivori is also the sole owner and curator of Saige’s Muse, a small business dedicated to creating custom handmade jewelry; a namesake of her only daughter Saige. As one of the five founding members of Impact Academy, Ivori strives and is dedicated to shaping the young minds of our future! To know her is to love not only who she is but what she offers. The name is Ivori A. Smith personifies the American dream of resurrection through self- realization and communal dedication.