You've Got The Power! - About the Authors

Lesia L. Crumpton-Young, Ph.D.

PowerfulEducation Technologies LLC, President & CEO
Author of the “You’ve Got the Power” Workbook Series
Professor of Industrial Engineering

Dr. Crumpton-Young received her BS, MS, and Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from Texas A&M University where she was the first African American female to receive a Ph.D. in Engineering from Texas A&M University. Dr. Crumpton-Young is a Professor in the Department of Industrial Engineering and Management Systems at The University of Central Florida and Author of the work book series entitled “You’ve Got the Power”, as well as a business owner.

In her successful career, she has been the recipient of a series of awards such as the 2006 Women of Color Educational Leadership Award, the 1999 Janice A. Lumpkin, Educator of the Year Golden Torch Award from the National Society of Black Engineers, and the 1997 Black Engineer of the Year Education Award which is given to the candidate whose qualifications place him/her in the ranks of the nation's highest achievers in the field of engineering.

Dr. Crumpton-Young held the position of Associate Dean of Engineering at Mississippi State University (MSU), and served as the developer and director of the Ergonomics/Human Factors Program and Experimentation Laboratory during her tenure at Mississippi State University and later served as the Department Chair of Industrial Engineering and Management Systems at The University of Central Florida. Currently, Dr. Crumpton-Young serves as the Director of the Center for Engineering Leadership and Learning as well as Co-Director of the NSF Industry/University Cooperative Research Center for e-Design. She is a member of the Engineering Advisory Committee for the National Science Foundation, The US Army Science Board and the Engineering Education advisory board of the National Academy of Engineering.

She has published over 150 scholarly publications, and has worked on many industrial research projects with companies such as UPS, IBM, Caterpillar, Intel, Garan Manufacturing, Southwest Airlines, and Lockheed Martin. Dr. Crumpton-Young’s research has been supported by organizations such as NSF, ONR, NASA, and DOE. Her research interests include: engineering leadership development, user centered design, human performance modeling and analysis, human reliability analysis, human fatigue assessment and modeling, use of virtual reality and computer simulation in ergonomics design and analysis, design of displays and controls, workplace design; carpal tunnel syndrome prevention and control; and workplace redesign for disabled persons.

Dr. Crumpton-Young received the prestigious CAREER development award from the National Science Foundation to pursue research in the area of designing the workplace to accommodate persons with disabilities and, obtained a research grant through the Department of Education to explore the use of Virtual Reality in designing for persons with disabilities. She also received the outstanding industrial paper award for her research entitled: An Investigation of Cumulative Trauma Disorders in the Construction Industry at the Seventh International Occupational Ergonomics and Safety Conference.
She is happily married and a mother of two daughters, ages six and nine.

Tekoa Summers

PowerfulEducation Technologies LLC, Vice President

Tekoa Summers named “One of 30 Leaders Under 30” by EBONY Magazine is an Inspirational Speaker, Consultant, Author and TV Talk Show Host. Ms. Summers hails from Clewiston, Florida and presently resides in Orlando, Florida where she graduated from the University of Central Florida (U.C.F.) Ms. Summers is a benevolent leader who volunteers as a Board Members for People Who Care, Inc. and Vice-Chair of the Universal Boys and Girls Club Board.

Tekoa Summers is the co-author of “You’ve Got the Power: Breaking the Vicious Cycle”, “You’ve Got the Power: Turning your Life Around” and the author of “Quick Tips for Young Professionals”. She is the CEO and President of Helping Others Pursue Excellence (H.O.P.E.), a personal and professional development company. Her clients include Fed Ex, Sprint together with Nextel and Tech Solutions, to name a few. Ms. Summers is also the Host of “Against All Odds”, a T.V. talk show syndicated throughout Central Florida. Her show features guests who have overcome extraordinary obstacles to achieve their dreams.

In addition to this, Ms. Summers serves as the Founder and Overseer of U.C.F.’s Women’s Prayer Band and Men of Valor, two of the university’s fastest growing Christian organizations.

Ms. Summers has received numerous awards for her leadership skills and community involvement. These Honors include; the Annie Singleton Humanitarian Award, the Mu Rho Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Oratory Award, Urban League Young Professionals Member Spotlight, the Finer Womanhood Leadership Award, The Yellow Rose Award and The Network Orlando “Woman of the Month”. Ms. Summers has been featured in the Orlando Sentinel, The UCF Future, Onyx Magazine, The Orlando Business Journal, Orlando Times and EBONY Magazine.

Although, ambition drives her, it has been her past that compels her to help others. During her youth, she endured poverty and suffered the unexpected loss of her mother, when she was only 14 years old. Her tragedies didn’t end there, less than 2 years of losing her mom, her father died; leaving her to grieve the passing of both parents before her 17th birthday. Ms. Summers travels world-wide impacting thousands by revealing her life story, leaving her audience with messages of HOPE!

Pamela Barber-Freeman Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Educational Leadership

Pamela T. Barber-Freeman, Ph.D. is the Interim Head for the Department of Educational Leadership & Counseling at Prairie View A&M University. She has been an educator for over three decades as a public school math teacher, career counselor, university math methods instructor and now serves as the departmental chair. She has published several articles in refereed journals while at PVAMU. Some of those articles include, but not inclusive of all her publications are: “The Courage to Teach: You can’t have my mind until you have my heart,” “Personality assessment of mathematic teachers via computer,” “Personality Assessment of Educational Leaders via Technology,” “The Impact of Ineffective teachers on their Colleagues,” “Personality as a Theoretical construct for the Development of Effective School Leaders.”

Ashlee LaWon Young

Ashlee LaWon Young was born in West Point, Mississippi and is currently a second grade student at Page Private School in Orlando, Florida. She is a bright and energetic young girl who is consistently on the school honor roll for earning good grades. Ashlee is a cheerleader at school and a basketball player as well. She enjoys ballet, jazz, and hip-hop style dancing. She wants to grow up and be a scientist who travels around the world investigating new things. Also, she wants to learn many languages. She loves people and enjoys helping others.

Mr. Will J. Davis

Mr. Will J. Davis hails from Tampa, Florida and currently resides in Orlando, Florida. He graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology. He is a co-author of four books in the character education and life-skills development workbook series You’ve Got the Power: Tapping Into Your Potential, Becoming Your Best, So It’s Time to Use It, and The Journey to Manhood. Mr. Davis was taught at a young age the value of helping others. He has a passion and yearning for working to better the lives of young children. He has worked with the Big Brother, Big Sister organization mentoring elementary school-aged children and volunteered at nursing homes for the elderly. He feels as though helping others is a very important part of giving back to the community.