Meet the Tribe — TheGifted Arts

Meet the Change-Makers

Nicholé Morgan

Co-Founder | CEO

As a youth growing up in Boston, Nicholé saw firsthand the value of extended support and community youth programs, which is the fuel that drives her passion and intention everyday at TheGifted. As a woman of color and beneficiary of supplemental education and recreational programs, Nicholé has a sincere connection to education reform and social services that DISMANTLE THE OPPORTUNITY GAP and afford underserved groups access to an equitable education and chance at economic prosperity.

She has served in the nonprofit and youth services sector for fifteen years, including time with the YMCA, Boys & Girls Clubs, and Citizen Schools.

Nicholé also enjoys spending time with her family and friends and traveling. Her arts of choice are music, dance, & creative writing.

CJ Morgan, III

Co-Founder | COO

Screen Shot 2021-08-18 at 12.13.07 PM.png — Tisha Carnes

Program and Operations Manager

Shadidja Parker

Artistic Instructor

CJ's passion for the arts and youth development was birthed in Clarence’s hometown of Raleigh, North Carolina. It was here that he found his purpose to inspire and motivate youth, working as a youth counselor at a local YMCA outreach program. He went on to graduate with a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology and a School Counseling, Master’s degree.

CJ recently resigned as a tenured school counselor with Wake County Public Schools, where his practices included group counseling and classroom guidance to build personal confidence, leadership skills, and successful habits for middle schoolers, while also serving as a basketball & track coach for 12 years.

CJ is also a sports enthusiast, DJ, musician, writer, and visual artist.

Tish is currently an 8th grade Social Studies teacher and has been teaching for 16 years. She currently serves as the Program and Operations Manager for TheGifted Arts. She shares that the best part about working with TheGifted is the young people that we serve.

She enjoys watching them grow in their confidence, leadership, and creativity. She stated that “their energy and excitement inspires me everyday.” Outside of teaching and working with TheGifted,

Tish enjoys spending time with her children, watching movies or simply relaxing.

Shadidja holds a B.A in Dance and Criminal Justice from UNC Charlotte. She is a certified dance teacher in Wake County Public Schools with training in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Musical Theater and West African Dance.

She has performed at the Joyce Theatre in NYC, and attended the Martha Graham School, working with Christal Brown and George Faison. Her professional interests include training at Dance Intensives, taking master classes, and project management.

In the future, Shadidja plans to receive her MFA in Dance performance and dance for a professional dance company.