MEET OUR TEAM
MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Dr. Sherri Holt is the Executive Director and founder of Begin Anew and a passionate advocate of education, health and safe spaces. Dr. Holt’s philosophy is that it’s not where you come from but where you are going that matters. Her belief is that once you become educated you see life through a different lens and become motivated to be a productive member of society and an advocate for change in your home and community. Hence, promoting the message to others that “once you know better…you do better”.
DR. HOLT’S EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Dr. Holt is a graduate of Baltimore City Public Schools. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and a Master’s Degree in Education with certificates in Technology, Leadership and Administration from Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Holt has a Doctorate Degree in Urban Educational Studies from Morgan State University. She also has Advanced Professional, Special Education-Core Foundation, Administrator I and Administration II certifications and endorsements from the State of Maryland. Dr. Holt has a strong background in career technology education, knowledge of research relating to family, community and school engagement. She is also an author and playwright.
Keith Holt – Consultant
Keith Holt has certifications in mental health first aid, community health worker and is also a trained facilitator in community level interventions. Keith has served on the Baltimore City Police LGBTQ+ task force, is a voting member on the Baltimore city HIV planning group, consultant with John Hopkins University, the Smithsonian Museum and Peabody Institute on programing geared toward the LGBTQ+ and other vulnerable and hard to reach populations. He has also been an oral facilitator for several national CDC STD conferences.
Carissa Matthews – Director Education and Training
Carissa Matthews has a Master’s Degree in Special Education and Leadership from the University of Notre Dame of Maryland. She grew up in the city of Baltimore and attended Baltimore city public schools and is a proud graduate of Mergenthaler high school. Carissa has expertise in general and special education, screening and IEP development, accommodations, support services, professional development, along with knowledge of the state of Maryland Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and federal requirements pertaining to students with special needs. She has extensive professional and community experience working with at-risk, disabled and vulnerable youth and young adults. Her passion is to make a difference in the lives of others.