We are a team of individuals that know education plays a significant role in people reaching their full potential.

The values that guide our work are:

Phyllis Barrett, Chairman of the Board of LCAE, is a retired civil and criminal court reporter, having served throughout the state of South Carolina for 33 years. She served as president of the SC State Court Reporters Association from 2002-2006. In her freetime, Phyllis enjoys gardening, playing mahjong, and baking.

Melissa Murdock, Treasurer for LCAE, is a South Carolina native who has served as a public school teacher for 10 years. Prior to the 2022-23 school year, most of those years have been spent serving Low Country students, specifically Berkeley and Charleston Counties. She is a certified yoga instructor and founder of Brown Girls Hike, which is an organization that provides opportunities for Black women and girls to experience outdoor recreation. In her free time, Melissa enjoys hiking, swimming, arts and crafts, and reading.

Amey Wrenn is a dedicated education professional with a rich background in early childhood teaching, having taught kindergarten and first grade in Charleston County School District. She earned her master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the College of Charleston in 2020 and currently serves as the Assistant Director at Kids Garden, a drop-in creative arts learning center. Amey is dedicated to supporting students and families by providing the academic resources they need to bridge the testing and achievement gap. In her free time, she enjoys singing, traveling, and exploring new restaurants.

Kristen Cobb is a dedicated healthcare professional and advocate for academic equity. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Kentucky and currently works as a cardiothoracic intensive care unit nurse. During her time at UK, she served as Vice President of Inclusion for her sorority, where she helped organize and fund literacy events for the local community. She also worked as a tutor, developing academic plans to support student success. Passionate about ensuring every child has a fair shot at academic achievement, she is committed to bridging educational gaps and fostering equity. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with friends.

Melissa Barrett, LCAE Founder and Executive Director, is a native of South Carolina. She has over 20 years of experience in teaching, in public and private sectors, in high, medium, and low socio-economic schools since 2001. Her experiences, knowledge, and passion for activism and equity led her to found Lowcountry Center for Academic Equity. When she’s not teaching, Melissa spends her time exercising, gardening, and keeping up with current events.