Board Members

Kai W. Gary

Executive Director

Hi, I’m Kai and I am living my dream – educating the next generation of dynamic students, DYNAMICALLY!

The word dynamic describes a person who has a positive attitude and is full of energy and new ideas.

If used in a sentence: Kai is a dynamic Teacher. But I wasn’t born dynamic. I BECAME DYNAMIC.

As a child, I dreamed of becoming a teacher, like my mother. In fact, some of my first students were the stuffed animals in my collection. I also enjoyed role-playing in administrative positions like Secretary or as the CEO of a company.

Unfortunately, I suffered with a learning disability as a result of a birth injury. Learning wasn’t dynamic…back then it was difficult. My configuration of numbers was inverted. It took me longer than the average student to read and comprehend. And my inability to apply skills useful in logic and reasoning caused me to sink in despair.

But I prevailed because I knew if I was going to be a teacher, I had to become the BEST student.

Knowledge Works Learning Academy, Inc. is the manifestation of MY DYNAMIC DESTINY. We are a non-profit, private, education-based entity operating in an after school setting for students in Kindergarten – 12th grades using character education as a basis for subject instruction and emphasizing Flowing in the S.T.R.E.A.A.M. – an acronym for Science, Technology, Right Living, Engineering, Arts, Agriculture, and Math. Our signature program consists of homework assistance, an intensive reading program, and instruction in the core subjects.

The prospective start dates for the Summer program is Monday – Friday from 8 am – 5 pm & Friday our program ends at 2pm with a weekly charge of $110 per week per child (additional discount for additional children). The purpose of the program is to provide educational resources to youth after school, support parents who work part or full-time, collaborate with the Phenix City community, and help in the abatement of truancy for Phenix City proper.

KWLA has a board of 7 members made up of Phenix City citizens ranging in backgrounds from a medical doctor, a local businessman, a college student, two graduate students and a certified teacher. We received our nonprofit determination letter from the IRS confirmed on November 1, 2016.

Since our humble beginnings over 5 years ago, we have moved forward in the development of a unique curriculum, we have formed collaborations with Auburn University, Columbus State University, and we have integrated services with other nonprofit organizations in the Chattahoochee Valley area to establish a relational value to our activities and existence in the community. Because at KWLA it’s all about the kids!

Now, the question to ask is, “Do you know if your kid is DYNAMIC?” Come by KWLA, where those who have difficulties become DYNAMIC!

KWLA is Gold Star Approved by GuideStar
Click the link above to view our national rating!

Aiyinde Lawrence

Vice President

Aiyinde Lawrence is the Vice President for KWLA, Inc. He has been serving others in the community since the age of two. He is a firm believer that knowledge truly works when it is personally applied and shared with the next generation. He is a recent graduate of Oakwood University where he received a Bachelor of Science in Allied Health. He is currently pursuing a master’s in public health at Loma Linda University in Loma Linda, California. He has a passion for health and wellness and seeks to help the children of KWLA, Inc., achieve optimal health through physical activity and health eating. He believes that these elements are vital for the mental and physical development of children. Aiyinde enjoys spending time with friends and family, traveling, exercising, serving others, and reading. His favorite saying is “who you become in the process is just as important as achieving the product or desired results”.

Melvin Gary, Jr.

Treasurer

I enjoy working and serving with KWLA, Inc. I see the difference a quality afterschool and summer program can have on a child’s life. When the children initially are enrolled into KWLA program, their needs are assessed, and a plan is set for the child on his/her individual academic level. KWLA, Inc is a holistic program that my wife, Kai W. Gary, pours her whole heart into. I see the results of our hard work. She goes all in for the children and parents expecting nothing less, only the best for the children. My career work in Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technician and Electrician allows me to work with the children in the S.T.R.E.A.M components, I’m able to provide hands-on fundamentals, demonstrating electronics and mechanical principles in action! As a business owner and Marines Veteran, it’s great to co-mingle life skills in business, finance and operating procedures to the children at KWLA, Inc. KWLA, Inc vision is our vision, so the success of the organization and all its programs are always my dream.

Amber Patton

Secretary

Amber is a deeply passionate jack of many trades. Her hobbies and work  experiences range from training in different genres of dance, figure skating, working as a travel nanny, and many more. Above it all, her main priority is to always be a student first. She is currently in her last semester at Oakwood University studying Allied Health Pre-Occupational Therapy. In August 2021 she will move on to start her master’s program at CUNY studying Medical Policy and Management. She would like to use her talents and abilities with the youth of KWLA, Inc., by teaching dance classes to boost self-confidence and self-awareness. Amber enjoys working with KWLA because of its mission to help students progress beyond the classroom setting. She loves that the program gives students new opportunities, and it is set up for them to succeed. “Now more than ever it is so important to have programs like KWLA, Inc. because children are having a hard time adjusting to the new virtual schooling setup”. She believes that students do well with focused one-on-one learning. They will be given the extra resources to grow not only academically but socially, personally, and emotionally.

Dr. Patricia McEachane-Gross

Health Emphasis Director/Media Relations

Dr. F Patricia McEachrane-Gross, Board Certified in Family Medicine, trained in Preventive Medicine, Functional Medicine, and Lifestyle Medicine. They all encompass what I believe about health and how I practice Medicine at the Lower Elwha Health Clinic in Port Angeles, WA. Our family genetics and the environment in which we are raised, affect our health. The preventive measures we take to reduce our risk of acquiring the physical, mental and spiritual diseases for which we are at risk, involve seeking the underlying causes of disease and making smart lifestyle choices based on what we discover.

KWLA, Inc., is serving families whose youth have high risk of shortened life spans because of their genetics and environment. I want to help KWLA turn this around and help youth become what they were created to be – physically healthy, mentally agile, and spiritually sound individuals who will be productive citizens in this world and the next.