Marsha R. Dodson and Dr. Darlene V. Willis are Educational Consultants and the co-authors of the book Empowering Parents: A Guide to Taking Control of Your Child’s Educational Journey. They travel throughout the country empowering parents, families, administrators, educators and communities on educational issues, parent/family empowerment and taking control of one's educational journey.

Marsha and Darlene are motivational speakers who reach audiences with their unique interactive approach utilizing music, poetry, scripture (if applicable), "reality statistics" and real life solutions. They have consulted with a variety of schools, school districts, employers, organizations and families throughout the country. They are the Co-Founders and Co-Executive Directors of Concerned Parents Alliance and its educational component, College Bound San Diego. They have a proven track record and bragging rights of empowering 100% of their parents while 100% of their students, over a nine year period under the non-profit, graduate from high school and have the choice of attending college. Both Marsha and Darlene consider their best title as being a Mom and they are affectionately known as proud "Mean Ol' Mamas!"

Highlighted Honors and Awards Include:

• Essence Magazine's "Top 10 Women Warriors"
• CA School Board Association's 2011 Golden Bell Award
• Keynote speakers for nation-wide organizations
• Maybelline New York Empowerment through Education Award
• 2011 Humanitarian Award
• 2012 Phi Delta Kappa Award

Marsha is the proud mother of Amber, Jason and Camry. Amber earned her undergraduate degree in Criminology from North Carolina A&T University and graduate degree in Criminology from Florida State University. Jason graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a degree in Business and is working at the Creative Artist Agency in Los Angeles. Camry attends the transition program in the Poway Unified School District. Marsha received her BA in Journalism from San Diego State University.

Darlene is the proud mother of Phillip III and James and she has been married to Phillip Willis, Jr. for 24 years. Phillip III attends Morgan State University and James is a senior at Morehouse College. Dr. Darlene V. Willis has served as an administrator at nationally recognized public and private institutions for more than twenty years. Her comprehensive experience also encompasses vocational and career guidance for the private sector as well as an array of school districts, giving her a remarkable knowledge base. Dr. Willis and her husband serve as the Co-Chairs of the Morehouse College Parent Council. This first generation college graduate and former PTA President holds a BA in Psychology from the University of California, Irvine, a MA and a Ph.D in Organizational Psychology from the CA School of Professional Psychology plus post graduate training at Harvard University.

These "ordinary Moms are doing some extraordinary things" as they continue to work on their second book and travel around the country launching their new family campaign titled, "Empowering Parents on Tour: The Million Parent WAKE-UP Challenge!"^SM

For more information go to www.empoweringparents.org or www.collegeboundsd.com. This dynamic duo may also be followed on @ParentsWakeUp and/or EmpoweringParents