Vision
To narrow the opportunity gap and increase academic equity by reducing the barriers that inhibit success in and out of school.
Mission
To motivate students for learning, to inspire academic curiosity, and to increase student confidence in the practice of problem-solving
Values
We believe that all children can learn to do well when given support, encouragement and confidence.
Our Values
About Us
Grade A Plus Incorporated, was renamed and created a new vision in January 2017. Originally known as For His Glory, Inc., and founded by the Rev. Wesley G. Threat (emeritus) and Dr. Janice Dawson-Threat, in 2000, it has always served as an all-volunteer, community-based Not-for-Profit agency.
Our commitment to service is rooted deeply in our love for the community. Our mission? To link community together through service and education, "Learn to do well" is the program motto.
Today, we continue to guide youth toward becoming positive members of society and gaining the confidence and independence needed to reach their full potential as learners in and out of school. We believe we are encouraging the leaders and achievers of tomorrow to do well. Our mission today is to Invest in You.
Meet The Team
Our Board
Dr. Janice Dawson-Threat
GAP Founder & Executive Director (2000)
Tami Benus, CPA
T Benus Associates, LLC
GAP Finance Director (2013)
Dr. Tunde Akinmoladun
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center -Office of Public Health
GAP Governance & Policies Director (2013)
Dr. Clyde L. Ruffin
Second Missionary Baptist Church, Senior Pastor
GAP Church Relations Director (2013)
LaShauna Guy
Family Leader
GAP Chairman of the Board (2020)
Lady Rhonda Butler
MU Administrative Assistant
GAP Church Relations Director & Secretary of the Board (2019)
Larry Lambert
Missouri Employers Mutual Insurance Company, Associate General Counsel
GAP Legal & Risk Management Director (2019)
Fran Muench
First Presbyterian Church, Business Director
GAP Business Relations Director (2019)
Kay Whittler
Financial Services Director
GAP Legal & Risk Management Director (2019)
Lee Merrick
CPA, Williams Keepers
GAP Finance Chair (2020)
Randy Minchew
De Line Holdings
GAP Strategic Marketing Director(2020)
Our Helpers
SPONSORS:
COLLABORATORS:
Community Volunteer Leaders
GAP Heroes:
Student Management Leaders
- Ian Campbell (2017), Graduate Math Student Team Leader
- Kal Bielawski (2020), Marketing Student Team Leader
- Jack Gunsten (2020), IT Team Student Leader
- Suzie Nahach (2018), Webpage Leader
Skill Development Leaders
Emilee Dent (2019), Primary Development Leader
Truman Runyan (2019), Reading Development Leader
Elana Erickson (2019), Writing Development Leader
Collaborators:
- Second Missionary Baptist Church of Columbia
- MU Service Learning
- MU Graduate Math Department
- MU College of Education
- Almeta Crayton Community Programs
- Columbia Educational Robotics Foundation (CERF)
- Macher Swim Club
Community Volunteer Leaders:
Ada & Jerome Thompson (2017), Food Service Team Leaders
Executive Advisory Committee:
Dr. Stephen-Montgomery Smith (2016)
Prof. Phil Peters (2017)
Sponsors:
- Heart of Missouri United Way
-City of Columbia, Human Services
Support Team Members:
Transportation Team
David Briscoe (2014), Kentrell Minton (2016), Tim Hudspeth (2018)
Program Assistants
Elijah Montgomery-Smith, (2017)
Michelle Wyatt, (2018)