Our Team

Brian T. Booker
Founder & CEO
You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi

Brian T. Booker has several years of experience in international study abroad and has traveled to over twenty countries around the world, respectively. As the founder of One Step Initiative, Inc., Brian aims to bring global education opportunities to inner-city high school students regardless of socioeconomic status. His education and professional history include global opportunities in Japan, United Kingdom, Germany, and Ghana. His past work experience includes service as a study abroad Peer Advisor at the University of Memphis, English Instructor at Aromaru in Tokyo, HR Transformation Specialist in London, and an Assistant to the Ambassador of the African Union Diaspora African Forum (AUDAF) in Accra. “My goal is to prepare students for full integration in a diverse society –empowering students capable of promoting their own welfare while remaining deeply committed to the welfare of others.” Brian T. Booker is a member of the non-governmental and service organization Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated. He earned his Bachelor of Business Administration at The University of Memphis where he studied International Business and Japanese.

Ricky L. Tucker
Non-Profit Development

Ricky L. Tucker, is a professional life coach with more than 25 years of experience providing personal and professional coaching to executives, athletes, educators and students. A graduate of the University of Tennessee at Knoxville with a major in sociology and a minor in broadcasting, Coach RIX served as a Dale Carnegie instructor for almost 10 years. He also attended Corporate Coach U, to become a professional coach.

Coach RIX wears many hats and is quite comfortable in varied roles from life and business coaching to public speaking and consulting. He has been responsible for leading local, state and regional teams, he has managed, coached and developed direct and indirect local, regional and national sales teams, and has developed relationships and negotiated contracts with national retailers including Radio Shack. Coach RIX is a member of: Memphis Coach Network, Regional Memphis Chamber, NAWBO, Hispanic Chamber as well as, BNI (Business Network International) Northern Mississippi Achievers, National Federation of Independent Businesses, and through One Memphis, a member of the Black Business Association and the Mid South Minority Business Counsel. He is also the founder of founder of RIX International, LLC.

 

Jennifer Prudhomme
COO & Business Development

Jennifer Prudhomme joined the OSI team as a consultant at point of incorporation in August 2014 and  currently serves as the program and organization’s COO and Development Director. Her travel experience includes countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, Middle East, Caribbean and Central America.  Prudhomme has over nine years of brand management and  ecommerce experience As a Senior Ecommerce Manager, Prudhomme traveled to Japan and co-­managed the October 2014 launch the largest successful fashion campaign for Japan’s leading Internet company, ranked the third largest ecommerce business in the world. Forbes ranked Rakuten at #7 of the most innovative companies in global commerce (2012). Jen Prudhomme is a member of the non-governmental and service organization Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Merchandising and Design at California State University Long Beach, with a Master of Business Administration from Columbia Southern University.

Nykesha Cole
Director of Operations and Partnerships

Nykesha has an extensive professional background that encompasses a multitude of experience in the private, public and nonprofit sectors. This includes business development work for the internationally-recognized Memphis Aerotropolis Master Plan for the Memphis-Shelby County Office of Planning & Development, serving as a member of the Memphis Chamber of Commerce staff and work as a congressional aide on the staff of former U.S. Representative Harold E. Ford, Jr.   She also serves as a member of the Shelby County Education Foundation Board of Directors and participates in numerous community initiatives and activities. Cole’s diverse background puts her in a unique position of understanding the City of Memphis’ place in the world as a global city of commerce and culture.  She recognizes importance of showcasing Memphis in a world view to OSI Global Ambassadors, OSI Partners and community stakeholders.  Her ability to coordinate programs, foster critical relationships and understand the importance of cultivating future leaders and workforce in the City of Memphis is an asset to OSI.

Carnell Williams
Secretary & Art Director

Carnell Williams was born and raised in East St. Louis, Illinois.  He now resides in St. Louis, Missouri. He attended Lane College (HBCU), where he acquired a Bachelors Of Science degree in Computer Science. Carnell is also a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. (Delta Epsilon Chapter). He works as a Technical Specialist for the Missouri Board of Elections, Roving Specialist for Walgreens, and acts as current CEO, Owner, and painter for Uncivilized Brushes. Carnell has years of experience working with non-profit organizations and various community service projects including but not limited to I.E. ESL Enrichment program, Annie Malone Parade, Sigma Beta Club, Boys & Girls Club of America, March of Dimes, Go Red for Women, Red Nose Day USA (savethechildren.org).