Coach Allen is no stranger to the Wichita metropolitan area. His career has spanned some 40 years in the community, mentoring, teaching, training, and coaching youth and high school football during his tenure.  During Coach Allen’s coaching career, he spent 30 years working for Boeing Military Aircraft Company (now retired) to help care of his growing family consisting of a wife and three adult children along with ten grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. Coach is currently mentoring students at Robinson (middle) school and Adams (Elementary). 

An energetic and dynamic leader, Mario Caleb Barnes is dedicated to transforming the lives of young people in the New Millennium.

Through his use of contemporary language, and urban expression, he continues to mentor and impact adolescents in their studies and life choices.

Professionally, he serves as a Future Ready in U.S.D 259, Wichita Public Schools. For over 20 years he has been employed with the District working in many capacities, including School Behavior Liaison, Supervisor of Traffic, and English as a Second Language Instructor.

Educated in Wichita Public Schools, Buckner Elementary, Brooks Middle School and Wichita Heights High school. He is currently serving at 2 of his alma maters Wichita Heights and Brooks Middle School.

Hercules Finley served as an Advisory and Trustee Board Member for Christian Ministries to Offenders and Chaplain Services at Sedgwick County Adult Detention Facility for 25 years. He received his bachelor’s degree from Wichita State University in Social work and Certification as a Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Counselor. He also received his public-school substitute teaching license from the Kansas State Department of Education and is now serving as a certified professional Future Ready Advocate and Professional Mentor for USD259 school district. Mr. Finley also served in the United States Armed Forces, United States Army Medical Support.

Mr. Jackson is a former employee of the University of Northern Iowa where he served as an Academic Advisor with the Educational Talent Search Program for 9 years. He worked for Wichita State University as a Site Supervisor with the Homework Assistance Program (HAP) for 2 years and then transferred over to the GEAR UP program as a Family Engagement Coordinator, assigned to Mead Middle school and West High School for 6 years. He is currently working for USD 259 as a Future Ready Advocate assigned to Curtis Middle School where he also volunteers his time as the assistant boys and girls basketball coach. 

I am a proud product of USD 259 and spent most of my childhood and young adult life on the NE side of town.  Most would consider it the “ghetto”, but for many of my friends and I, it was “home”.  A place which still holds fond memories of my childhood. A carefree time enveloped in deep friendships and innocence.  I attended Black elementary, Hadley Middle School and then  North High School where I was recently honored as a two-time Hall of Famer for basketball.  I continued my educational career at WSU where I obtained a Degree in Administration of Justice, as well as the title of being the youngest Co-Captain of the basketball team at that time.  After graduation, I worked as an Intensive Supervision Officer for Sedgwick County. I then  transitioned to the aircraft industry for a time but then found my way into the school system.  I’ve worked multiple positions during my time here, one which included running the Success for Teens program at Wilbur for 6 years.  I also coached 12 years of AAU basketball for both males and females; Lady Shockers, Wichita Hoyas, and Oz Elite. I’ve enjoyed all the roles that I have been placed in, however, I feel that my current position as Future Ready Advocate has been the most rewarding and very much my calling. I am immensely honored to be able to give back to my community by serving our young people. 

Michael Lewis is an Assistant Coach at Friends University, speaker, former employee of Gear Up, and has coached both Men’s Basketball and Cross Country at Wichita West High School. Currently Michael works as a Future Ready Advocate for Wichita Public Schools. Michael holds an Associate of Applied Science General Studies degree from Eastern Wyoming College, a B.A. in Hospitality, Meeting, and Travel Administration from Metropolitan State College of Denver, and holds a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate from the University of South Florida Muma College of Business.

My name is Joe Mitchell and I’m a proud father of two girls. I have a background in teaching and both playing and coaching basketball. I have been in the 259 district for 7 years in a variety of roles, at three different schools. I chose to become a Future Ready Advocate Mentor to help our young leaders seek and achieve success in and out of the classroom. The youth are our future and with the right guidance, I believe they all can achieve anything. I have a passion for connecting with our youth and providing a positive influence in their life when needed or desired. I’m thankful for the opportunity to be able to help and impact our younger generation.

Keith holds a Graduate Degree in Education, a Graduate Degree in Counseling, is a licensed social worker, a Certified Human Resources (SHRM) Professional, certified in DEI in the Workplace, a Youth Mentor, and Cognitive Coaching practitioner. He served as the Wichita Director of EEO and Diversity for the State of Kansas from 1989 to 2007 before becoming the Director of Employee Relations and Title IX for USD 259, serving in that role from 2007-2020. Keith is now the Director of Training for Equity and Diversity for the school district. Keith has specialized in the areas of EEO, AA, ADA, DEI, Employee Relations, Labor Negotiations, Consultation, Community and Company Liaison work, Workplace and Leadership training and Facilitation, Counseling, Investigations, Environment Assessment, Civil and Employment Rights, Anger Management, and Domestic Violence Counseling.