Q2UA Leadership

Kharis Copeland, Executive Director

Kharis Copeland loves to challenge himself and his peers within the community to strive for success, while valuing the silver lining around every storm cloud. Kharis is kindly regarded by colleagues and clients alike to be for integrity and uprightness while maintaining the utmost compassion and dignity towards others. Kharis is a loving father to four children, two sons and two daughters.  

Kharis is passionate about empowering and equipping individuals with knowledge and leadership skills to overcome demanding situations throughout his military and civilian career. Kharis has strategically led project management organization programs, policies, and research and development for various customer integration projects.  

Kharis has served as an accomplished Foreign Military Intelligence Officer for the United States Special Operations Command. After retiring from Military service, Kharis began serving as a Senior Technical Project Manager at Paladin Technologies & CMK Resources.   

Kharis is presently pursuing his Doctorate in Business Administration and earned his MBA from Saint Leo University. Kharis has demonstrated acumen navigating complex government and non-governmental operations and building talented teams of professionals. As an organizational leader, he strategically leads organization programs, policies, and research and development for Q2UA (Quest 2 Unite Afrika).  

Kharis has a wealth of knowledge and experience in leading intelligence operations, introducing innovative technology tools, and streamlining operational processes to drive common business goals and objectives. expertise in technology integration, strategic planning, project management, and performance assessment.   

Through his social media platform, Covenant Awakenings, Kharis has been a source of daily encouragement and connection. Through Bible readings, current events, and a blend of humor and personal transparency, Kharis has established a reputation for being informed and engaging with others around him.  

Meet The Team

Princess (Lancefield) Reeves, Chief Financial Officer  

With 10+ years in helping Business Corporations with shaping operations to meet strategic goals and improve operational excellence. Specializing in end- to- end purchasing and supply chain management, Princess uses that experience by applying industry standards structured to meet quality and regulatory compliance in the procurement of commodities to meet customer needs.   

By focusing on meeting the organization’s mission, Princess has been able to put the Bachelors of Science Business Management she earned at University of Phoenix to effective use. Over the years, Princess strengths at Jabil formerly Synthes/Depuy Synthes (A company of Johnson & Johnson) and another competitive medical device manufacturer has garnered some recognition for/by “supporting the Credo team in driving the company’s cultural engagement in the medical device Industry”, along with a plethora of projects for new product introductions, Enterprise Resource Planning integration, Certification “Training Within Industry”. Princess may spend her days working virtually, but it is the ability to show up and make a valued difference in the professional environment as well as impacting individuals to reach for their best potential that gets her up in the morning.

Michael Akins, Secretary/Chief Operating Officer 

Michael Akins is an accomplished entrepreneur with a vast knowledge of operations, networking, and getting the job done. He is regarded as the “man with a thousand business ideas in his head” as one who is a visionary that seizes upon opportunities. Michael is the first of the organization to place permanent roots in Africa to support business operations on the ground and continue expanding mutually beneficial relationships with other business owners in Africa. Non nonsense, and committed to the vision, Michael’s ability to connect and engage for the purpose of building and expanding business is invaluable to the organization’s boots-on-the-ground initiatives. 

Chester J. Gainer – IT Department Director (Board Member) 

With over a decade of extensive experience in the realm of IT, Chester J. Gainer is a seasoned professional whose journey has been marked by a commitment to excellence. Beginning as a Solutions Engineer and advancing to the role of Senior Systems Engineer and then CTO of a Managed Service Provider, Chester has consistently demonstrated proficiency in cloud migrations, and adept troubleshooting of intricate networking issues. His strategic leadership played a crucial role in overcoming significant security challenges in hosted cloud environments and orchestrating successful transitions to Azure. Chester is passionate about driving innovation, optimizing IT operations, and steering projects from conception to realization.

Fataiya Blaine – Chief of Staff (Board Member) 

Dedicated and results driven, Fataiya Blaine, a seasoned professional with a diverse background in human resources, administration, and strategic planning. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a consistent commitment to optimizing organizational efficiency and fostering a positive work environment. Her experience spans both the public and private sectors, displaying her adaptability to thrive in dynamic work environments.  

In her current role as Chief of Staff at Quest 2 Unite Afrika (Q2UA), she has been instrumental in the development and implementation of a robust company hierarchy structure. This includes overseeing strategic planning sessions with the executive team, conducting SWOT analyses, and scheduling, attending meetings with African dignitaries, contributing to the organization’s mission of unity and progress between Africans and the African Diaspora.   

Fataiya’s career trajectory includes a significant tenure with the United States Navy, where she served as the Human Resource and Administrative Office Manager at the Office of the Chief of Naval Personnel located in Washington, D.C. with roles aboard the USS Nimitz (Aircraft Carrier) in Everett, WA.   

Fataiya holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications with a Minor in Business from Eastern Oregon University. Certifications from the Human Resources Certification Institute as a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and Office Manager/Administrative Services from the United States Department of Labor.  

Walter Reeves – Entrepreneur / Veteran 

Walter Reeves is a seasoned business owner with over three decades of experience, having established his first venture in 1993. His journey as an entrepreneur has been defined by a relentless pursuit of excellence and a commitment to delivering exceptional services to his clients. Before venturing into the world of business, Walter proudly served his country for five years in the United States Marine Corps. His time in the military instilled in him a strong sense of discipline, leadership, and resilience, qualities that continue to shape his approach to both business and life. Throughout his entrepreneurial career, Walter has demonstrated a keen ability to adapt to changing markets, identify opportunities, and build successful enterprises from the ground up. His dedication to innovation and customer satisfaction has earned him a reputation as a trusted leader in his industry.

Beyond his professional pursuits, Walter is passionate about giving back to his community and supporting fellow veterans in their transition to civilian life. He remains actively involved in various charitable initiatives aimed at improving the lives of those in need. Walter Reeves is not just a business owner; he is a visionary leader, a proud veteran, and a pillar of his community. His unwavering commitment to excellence serves as an inspiration to all those who aspire to achieve their goals and make a positive impact in the world. 

Sherlyn “Char” Selassie – General Counsel 

 Sherlyn Selassie is licensed to practice law by the State Bar Associations of Florida and Georgia. She has demonstrated commitment to public interest through extensive nonprofit experience. Her entire career has spanned all aspects of non-profit organizations. She upholds the highest standards of integrity, leadership, and accountability to the community she serves. She graduated cum laude from her law school. As a non-profit attorney, she served thousands of families in her general practice ranging from family law, estate planning, consumer rights, and housing law. Her demonstrated acumen in as a general practitioner supports Quest 2 Unite Afrika to navigate both domestic and international law matters. Passionate, dedicated, and resilient, Char takes immense joy in the work of connecting the African Diaspora and the people of Africa in worthwhile economic and infrastructure initiatives.