best experts on the market
Our team is your solution
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, at mei dolore tritani repudiandae. In his nemore temporibus consequuntur, vim ad prima vivendum consetetur. Viderer feugiat at pro, mea aperiam.
Executive Director
Stacey Henderson
Dr. Stacey Henderson is currently the Executive Director of the Hertford-Northampton Smart Start Partnership for Children. Her 13 years of leadership in the partnership has been the evidence of her commitment and passion to help families with children thrive and reach the highest mental peak in education. In 2008, she founded Dynasty Health Solutions, Inc., a 501c3 non-profit organization that supports communities, school systems and research universities in their efforts to improve the quality of life through community outreach, health education and research to racial and ethnic populations. In 2024, she co-founded Dynasty Youth Impact Center, Inc. a 501c3 non- profit organization that added components of mentoring, enrichment programs and community service.
Dr. Henderson earned a Doctorate in Education, a Master’s degree in Management and Leadership. She is also licensed in School Leadership from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction with over 31 years educational and community relations experience.
Some of her other noted experiences includes: PBS Rootle Ambassador, public school teacher, school counselor for at-risk populations, public health consultant, collector of quantitative and qualitative data research, certified Red Cross CPR instructor and instructor of adult education and training. She has 24 co-authored research publications with Kenan Distinguished Professors at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine on various projects relating to cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS and other health disparities in minorities populations in eastern North Carolina.
Dr. Henderson resides in Roanoke Rapids, NC with her husband Nelson. They have a daughter Brianna, granddaughter Tru and toy poodle Kali.
Quality and Special Programs Coordinator
Angelia Artis
Angelia Artis serves as the Quality and Special Programs Coordinator at the Hertford-Northampton Smart Start Partnership for Children, where she is dedicated to planning and implementing quality programs and projects that support local providers and parents in improving the overall quality of early childhood care.
With an Associate’s degree in Business Administration and Early Childhood Education and a Bachelor’s degree in Technical Management, Angelia brings a strong foundation of organizational and educational expertise to her work. She holds several professional certifications, including SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) prevention, NC Foundations for Early Learning, Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR), Nurturing Parenting, and Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention. In addition, she is a certified Car Seat Technician, ensuring the safety and well-being of young children in her community.
Angelia also leads Smart Start’s Health Initiative Program, promoting healthy lifestyles and wellness for children and families across Hertford and Northampton counties. Beyond her professional roles, she coordinates the Toys for Tots program for the region, bringing joy to countless children during the holiday season.
Programs/Operations Manager
Pamela Riddick-Dickens
Greetings! My name is Pamela Dickens. I am the Operations and Programs Evaluation Manager at Hertford-Northampton Smart Start. Key functions of this role include performing day-to-day administrative duties and monitoring and evaluating contracted and in-house programs, ensuring the smooth operation of the office and contracted activities. I have been employed with Smart Start for 26 years. I believe that children are our greatest asset, and we should invest as many resources as possible into them.
I am an IAAP-certified administrative professional with extensive work experience in the field. I have an MS in Management and Leadership and plan to obtain my DBA in the near future. My philosophy is “Each one should teach one”, meaning that if one has acquired knowledge in a particular field, it is their duty to share with others to help the community grow as a collective. I love to see others thrive!
I am here to serve the early childhood community. If I can assist anyone regarding the same, please feel free to reach out.
-There is enough room for everyone to shine!
Pamela R. Dickens, MSML
Operations & Programs Evaluation Manager
Early Care and Education Coordinator
Shykeyma Branch
Shykeyma Branch is an Early Care and Education Coordinator with the Hertford Northampton Smart Start Partnership for Children, where she is dedicated to supporting high-quality early childhood experiences for young learners and their families. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, which has provided a strong foundation for her work in child development, family engagement, and community partnership.
Before stepping into her current role, Shykeyma served as a Home Visitor for the Parents as Teachers Program. In that position, she worked closely with families to provide developmental guidance, strengthen parent-child relationships, and promote school readiness through hands-on support and education. Her experience in direct service continues to guide her collaborative, child-centered approach.
Shykeyma is passionate about serving her community and finds joy in creating meaningful connections with families, educators, and local partners. Her commitment to outreach and advocacy reflects her belief that strong communities begin with strong foundations for children.
In addition to her professional work, Shykeyma is a devoted wife and mother of three. She enjoys reading and participating in community outreach initiatives, which further fuel her dedication to lifelong learning and service.
