Dr. McLean holds a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) degree from the University of Miami, a Master of Music (MM) degree from Florida State University, and a Bachelor of Music (BM) degree from Florida A&M University. His extensive academic background complements his practical experience, enabling him to bridge the worlds of music, education, and social impact effectively.

In addition to his role with the Foundation, Dr. McLean serves as the Associate Director and Assistant Director of Bands at the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami. He has a proven track record of building impactful initiatives that bridge music, education, and social good, inspiring individuals and communities to reach their full potential.

With years of experience collaborating with global brands, educators, and students, Dr. McLean is committed to leveraging the transformative power of the arts to create equitable opportunities for future generations. His leadership ensures that The Sound Check Foundation continues to grow as a catalyst for positive change.

Dr. McLean earned her bachelor’s degree from Howard University and her doctorate from the University of Florida, followed by postdoctoral training at the University of Kentucky. Throughout her academic journey, she encountered educators committed to student success, inspiring her to “pay it forward” as a teaching assistant, tutor, mentor, collegiate guest lecturer, and graduate course co-director.

As an African-American woman thriving in STEM, Dr. McLean has navigated and overcome the barriers faced by double-minorities. She credits her personal, academic, and professional growth to the mentorship and allyship she received and has made it her mission to provide similar support to others.

Through her role as Clinical and Scientific Affairs Specialist at The Clorox Company and as Co-Founder of The Sound Check Foundation, Dr. McLean is committed to empowering under-resourced and underserved communities, creating pathways for success in education and beyond.

After graduating, Dr. Bookal began his professional career in higher education administration, working as an Associate Director of Admissions. Driven by a lifelong passion for medicine and service, he transitioned back to pursue his medical career and earned his Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree.

Following medical school, Dr. Bookal completed his residency training in Internal Medicine with the University of Central Florida at Ocala Regional Medical Center. He is now an Internal Medicine Physician at Naples Community Hospital, where he combines his dedication to patient care with his commitment to lifelong learning.

In addition to his medical career, Dr. Bookal has a passion for music, education, and service, continuously seeking opportunities to make a positive impact on his community both locally and globally.

Under Brithney’s leadership, the CEA partners with Broward County Public Schools and other educational and youth organizations to enhance students' academic performance. The organization provides a supplemental curriculum focused on literacy, mentorship, and exposure to broader cultural experiences, empowering minority students to succeed both in school and in life.

As a South Florida native who has lived and worked extensively in her community, Brithney brings a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing local families. Her dual role as Community Engagement Coordinator at Community Education Alliance further reflects her commitment to connecting individuals and families with vital resources and support.

Through her dedication and vision, Brithney Johnson continues to make a transformative impact on education and community engagement in South Florida.

While attending Florida A&M University, Ransom was a proud member of the Incomparable Marching 100 and served as freshman section leader, where he honed leadership skills that would shape his career. These skills propelled him into roles such as Operations Manager for Walgreens, Collegiate Educator at Miami Dade College, and Transformational Leader within Miami-Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS), the 3rd largest school district in the U.S.

Currently serving as the District Instructional Supervisor for Miami-Dade County Public Schools' Division of Academic Support, Ransom oversees initiatives aimed at improving educational outcomes for thousands of students. He also provides curriculum guidance and support to instructional leadership teams at some of the district’s most vulnerable schools. Among his many accomplishments, Ransom was honored as Teacher of the Year, earning a place as a semi-finalist from a pool of nearly 20,000 educators.

Beyond education, Ransom is passionate about financial literacy and runs a business focused on empowering individuals with financial knowledge. A proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Ransom is driven by a mission to inspire change through education, mentorship, and community engagement.

His work explores the intersection of housing and climate change, with an emphasis on climate adaptation policies and disaster recovery efforts. Additionally, Dan is a lecturer in Columbia University’s Sustainability Management program, where he educates the next generation of leaders in urban sustainability.

Dan’s experience spans communities around the globe, including prior roles with law firms in Washington, DC, and New York City, as well as with the Legal Resources Centre in South Africa. He holds degrees from Florida A&M University, the Hough Graduate School of Business at the University of Florida, and the University of Michigan Law School.

Through his work, Dan remains committed to advancing policies and initiatives that foster resilient communities and equitable housing opportunities worldwide.

Born and raised in New York, Colleen earned her Bachelor of Arts from Howard University and her Master of Science in Educational Studies from Johns Hopkins University. With over a decade of experience in education, she has taken on diverse roles, including mentor, step coach, Instructional STEM and Special Education Lead, Middle School Climate and Culture Coordinator, and academic coach for pre-service educators.

Colleen’s work focuses on creating access and opportunity for her scholars, breaking the School-to-Prison Pipeline through innovative strategies and unwavering advocacy. Her passion for social justice extends to her doctoral studies in the Curriculum, Culture, and Communities Program at Loyola University, where she continues to explore ways to make lasting, systemic change.

Through her leadership and dedication, Colleen is empowering the next generation of scholars to achieve their fullest potential and advocating for a more equitable education system.