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Magic City Acceptance Academy Board of Directors
Dr. Patton Furman, Principal and Superintendent
Patton Furman received her Master’s degree in French Education from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2000. Shortly after graduation, she traveled to Niort, France, to teach English. She lived and traveled in France for a year, teaching in several elementary
and middle schools. Once back in the States, she completed her EdS degree in Educational Leadership from UAB. She received her doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Alabama in April 2020.
Dr. Furman has been privileged to serve students for the past 24 years. She taught French classes at Oak Mountain High School for 12 years. She taught all levels of French, and installed an Advanced Placement course in French at the school. She became Assistant Principal at Oak Mountain High in 2013. In this position, she worked closely with teachers and staff to create a positive learning environment. In 2018, Dr. Furman became the principal of the Shelby County Schools Alternative Programs, including New Direction and
the Success Programs. Here, she worked to create an atmosphere of self-awareness and mindfulness to help students learn to succeed. Dr. Furman was promoted to Student Services Supervisor for Shelby County Schools.
In late August of 2022, Dr. Furman joined the Magic City Acceptance Academy as the principal and superintendent. She has helped to promote an innovative atmosphere where students can grow socially, academically, and interpersonally. The magic of MCAA comes from its mission, which draws highly qualified staff working towards a common goal. That goal is to create a space where marginalized kids can feel safe and learn.
Dr. Karen Musgrove, CEO
Karen Musgrove is a licensed professional counselor with over 31 years of experience in the field of nonprofit management and currently serves as CEO of the Magic City Acceptance Academy. At the University of Alabama, Birmingham, Karen is an Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work, Honors College, and an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the School of Public Health. Karen has been published with 10 research works with 17 citations with research centered on HIV retention in care, and LGBTQ health and health disparities. Karen has experience in case management, grant writing, grant administration, administrating new programs, management of funding, program development, speaking on a variety of subjects, natural disaster emergency response, and community collaboration. Karen graduated in 2020 from the UAB School of Public Health and with a dissertation research topic, “Exploring the Physical and Mental Health Disparities in the Transgender Male Community in a Southern Community-Based Medical LGBTQ Organization” to bring attention to the transgender medical and mental health needs. Karen was awarded Outstanding Doctor of Philosophy Student of the Year (2020-2021), School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham and inducted in Delta Omega, Upsilon Chapter, Public Health Honorary Society, 2021. Karen and has worked for various non-profits in the Birmingham community including Gateway, JBS Mental Health Authority and American Red Cross. Honors include: University of Montevallo, Counseling Alumni of the Year, 2024; Nonprofit Leader of the Year 2023, nominee; Who’s Who in Nonprofits 2023, Birmingham Business Journal, 202; Who’s Who in Nonprofits 2022, Birmingham Business Journal, 2022; Humanitarian of the Year, The Albert Schweitzer Fellowship, Alabama, 2022; Leadership Alabama, 2019; Leadership Birmingham, 2015; The Women’s Network; American Red Cross Mental Health Volunteer, World Trade Center 9/11, 2001; Top 40 under 40, Birmingham Business Journal, 2001; Smart Woman 2012, The Women’s Fund. Karen has served on the following non-profit boards: Birmingham Volunteer Lawyers; Sidewalk Film Festival; The Magic City Choral Society – founding board member, past chair; Crestwood North Neighborhood – board member; Central Alabama Theatre – founding board member, vice chair; Birmingham AIDS Outreach – board member and executive committee. Karen is a lifelong resident of Birmingham.
Dr. Larry Contri, Board Chair
Graduate of the University of Alabama with Ed.D.in School Administration and Supervision. Retired from Birmingham Board of Education with 51 years of service serving as Interim Siupt my last year.
Ezra Shine, EdD, Vice-Chair
Ezra Shine is a retired Education Training Coordinator at Jefferson County Sheriff's Office based in Louisville, Kentucky. Previously, Ezra was a Mathematics and Reading Educator at Theatrics School District.
Cece Lacey Kennedy, Secretary
Birmingham Southern College, Director of Career Services
Cece is a graduate of the Harvard University, School of Education. She is currently employed by Southern Company as the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Manager.
Dr. Tracee Synco, Executive Committee
Assistant Professor / Director for Community Engagement & Equity Advisor School of Health Professions, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Tracee Synco, Ph.D. is a career educator with experience in k-12, corporate training, and higher education. She is currently an assistant professor in the Department of Physical Therapy in the School of Health Professions (SHP) at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). With a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership and Administration, Master of Education from UAB and Bachelor of Education in Special Education and Teaching from Auburn University, her career is dedicated to finding innovative ways to increase student success and address gaps in achievement across groups who are historically underrepresented. Dr. Synco has worked at UAB for over 20 years and is a strong advocate serving the community in her free time.
Dr. Tommy Bice
Education Director, Mike & Gillian
Goodrich Foundation
Tommy Bice is Education Director for the Mike & Gillian Goodrich Foundation. Prior to joining the Goodrich Foundation in 2016, Tommy served as the Alabama State Superintendent of Education culminating a 39 year career in public education that included serving as a special education teacher at the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind, Director of Allan Cott School, Alternative School Director, Career and Technical School Director, High School Principal, Superintendent of the Alexander City School System, Deputy State Superintendent for Instruction, and adjunct professor of Educational Leadership at Auburn University. He is actively involved in multiple civic and professional organizations in Birmingham and around the state. He holds a B.S. and Ed.D. from Auburn University and an M.A. from UAB.
Jody Thrash (Parent)
Employer: BCBSAL
Jody Thrash, MBA is a parent of two students at MCAA. Her family has been with MCAA from the opening year. Jody is a project manager at BCBSAL.
Jim Wilson, Esq.
Attorney, Leitman, Siegal & Payne, P.C.
Jim H. Wilson is a native of Birmingham and attended The University of Alabama, where he obtained his undergraduate, graduate, and law degrees. He is currently the Executive Director of the Birmingham Bar Association and formerly practiced law in Birmingham for almost 30 years.
Kaamilya Mahdi (Parent)
Kaamilya Mahdi is a mother of three and lives in Birmingham. Kaamilya was chosen to represent MCAA for the next New Schools for Alabama cohort.
Amber Lopez Martinez
With over 15 years of experience in immigrant and human rights advocacy, Amber Lopez Martinez is a dedicated leader committed to equity and community impact. As a small business owner, she brings entrepreneurial insight to her advocacy work and supports fundraising efforts for crime prevention and drug recovery initiatives. Mrs. Lopez Martinez is a proud member of the Magic City Acceptance Academy Board of Directors and The Alabama Brownfields Association.
Abbas Merchant
Abbas Merchant is the founder and CEO of i2a Advisors, a marketing consultancy that drives growth through data-driven strategies. He also serves as a Senior Executive Advisor at Prowess Consulting, specializing in Data and AI.
As a senior leader in financial services, Abbas skillfully combines the art and science of marketing with expertise in brand strategy and innovation, data analytics, performance marketing, digital marketing, Martech and CRM. Most recently, he held the positions of CMO and EVP at Regions Bank. Prior to that, he was in senior marketing leadership roles at M&T Bank, U.S. Bank, and the Scotts Miracle-Gro Company. Abbas earned his MBA from Drexel University and his BBA from Temple University.