Meet the Team
At The Power of Engagement, we are more than consultants—we are collaborators, coaches, and catalysts for change. With over 40 years of combined experience, our team of specialists brings a wealth of knowledge in education, leadership, and community development. We engage with purpose, sharing proven strategies, practical tools, and best practices to help schools, districts, and organizations cultivate thriving cultures and climates.
Whether we are leading professional development, publishing transformational stories, or mentoring the next generation of leaders, our work is grounded in one mission: to empower individuals and institutions to reach their full potential.
We don’t just talk about engagement—we live it.
Dr. Renee C. Meeks​
Founding Partner, The Power of Engagement, LLC
Dr. Renee C. Meeks is a passionate educator, mentor, author, and public speaker with more than 20 years of experience spanning classroom instruction, school leadership, and nonprofit education outreach. Known for her commitment to equity, empowerment, and educational excellence, Dr. Meeks brings a unique blend of instructional expertise and organizational leadership to every space she serves.
Her career began in the classroom as an elementary teacher before expanding to middle and high school instruction. She later served as an Education Outreach Specialist with a nonprofit organization before stepping into school administration, holding positions as a Resident Principal and Assistant Principal at both the elementary and middle school levels. She currently serves as Principal of a thriving elementary school, where she leads with vision, compassion, and purpose.
​
As a Founding Partner of The Power of Engagement, LLC, Dr. Meeks is dedicated to equipping educators, professionals, and aspiring authors with the tools and strategies they need to lead, teach, and thrive. She provides leadership coaching, facilitates workshops, and co-leads a full-service publishing division supporting new authors through manuscript development, editing, and book production.
​
Dr. Meeks is also a published author and contributing voice in several impactful books, including:
-
Do I Really Belong Here? Turning Frustration into Focus
Chapter in Bridges and Breakthroughs: The Shift from Educated Employee to Effective Educator
-
I Like it Here (Children's Book)
​​
She holds the following academic credentials:
-
Bachelor's Degree in English – University of Memphis
-
Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction – Freed-Hardeman University
-
Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership – Nova Southeastern University
-
Certificate in Women's Entrepreneurship – Cornell University
​​​
Dr. Meeks has received numerous honors throughout her career, including being named an ASCD Emerging Leader in 2015 and being selected for the New Leaders for New Schools program. She continues to serve on multiple educational boards, including Rock Life Memphis, The Exquisite Pearls of Excellence, and the Tennessee Affiliate of ASCD.
Dr. Meeks is driven by the belief that education is a vehicle for transformation—and that, with proper engagement, every educator and leader can shift from merely surviving to thriving.
​
Click this link to purchase the book: https://square.link/u/C6iImMRw
​​​
​
Dr. Tarcia Gilliam-Parrish
Founding Partner, The Power of Engagement, LLC
Dr. Tarcia Gilliam-Parrish is an accomplished educator, mentor, motivational speaker, and community leader with over 20 years of experience in K–12 education. She is known for her passion for instructional excellence, leadership development, and community empowerment. Her educational career spans roles as a classroom teacher, instructional coach, assistant principal, and principal in urban public schools, as well as district-level leadership of Summer School programs.
​
As the Founding Partner of The Power of Engagement, LLC, Dr. Gilliam-Parrish assists individuals and organizations in elevating their purpose and expanding their impact through education, author support, and professional development. She leads a dynamic publishing division that provides aspiring authors with personalized coaching, editing, and publishing services. Under her guidance, The Power of Engagement has supported dozens of educators, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders in bringing their books and professional tools to life.
​
She is the author of several books, including:
-
Ziggy’s Day at School (Children’s Book Series)
-
Success is in Your DNA (Personal Growth & Empowerment)
-
Contributing Author, Teaching Reading to English Learners in Grades 6–12
-
The Marina James Chronicles
​​
Dr. Gilliam-Parrish holds the following academic credentials:
-
Bachelor of Science in Sociology – University of Memphis
-
Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction – Freed-Hardeman University
-
Doctor of Education in Leadership in K-12 Administration – Bethel University
-
Certificate in Women’s Entrepreneurship – Cornell University
She is an active member of the education community, serving on advisory boards
boards and speaking at conferences nationwide. Her work has been featured
in various professional learning publications, and she continues to collaborate
with national leaders such as Dr. Margarita Espino Calderon on research-based
school improvement initiatives.
​
In addition, Dr. Gilliam-Parrish serves as the Shelby and DeSoto County Executive
Director of The Exquisite Pearls of Excellence, a nonprofit organization that mentors
and empowers young girls through leadership, academic support, and community
engagement.
Click this link to purchase books: https://a.co/d/f08DF15
​
​
