Sheryl Lorraine Gray is an accomplished nonprofit executive with a strong commitment to serving individuals with special needs through comprehensive, community-based support. As the leader of a nonprofit organization based in Columbia, South Carolina, she oversees a dynamic team of 155 staff members and five direct reports, manages seventeen housing units, and directs operations tied to assessments, renovations, and human relations. With a $7.5 million annual budget, Sheryl ensures 24-hour care and facility oversight, working directly with local agencies including the Police Department and conducting regular travel to ensure all operations are running smoothly.
A proud graduate of Claflin University (an HBCU), Sheryl earned both her undergraduate degree and MBA there, supplemented by a Leadership Certificate. She is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha and a dedicated volunteer at Macedonia Methodist Church. Recognized with the Head of Spinal Cord Injuries Award from Columbia University in South Carolina, Sheryl has also built a reputation as a sought-after public speaker.
Among her proudest personal accomplishments are her two daughters, Jamin Porter and Kayla Gray, who are a social worker and a school teacher, respectively, and her 25-year marriage. Looking ahead, Sheryl aims to open her own residential facility and write a children’s book featuring cartoon characters. Her guiding philosophy remains centered on building a better life for her daughters and inspiring transformation in the lives of others through leadership, service, and compassion.