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Dr. Raja was born in the city of Chicago in 1981. At 13 years old, Dr. Raja took his first algebra class. Within 2 months of taking algebra, Dr. Raja realized that he was failing. He could not earn anything above a “F” in his math class and started to give up hope and felt math and school was not for him. Dr. Raja’s mother became his mentor and teacher, using a method Dr. Raja eventually used throughout his 20- year career as a teacher, principal, and while in continuation school and juvenile halls from East Oakland to North Sacramento, CA. As a teacher, Dr. Raja has uplifted thousands of students from a history of failure in algebra to success. His students’ stories of success were featured in the documentary, “Beating the Odds.” Dr. Raja’s instructional model, CREATE, was also captured in his book, Create Success: Unlocking the Potential of Urban Youth, published by ASCD. The CREATE pedagogy was shared through the book with over 100,000 educators across the world. Dr. Raja’s instructional approach was also highlighted as a solution to the dropout crisis in the award-winning documentary, “Pushouts,” featuring Dr. Victor Rios. As a result of his success and impact as an educator, Dr. Raja was named, out of 300,000 teachers, by the California Department of Education, (CDE) as 2011 California State Teacher of the Year. Currently,

Dr. Raja is the President of Miracle University and is currently on a mission to end the dropout crisis in every city in America. Dr. Raja, recently presented a TEDx talk: “Solving the Dropout Epidemic: America’s Costliest Crisis” in Atlanta, GA. The transformation of hundreds of potential high school dropouts into scholars through the Miracle University approach was also captured in the “Solving the Inequality” Documentary on the CREATE Academy. Miracle University has also been - “Featured in NBC, ABC, CBS, Fox News, Yahoo Finance as a blueprint for solving the dropout crisis. Dr. Raja is married to Tamara-Eugene Raja.
 

Tamara was born in Sacramento, CA. An alumni of Grant Union High School, she served as a Theater Production educator under the GHS Arts Academy and the Pacerette Dance instructor/choreographer for over 10 years. She received a Bachelor’s Degree of Liberal Arts from Grambling State University earning a background in dance and theater with the Orchesis Dance Company. She has worked as a morning show radio producer and performed in stage Productions with Celebration Arts Dance and Theater and served as a dancer and choreographer for Images Theater Company in the Sacramento region. Her goal is to enhance students’ knowledge and skill level in Performance Arts Theater, and allow them to utilize their God-given creativity through education and life skill.

Known as the “People’s Bishop,” Bishop Lovelace is the Founding Pastor at the Center of Praise Church Ministries in Sacramento, CA. Bishop Lovelace also is the Vice President of Diversity, Reconciliation, and Unity at William Jessup University. Bishop Lovelace has been celebrated for his character, integrity, and transformative teachings. He has authored several journal articles and the well-received book, Set it Up: Developing Leaders for Healthy Churches, and has served as the North American editor for the Great Commission Research Journal. Additionally, he is an adjunct professor at Talbot School of Theology, where he leads the African American Ministry doctoral program. Bishop Lovelace serves as a mentor and friend among multitudes of pastors, trans- denominationally. He is described as an apostolic strategist, communicator, teacher, thinker, and progressive leader. The merging of his spiritual journey and that of social science has served to facilitate an approach that reaches and embraces the disenfranchised, the poor, the youth, the elderly, the marginalized, and people of all communities. He is held in high esteem regionally and globally for his character, integrity, and life-transforming teachings. Reared in Sacramento, CA, Bishop Lovelace is a protégé of Pastor Willie P. Cooke of the Shiloh Baptist Church and the District Elder Robert Holman, Sr., Christ Temple Apostolic Church. He planted the Center of Praise Ministries 33 years ago. His educational accomplishments include an Associate in Arts Degree, American River College; Bachelor of Arts in Social Work, Oral Roberts University; Master of Arts in Social Work, University of Oklahoma; Master of Arts in Practical Theology (High Honors), Oral Roberts University; and a Doctor of Ministry, Talbot School of Theology (Biola University). He earned his Ph.D. in Intercultural Studies at the Cook School of Intercultural Studies, Biola University (2021).

He is an inductee of the prestigious Martin Luther King Jr. International Board of Preachers and Collegium Scholars at Morehouse College (2012). In 2019 the bishop was presented with the Key to the City of Rancho Cordova for his partnering and leadership, contributing to the development of the innovative Rancho Cordova Youth Center. He is the author of several journal articles and the well-received book, Set it Up: Developing Leaders for Healthy Churches. He has served as the North American editor for the Great Commission Research Journal, an academic journal devoted to research and scholarly thinking on the perspective of church growth. He also is an adjunct professor at Talbot School of Theology, where he leads the African American Ministry doctoral program. He is a senior fellow with the American Leadership Forum, the CEO of the Lovelace Leadership Connection organization, and a certified church consultant with the Society for Church Consulting. Bishop Lovelace serves on the Oral Roberts University School of Social Work Advisory Board and the Dignity Health Community Advisory Board.

Jerika Eugene is a Miracle graduate and alumni. Jerika was once failing in high school. She felt that math was impossible because she had failed for years. But in 2007, Jerika became a student in Dr. Raja’s Algebra class. Jerika immediately connected with Dr. Raja and his teaching style. Jerika was offered the Miracle formula based on transformative mentoring and culturally responsive teaching. Jerika suddenly discovered the genius that was hidden within.

She became motivated and began earning A’s and Bs. Jerika eventually became a scholar and graduated from high school despite years of struggling in school. Today, Jerika has bachelor’s degree and is a Certified Public Accountant serving several Fortune 500 businesses.

Ramona is the President of Benito Juarez Association (BJA) in North Sacramento. Benito Juarez Association is the 1st Spanish-speaking association in Sacramento to support community members and foster awareness. BJA conducts outreach, recruiting over 200 members, and gathering and monitoring data to identify community needs. They organize community public forums and workshops on tenant's rights, clean air issues, and city neighborhood services. BJA trains and empowers community leaders, facilitates legal workshops, and provides community advocacy support. This advocacy organization collaborates with school districts to provide educational workshops for parents to support Spanish-speaking families. BJA actively engages and educates communities on important issues such as labor exploitation and human trafficking. This association works closely with local, state, and federal agencies and in establishing relationships with stakeholders throughout CA. BJA collaborates with government agencies, law enforcement, service providers, immigration attorneys, and elected officials.

Ramona is a seasoned Agency Director and executive Leader with over 20 years of experience providing executive-level community advocacy at the local and state levels. She has extensive experience in all aspects of organizational leadership and policy creation including staff management, constituent relationships, budgeting, campaign management, and policy development support. Ramona continually exceeds expectations by building valuable relationships and works well with people at all levels of an organization including stakeholders, legislators, management, team members, agency staff, and constituents. Ramona has also served as a Board Trustee in the Twin Rivers Unified School District.

Asad has served as an incredible media and Arts academy teacher for nearly 20 years. Asad Akbar is an amazing educator, advocate of kids, and human being. Asad is a dedicated man driven by purpose to serve the youth. Asad is also a wonderful, selfless human being with an impeccable character. Any school, college, or organization is fortunate to have Asad Akbar as a staff member. He is a kind human being and hard-working man driven by his faith. Asad is a real educator, champion of youth, and an exemplary role model for the society. Asad is the epitome of kindness and selflessness.

Mastora Matin is a Miracle graduate and alumni. In 2022, Mastora was failing in high school. She had been written off by her high school as a potential Dropout. The school was preparing to push Mastora out of the school system because she had little to no chance of graduating. She felt that math was impossible because she had failed for years. But in 2023, Mastora became a student in the Miracle University Program. Dr. Raja became Mastora’s mentor. Mastora immediately connected with Dr. Raja and his teaching style. Mastora was offered the Miracle formula based on transformative mentoring and culturally responsive teaching.

Mastora suddenly discovered the genius that was hidden within. She became motivated and began earning A’s and Bs. Mastora eventually became a scholar and graduated from high school despite years of struggling in school. Today, Mastora is in college and working on her bachelor’s degree. She aspires to become an immigration attorney. Mastora also mentors youth who are currently in the Miracle program.

Lila is a CPA and CFO with about 30 years of broad and deep experience with public and private  companies, ranging from start-ups to multinational ventures in various industries. She is a leader  in promoting strong corporate financial and operational risk management and in optimizing  opportunities within a framework of good governance and business ethics. Lila joined the board  in 2022 and serves on the Financial and Racial Equity Committees. As an immigrant from a 
financially challenged family, Lila understands that education is a “way up.”

Determination and  a little help from the community make a big difference in a student’s future. Lila’s own path  through higher education started at Diablo Valley College. She transferred to and earned a BS in  Business Administration from University of California, Berkeley. She later earned an MBA from California State University, Hayward. In addition to her work with BCS, Lila serves on the board 
of the Concord Shiva Murugan Temple and on the Finance Committee of Breast Cancer Prevention 
Partners, another non-profit.

AMG provides Brand Development and Brand Management services to professional athletes,  artist, and a select roster of Fortune 100 corporate clients. AMG has earned a reputation for  combining innovation, creativity and strategic partnerships that amplify a client's visibility while  developing organic brand recognition. Utilizing a Collaborative Impact Strategy, (CIS) AMG  strives to create a competitive advantage and sustainable success for our clients by identifying and 
activating strategic partnerships