Fresno Unified A4
Members of African American Academic Acceleration (A4)
Dr. Lisa Mitchell is the Executive Director for the Fresno Unified School District (FUSD) African
American Academic Acceleration (A4) Department, whose mission is to accelerate the academic
achievement of African American and Black students in FUSD by creating an environment where
they can achieve academic success during their time in school and beyond. She is part of a team
that plays a vital role in creating a culture in which the needs of students, teachers, families, and the community are met through building positive connections and providing academic and social-emotional support to increase positive student outcomes. With 13 years in education, 10 years in the child welfare system, and eight years as a medical
social worker, Lisa has profoundly impacted the lives of students and adults, working tirelessly to
improve the quality of life for low socioeconomic groups. Her dedication to community work is evident through her active involvement on several community action boards, where she continues to support and uplift her community.
Dr. Mitchell has two adult daughters, Candice and Bria, age as well as three grandsons, Ellis, Adrian, and Kameron.
Dr. Deshunna Monay Ricks is an experienced education professional with over 10 years of dedicated service in the field of education. Throughout her career, Dr. Ricks has worked with diverse groups of students across various educational settings, demonstrating a strong commitment to fostering academic excellence and personal growth. Over the years, Dr. Ricks has held key roles, including counselor and program manager in Fresno Unified, where she has consistently demonstrated leadership, empathy, and a deep passion for student success. Dr. Ricks’ approach to leadership and mentoring emphasizes inclusivity, critical thinking, and the development of lifelong learning skills. In addition to her work in education, Dr. Ricks has been
an advocate for trauma informed practices and living well holistically and has collaborated with colleagues, parents, and community organizations to ensure students and parents have access to resources to improve their wellbeing. Dr. Ricks’ purpose in life is to speak life into others so that they may experience wellness. Dr. Ricks is the author of I AM Valuable and I AM Determined children’s books.
Pat Riddlesprigger is a proud product of Fresno, California, where he was born and raised as the
youngest of two boys in the Central Valley. A dedicated member of the Fresno Unified community,
Pat has spent much of his personal and professional life with Fresno Unified, attending school and
later working there for over two decades. Currently, he is Manager within the African American
Academic Acceleration (A4) Department, supporting Fresno Unified Black Student Unions, African
American Student Leadership Academy, and the HBCU Step Up program.
Pat has a strong belief that success in life is driven by four key characteristics:
• Desire: A strong longing for a certain action or goal, which fuels the pursuit of success.
• Dedication: A commitment to a course of action, no matter the obstacles or challenges.
• Determination: A focused mindset, ensuring that the goal is continually pursued with
passion and resilience.
• Sacrifice: A willingness to give up something valuable in the pursuit of that goal,
understanding that true success often requires personal trade-offs.
He has not only embraced these values but has consistently demonstrated them throughout his
life, serving as a role model for others along his personal and professional journey.
Pat is married to his high school sweetheart, Cathy, and together they have three daughters—
Mariah, Makayla, and Maya—as well as four grandchildren, Zaveah, Liam, Maverick, and Eva.
Dr. Kimberly Hendricks-Brown is the Principal on Special Assignment for the Fresno Unified School
District’s African American Academic Acceleration (A4) Department. With 29 years of experience, she
has held various roles, including classroom teacher, assistant principal, site principal, and district
director of Accountability & Assessment.
A passionate equity advocate, Dr. Hendricks-Brown is committed to improving academic and social-
emotional outcomes for African American/Black students. She works closely with students, families,
educators, and the community to create equitable educational environments that eliminate disparities
and promote success for all students.
