MEET THE TEAM
Meet the dynamic team of dedicated women at the helm of our organization who volunteers countless hours to move CLS closer to becoming the leading volunteerism organization in the world!
LaShanda D. Pitts
Founder & CEO
Here’s More About The Founder…
All roads in LaShanda Pitts’ journey have led to the founding of Classy Living Society.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, California; LaShanda Pitts moved to Atlanta, Georgia in 1994. She brought with her a boundless spirit of originality and
Mrs. Pitts has always had a passion for community service and volunteerism. From an early age, her family participated in ongoing “family adoptions” and she accompanied her parents to numerous charitable events. These experiences helped build the foundation for her strong desire to give back to those in need.
Mrs. Pitts merged networking skills derived from networking with various professionals, her passion for one-of-a-kind event planning and deep determination to proactively contribute to society and founded Classy Living Society in 2013. The following year, CLS opened its virtual membership doors. In just over two years, membership rolls have grown to 217 members and over 157 community partners and has rapidly expanded beyond its home base of Atlanta to parts throughout Georgia, plus California, the DMV area, Florida, Texas, North Carolina, as well as Dubai and Croatia. CLS continues to gain momentum by launching both nationally and internationally.
Mrs. Pitts is proud of CLS, its members, and many past, present and ongoing personal and professional accomplishments; among them:
-Through its many platforms, Classy Living Society reaches over 200,000 subscribers
-Inspired and created a digital magazine, Classy Chronicles, which has over 90, 000 subscribers
-Annual Red Dress Gala, began in 2014 with 100 attendees, growing to 380 attendees at
–Adopt a Block/Road in various U.S. cities
-Expanding membership rolls nationwide with New York, Houston
-The launch of Legacy for Change, Classy Living Society’s 501(c)(3) organization with a mission to inspire and develop a community of young girls ages 9 to 14
-A membership level for college students to foster relationships and mentorships with young women in college
-Taking the lead in the authorship and publishing of an inspirational book for young women written by members of CLS’ executive team and board of directors
Through CLS, Mrs. Pitts has fostered a sisterhood among the organization’s members. From the very start, she has helped bring women together to volunteer, and with that, has also encouraged them to socialize and build friendships. She also emphasizes the importance of educating and empowering through CLS’ numerous educational workshops. She plays an integral part in promoting and providing support for CLS member businesses.
Mrs. Pitts has also brought another of her dreams to fruition through her newest venture, LAIK Experiences, an event planning company that creates once-in-a-lifetime occasions for her patrons.
Mrs. Pitts resides in Atlanta with her husband Tony and their loyal chocolate Staffordshire, Black.
Tiffany Q. Coppins
Executive Director, Events
Tiffany Q. Coppins is a true Georgia Peach, with a natural niche in the event industry. Tiffany’s southern charm, creative concepts and keen attention to detail has helped contribute to her success in executing a variety of events from small scale to large corporate events. Tiffany is passionate about her skills and dedication to providing an illuminating experience for each and every client.Tiffany is the owner of her own event consultant firm – Veils Detail Weddings*Events* Concepts and holds a Master of Science degree in Human Resources from Strayer University. She is also a proud graduate from Georgia Perimeter College – Continuing Education program with a certification in Event Planning/Management, as well as an Education Instructor with Ashworth University. With her active life, Tiffany still finds time to stay socially involved in her community through volunteerism and public service work. She enjoys playing tennis and spending time with her family and of course shopping!
Nyota M. Byfield
Executive Vice President, Marketing
Originally from London, England, Nyota has lived in New York, Maryland, and now Atlanta, Georgia. Volunteering and having an impact have always been driving forces for Nyota. In high school, she tutored students and sought ways to be active in the community. Fast forward to present day, Nyota has kept that passion alive by volunteering in various capacities with numerous organizations, to teach financial literacy, spread entrepreneurship, and build community.
Nyota has a career in Finance at a major financial institution, with experience in sales, financial analysis, operations, and organization management. Nyota meshed her corporate career with her desire for entrepreneurship and owns a women’s online boutique, where she styles women for work and play. Her style influence includes her Caribbean, British, and New York City roots.
One of her favorite looks, is a blazer, pencil skirt, and classic kicks! Nyota holds a B.A. in Political Science from New York University and an M.B.A in Organization Management from Georgia State University. She’s a lifelong learner who enjoys reading, exercising, great food, traveling, all things fashion & sci-fi, as wells as spending time with her family and friends.
What is your favorite book?
My Soul to Keep by Tananarive Due
What’s your favorite movie?
City of Angels
What is your favorite song?
In the Arms of An Angel
What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
Strawberry
What do you like to do for fun?
Experience different foods, places, & people.
Why Classy Living Society?
Community impact, standard of excellence, sisterhood, new experiences, have fun, and learn.
Janine Lattimore
Chief Editor
Janine Lattimore originally hails from Bronx, New York City and after living in Columbus, Ohio for a number of years, migrated to the Atlanta, Georgia area in 1985. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.
Words are her passion, and in between raising her son, and her work as an administrative legal assistant for a large corporate law firm, Janine is a connoisseur of words – creative writing, editing and proofreading. Her love of all things “wordy” began at an early age, cultivated by supportive family members and teachers. As a result of her work as editor and writer of Classy Living Society’s digital publication, The Classy Chronicles, Janine was presented with the President’s Volunteer Service Award in 2016 from President Barack Obama. Janine is also a skillful baker – her red velvet layer cake has garnered rave reviews.
She believes that the key to enjoying a blessed and enriched life is in the giving of self and gratefulness for the present. Socializing and entertaining, spending time with family and friends, cooking, shopping and reading books by her preferred authors are a few of her favorite things.
What is your favorite book?
Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes
What’s your favorite movie?
Love Jones
What is your favorite song?
Golden Time of Day by Frankie Beverly & Maze
What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
Oreo
What do you like to do for fun?
Socialize with friends and family, acrylic painting, writing
Why Classy Living Society?
The sisterhood bonding, provides a platform for me to give back to the community which is a win win for the community and me. Lots of opportunity to socialize and inspire each other to level up and be our best. The more I pour into CLS, it pours double or more back into me.
Tarrah D. Gales - Founding Sister
Advisory Committee
Born in Cleveland, Ohio and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Tarrah Gales considers herself a Georgia Peach! Tarrah has over 17 years transactional legal experience working for Fortune 100 & 500 companies and large law firms. She currently works for a publicly-traded company in its Corporate & Securities Practice where she manages corporate governance and compliance with the Company’s insider trading policy.Inspired by her spirited 93-year old grandfather who instilled in her the values of “service and giving back” when Tarrah was a child; she has continually worked alongside various organizations and charities promoting civic engagement and volunteerism. In her spare time, Tarrah is a lover of books, enjoys vintage & consignment shopping, delights in honing her culinary skills, and appreciates a day at the spa!
Tarrah holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Howard University in Washington, DC and a master’s degree in public administration from Strayer University in Atlanta.
ShaRhonda Elizabeth Simmons - Founding Sister
Born in Harlem, New York and raised in Pikeville, Kentucky, ShaRhonda relocated to Atlanta, Georgia in the 1990’s and began a 20 year career in the customer service industry enjoying varied careers: flight attendant, bartender and beauty consultant. As a flight attendant, fifteen of those years were spent, at thirty thousand feet in the air working for domestic and international airlines. ShaRhonda is proud of her tenure “in the air” and boasts providing passengers with outstanding customer service and having the opportunity to serve our troops as they were being transported around the world to protect and serve our country as some of the most fulfilling moments of that experience.
As a “fashionista” and beauty maven, the woman behind the M.A.C. brush #42 enjoys helping all women discover their outer beauty and look their best by showing them how to accentuate their unique beauty in selecting makeup and clothing choices that compliment their complexions and womanly curves, thus boosting their confidence which allows all women to stand in the fullness of who they are and express their real beauty – what lies in their hearts. ShaRhonda is not only flawless in her personal style, but also in her soul and feels bringing jovial smiles to others is her true passion.
Having traveled the world as a flight attendant, ShaRhonda now stays close to home spending quiet time with two beautiful twin boys, perfecting her new found passion for cooking, watching movies and her favorite show Scandal; yes – she is a Gladiator!
Valérie Alerte Kavanagh, MBA - Founding Sister
Valérie has extensive experience in sales and marketing. Valérie is passionate about volunteering and using her skill sets to best assist non-profits and organizations in any capacity. She has served on Executive Boards in Georgia in addition to holding committee positions.
Valérie is a Haitian-American, multi-lingual New York native, wife and mother of two beautiful children who are better known and referred to as the (#KavanaghKuties). She loves all things vintage and classy and enjoys giving back to the community.
She and her husband transplanted to Georgia in 2012 and appreciate all that Atlanta has to offer. She has an affinity for hosting annual social events for her friends and family at her home and finds complete fulfillment and enjoyment in the fellowship which that provides.
Valérie is a philanthropist at heart and instills a philanthropic spirit amongst her children. Serving alongside fellow like-minded women to make a difference in all lives in the community is a critical part of what makes up the spiritual fabric of who Valérie is as a God fearing woman. She believes in the saying “If YOU do your best, HE will do the rest!”
Avis R. Pitts
Member Relations Manager
Avis was born in Cleveland, Ohio and moved to Atlanta with her husband Rockie in 1978. She received her Bachelor of Science in Hearing and Speech Science from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio and earned her Master of Education in Speech and Language Pathology from Georgia State University in Atlanta. Avis has over 30 years experience in the field of education. She has worked in both the public and charter school arenas and has served as a Special Education Coordinator, Mentor, Lead Teacher, Liaison and Speech-Language Pathologist. Avis has worked collaborately with teachers, parents and other professionals. Her affiliations include the American Federation of Teachers and the Council for Exceptional Children.
Avis is a proud mother of two and enjoys the company of her two active granddaughters. She enjoys reading, shopping, exercising and watching her favorite mystery/suspense/sci-fi shows. Avis has previously served as orientation chairperson for her church ministry group and is currently the activities chair. Working with various community groups including Hands on Atlanta, Girl Scouts of America, the Atlanta Women’s Day Shelter and the Homeless Shelter at her church have helped to continue to fuel her strong desire to make a difference in the community.
Even though Avis is currently semi-retired from the Atlanta Public School System, she looks forward to continuing her passion for facilitating and helping others be all that they can dream to be.
What is your favorite book?
This is a hard one but I’ll go with Forty Acres by Dwayne Alexander Smith
What’s your favorite movie?
Another hard one but Dairy of a Mad Black Woman … love the part where she throws him in that tub!
What is your favorite song?
Saturday Love by Alexander O’Neal and Cherrelle
What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
Wish I could eat it but if I could, it’s all things chocolate.
What do you like to do for fun?
Love to shop, eat good food, walk, dance, fellowship w/family & friends, volunteer, curl up with a good book and do some binge watching or tune into my favorite Lifetime movies. Did I mention I love to shop!!
Why Classy Living Society?
CLS is my volunteer organization of choice because it embodies a true sisterhood to me. I’ve had a chance to be involved with other groups but from the moment I heard about the plans for starting CLS, I was totally hooked. The opportunities that CLS provides are amazing and so unique. I can’t help but be excited when it’s time to come together like we do. I know I’m a better person because of CLS and I feel like I’ve grown in so many ways. I’m a proud member and I can look back and say I’ve made a difference in the lives of others. CLS has been and continues to be a great facilitator of volunteering for me.
Crystal Danzey
Events Manager
Crystal Danzey, born in Newark New Jersey but was raised in Dothan, Alabama. Being from a loving family she learned at an early age how important it was to give back. After relocating to Atlanta in 2003, she began to fulfill her desire and interests in the community by volunteering. In 2011 she joined a non-profit organization called CRE8IVENSIGHTS, a non-profit organization aimed at educating the African American community on HIV/AIDS awareness, thru literary arts and performances. Crystal became involved behind the scenes eventually working her way to the stage. Her debut was in the production play Positively Infected playing the role of DR. Anevey. Her latest debut was on stage in 2013 starring in 3 roles in the stage play Beyond Betrayal. Crystal traveled up and down the East Coast along with the rest of the cast performing at churches, theaters and one special performance in New York City. Volunteering is a passion.
What is your favorite book?
What looks like crazy on a ordinary day.
What’s your favorite movie?
Color purple
What is your favorite song?
Michel Jackson “don’t stop” till you get enough.
What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
Chocolate
What do you like to do for fun?
Travel
Why Classy Living Society?
Classy Living Society is a breathe of fresh air for me. I can have the best of both worlds. Volunteering and Sisterhood.
