Our Staff
Zachery Richardson, Executive Director
ZACHERY (Zack) RICHARDSON is the president and founder of A Pivotal Point Enterprises (a 501C-3), and the Executive Director of The Character Center. Zack is also a renowned professional speaker and well-respected child advocate. He’s the creator and designer of the critically acclaimed Big-Headed Beaver™ & Friends curriculum and stage show production.
Zack has more than 20 years of professional experience teaching, counseling, and mentoring “at-risk” youth of all ages. And to date, he has spoken to, trained, and performed before for more than 20,000 students and parents.
As a child advocate, Zack has dedicated his life to raising awareness, designing strategies, and implementing creative solutions to reach and teach students with learning disabilities and other academic challenges. As a professional, Zack has served as program consultant for the Project P.A.I.R.S. Mentoring Program, having been voted “Outstanding Community Leader” among his colleagues. He’s also served as an HIV/AIDS Investigator for the Impact Resource Service Center having won the “HIV/AIDS Advocate Award” and the “African American Leadership Award” for working with HIV/AIDS inmates. And he’s also worked in abstinence education for the Department of Health, serving as the agency’s Contract Manager.
Before successfully launching The Character Center, Zack worked as a Program Specialist for the Heart Family Life Center at Florida A&M University (FAMU), where he successfully provided tutoring services, mentoring, test preparation, and test evaluations for students. He also served as the Program Director for the Ford Foundation in the School of Engineering during his tenure at FAMU.
Because of his tireless efforts in serving children, Zack has been featured in the St. Petersburg Times, The Tallahassee Democrat, Family Forum, and Wiserman Magazine. He holds a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Psychology and Criminal Justice.
Currently, Zack lives in Tallahassee, Florida with his wife, and he has four children (two girls and two boys).
Joseph Martin, Jr., Ed.D., Public Relations & Marketing Director
A nationally-known speaker, respected university professor, author and educational consultant, Joe became the youngest faculty member ever hired to teach at a state university in Florida at the age of 24. He also has the distinct honor of being the youngest professor at his institution to ever be nominated twice for the “Distinguished Teacher’s Award.” Joe has taught students at all levels in K-12, including Title I, alternative ed, and gifted students. He also trains more than 15,000 teachers and administrators a year.
Outside of education, Joe has worked as a top sales trainer for a Fortune 500 company and as a public relations professional for both the state and federal government, including a position as Communications Director with the Florida’s Governor’s Office. He is also the founder and president of “ RealWorld University” (www.RWuniversity.com) – an award-winning student success web site designed to help students meet the personal and professional challenges of college and life.
Joe is also a former radio and television talk show host, providing educators and parents with strategies to help them motivate, inspire, and connect with students. He’s also the creator of www.NewTeacherUniversity.com, a web site designed to help retain, train, and support new and beginning teachers.
Joe has made several guest appearances on both television and radio, and he's been featured in several newspapers and organizational newsletters across the country. Joe is also the author of eight books, including: "Tricks of the Grade," "Good Teachers Never Quit," “Stop Parenting & Start Coaching,” “When Students Just Won’t Listen,” and several audio, CD, and DVD programs. He also serves as a guest columnist for three national publications: Student Leader Magazine, The Black Collegian, and Teachers.net Gazette; and he’s the publisher and editor of the First Class Teacher E-Newsletter that’s read my thousand of educators each month.
Currently, Joe resides in Tallahassee, Florida with his wife and son.
Selena Richardson, Vice-President
Selena Richardson is the Vice-President and Chief Executive Officer of Pivotal Point Enterprises, Inc. Selena has more than 15 years of professional experience managing and directing programs designed to positively affect children 0-18 years of age. Selena’s experience ranges from abstinence education, Florida KidCare, and most recently, Whole Child Leon.
Selena completed her undergraduate work at Florida A&M University majoring in Public Relations and her graduate work also at her alma mater in Public Administration. Selena currently utilizes her extensive communications and management skills to manage The Character Center.
The Character Center also employs, and continuously recruits, highly-qualified college interns, former and retired teachers, and other community professionals who are dedicated and committed to the academic success and personal development of students.