Board
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Sherita Beard Lee
Founder
Sherita Beard Lee has over 25 years of Global and Domestic experience in the pharmaceutical industry. Sherita’s professional experience has allowed her each day to complete work that supports making a difference in the lives of others. Sherita decided over a decade ago to combine her leadership skills and her passion to help others by creating Suite Dreams, which is a non-profit organization that provides first year college students with dorm room essentials.
Sherita recognized that underprivileged students often come to college unprepared to cover living expenses. In 2014, Sherita recognized the gap and was compelled to address it by founding Suite Dreams in Memphis, Tennessee to predominantly support Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Suite Dreams
is an organization whose main mission is to provide comfortable living spaces that will allow students to focus on achieving their dreams. The organization is committed to servicing college students entering their first year with dorm essentials required to get off to a comfortable and confident start.
Suite Dreams provides college students with a range of essential items to create comfortable and functional living spaces in their dorm rooms. One of the key offerings is bedding, which includes sheets, pillowcases, blankets, comforters, and mattress protectors. Other items provided are refrigerators, microwaves (as allowed), printers, televisions, irons, lamps, storage items, toiletries, and other room decor.
Carlie Beard
Executive Director
Carlie Beard serves as the Executive Director of Suite Dreams, bringing a deep passion for youth development and educational equity to the organization’s mission. In her role, Carlie leads strategic planning and program oversight to ensure that first-year college students receive the dorm essentials and support they need to thrive on campus.
Carlie’s journey in service began with the founding of Carlie Cares, an initiative focused on creating hygiene kits for families and individuals facing hardship. Her commitment to dignity, compassion, and impact continues to guide her leadership at Suite Dreams, where she works to expand access and opportunity for students across the country.
A proud Cleveland native and visionary changemaker, Carlie believes that when students are equipped with the right tools and feel supported, they are empowered to pursue their dreams with confidence. Under her leadership, Suite Dreams is growing in both reach and impact—one student, one dorm room, and one dream at a time.
Currently, Carlie is a marketing professional in the fashion and retail industry. The Suite Dreams organization thrives under Carlie’s leadership and these efforts are purely volunteer.
Board of Directors
Kimbra Toney Bernard
Beverly Robertson
Dream Builders
“The hands and hearts behind every dorm room transformation.”