Founder and CEO of Kids4Equity and Director of Commercial Learning at Cepheid, with a background that bridges corporate learning strategy and arts performance. Trained in acting, singing, and performing arts at the Marla Gibbs Performing Arts School under Wendy Raquel Robinson and later under Tony Award–winner Virginia Capers, Holbert began performing at age five and went on to appear in commercials, television, film, and music videos.

At sixteen, Jheri started college at Clark Atlanta University, stepping into the legacy and energy of HBCU life. She later completed her bachelor’s in psychology at Cal State LA, earned a master’s in public administration from Cal State Dominguez Hills, and her doctorate from the University of Southern California. Her doctoral research explored the funding barriers Black women entrepreneurs face and how Black Feminist Thought and Restorative Justice can help create change.

Her career began in classrooms, teaching in Japan and with the Los Angeles Unified School District. She went on to lead enterprise-wide learning at iHeartMedia.