Our Story
James Brantley, Co-founder
My career has been guided by a simple, powerful principle: people sharpening people. This philosophy wasn't learned in a traditional classroom, but forged over 15 years in the world of industrial maintenance. While my early education pointed me toward a university engineering program, I found my true calling on a different path, learning my craft directly from experienced tradesmen. That hands-on mentorship was the most effective education I have ever received. Acuitur is born from that experience. It's not an alternative to college, but a powerful, parallel path for those who are built to create, build, and solve problems with their hands. Our mission is to formalize the mentorship that built my career and straighten the path to a skilled, respected, and fulfilling future.
Erica Brantley, Co-founder
With over a decade of experience in public education and a Master's degree in Educational Leadership, I have worked with hundreds of students, each with a unique set of talents and abilities. My time in the classroom taught me a fundamental truth: a single path cannot serve every student. I believe deeply in promoting college and career readiness together, empowering students by exposing them to every possible option for their future. Just as we prepare future teachers, doctors, and lawyers, I believe we have a duty to prepare the next generation of skilled industrial craftspeople. Acuitur is the realization of that belief. My role is to build the educational framework that ensures our students are not just trained, but are holistically prepared for a successful, fulfilling career in the skilled trades, an option for which there is immense talent but far too little opportunity.
Our Vision
Our story is one of two paths—a tradesman’s journey and an educator’s vision—converging with a single purpose. This fusion of real-world experience and educational insight has forged our core belief: a community thrives when every talent has a clear path to a meaningful career. Our mission is to build that path. We are committed to honoring the dignity of skilled labor and investing in the potential of our neighbors, creating a lasting legacy of opportunity that will strengthen our community for the next generation.