Program Director

She sets her heart upon a nation and takes it as her own, carrying it within her. She labors there to plant the living vines. Proverbs 31: 16-18 (TPT)

Born and raised in the Washington Metropolitan area, Tonja Rice has a heart to help, advocate, educate, and serve the needs of others. Throughout the years, she has championed humanitarian efforts in Tanzania, Ghana, and in her own backyard. Some of these efforts include raising money to provide areas with access to water, assisting with securing funding for the building of a primary school, fundraising to provide meals for students, and providing health education to disadvantaged communities.

Tonja has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Public Health with a focus in Behavioral and Community Health. Her volunteer efforts led to a 2019 Martin Luther King Jr. Service Award Nomination from Johns Hopkins HealthCare.

BOARD CHAIR

Patty Rice is a branding strategist with a thriving boutique marketing firm. She is also founder of Christian Culture Entertainment, a faith-based media company committed to developing faith and family content and products. Ms. Rice is a national best-selling author and was nominated for an NAACP award for her book, “Reinventing the Woman.” She mentors authors and has worked tirelessly with organizations that serve and support the homeless and other disadvantaged groups.

VICE CHAIR

Pamela Cherry is a Senior Systems Engineer and entrepreneur. Ms. Cherry has played a vital role in creating marketing concepts within companies through digital & in-person marketing. She owns a marketing and media company, Cherry on Top, and travel agency, Luxe Journey Lifestyle. In the past, Ms. Cherry has led fundraising efforts and has supported organizations helping women, children, and the homeless.

TREASURER

Michaela Wallace is a dedicated and detail-oriented professional with a strong background in business administration and human resources. She graduated from Howard University with a degree in Business Administration and has since excelled in her career as an HR Specialist.

With a keen eye for numbers and a passion for financial management, Michaela is the perfect fit for the role of Board Treasurer. She brings a wealth of experience in budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis to the table, ensuring that the organization's financial resources are managed effectively and responsibly.

SECRETARY

Lakeia Lemons is an author and entrepreneur. Her background is in childhood education where she has worked endlessly to educate children and continues to serve as a mentor to youth.

Ms. Lemons is passionate about utilizing her gifts and knowledge to serve her community and using her life experiences to minister to others. 

BOARD MEMBER

Pastor Daniel McElroy, a certified educator, and pastoral life coach for more than eight years, motivates and counsels clients based on the word of God. The prophetic anointing in Pastor McElroy’s life uniquely positions him to help people get clear on their vision and purpose, heal from trauma, and get unstuck so that they can align with God’s plans for them and move forward in life. Pastor McElroy is a father of a beautiful daughter whose name is Nalia and is also the Pastor of Overcoming Church in Cleveland, OH. 

BOARD MEMBER

Krisa Haggins is Senior Vice President of Meetings, Conferences and Educational Technology at the American Dental Education Association (ADEA). She leads a team of seasoned managers to produce nearly 20 meetings per year including the marquis event—the ADEA Annual Session and Exhibition. She previously taught hospitality management at Howard University’s School of Business. She spent 11 years at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. in various roles that included vice president of external affairs where she led the events team and created the program design for many high-profile events. She launched several successful events which included the organization’s first franchise series that developed a lucrative new revenue stream and increased conference registration by 400 attendees to 5,400. Under her leadership, attendance for the flagship events of the Annual Legislative Conference (the Phoenix Awards Dinner and Annual Prayer Breakfast) grew by 33% to 4,000 and 2,800 attendees respectively. She was instrumental in conceptualizing an on-going two-week study abroad opportunity in China for nearly 100 American students.

Ms. Haggins’ diverse background includes six years at Maryland Public is Television, as a writer, video editor, producer and occasional on-camera talent, where she won numerous awards culminating in her 1998 Emmy Award win. She then spent several years leading the American College of Cardiology’s 350,000 net square foot exhibit ranked by Tradeshow Week as one of the nation’s “Top 200 Shows”. Krisa has earned the CMP designation, her B.S. degree from Towson University; and an executive M.B.A. from Loyal University of Maryland Sellinger School of Business.

BOARD MEMBER

Throughout her years of experience, Tiffany Leak has provided guidance to teenagers and young women, inspiring them to overcome challenges. She established The Propel Initiative, a non-profit organization, to provide a supportive environment for girls aged 12 to 21 to discuss their struggles and connect with the teachings of God's Word.

In 2019, Tiffany published her first book, “A Queen in the Making: An A-Z Girls Guide to Creating a Life You Love.”

Tiffany has a heart to help the hopeless, unseen, and unheard.

BOARD MEMBER

Armed with a profound understanding of technology and a keen eye for aesthetics, Tayler Wright is a technology Manager with a decade of experience in the tech industry. Known for her innovative approach to problem-solving and strategic thinking, Tayler has successfully led diverse teams in developing and implementing cutting-edge technology solutions. She specializes in Agile methodologies and has a proven track record in project management, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality software products. A passionate advocate for continuous learning and professional development, Tayler frequently mentors aspiring tech professionals and actively participates in industry conferences. In addition to her technical achievements, Tayler is an established model, actress, and talk show host.

REPRESENTATIVE IN GHANA & H.O.P.E. BEYOND BORDERS SECRETARY

As the H.O.P.E. for Tomorrow's Representative in Ghana and the Board Secretary of H.O.P.E. Beyond Borders, Bright “Kwesi” Mensah plays a crucial role in overseeing operations in the field, engaging with stakeholders, and contributing to program planning and implementation. His commitment to making a difference in the lives of vulnerable populations is evident through his work in implementing The Nutrition Initiative in Ghana and spearheading the launch of Mission: Spread Hope, Give Love - Ghana, both of which have had a positive impact on local communities.

Bright’s dedication to improving childhood education and his innovative approach to addressing community needs highlight his ability to drive meaningful change. Bright's tireless efforts in championing initiatives that promote hope and love in Ghana demonstrate his unwavering commitment to creating a brighter future for all.

BUSINESS ADVISOR

Mustafa Mhongera is a dedicated and experienced nonprofit professional with a passion for improving the lives of youth and women. With a strong background in program management, Mustafa has a proven track record of success in directing programs that make a tangible difference in the community. As the founder of Maisha Community Initiatives in Tanzania, he has shown a commitment to empowering youth and women through various support services. Additionally, his experience as a Regional Coordinator for the Amani Center for Street Children in Arusha, Tanzania, and as a Program Manager for Blossoms Children Community has further solidified his expertise in the nonprofit sector.

With a postgraduate degree from the University College of London, a BA in Linguistics, a BS in Sociology, and a Diploma of Education, Mustafa brings a wealth of knowledge and skills to his work. His academic background, coupled with his hands-on experience in the field, has equipped him with the tools necessary to effectively lead and manage nonprofit programs. Mustafa's unwavering dedication to serving vulnerable populations and his ability to implement innovative solutions make him a valuable asset.