ABOUT US
The Ladies of Hope Ministries is working to end the crisis of poverty and incarceration of women and girls. We offer safe housing, reentry support, and advocacy programs that are grounded in the lived experiences, insights, and ideas of people with direct, lived experience with the criminal justice system. The LOHM was founded, and is led, operated by, and serves primarily women of color who understand the value and importance of new approaches to addressing behaviors that may arise as responses to trauma and violence.
The women we meet every day have a variety of service needs that range from basic survival such as safe shelter and food, employment and long-term sustainability in the community, and spiritual and existential needs.
Our Vision is EPIC – Ending Poverty and Incarceration of Women and Girls – and we address this crisis through our interrelated core mission program areas:
Sustainability
Hope House
Angel Food Delivery Service
Pathways 4 Equity
Advocacy & Engagement
EPIC Ambassadors/PPAP
Faces of Women Imprisoned
The Staff and Board of Directors
LOHM understands the value of proximate leadership. Our core team includes formerly incarcerated leaders and others with first-hand lived experience in the fields in which we work.
We pair this lived experience with technical and professional expertise, allowing us to address structural inequities that prevent the advancement of solutions developed by people closest to the communities being served.
Our staff's strong networks in their respective fields have allowed the LOHM to have an outsized impact with a small team.
We are entrepreneurs. At our core, we believe that reducing barriers and creating opportunities are often the most direct path towards true self-sufficiency and independence.
We are unstoppable. The barriers that our participants face can seem insurmountably high, but our staff model success and demonstrate what is possible when we pair access to opportunity with commitment and perseverance
THE LOHM STAFF
Starling Thomas
Digital Communications Manager
Starling Thomas has been impacted by the criminal legal system by witnessing her mother brutally beat at the hands of police as a child and then being wrongfully incarcerated as an adult. She appealed her case while incarcerated and is part of the 2% of the American prison population that wins their federal case on appeal.....
Tonja Honsey
EPIC Program Manager
Tonja Honsey is a revolutionary mother, an incarceration survivor, and a community healer. She has worked as a grassroots organizer since 2003. She uses her lived experience to advocate for the change that is needed to restore our communities from the trauma of mass incarceration....
Sheronda Patton Angel Food Project Program Manager
Sheronda Patton is a Kansas native who advocates for social change. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Kansas. While there, Sheronda worked as a counselor specializing in suicide pervention. She has been a coordinator for community development programs focused on wellbeing for over four years. Sheronda helped run a program across the five boroughs that teaches social and emotional learning through sports, predominantly to girls of color. She also led a NYC Services Youth Leadership Council and assisted high school girls with their Human Trafficking Awareness project. Many of the youth Sheronda worked with were impacted by the system and it was evident that their ability to focus was hindered because of it.
Incarceration has plagued Sheronda’s community and family, but it motivates her to fight the good fight. She is passionate about the work at The Ladies of Hope Ministries because it is purposeful. Sheronda oversees all Angel Food Project (AFP) programming including planning, strategizing, development and distribution of free groceries from program partners to the people AFP serves. Sheronda is passionate about having a positive influence in all endeavors. She is inspired everyday by the women she works with and the mission of AFP.
Staff FACTS:
What is your life motto?
Never conform.
What brings you joy?
Seeing people smile and laugh. It fulfills me.
Patricia Lewis Director, Faces of Women Imprisoned & Program Associate, PPAP
At the age of sixteen, Trish and her God-sister enlisted in the United States Army. A year later, they found themselves at bootcamp, taking orders and marching in formation like cattle. They had sacrificed their own freedom, to fight for the freedom of others. In 2004, Trish’s God-sister was deployed to Baghdad, Iraq and killed by a vehicle explosive device. In 2005, heartbroken and petrified, Trish was deployed to the exact same base camp. Living each day like it was her last (literally) changed her perspective on life and the world around her. She spent her 21st birthday in Iraq dodging bombs and bullets, contemplating her desire to help others and better herself.
When Trish returned home, she struggled to adjust to unstructured, civilian life - similar to those reintegrating after incarceration. She joined the police force, but realized that the systemic problems ran deeper than her job ensuring community safety on the streets. When Trish took people to jail, she saw that they were shoved, forced to shuffle in formation and take orders. It was reminiscent of her time in the service. She began to grasp the similarities between the military industrial complex and the prison industrial complex. She quit the force and dove into the world of politics. Trish worked as the Campaign Manager for Robert Kelly for the City of South Fulton, GA. She discovered that she could utilize her writing skills to make more significant change within the system. Trish went on to receive her B.A. in Business Mgt. from Fordham University, and a double MBA in Business Administration and International Business with a Certification in Global Leadership from Georgia State University and Sorbonne Business School - IAE de Paris, France.
Today, Trish writes business plans for minority and small businesses, creates proposals for city councilmen, and designs programs for reform within the justice system. Trish strives to enhance the lives of those who, like her, have been impacted by the justice system. She believes that the LOHM is the first of its kind to address the needs of returning citizens on a multifaceted level. Her work at the organization revolves around reducing recidivism and bolstering community healing.
Staff FACTS:
What tools do you use for healing?
Love, Prayer, music, meditation, vacations
What is your life motto?
Anger is acidic. Joy is alkaline. Stress drains, faith energizes
Karen Dickson-Morrison National Advocate
In 2014, Karen discovered her passion for justice upon learning her dear friend was serving life in prison for a first-time, nonviolent drug offense. She advocated for his release and in 2016, President Obama granted him clemency. To this day, a myriad of men and women have been released due to Karen’s dedication and service. Karen is a staunch advocate for people serving lengthy sentences in federal and state prisons.
Karen works as a Data Analyst for the Parole and Probation Accountability Project. She researches how to retroactively reinstate parole in Virginia and Fishback legislation, and assists with Compassionate Release through the First Step Act for people on the federal level.
Karen is a notable research specialist and writer. She wrote articles for the online publication, Gotham City Esq., that captured media attention and inspired people to get involved in reform efforts.
Her articles include:
- Juveniles in Prison for Life? The Supreme Court Ruling and Second Chances.
- Missouri Sets Date to Execute Marcellus Williams; DNA Evidence Casts Doubt on His Guilt.
- Cyntoia Brown and Juvenile Justice; Child Sex Victim Serving Life for Murder.
- Something’s Gotta Give: Thousands of Women Serve Decades in Prison, which featured the story of Ms. Alice Johnson fight for freedom.
She is currently pursuing her dreams of becoming a lawyer and plans to apply for law school in 2020. Karen wants to help more women reunite with their families and children.
Staff FACTS
What is your life motto?
Education is the key that unlocks the door to life
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live and why?
I would love to live in Bali. I fell in love with Bali after watching Eat, Pray, Love.
Kate Emmons Research and Communications Manager
Kate has a passion for gender empowerment and equity that has taken her across the globe. In South Africa, she conducted research on gender based violence and the gaps between government policies and community needs. In Thailand, she published findings on the impact globalization and neoliberalism have had on the country’s sex industry. While there, she worked for an organization that supports stateless individuals and aspires to eradicate the trafficking of girls. With the help of a translator, Kate wrote stories about youth in their anti-trafficking shelter along with hill tribe women. She also co-authored reports regarding the organization’s programming for their partner, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Before coming to The Ladies of Hope Ministries, Kate interned with the California based prison reform organization, #cut50. Kate researched and produced a report on their “Dignity for Incarcerated Women” campaign. While in college at the University of Redlands, Kate participated in a partnership program with the San Bernardino Juvenile Hall. Through the program she tutored incarcerated, teenage males on a weekly basis for two years. This last year, Kate advocated tirelessly for the release of her friend from prison in Japan. These experiences solidified her commitment to criminal justice reform. Kate is overjoyed to join the intelligent and kind-hearted staff at The Ladies of Hope Ministries.
Staff FACTS
What tools do you use for healing?
Writing music, singing, working out and spending time with friends.
What podcast, tv show or book should everyone seek out?
Pod Save the People, Code Switch, and The Daily are all very informative. The Moth is a fun podcast to turn on when you’re in the mood for stories.
Lil-T. Nickelson Finance Coordinator
Lil Nickelson is the Finance Coordinator for The Ladies of Hope Ministries. Lil is a seasoned accountant and finance professional that has worked for international corporations, boutique consulting firms, nonprofit organizations and small businesses.
Amongst other things, Lil has a passion for finance and food. Given her diverse interests, she has spoken publicly at an array of events. In 2016, she presented a workshop for Just Food’s 2016 Annual Conference titled “Healthy Living in Our Golden Years.” In 2018, Lil contributed to the Wellness Dialogue presentation at Columbia University’s Faculty House. For eight years, she spoke at the Reuters America new sales hire orientations regarding monthly sales commission payments.
Lil is excited to be making the world a better place as a member of The LOHM. She has been personally impacted by incarcerated through her loved ones and friends who have served time. Lil continues to love, support and encourage them.
Staff FACTS:
What should people know about you?
I love to write. I also love to cook spectacular meals and share them with people I know as well as total strangers.
What tools do you use for healing?
I use my faith in God. I read the bible and try to apply God’s principles in my daily walk. By human nature I’m an eye for an eye type of person, but by reading and meditating on God’s word, the holy spirit is helping me to become more like Jesus.
Richard Yao Chief Financial Officer
Richard Yao is a business management consulting professional with twenty years of experience working in and with corporations, not-for-profits and government agencies. He recently held the position of Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer at an $80M housing and human services agency in Bronx, NY. Richard’s prior experience includes the position of increasing leadership at MasterCard International and American Express, as well as economic and community development leadership roles in the local governments of New Haven and Bridgeport, CT. Since 2001, Richard has focused his work on social causes within mission driven not-for-profits. Some of the agencies he has worked with include: National Association on Drug Abuse Problems, African American Planning Commission, Fitzgerald House, Urban Health Plan, NYC Economic Development Corporation, Flushing BID, CAIPA, Centerlight Health System, ParCare Health Network, Mimsi International, 100 Hispanic Women, Tide Foundation, American Lung Association, and International Treatment Preparedness Coalition.
Richard serves as the Development Consultant for The Ladies of Hope Ministries. For Richard, there is satisfaction in seeing real lives changed. This was one of the main reasons why he was compelled to help further the reach of The LOHM.
Staff FACTS:
What podcast should everyone check out?
Anything on Radiolab
What brings you joy?
Being around people that I love, care about, respect or find fascinating.
Dr. Valrie Fowler Chief Operation Officer
Dr. Fowlerserved as the Chief Operating Officer at the Brooklyn Community Bail Fund, a nonprofitcharitable bail fund and, prior to the Bail Fund, wasthe Chief of Staff for JustLeadershipUSA, where sheled the development of infrastructure and supported the unprecedented growth of the organization. Dr. Fowler has worked in the field of criminal justice reform and substance use for over two decades, with a demonstrated history in nonprofit operations, management, clinical supervision, and project coordination. She has served in the capacity of clinical director for both residential and outpatient programs, including Alternative to Incarceration (ATI) and Community Release Corrections programs. Her work focuses on substance use and providing trauma-informed care to individuals impacted by incarceration.
Dr. Fowler earned her PhD in Social Welfare from The City University of New York Graduate Center and her Masters in Developmental Psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University. She has served as an Adjunct Faculty member at both Touro College School of Social Work and The Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College.
Dr. Valrie Fowler Chief Operation Officer
Dr. Fowlerserved as the Chief Operating Officer at the Brooklyn Community Bail Fund, a nonprofitcharitable bail fund and, prior to the Bail Fund, wasthe Chief of Staff for JustLeadershipUSA, where sheled the development of infrastructure and supported the unprecedented growth of the organization. Dr. Fowler has worked in the field of criminal justice reform and substance use for over two decades, with a demonstrated history in nonprofit operations, management, clinical supervision, and project coordination. She has served in the capacity of clinical director for both residential and outpatient programs, including Alternative to Incarceration (ATI) and Community Release Corrections programs. Her work focuses on substance use and providing trauma-informed care to individuals impacted by incarceration.
Dr. Fowler earned her PhD in Social Welfare from The City University of New York Graduate Center and her Masters in Developmental Psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University. She has served as an Adjunct Faculty member at both Touro College School of Social Work and The Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College.
Faith Leach Chief of Staff, JPMorgan Chase & Co. Foundation
Faith Leach is the Chief of Staff at the JPMorgan Chase & Co. Foundation, a global leader dedicated to driving inclusive economic growth in communities worldwide. The JPMorgan Chase & Co. Foundation made a commitment in January 2018 to invest $1.75B over the next five years to strengthen workforce systems, revitalize neighborhoods, grow small businesses, and improve the financial health of individuals. Faith also supports the JPMorgan Policy Center in advocating for federal and state policy changes to remove barriers to employment for individuals with criminal backgrounds.
Faith has spent the past decade working to address key drivers of economic inequality experienced by vulnerable populations in cities across the country. Prior to joining JPMorgan Chase & Co., Faith served as the Chief of Staff to the Deputy Mayor for Greater Economic Opportunity under DC Mayor Muriel Bowser, where she provided strategic oversight and direction to a cluster of government agencies focused on connecting residents in overlooked and underserved neighborhoods with jobs and skills training, growing local entrepreneurs and promoting equitable, community centered economic development in rapidly gentrifying neighborhoods. While in the Mayor’s office, Faith led efforts to combat an uptick in community violence, and was instrumental in developing the ASPIRE to Entrepreneurship Program - the city’s effort to promote and support returning citizen entrepreneurship.
Experiencing first-hand the destabilizing impact of growing up with two incarcerated parents, Faith leverages her experience to advocate for formerly incarcerated women and children with incarcerated parents. She serves on the Board of the Ladies of Hope Ministries (NY) and is an Emerging Philanthropist with the Women’s Prison Association (NY). Faith is also an Ambassador with the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Luis Ramos Accountant
Throughout his professional career he's paid close attention to data and created personalized plans to optimize the workflow of financial departments. He realized how often data is overlooked when it comes to financial management and is focused on using his expertise to find the data you need to make your company an industry leader.
How do you unwind?
I play chess, usually online, to offset any stress
What is your life motto?
"Don't worry, be happy"
Christopher Michael Personal Assistant to the Executive Director
Christopher provides hands on support to the Executive Director to ensure her life runs seamlessly. This includes running personal errands, managing social media, and providing styling and makeup services.
Christopher Michael is no stranger to creating fabulous head-to-toe looks for the world to see. Invoking the fierce within, whether it’s an alluring smoky eye, contoured cheekbones or a show-stopping ensemble, Christopher will help anyone achieve an award winning look. He tailors his client metamorphosis to their personal needs. Christopher has worked with other A-List celebrities such as: Kimora Lee Simmons, Beyonce, Tyra Banks, Naomi Campbell, Alicia Silverstone, Bernadette Peters, Tiffany Thiessan, Jane Lauder, Kevin Spacey, Russell Simmons, Dr. Oz, Djimon Honsou and the late Heath Ledger. He has also worked with noted fashion publications such as: Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, In Style, Hamptons, LA Confidential, Glamour, People, Italian Vogue, Elle, W Magazine, and Vanity Fair.
When it comes to image transformation, Christopher Michael lives by the phrase, “When you look better, you feel better and when you feel better, you do better!" Inspired by the mission of The LOHM, and the belief that your past doesn’t dictate your future, Christopher is eager to support women in not only fulfilling their purpose but looking their best while doing so.
What is your life motto?
My Motto is “Treat Others like I want to be treated”
What rules do you live by when choosing an outfit?
1. When in doubt or in a rush, wear all one color.
2. A tailor can and should be your best friend.
3. It’s easier to “stay ready, than get ready.”
Whitney Miller Agency Administrative Assistant
Whitney was born into a family that valued standing up against injustice no matter how impossible the odds may seem. Her grandfather Arnold Miller grew up in an impoverished coal company town in West Virginia and began working in the coal mines at an early age, eventually dropping out of school in 8th grade because his family needed the money and he couldn’t go to school in the rags that were his only clothes. He went on to become a tireless champion for labor rights and fought against the coal companies for many years before becoming president of the United Mine Workers of America and getting legislation passed that would give American laborers democratic rights, better safety standards, and compensation for black lung victims. Whitney grew up inspired by his legacy and by The Autobiography of Malcolm X, which motivated her to join the fight for social justice. After graduating from college with a degree in English, Whitney used her background in journalism and museum education to join AmeriCorps and create programs for under-served families in inner-city Providence, RI - first at The Providence Children’s Museum, and later at The Roger Williams Park Zoo. She later served a term in VISTA teaching at an ESOL charter school in Central Falls, RI. Working with these populations in urban Rhode Island, Whitney learned about the crushing impact incarceration had on the families she served. Whitney now lives in South Carolina with her husband and two young sons and is ecstatic to join the warm and wonderful team at The Ladies of Hope Ministries and to assist in the very important work they do.
What podcast, tv show, or book should everyone check out?
Better Call Saul is one of the best shows I’ve ever seen – it’s rich with humor and explorations of humanity and what the law means to us. It’s a prequel to Breaking Bad but I didn’t watch it and you don’t need to have seen that show to enjoy Better Call Saul.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live and why?
I would say Israel, specifically Jerusalem. I lived there in 2005 as an exchange student in a grad program and it is an intoxicating place, so complex in every way – socially, politically, religiously, culturally. I feel like I could study the country of Israel forever and never be done learning about it.
Tahira West
Tahira West is joyfully audacious, unapologetically herself, intellectually curious, a genuine lover of all people, and an intuitive visionary focused on tackling uncomfortable social issues. Tahira was educated in Trinidad and Tobago, and immigrated with her mother when she was 12 years old. She pursued degrees in education and now focuses on curriculum and team building as well as grant writing with her own company, T.West Consulting LLC. When Tahira isn’t working you can find her reading voraciously with her daughter, and getting lost in the concrete jungle of NYC or the woods in Bergen County.
Tahira’s first teaching opportunity was with formerly incarcerated youth who chose to earn their GED. Their willingness to learn was expected but their tenacity and fortitude was inspiring because educators in their past failed them repeatedly, incarceration wasn’t helpful to their academic growth and their home life sometimes wasn’t conducive to personal growth. Of her 45 enrolled students, 43 passed the GED on their first attempt, and it was just a continued testament of their will.
What podcast, tv show or book should everyone check out?
1. American Crime is a show that has every aspect of human emotions you can think of. It’s a show told from the perspective of marginalized people juxtaposed to someone who has far more privilege than they do. It’s a show that makes me think, it sits with your soul long after it’s over and it brings the experience of someone who may not be on your refer to the forefront of your thoughts.
How do you unwind?
2. Yoga and taking very long walks is my grounding tool. I am always looking for a strong work/life balance and I prioritize making time to get on my yoga mat and take a minimum of a 60 minute walk daily. Both of these activities lower my heart rate, clear my mind and add value to hectic days.
Karen Dickson-Morrison EPIC Program Director
In 2014, Karen discovered her passion for justice upon learning her dear friend was serving life in prison for a first-time, nonviolent drug offense. She advocated for his release and in 2016, President Obama granted him clemency. To this day, a myriad of men and women have been released due to Karen’s dedication and service. Karen is a staunch advocate for people serving lengthy sentences in federal and state prisons.
Karen works as a Data Analyst for the Parole and Probation Accountability Project. She researches how to retroactively reinstate parole in Virginia and Fishback legislation, and assists with Compassionate Release through the First Step Act for people on the federal level.
Karen is a notable research specialist and writer. She wrote articles for the online publication, Gotham City Esq., that captured media attention and inspired people to get involved in reform efforts.
Her articles include:
- Juveniles in Prison for Life? The Supreme Court Ruling and Second Chances.
- Missouri Sets Date to Execute Marcellus Williams; DNA Evidence Casts Doubt on His Guilt.
- Cyntoia Brown and Juvenile Justice; Child Sex Victim Serving Life for Murder.
- Something’s Gotta Give: Thousands of Women Serve Decades in Prison, which featured the story of Ms. Alice Johnson fight for freedom.
She is currently pursuing her dreams of becoming a lawyer and plans to apply for law school in 2020. Karen wants to help more women reunite with their families and children.
Staff FACTS
What is your life motto?
Education is the key that unlocks the door to life
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live and why?
I would love to live in Bali. I fell in love with Bali after watching Eat, Pray, Love.
Naquasia Pollard Hope House NY Program Coordinator
Naquasia Pollard is an advocate, activist and direct service provider. She has been deeply involved in movements for social justice drawing upon her own experience – 15 years of incarceration in a Women’s Correctional Facility at the age of 19 and being pregnant on Rikers Island (Rosie M. Singer). Upon her release in October 2017 she went to work at the Ladies of Hope Ministries where she utilized her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology and Minor in Psychology, earned in prison, to support women impacted by incarceration. Her personal and professional goals are connected to her own experiences with systems that were supposed to support her but instead have failed her. As a result, Naquasia is deeply committed to supporting women and girls impacted by systemic failures.
While working at the Ladies of Hope Ministries, Naquasia became more involved in advocacy and direct services for women and young girls using a trauma-centered approach to support them in their journey towards healing and restoration. Recently, Naquasia founded Pure Legacee Inc, an organization that seeks to provide a residential space for young adults who have been directly impacted by the criminal justice system, and girls that are aging out of foster care and are experiencing chronic homelessness. In addition, Naquasia is a part of the Beyond Rosies campaign and Herstories documentary. Naquasia was a part of the Probation and Parole Reform Project with Columbia University, and worked with the Faces of Women Imprisoned Speakers Bureau to lift the voices of formerly incarcerated people as agents of change.
Naquasia has been interviewed by the New York Times for her efforts to end mass incarceration and her involvement with criminal justice reform and has been featured on Metro Focus for her advocacy to close Rosie M Singer on Rikers Island. She is an alumnus of Women Influencing Systems and History through Community College Fellowship to train women to be organizers and advocate against mass incarceration.
Naquasia is currently the Hope House NYC Coordinator. She oversees the intake process and programming. Naquasia strives to create a community in the home and provide the house guests with the tools they need to heal and excel independently.
Who is your favorite artist to listen to?
Cardi B.
What should people know about you?
People should know that I’m a work in progress.
Ebony Young Chief Operating Officer
Ebony Young is the Chief Operations Officer of the Ladies of Hope Ministries. She is charged with organizing, facilitating, and operating programming to the highest efficiency levels within the organization. She does this with the leading of mission first, so that every woman in all of our programs comes out on top, feels valued, and prepared to conquer any challenge that comes their way. She has spent over 18 years in the nonprofit space as an Executive leader and two years in the for-profit space working as a Corporate Social Responsibility VP.
Ebony received her Bachelor of Science in Communications-Rad/TV/Film, from Indiana State University and is also a graduate of Indiana Tech where she received her Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership.
After graduation Ebony launched her career in Indianapolis specializing in sales as an Account Executive for Emmis Communications. She then found her passion in working with communities at the YMCA. Ebony served as a YMCA leader with various roles including programming and Executive leadership serving Y-USA, Indiana and New York City Y’s for a combined total of Eighteen years. It was in this capacity that she designed several innovative community models that would lead her to her current role. Giving back to community with confidence, passion, and innovation has led her to be a true communal builder, connector and educator.
Ebony is also a motivational speaker and certified life coach. “I will forever stay true to the compassion, empathy, and listening skills it takes to change the world” Ebony resides in New York City with her husband and three children.
Amber Knee Director of Sustainability
Amber Knee is an urban planner and the Director of Sustainability with the Ladies of Hope Ministries (LOHM). Prior to LOHM, she served as a Senior Project Manager at the New York City Department of Transportation, where she managed her unit's federal funding applications and large-scale planning projects that advanced active transportation and improved neighborhood connectivity.
Amber previously served as the Philadelphia LandCare program manager at the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS), which oversees the largest vacant land management program in the United States. In this role, she cultivated partnerships with for-profit, non-profit, and city stakeholders to advance social mobility opportunities and increase public health and safety in neighborhoods around Philadelphia. She also led strategic planning processes and the advancement of new program initiatives, including developing a re-entry training program that connects formerly incarcerated individuals with jobs in the green industry.
Ms. Knee holds an M.C.P. from the University of Pennsylvania and an M.S. in Landscape Design from Columbia University. Her graduate work focused primarily on vacant land reuse and increasing public health in urban areas through planning and design interventions.
Tamara Rochell Forrest MBA, SHRM-SCP
Tamara Forrest was born and raised in Baltimore, an environment where incarceration could be considered a right of passage. Family and friends built an ecosystem where raising bail money, paying for a lawyer, being present for trial, sending letters, money orders, and packages was normal. As the youngest of three, and the only girl, Tamara gave the federal corrections system 20 years of her life, but from the outside. Knowing that it could have been her behind bars drives her in this work.
Tamara joins the The LOHM team as the HR Project Manager. She leverages past experience and understanding of business needs related to efficient HR processes, procedures and systems to innovatively propose and implement best practices.
The passion and energy exuded by The LOHM leadership team hooked Tamara from day one. After learning about the mission, Tamara realized that she too is an impacted woman. Tamara’s experience at The LOHM is the beginning of her journey in forming a solid foundation from which she can stand, learn, grow and give back.
What song/artist are you listening to most?
Jill Scott is my absolute favorite
What rules do you live by when choosing an outfit?
Cute and comfy with a dash of NYC flavor. When in doubt, wear black.
Katharine Nephew
Katharine Nephew, LCSW is a criminal justice reform advocate, producer and clinician who has worked in crisis settings for over two decades in NYC. Her clinical and management experience includes foster care, criminal justice, prisons, and trauma units of hospitals. In her work with “ Justory, LLC” which she founded in 2019, she presents holistic backgrounds to the federal courts while serving as a mitigation specialist for the defense and creates original events like " The Mockingbird Project". She consults with non-profits to produce and develop creative projects that aim to create awareness and action towards societal change. Her partners include but are not limited to The unPrison Project, Liberated People, The Innocence Project and Ladies of Hope Ministries. Recently, Katharine worked as a producer on the documentary, Who We Are: A Chronicle of Racism in America. Katharine is honored to work with Topeka K. Sam and The LOHM as a Clinical Manager to support both the clients and staff as they grow to support women in all facets of life.
What inspires you?
I’ve been particularly inspired by directly impacted youth activists like Vidal Guzman who have used Instagram to get people in the streets to fight for change and most recently end qualified immunity through @endqiny.
What should people know about you?
I love documentaries and vintage clothing.
Keyara Menefee Angel Food Coordinator
Keyara Menefee is the AFP Coordinator working with The Ladies of Hope Ministries to uplift the lives of formerly incarcerated women ellipsis and fight food insecurity for system impacted New Yorkers. Keyara interned with Justice Andrea Masley of the New York Supreme Court. Keyara is a budding artist and activist from Brooklyn.
M ICHELLE M .M ARCELLUS
Third Point LLC, New York, NY Director
Michelle Marcellus is Counsel at Third Point LLC. Michelle began her legal career at Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP in the M&A/Private Equity group. Prior to law school, she was an associate at Ivy Asset Management LLC (a hedge fund of funds and subsidiary of The Bank of New York Mellon).
Michelle graduated summa cum laude with a B.S. in finance from Adelphi University in 2007 and received a J.D. from Hofstra University in 2012.
M ICHELLE M .M ARCELLUS
Third Point LLC, New York, NY Director
Michelle Marcellus is Counsel at Third Point LLC. Michelle began her legal career at Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP in the M&A/Private Equity group. Prior to law school, she was an associate at Ivy Asset Management LLC (a hedge fund of funds and subsidiary of The Bank of New York Mellon).
Michelle graduated summa cum laude with a B.S. in finance from Adelphi University in 2007 and received a J.D. from Hofstra University in 2012.
Arlene Benavidez Program Manager - Pathways for Equity
Arlene has a Master of Arts degree in Higher Education from the University of Arizona, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management with a minor in Spanish from Arizona State University.
Arlene’s educational journey was not easy, and it took her over 20 years to obtain both degrees. Arlene is a high school drop-out who learned the value of education the hard way. She is the first in her family to go to college and she has led the way for many to achieve that dream.
Arlene comes from a highly impoverished community, Guadalupe, Arizona, where she was raised by her grandparents who only had an elementary school education and worked as farm workers and laborers their entire life. Many members of her family in Arizona and California continue to live in poverty and struggle with all the barriers that poverty brings with it.
After receiving her G.E.D. and learning how to type, Arlene’s life changed dramatically at 18 years of age, when she was hired as a receptionist by Mountain Bell, the telecommunications company, in Phoenix, Arizona. Being in a professional work environment opened her eyes to the need for a formal education and she was inspired by the professionals with whom she worked. After spending 11 years with Mountain Bell, Arlene ended her career as an Assistant Manager, to become a full-time college student at Arizona State University (ASU) at the age of 31. During her senior year at ASU, Arlene decided to pursue a new career in higher education to help others understand the intrinsic, personal value of a higher education, and how education is one pathway out of poverty.
During Arlene’s 25-year tenure in higher education, and over 35 years of professional experience, she has gained the reputation of being a consummate professional and a mission-driven, service-oriented leader. She sees herself as a catalyst for systemic change and she looks for opportunities that will lead to greater impact and improve the lives of ALL people from ALL backgrounds.
Arlene’s position as the Pathways 4 Equity Program Manager is to carry out all aspects of the 12-month career fellowship program that is focused on creating connections to growth-focused career pathways for women who have been impacted by the criminal legal system.
How has incarceration impacted you?
I have family members who have been impacted and I have witnessed the consequences. The barriers they face after returning home make it difficult to change and rebuild their lives. Throughout my 35 years of work experience, my greatest accomplishments are connected to the college, career, and community programs I created that had an impact on youth and families from low-income communities. I am also proud to be the first in my family to go to college and receive a bachelors and master's degree during my adult years while juggling the demands of being a parent and full-time professional. These two degrees have opened many doors and given me the opportunity to obtain meaningful positions in large corporations, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations.
Why The LOHM?
The LOHM is providing essential services and support for women who have been impacted by incarceration. I respect the commitment it takes, and I am honored to be a part of this life-changing work. I am an advocate for women of all ages and backgrounds. I have mentored and supported women personally and professionally throughout the years because it is my way of paying it forward. I was blessed by other women taking me under their wing when I was young and searching for a direction.
What drives you in this work?
I am passionate about helping people change their life. I walk alongside people and provide support through mentoring and resources. I enjoy watching a person “unfold” through the development process and I love to celebrate with them when they reach their finish line!
Tania Wesley Community Engagement & FOWI Logistics Manager
Tania Wesley is the Community Engagement & FOWI Logistics Manager here at the Ladies of Hope Ministries (LOHM). Tania Wesley is the Community Engagement & FOWI Logistics Manager here at the Ladies of Hope Ministries (LOHM). In this role she will be doing community outreach in support of program managers as needed, in addition working directly with the FOWI manager, maintaining organization for the program. Before joining the LOHM Tania worked for an AI Tech company in NYC where she was the Executive Assistant to the CEO and the Office Coordinator.
In previous roles, Tania worked in Corporate Catering, Strategic Marketing, Public Relations, Artist Management and Non-Profit. She loves people and customer service. In all these roles what stood out the most to her was the joy her work brought to people. In 2008, Tania helped a friend of hers start an organization called SOMWA (Survivors of Mothers with Aids). The SOMWA Foundation is based on supporting children whose mother either passed away from HIV/AIDS or is currently living with the virus. With no bona fide experience, Tania managed to raise funds to support kids during Thanksgiving and Christmas for 3 years, in addition to partnering with GMHC to support their efforts as well, which leads to why she joined the LOHM.
Tania has directly been impacted by a family member who is currently incarcerated. In addition, she has known Topeka for a longtime, stood by and watched her change not only her life but the lives of many people. Joining the LOHM is an opportunity for Tania to see firsthand what happens when you are directly impacted by incarceration. Tania says, "My mission while here at the LOHM is to learn as much as I can and do all I can do to help in the MISSION of change for every human impacted by incarceration.”
Staff Facts:
What tools do you use for healing?
Sleep, workout, make body scrubs, cook and travel.
What podcast, tv show or book should everyone seek out?
The books I love to read are, A Course in Miracles -Combined Volume, by Miguel Ruiz, All About Love by Bell Hooks and Artificial Intelligence by Jerry Kaplan.
Rachel Hanover Hope House Program Manager
Rachel Hanover is the Hope House Program Manager with The LOHM. As the Hope House Program Manager, Rachel works on developing best practices for the Hope House and identifying community partners to assist the women we serve. She attended Buena Vista University where she obtained her B.A. in Psychology and M.A. in Organizational Leadership. Recently, Rachel obtained her certification as a Certified Nonprofit Consultant (CNC) through the National Association of Nonprofit Organizations & Executives.
Rachel has an extensive background in leadership, program development, and trauma-informed care. Rachel has provided services for several nonprofits in Iowa, Nebraska, and Texas. She has affiliations with Iowa Council of Homelessness, Human Trafficking Response Team, Human Services Advisory Council, and MACCH.
Starling Thomas Digital Communications Manager
Starling Thomas has been impacted by the criminal legal system by witnessing her mother brutally beat at the hands of police as a child and then being wrongfully incarcerated as an adult. She appealed her case while incarcerated and is part of the 2% of the American prison population that wins their federal case on appeal. She is a graduate of the inaugural Faces of Women Imprisoned Cohort and understand firsthand the detrimental effects the criminal legal system can have on women and their families. She turned her pain into purpose and uses her platform to shine light on the ills of the American justice system by creating content that highlights not only the effects of mass incarceration but also formerly incarcerated women overcoming barriers of poverty and prison.
Starling has a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations from Florida A&M University and is currently pursuing her Master of Fine Arts in screenwriting from Regent University. She brings to The LOHM a broad range of experience as a Public Relations Specialist, Creative Director, Video Production Manager and has been featured as a freelance writer in a plethora of publications including, Sheen Magazine, Rolling Out, Divine Voice and Page Magazine. She is also an award-winning screenwriter on an Emmy nominated show called #Washed and her short film Harvest has been screened at several film festivals across the country.
Starling’s vision aligns with The LOHM in ending poverty and incarceration for women and girls and is grateful that her work is now purpose driven with a mission that will help other impacted women bring their stories to the light in hopes of ending the prison for profit society that causes generational detriment to people of color in this country.
Kiffa Brathwaite Angel Food Project Program Manager
Kiffa Brathwaite, is the Program Manager for the Angel Food Project. She brings over 10 years of experience in the non-profit sector, of which three years were spent fighting food insecurity in New York City. Her passion for service stems from her attendance at Saint John’s University, where Kiffa was immersed in a service-learning experience that extended beyond graduation. Kiffa spent two years in New Orleans, Louisiana volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, restoring the city after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. As an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, she has been working diligently to increase the morale of minority women and girls through various service projects. Kiffa is excited for the opportunity to continue her commitment to community development with the Ladies of Hope Ministries.
Kenya Welch Cheif Advancement Officer
Kenya Welch joins the LOHM as the Chief Advancement Officer with 20 years of experience in the fundraising and social justice spaces. Ms. Welch has committed her career to advocating for and uplifting Black communities in the areas of housing, education, healthcare, and employment. Always the bold advocate, Kenya served as the Black Student Union President and was an Ambassador for the African Students' Alliance at Clemson University. While earning dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in History and Political Science, and a dual minor in Economics and Spanish, Kenya experienced discrimination and homelessness firsthand from a fellow student. As a result of this experience, she was nominated by the University President to work with former US Senators, Strom Thurmond and Ted Kennedy, on the US Senate Labor and Human Relations Board, advocating for a Bill banning discrimination and hate speech on the campuses of federally funded colleges and universities. For her senior project, she agreed to spend 30 days living in a local women's shelter to document the experiences of women and families impacted by homelessness. Still shaken by her senior year, Kenya attended law school at Cleveland State University, before accepting an internship opportunity that shifted her career path. At the Black Women's Health Coalition in Washington DC, she recognized the depth and reach of disparity for Black women in healthcare, housing, and education, and decided to pursue a Master of Public Administration degree- which she could quickly complete- and get to work helping her community. Since then, Kenya has helped to create and implement effective fundraising, as a consultant or team member, at a variety of organizations including, the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington, the Urban League, and Vera Institute of Justice. She has also dedicated countless hours to community initiatives to improve educational and housing opportunities for Black women and communities in Washington, DC, and New York. Kenya was recognized most recently with the 2020 Outstanding Leadership Award from the Washington Black Bar Association.
Tonja Honsey EPIC Program Manager
Tonja Honsey is a revolutionary mother, an incarceration survivor, and a community healer. She has worked as a grassroots organizer since 2003. She uses her lived experience to advocate for the change that is needed to restore our communities from the trauma of mass incarceration.
She was recently appointed to the MN Sentencing Guidelines by Gov. Time Walz. She is a 2019 Soros Justice Fellow, a 2019 Reimagining Communities Fellow with the National Council of Incarcerated & Formerly Incarcerated Women & Girls. She is the founder of We Rise Leadership Collective – formerly incarcerated women creating & shaping systems & policy with a transformative, restorative, and healing justice lens.
Most recently she has partnered with multiple organizations including the MN Prison Doula Project, American Indian Prison Project Working Group, Minnesota Freedom Fund. She has facilitated training and been a guest speaker on a national level. Her passion and love for the community and people have been her motivation to carry this as her life’s work.
Tonja was named one of the 2018 Community Equity Pipeline Fellows through The Wilder Foundation, a policy & advocacy-focused fellowship for people of color. The heart of Tonja’s work is to fight for women & their children who are experiencing or have experienced incarceration. She does this in her role as the head of the MN Prison Doula Project Leadership Circle. She also is a founding member of the Sprouting Birth Folks Collective, where she organized and secured funding for Minnesota’s first IBPOC & formerly incarcerated-focused doula training.
Belinda Fly Human resources Consultant
www.HRBoardMore.com – a for‐profit consulting business working with small businesses, nonprofits, charters schools and faith‐based organizations in the areas of human resources, board governance and operations. She collaborates with organizations, works as their outsourced human resource support, and facilitates board training, board retreats, and strategic planning sessions, collaborating with nonprofit founders, co‐founders, board members, and senior management.
Belinda is also the Co‐Founder of F&L Organizational Support Services (F.L.O.S.S.) – www.WeAreFLOSS.org – a nonprofit organization increasing capacity and organizational effectiveness through fiscal sponsorship, training, and development. F.L.O.S.S. partners with mission-driven charitable projects and organizations to further develop the mission while providing support to their infrastructure‐building process with a focus on the development of financial management systems and systematizing the operations of the project or organization.
Belinda has worked in the nonprofit management, human resources management, board development and operations management spaces for more than 20 years with the majority of that experience in the nonprofit industry. Her work spans across the social justice, criminal justice reform, faith‐based, and education spaces. She believes in working collaboratively while ensuring compliance to federal, state and local laws and is driven by the ability to create safe spaces for nonprofit leaders to be vulnerable enough to say what they do not know and trust Belinda’s commitment to confidentiality and desire to share proven best practices.
Fly is a graduate of the University of New Orleans with a degree in Business Management, with a concentration in Human Resources Management. She is a Certified Professional (CP) member of the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM).
Having lost a family member during their incarceration, Belinda is drawn to the mission of Ladies of Hope Ministries – ending poverty and incarceration for women and girls.