DR. GUESSIPPINA BONNER
Founder
Sarah's Hope Educational and Charitable Foundation
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Dr. Guessippina Bonner was elected as Council member for Ward No. 1 in May 2016. She was born and raised in Fairfield, Texas. After High School she attended Dillard University in New Orleans, Louisiana where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Biological Science. After teaching in both Los Angeles, California and Portland, Oregon she obtained her Masters of Science in Counseling and Psychology. After returning to Texas, she earned her Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Cultural Studies from the University of Houston-College, Park followed by her Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Massachusetts. She is currently admitted to practice law in Massachusetts, the Eastern District Federal Court in Texas and the Supreme Court of the United States.
Dr. Bonner has recently served as the President of the the local NAACP Chapter and is very active in the community. She is the Founder and Executive Director of the Sarah's Hope Educational and Charitable Foundation. She is service oriented and enjoys helping children achieve their goals through community activities. She remains the Council member for Ward No. 1 in the City of Lufkin, Texas and is a member of the City of Lufkin Finance Committee, City of Lufkin Insurance Committee, and the DETCOG Board of Directors.
NERISSA WILLIAMS SCOTT
Producer and Adjunct Faculty
Board President & Executive Director
Sarah's Hope Educational and Charitable Foundation
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Nerissa Williams-Scott, CEO of That Child Got Talent Entertainment, inc., Boston, MA, (www.tcgtentertainment.com) is a seasoned professional in the world of Performing and Media Arts, currently serving as the CEO/Owner of TCGT Entertainment in Boston, MA & Lufkin, TX. With over thirty years of rich experience, she has cultivated her expertise from the stage to the screen, ascending to roles such as Producer, Creative Producer, UPM, and Line Producer for both film and television.
A distinguished alumna of Hampton University, Mrs. Williams Scott holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Fine and Performing Arts. Furthering her education, she earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in Film Production with a focus on Producing from Emerson College.
In all her accomplishments, Mrs. Williams Scott attributes her success to her unwavering faith in God. Her career journey reflects her passion for storytelling and artistic expression. Over the past fifteen years, she has produced and served as Producer and/or Production Manager for a diverse array of projects, including Live Events, Theatre productions, Fashion films, Documentaries, Narrative Features & Shorts, and Music Videos. Her global travels have uniquely positioned her in the role of Creative Producer, contributing to the distinctiveness of her work.
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FRAN PHILLIPS-CALHOUN
Intergovernmental & Interagency Affairs Manager,
Fulton County Government
Board Vice President
Sarah's Hope Educational and Charitable Foundation​
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Fran Phillips-Calhoun is the Intergovernmental & Interagency Affairs Manager of Fulton County Government, a post she assumed in January 2016. She is responsible for guiding the development of the County's federal and state legislavtive agendas, intergovernmental engagement with federal, state and municipal partners, and building strategic interdepartmental collaborations to obtain federal and other external grant funding.
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Prior to joining Fulton County Government, Fran served as senior vice president of government relations manager at Jones Worley where her clients included Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, Birmingham-Jefferson County Transportation Authority, Arcadis, and H.J. Russell & Company. She was also chief of staff at Morehouse College, legislative staffer for the Atlanta City Council and management trainnee for the U.S. Department of Transportation.
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Fran's community service includes stints on the boards of the Atlanta Community Court's Restorative Justice Foundation, Villages at Carver Family YMCA and City of Atlanta Solid Waste Advisory Commission. She is currently board secretary for the American Voters League, Keep Atlanta Beautiful Commission and Sarah's Hope Charitable and Educational Foundation and a proud member of the 2016 Regional Leadership Institute of the Atlanta Regional Commission.
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A graduate of Howard University (Political Science) and Emory University (Theological Studies), Fran is currenlty pursuing a PH.D. in Political Science at Clark Atlanta University and holds the Certified Public Manager Credential from the University of Georgia.
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KEISHA WILLIAMS
Board Treasurer
Sarah's Hope Educational and Charitable Foundation
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Keisha Williams is a master stylist who has co-ownership in the beauty salon “Ideas Beauty Salon” since 2007. She is an experienced stylist that proctors a host of new stylists in the many different skills and techniques associated with growing a clientele base and how to exude professionalism in a work environment. Ms. Williams graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University with her bachelor’s degree in General Business in 2021. Through her salon, Ms. Williams offers her students the foundations of entrepreneurship, business management, hands-on services, communication, time management, and marketing. Ideas Beauty salon has a can do and compassionate work ethic that produces sound results to the satisfaction of the client! Ms. Williams' innate ability to foster growth in new stylists brings her joy in watching new stylists grow and become successful under her watchful eye. Ms. Williams is a committee member on Race for Hope since 2019 in the City of Lufkin. She is also an active member on the Board of Planning and Zoning in Lufkin, Texas, since 2020. Ms. Williams is the Treasurer on the Board of Directors for Sarah’s Hope Charitable and Educational Foundation, a Non-Profit Organization since 2021. Ms. Williams is passionate about health and wellness and has taken steps to be more involved in that area by becoming the founder of The GOGO Challenge, est. 2022. Ms. Williams aspires to work with the youth of Lufkin on better health and wellness, something they do not always receive in the school setting.
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STACEY E. HOPKINS
​Sarah's Hope Educational and Charitable Foundation
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Stacey E. Hopkins was raised in Portland, Oregon, and now resides in Vancouver, Washington, with her husband, Bishop Archie R. Hopkins Jr. Together, they have three adult children, a goddaughter, and eight grandchildren. Stacey’s upbringing by remarkable parents instilled in her a deep commitment to community service and servant leadership, a philosophy she continues to embody by bringing along others as she evolves and grows.
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Stacey retired after 29 years of dedicated service at a regional government agency. Her career began as a part-time office assistant and culminated as an Employee Development Program Manager, where she played a pivotal role in staff training and development. She oversaw department-wide project management training and holds a certificate of completion from Portland State University’s Project Management Program. Stacey contributed significantly to the agency’s equity efforts, helping to develop its Racial Equity Plan, the Waste Prevention & Environmental Services Department Racial Equity Plan, and several employee resource groups, including those for staff of color and the Black community. She also led numerous Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion trainings and workshops.
Today, Stacey co-pastors New Direction Community Church COGIC alongside her husband and supports the women's ministry for the Jurisdiction of Togo, West Africa, where Bishop Hopkins serves as the prelate. With 15 years of mission work in Ghana and four years in Togo, she remains committed to empowering individuals and communities. Stacey’s passion lies in helping others become the best versions of themselves, living a life of purpose, service, and faith.
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