Humanitarian and Service

*Please note: If it says "No Bio Entered" beside your image than you have not submitted a bio.

Please submit your bio to: Editor@ACHIMagazine.com by June 30th for your bio to be added. (It will not be accepted after this date)*

Ticket sales end on July 13th for nominees.

ACHI Community Leader Award

Monique Y. Santiago

I am a legal advocate for juveniles and adult inmates with harsh sentences and doing life in prison for non violent crimes or who have been wrongly convicted. I am the Founder of Evolution of Ethnic Beauties a non-profit organization who gives back to the community throughout the year by assisting with food, clothing, school supplies, and mentoring sessions to the youth. I am a mentor and an Motivational Speaker. I am also an author and my sophomore book will be releasing in two months. I take the saying I AM MY SISTER’S KEEPER to heart and will continue to build, inspire, uplift, encourage, and love my sisters and continue to raise the mentality of our youth for the betterment of their future. I AM MONIQUE YESENIA SANTIAGO!

Adrena Foy

Recreation Supervisor for the City of Norfolk for 26 years; BS Shaw University; mother of 2 daughters Geornae and Aisha, wife to “George” of 25 years. Founder and Director of The Norfolk Xpress AAU Girls Basketball League since 2002. Since the inaugural season in 2002, over 800 student-athletes have competed on Norfolk Xpress teams, in addition 200 athletes went on to college and over 100 athletes received scholarships to compete on a college level. Since 2012 Norfolk Xpress is recognized as one of the top 100 AAU organization in the Nation! Led by a talented, enthusiastic, and dynamic Director,

Mrs. Adrena Foy is realizing a dream of providing enormous opportunities for the youth in our community, also teaching about character and striving for excellence with ”Hard Work No Excuses” on and off the court!

Diana Chappell-Lewis

"No Bio Entered"

Elenora Barnes

"No Bio Entered"

Sandra J. Christmas

Sandra Christmas has been officially serving women as a life coach, counselor, mentor, tutor, and teacher since 2003. Weekly she facilitates Bible study and prayer for females in the Virginia Beach Correctional Center’s Life Empowerment Program with the goal of preparing them for reentry into the community. In addition, she has coordinated Girls’ Life, a mentoring program for girls, and literacy tutoring for adults and children through the Life Enrichment Center Norfolk. She has served the LEC as the Assistant Director since 2004 and EWES Ministries as founder and director since 2005. Sandra has

also established TWIG Works LLC (Teaching What is Good), a life coach/premarital counseling business which helps all women move forward on purpose. Since 2010, her ministry has expanded to equipping pastors and leaders in India, Ghana, and Tanzania. She has been married to Alton J. Christmas since 1979.

Dana Che

Dana Che is a motivational speaker and best-selling author most known for her ability to influence and inspire others. A former teen mom, Dana encourages her audiences to turn their "messes into their messages." She’s shared the stage with various notable people, including Alveta King, niece of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Pam Tebow, motivational speaker and mom to NFL player Tim Tebow. Dana lives in Virginia Beach, Virginia with her husband and high school sweetheart Shaun, their four children and their "multi-cultural" dog, Cash.

ACHI Mentorship Award

Christa J. Green

My name is Christa J. Green and I was born in Springfield, Ohio and raised in San Diego CA. I have been creating positive dance programs and theater programs for over 15 years. I moved to Virginia and continued my programs and I linked up with some amazing organization. I feel like I sky rocketed from there. Now I have created a national program that is going to be in ever city and state that will have us. I have currently traveled back to San Diego with our national program and we are in Ohio next. All I want to do is show these children and families how powerful their natural abilities are.

Kimtrese Slaughter

WINNER

Kimtrese Slaughter is a Naval Veteran who has dedicated her life to mentoring women. She is the CEO of Hummingbird Marriage and Family Counseling and founder of Courageous Women; a women’s movement that provides a safe platform for women to confront and overcome their pain and shame. She is a published author, counselor and certified life coach. She strongly believes in the power of sisterhood and empowers every woman she meets with her motto: We don’t need anyone’s permission to be great!

Sandra J. Christmas

ACHI Non Profit Executive Award

Sonya Phillips

Sonya Phillips is a native of Virginia Beach, VA as well as an alum of Old Dominion University. She owns SPILLZ Custom Clothing and Costumes. Currently she serves as the President of the Zonta Club of Hampton Roads, an international service organization whose mission is to advance the status of women worldwide. She also volunteers with the Hampton Roads Gazeti, Girls on the Run and the Urban League of Hampton Roads.

Sandra J. Christmas

WINNER

ACHI Woman of Inspiration Award

Ardonia Howard

I received my Bachelors of Science Degree from Morgan State University in 1985 and Masters of Science Degree from Old Dominion University in 1988. I have been teaching for 29 years in the city of Chesapeake and have been named Teacher of the Year twice (1992 at Hickory Elementary and 2005 at Hugo Owens Middle School). I am a Diakonate at New Mt. Olivet Baptist Church and wear many community hats such as treasurer, team mom, vice

president, and sponsor for numerous organizations from Pop Warner Football to school PTAs. I have been married for 27 years and from that union have two wonderful sons

Catherine Staton

Catherine Staton, is a woman of God first, a mother of a 24 year old son, a domestic violence survivor, advocate, and speaker. Through her testimony of triumph to victory, she brings to surface the abuse that many face today, in hopes that she can erase the stigma, save a life, or help prevent it from happening to someone else. She is the CEO of MyHelpMyHope Foundation, Inc., a 501c3 nonprofit organization that is dedicated to breaking the silence, eliminating

domestic violence, teen empowerment, education, and building opportunities for successful survivors. Catherine believes everyone has the right to a healthy relationship and to live abuse free.

Davida Bratton

Co-founder of the Life Purpose Project and Abundant Life Christian Ministries with her husband, Ty Bratton, and founder of the Women Pursuing Purpose initiative Vida Bratton is committed to encouraging, equipping, and empowering women to accept the invitation to live the life God created them to live, walking in their God-Purpose. She lives out her God-Vision co-laboring in ministry with her husband, speaking in the marketplace, and training leaders. Lady V is affectionately known as a Connection Queen, ”Dream Midwife” and Purpose Coach with a unique call to Partner with

Women Pregnant with Purpose! As an accomplished networking expert and womanpreneur, Vida brings enormous enthusiasm, insight, and energy to her work. In the years that she has been a speaker and consultant, she has delivered powerful messages to hundreds of people, from womenpreneurs to small business owners and women’s groups. Raised by her single mother who has been her biggest cheerleader, Vida hails from our nation’s capital. Growing up as an only child might have been the culprit for Vida’s contagious persona, paving the way for her to be a friend to many. Her outgoing and warm personality still resonates today. And most agree, “Vida has never met a stranger.”

Yvette Wilson

WINNER

Inspiration began for me at birth. I was blessed to born into 2 families that loved me before I could articulate the meaning verbally. To be inspire, you to have had to been inspired. This started for me 4 generations ago. Great grandparents, grand parents, parents and with me paying it forward.

Achaia Ravizee

A native of Chesapeake Virginia, Achaia Ravizee graduated Magna Cum Laude from Norfolk State University (NSU) with a degree in Optical Engineering and minor in Mathematics. During her tenure at NSU, she served as secretary, vice president, and president to the National Society of Black Engineers as well as Ambassador to Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) where she, through service and mentoring initiatives, inspired future engineers to excel academically, succeed professionally, and positively impact their communities. Within collegiate years, Achaia was also

awarded the Dozoretz National Institute for Mathematics and Applied Sciences full academic scholarship, The Senior Leadership and Service Award, and The Outstanding Service Award by TMCF. Ms. Ravizee is humbled by her nomination for the ACHI Woman of Inspiration Award and she will continue to inspire the next generation of scientists through her giving spirit, charismatic personality, and Ph.D. pursuit in Engineering Management and Systems Engineering at Old Dominion University, fall 2014.

Charlotte Felton

Dyphia Blount

I believe God has a plan for all of us and we need to have Faith and believe that everything happens for a reason. I left my job of seven years and wrote my first book which was published in June of 2012. It even made #5 top rated, best erotica and held the spot for over 2 months! I am also an advocate and founder of Breaking the Silence of Abuse. Spreading the word, “I am not a victim, I am a survivor!” I'm so proud and overjoyed that you all took the time to read one or all of my books and I want you to know...without you, there is no me! My tagline is ~ Why try to fit in, when you're meant to stand out?

Diane Crystal Diggs

Diane Crystal Diggs is an empowering life-coach and a motivational speaker from the East New York section of Brooklyn, NYC and is currently residing in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. She is known as the stylish and charismatic host of the television talk show, “WhoDIGGSMe” which aired on MyTVZ in Hampton Roads in June 2010. With a strong background in art, she has proven to be the premier person for her signature high-quality graphic arts work, creative logo creations and fashion consultation. She cares deeply for her community, building strong relationships in the community as a mentor for area youth and as a life-coach through her “FindingME” program-which

launched Jan. 2013. The motivational speaker/youth mentor/talk show host/author/graphic artist/fashion consultant/interior decorator/WuTang Clan fanatic happens to be a non-swimmer that loves aquatic-life and Absolute Vodka Ads. Diane values the beauty and art in everything creating a small scale enterprise within herself that can be likened to that of a young, ambitious Oprah Winfrey. In 2014, Crystal Diggs launched “The Beautiful One” a movement dedicated to full-figured woman of all sizes. This project aims to emphasize their inner beauty thru high fashion, iconic artistic photography; in conjunction with promoting positivity, making a difference in the lives of some extraordinary people. “I truly believe everyone can make a difference if we come together, promoting healthy living, confidence and self-love,” shares Crystal Diggs. “Empowerment without motive, letting their voices be heard. Helping us to heal by helping others”…is the new motto.”

A young Diane likened herself to fictional DC Comic-heroine, Wonder Woman, and often posed in the mirror wearing her signature bright red boots. Today, a Wonder Woman in her own right, the single mother from a teenage pregnancy, who was shunned by loved ones, may not be able to leap buildings in a single bound but has managed to leap some of life's highest hurdles and is here to show others how- all while in many colors of designer shoes.

Orna Dixon

I am Orna Dixon I am a native of Norfolk va I am 41 yrs old. I have been hair since I was 11 and getn paid for it. I attended Norfolk votech. I completed cosomotolgy school at alpha omega beauty school in 1992. I have a bacholers in christian leadership i am a minister of the gospel. I am a enterp and love being it. have been working in a salon for 23 years of which 17 I have been owning hair biz located 1314 kempsville rd. I am a mother of 5. 4 bys and 1 girl. I am married to Darrick Dixon and we share a wonderful biz in Realestate called Dixon prop. We love and live by the gospel of Jesus Christ.

"No Photo Entered"

Charlotte Felton is a retiree of the City of Norfolk and worked as an Environmental Health Inspector for 29 years. After retiring, she went back to work as a Therapuetic Counselor with the City of Newport News. Although she wears many hats, being a mother to roughly 3 dozen boys in addition to her biological son & daughter over the past 17 years is where her heart lies. She and her husband, Dennis have seen many of their foster sons graduate from high school, college, and the military. She is a leader in the foster care community offering her insight & expertise to other foster care families ensuring equal success for those families as well.

Tiffany R. Reeves

I am a single mother of one. I am currently in school double majoring in psychology and business administration. A Touch of Class Elegance through accessories is my unique handmade accessories line catering to the whole family from headbands and hair bows for the girls, flowers and jewelry for the moms and bow ties and lapel pins for boys and dads. I have recently added other accessories to the line. I enjoy hair designing and healthy hair care as well as cooking and baking. I enjoy family time music and dancing. My motto is be the best you, you can be.

Donica Grimes

At a very young age, I learned that I had a passion for helping people, so I decided to assist juveniles who were impressionable. These persons constantly made the wrong decisions in life, and just needed a little guidance from someone who genuinely cared. This is what ushered me into going to school for Criminal Justice. After receiving my Associates in Applied Science, a Bachelor in Arts and a Masters in Science, I decided to start a reentry program for ex-offenders to reduce recidivism. “My personal goal is to enhance, empower, and encourage everyone.” It has not been an easy road, but I know that my faith & trust in God will see me through. Thank you so much for this opportunity.

ACHI Women of Worth Award

Alfreada Kelly

WINNER

Alfreada Brown-Kelly is an author of poetry and professor at Hampton University and an Associate Campus Dean and professor at Strayer University. Alfreada is a native of Thibodaux, Louisiana and she also lived in New Orleans, Louisiana for ten years. Alfreada is a graduate of Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, LA. and Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA. She received her M.A. in Sociology with a concentration in Criminal Justice from Old Dominion University. She is an avid reader who enjoys reading poetry, biographies and Christian and contemporary fiction. Transformation

of The Mind, Body & Soul (2008) is her first book. Her second book of poetry is The Skin I Am In (2010). Her third book Why Women Weep is an anthology, was released in April of 2011. Her fourth book, Decrees & Declarations of Authenticity (2014) will be released later this year. Alfreada’s poetry has been featured annually in Ancestral Rites, a poetry anthology published by BookClubEtc, Praise Magazine, Hampton Roads My Time magazine, (September 2010 and January 2009), and The New Journal & Guide magazine. In June of 2011, Alfreada’s book, Why Women Weep was placed on the top twenty lists in Women In Academia. Alfreada is currently working on research about women in prison and self-esteem issues young girls encounter. She volunteers with the Sexual Assault Center as a sexual assault responder in Hampton and Newport News. VA.

Rachel Boyd

I have worked in the non-profit industry for over 12 years as a special event manager and have found my career most rewarding when I am able to give back to the community in a greater way of volunteerism. I have volunteered for several organizations (Jaycees, Junior League and Icing Smiles) over the years and having the opportunity to work with Icing Smiles for almost two years was the best experience for me. I was given the opportunity as the Virginia State Representative and was the liason between families and bakers. I also am a current board member for Bethanie Evangelical Missions for Haiti and

have traveled to Haiti to serve the last two summers. I recently accepted a position as Community Director for the March of Dimes and feel this position will allow me to serve the public in a great capacity. I feel most at home out in the field talking to people and building lifetime relationships. Non-profit work is most like voluteering, as I am able to give back in more ways than one!

Candice George

Candice George has a life long love of community service and tiaras. She spends her time, when not running her new company Diamonds of America Pageantry, working full-time at Eastern Virginia Medical School, being a mom to two pageant princesses, and volunteering with Girl Scouts wearing multiple hats - Troop Leader, Community Relations Rep, VST member. She is the recipient of the "Appreciation pin", the "Honor pin" and the "Thanks Badge", 3 of Girl Scouts highest volunteer awards. Candice is also the reigning "National Miss Virginia". Her

platform for the 2014 year is "Finding Your Passion Through Volunteering." She has spent the last 6 months participating in volunteer opportunities with many organizations, such as "Relay For Life' and "Volunteer Hampton Roads", profiling them on the pageant website, hoping to spark another person's interest in volunteer service. Candice attends Tidewater Community College majoring in Business Administration with plans to graduated in December 2015.

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