We’re Passionate Committed Team
We’re helping people and businesses empower themselves and strengthen their local communities.
We Are Here To Serve!
We are a village of like-minded folks who want life to work for us as opposed to working for life,
We respect our natural environment/eco system, our elders, and our children who represent our future, and
We each pledge to do the ‘labor-of-love’ work to assure that we leave this earth better than how we found it!
Our Team Includes:
ILITHIA MORRIS – Executive Director
Currently a licensed Insurance Agent by trade, Ilithia Morris has been a community leader, activist, educator and trainer for the majority of her adult life. Her compassion for her community was born out of a need to “get things done”, her motto continues to be “someone has to do it!” She has never shied away from rolling up her sleeves!
Prior to moving to Texas, her career job was Technical Writer for the Department of Defense (DoD) in Washington, D.C. Upon moving to Texas in 2007 she switched gears and became an Insurance Agent for Allstate where she spent the majority of her time in the industry until working for an insurance broker. Now, semi-retired, Ilithia is more busy than ever having resumed her non-profit due to the easing of COVID.
As an American Red Cross Provider, I. Morris provides life savings courses to community residents. I. Morris completed her Reiki Master Program Feb. ’23 (in pursuit of a personal spiritual path) and is studying to become a General Holistic Practitioner. Trained as a Master Gardener under Texas A&M Agriculture Division in 2022 and, is currently interested in Permaculture for her non-profit pursuits.
Her entire life has been centered around natural and holistic living and during her birthday in 2021, while at a spiritual retreat in Windom Texas, she finally succeeded in becoming a full-fledge Vegetarian and contends that it is the best decision she’s made since the Pandemic!
Dr. EJ Withers – Human-Equity Resources (HER)
Dr. EJ has an extensive professional, tactical and strategic background involving Operational Effectiveness (OE), Organizational Development (OD), and Human Resource (HR), consulting for Fortune 1000 executives. Expert consultant for local and remote workforces, driving business results within local and global environments. Background in multi-tier environments, process improvement, employee engagement, policy development, compensation, employee relations, and project management.
Practice also includes a proven track record of progressive experience leveraging equity culture, EEO-AA and solid work ethics that drive organizational performance. This includes managing diversity metrics and related reporting while using strong interpersonal and communication skills to facilitate beneficial action plans. Industries and professional experience include Fortune 500, chemical coatings, logistics/supply-chain, retail, consumer products, high tech, manufacturing, and insurance. Having a passion for helping, along with the development of others, Dr. EJ volunteers time to provide progressive career development and planning for individuals going through career transitions.
Dr. EJ holds a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Lewis University.
Charles L. Shipp – Logistics Manager
Beekeeper, Agriculturist, Lecturer – Authored the following books, “An Introduction to Bee Medicine” 2011 and “Advanced Course in Bee Medicine” 2022.
Laboratory Intern with the Special Biotechnology Program, U.S. Department of Agriculture Wheat Genetics in Berkeley, California 2009-2010. Specialized in transferring genes into selective wheat hybrid lines, including the documentation and categorization of growth patterns of wheat and hybridized genetic lines.
Collaborated with other Beekeepers under the Winrock Foundation’s Farmers-to-Farmers Program for their private models of bee and honey enterprise businesses. Also collaborated with bee farmers in the Russian Federation and in Uzbekistan to broker and barter products between the two countries. As I did in Seoul, South Korea, I’m currently consulting for various Permaculture models in Vilcabamba, Ecuador, lending my expertise to their Permaculture projects.
Graduate San Francisco State University 1976.
Dr. Linda Gray – Consultant
Doctor of Christian Leadership (DCL)/Community Advocate/Federal Grant Specialist – Nonprofit and small business consultant with more than 25 years of experience and expertise in small business mentoring, nonprofit start-ups and management, grant writing/research and development of community-based nonprofits and faith-based organizations. Hands-on experience in volunteerism in both the faith-based and nonprofit communities. Helped to establish 300+ start-up nonprofit organizations by guiding them through start-up to launch. Over 25 years in providing technical assistance to hundreds of nonprofit organizations and Churches in establishing their IRS 501(c)(3) Certification. Collin Community College Instructor for 7 years where she developed the syllabus and curriculum for the Nonprofit Management Certification Series. Certified Business Mentor for SCORE for 20 years. Recently received The President’s Lifetime Achievement Award for AmeriCorps. Founding Board Member International Women Think Thank. Received Honorary Doctorate in Christian Leadership. Member of IOTA Phi Lambda Sorority Zeta XI Chapter.
Dr. Professor Emmanuel Teitey – Consultant
Finance Specialist, Accountant, Economist, Lecturer, and Author. PhD Finance, University of Central Nicaragua Business School, University of Central Nicaragua, U.S.A: Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) PhD Finance, Department of Finance, Swiss Management Center University, Switzerland: Masters of Art Degree in Economic Policy Management and Finance (by thesis), University of Ghana Business School and Economics Department, University of Ghana Legon: B.Sc. Administration (Accounting option), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana-Kumasi.
Professional Qualifications: ICA, Institute of Chartered Accountants (Ghana); CE, Institute of Chartered Economist (Ghana); ACCA, Certified Technician Account.
Academic Experience: Professor, Global Faculty member – SMCU, University, Switzerland; Visiting Lectureship, Hunan City University of Asia-China; Adjunct Professor, Kinds University College (KUC); Adjunct Professor University of Cape Coast (Distant Learning); Coordinator, University of Cape Coast – Confucius Institute, Ghana (Chinese Language Program); Adjunct Professor/Examiner Institute of Chartered Economist of Ghana.
Completed Four (4) Dissertations, seven (7) international journal publications between 2013-2018, eight (8) International book publications between 2017-2019; two (2) national book publications between 2016-2018.
Highlights of Key Achievement (numerous, refer to resume for complete list): 1) Managed a budget of $30MM (GHȼ195MM), regular analysis of variance and cash flow monitoring with a 30% revenue gain for the organization; 2) Managed a budget of $40MM (GHȼ260MM) after review of internal control systems and reconciliation, discovered an approximate 2% loss of revenue as a result of inaccurate banking entries.
Currently working as Board Treasury for SIPAD International NGO, Headquarters Arizona State, U.S.A. Other professional/academic, religious and philanthropic associations, too numerous to list here, resume available upon request.
Davian Isom – Consultant
Davian Isom, MSW social work, currently working towards his doctorate Ph.D in Urban Leadership and Entrepreneurship, completion May 2024-2025.
Academic focus; conducting research to investigate the quality-of-life regarding local community socio-economic and environmental health challenges. Utilizing systems theory to promote organizational learning and behavioral change.
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“The team at DFP is fabulous. They helped us learn how to launch our Co-Op. We have experienced much growth due to their progressive approach.”
ABC Co-Op