president

Dr. Betty Allen-Green

Dr. Allen-Green currently serves as Executive Director of the Chicago Lawndale Amachi Mentoring Program (LAMP) and supervises the organization’s mentoring program for children with incarcerated parents. Her responsibilities include recruiting, screening, training, mentoring, and conducting parent workshops. She has built strong relationships with the local police department and schools in North Lawndale.

Previously, Dr. Allen-Green was the Principal/Chief Officer of Herzl Elementary School in Chicago, responsible for the education, organization, supervision, administration, and discipline of 1,000-plus students. She holds a doctorate in education leadership from Nova Southeastern University.

vice president

Dr. Nicole Howell-Scott

Dr. Howell-Scott founded the American Association for Single Parents (AASP), which supports single parents through charitable, social, and educational programs. In conjunction with AASP, Dr. Scott oversees ACE, a before- and after-school program.

Dr. Scott also founded Free N Deed, a food pantry located in Chicago’s south suburban Dolton. At Free N Deed, residents can shop for fresh groceries at no cost.

Dr. Scott earned a doctorate degree in education. Her dissertation topic was “A Link Between Single Parent Families and Crime.” She also holds a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s degree in human service administration.

treasurer

Rev. Lawrence Walker

The Reverend Walker is a doctoral candidate and teaching assistant/site coordinator for Northern Seminary located in Lisle, Illinois.

His responsibilities in that role include assisting faculty members with scheduling, research, organization, and logistics.

Prior to joining Northern Seminary, Rev. Walker served as Executive Pastor at Lilydale Progressive M.B. Church in Chicago.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration/finance from DePaul University. He also earned a master’s degree in urban leadership from Northern Seminary.  

SECRETARY

Helen Walker

Mrs. Walker currently serves as secretary to the pastor of the Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church.  She is responsible for all activities and the daily operations of the church’s business office. 

Mrs. Walker has over 40 years of business administration experience; for 20 of those years, she served as an administration specialist with IBM Corporation, where she specialized in recruiting and personnel. Mrs. Walker completed courses in business administration at Chicago State University.

DIRECTOR

Schlonda Dodd

Mrs. Dodd has been a middle school educator, specializing in science for over 10 years. She has worked in private and public school systems, teaching, planning lessons, managing classrooms, and developing students.

Mrs. Dodd earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, a Master of Divinity from Northern Seminary, Lombard, and a Master of Education, specializing in middle-grade science from National Louis University, Chicago.  

Director

Dr. Denita Scott

Dr. Scott was a K-8 educator for over 30 years, retiring as the Assistant Superintendent of Student Learning and Programs in the Dolton, Illinois school district. She was responsible for student learning, student transportation, operations/facilities, security, school board activities, and middle school athletics. 

Prior to this role, she was the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Coordinator, elementary and middle school assistant principal, reading coach, Title I teacher, reading recovery and classroom teacher.

Dr. Scott earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in reading from Governors State University in University Park, Illinois, and a doctorate in educational leadership from Roosevelt University in Chicago. She is a member of the Illinois Association of School Administrators (IASA), Illinois Principals Association (IPA), and the International Literacy Association (ILA).