Meet those who make Wings Of Hope possible
Maxine Malone
Founder/CEO
Maxine Malone was born and raised in Portsmouth, OH. She had 13 brothers and sisters. She has a very creative mind and she used to dream of all the great things she was going to do one day. Maxine helped care for her younger siblings and she still helps all of the parents in the North End Community take care of theirs.
She is very artistic. She created Rhythm, Arts, and Drama, a production company and produced plays with the children. Her most famous production is Christmas in Clown’s Town. She also produces the Martin Luther King, Jr. program every year with the youth.
Maxine is a Minister and spends her life walking in the Lord’s footsteps. She has committed her life to the youth at the 14th Street Community Center and in the North End in Portsmouth, Ohio. She stayed involved with the community center, even when she lived out of town for a few years and drove from Columbus to Portsmouth nightly, so she could make sure Rhythm, Arts, and Drama productions were still available each year. She is a former Board Member of the 14th Street Community Center and worked as the Director through many years and sometimes without pay. She now spends her time with Wings of Hope as Founder and CEO. She is also the Founder and Director of Daughters of Freedom. This is a singing group of young women who have travelled the United States, performing and singing and spreading the Word of God.
Maxine has received many awards for her service. She has received the Starfish Award from her community. The award is based on the story of the starfish. The moral of the story-everyone can make a difference — even if that difference affects only one person. Maxine has spent her life “throwing the starfish back”.
She most recently received the Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Award, where she threw the first pitch for the start of the Cincinnati Reds Portsmouth Day ball game. She has her own key to the city of Portsmouth and Maxine Malone Day along with many other rewards, too many to mention.
Maxine created the Catcher’s Mitt Program, a catch-the-child-before-they-fall academic program to respond to the current pandemic circumstances. This program is being adopted and used as curriculum in schools in Ohio.
Maxine was invited to the Whitehouse with one of her colleagues, Lisa Roberts, R.N. Portsmouth City Health Department, to talk with the President about what they are doing in Portsmouth to combat substance abuse. She also is a liaison for Portsmouth Drug Court. She counsels those who need help.
We could go on and on with the many accomplishments Maxine has. One of the most important ones is establishing and founding Wings of Hope where she works as the Director. She puts in endless hours working with preventive measures to keep our youth away from substance abuse and creating leaders and positive, productive citizens; making sure they make healthy decisions with their lives. We couldn’t be more proud to have Maxine as the Director of Wings of Hope and be a part in helping her reach her goal.
Sharon Davis
President
Associates Degree in Applied Sciences. BS in Radiologic Science. Retired from Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center as a Registered Radiologic Technologist with certifications in Mammography and CT. Girl Scout leader for 12 years, youth advocate, chaperoned trips for the President’s National Youth Advisory Council out of Washington, DC. Co-founder and Co-organizer of the Peace Park in Portsmouth, OH, former director of the 14th Street Community Center, and a grant writer.
Elsie Harris Shabazz
Secretary
Elsie is a native of Chillicothe, Ohio, and she relocated to Portsmouth 30 years ago. She started working with Maxine Malone when Rhythm Arts and Drama was in its infant stages. Every Saturday morning Max would come to her house, have coffee and they would discuss the things that happened that week and plan for the next week. Elsie says her favorite production was and always will be Christmas in Clowns Town. They used to go to Senior buildings and put the production on. Of course, Maxine would never just do a production, she would feed the audience also.
Elsie has been working with Maxine and Wings of Hope for the last 4 years, doing whatever needs to be done. Elsie retired from Shawnee State University after 27.5 years. During her time at SSU, she went on a class trip to Rwanda, and she said it was an eye opening experience. Also while working at SSU, she worked at HR Block for 13 years.
Elsie has been a member of Kingdom Builders Evangelistic Ministries for the past 28 or 29 years where she is the church secretary and sings on the praise team.
During the past 3 years she has been a student of EITI/Tens, which is Eagles International Training Institute where she has been taking classes on Flagging. While most people think you just wave a flag around, there is a scriptural reference to every move, every color of the flag and they have a Bible Study test each month. She is currently in a F.L.E.W. (Flight (Faith) Lessons for Eagle Warriors) class. She has 3 children of which she is very proud. She has always wanted to do more in the community, and since her retirement, she is able to do more.
Dorothy Taylor
Treasurer
Dorothy grew up in Portsmouth and has become a mainstay of our community. She has been Maxine’s right-hand-woman through the years. She has volunteered in the community and at her church; Living Faith Temple. Dorothy helps with Wings of Hope’s programs and always helps cook for family’s funerals, she has been a staple at the 14th Street Community Center her entire life and does anything else that the community needs. She taught Sunday school for years. She has always been a community liaison throughout her life in Portsmouth.
Dorothy has worked for Judge Alan Lemons and the probate court system at the Scioto County Court House for over 40 years. She retired and returned to her position 3 months later. She is also involved in the drug court.
Dorothy was bestowed the honor of becoming a Kentucky Colonel. The commission of Kentucky Colonel is the highest title of honor bestowed by the Governor of Kentucky. It is in recognition of an individual’s noteworthy accomplishments and outstanding service to their community, state, and nation. Kentucky Colonels are unwavering in devotion to faith, family, commonwealth, and country. Passionate about being compassionate. Proud leaders who are gentle but strong in will and commitment. This goes along with Dorothy’s commitment to family. Dorothy is known by her family as a Quiet Strength. Her demeanor is quiet but strong in strength. Dorothy has 2 children, Chaz and Cassie.
Ricardo Nelson
Board Member
As early as the age of 2, Ricardo has been known for his love of instruments, and he has learned to play them all. Ricardo also participated with Rhythm, Arts, and Drama, from the age of 2. I’m sure we can all remember being mesmerized by Ricardo at the age of 4 during the Martin Luther King celebration, when Ricardo from memory, recited Martin Luther King, Jr.’s, I Have a Dream Speech.
He had a very early anointing and could be seen lining up all his toys on the steps of their porch, clothed in the black robe that his Aunt Maxine Malone had sewn for him; so he would have the appropriate attire to preach to his toys who sat there and attentively listened to his Word from God. Ricardo had a very early call to the ministry and is a Minister today; mentoring to young men.
As a VR professional for the state of Ohio, Ricardo currently assists individuals with disabilities obtain employment and advance their career opportunities. His background includes workforce development, career counseling, and over a decade working for a private non-profit organization. He is an advocate for self-awareness, personal growth and development, and collaboration. He is committed to serving the most vulnerable populations through empowerment, motivation, and consistent follow-through.
Ricardo is earning a MS degree in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling from Emporia State University, and completed his undergraduate degrees at Liberty University and Shawnee State University.
Ricardo is married and lives in Ashland, Ky. As a native of Portsmouth, Ohio and a product of many programs and organizations, Ricardo is excited to actively lend his skills, talents, and abilities to enhance the lives of those within the community, and we are excited to see what Ricardo has to offer Wings of Hope.
Bethany Grant
Board Member
Bethany Grant is a proud native of Portsmouth, Ohio. It was in Portsmouth, specifically the North End Community, where her love for the arts and the community was birthed and nourished. As a member of the illustrious Daughters of Freedom (DOF) and Rhythm Arts and Drama (RAD), she was able to perform at countless community and civic events throughout the country. Bethany went on to launch a liturgical dance group through Pleasant Green Baptist Church called Divine Creation, through which she was able to facilitate a dance workshop for the youth in Portsmouth. Although she moved on from Portsmouth, her love of community, service and the arts continued.
Upon leaving Portsmouth, Bethany attended the University of Cincinnati where she earned both a Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders as well as a Master of Arts in Speech Language Pathology. While in Cincinnati, Bethany conducted vocal health workshops locally at several churches as well as nationally at the Gospel Music Workshop of America. She also served as a youth advisor to the Living Christ Crew at New Prospect Baptist Church.
Presently, Bethany is a resident of Columbus, Ohio where she is a practicing speech language pathologist servicing the central Ohio region in an array of settings. She is a part of the music ministry and Through His Eyes drama ministry at the First Church of God. In addition, serving at her church, one of her many passions has been volunteering with organizations, such as the YMCA and NAACP to provide community service to underserved populations. She is an avid music lover, sports fan and part time baker. Her greatest joy is encouraging youth and adults alike to reach their goals. Working with Wings of Hope is an exciting way for Bethany to make a positive impact that will produce an indelible effect in the community.
Arthur Langford III, Esq., LL.M
Board Member
Arthur is a native of Portsmouth and son of Ms. Jeanette Langford, who is also very active in our community. Aside from being an international attorney, Arthur also is a global commerce business leader experienced in international contract life-cycle commercial management, domestic and government cross-border transactions, FAR / DFAR DoD federal procurement, and ethics & compliance. A U.S. licensed attorney with formal advanced international law and business education, executive training & certification in leadership & influence, and experience on programs supporting international relations treaty compliance, multinational and bi-lateral agreements, and foreign area defense cooperation. Association of Corporate Counsel member Middle East North Africa chapter. Arthur is fluent in Russian and the English language.
La'Toshia Malone
Board Member
La'Toshia Malone, Notre Dame High Alum, is a mother of 2 children. She attended Columbus State Community College and Ohio Dominican University, majoring in Political Science and Art History.
She has been employed with The Counseling Center for 6 years, holding various positions within the company, such as Team Lead, Intake Specialist, Office Manager, and Health Information Specialist, which she is today.
La'Toshia is an author, with her work being published in Forever and A Day Anthology. She also holds a license as a Chemical Dependency Counselor and has a passion for the youth of her community. She is an avid reader, and spends her time volunteering for Wings of Hope Youth Group, S.M.A.R.T Program, Seniors on the Move, and other organizations in her community. She is co-owner of Rhythm, Arts, and Drama, LLC. and MEL Productions.
At a young age, she has traveled and displayed her singing ability in church dance groups, singing groups, like Divine Providence, Divine Call and Daughters of Freedom, singing for various artists including John P. Kee, Alex Haley and LaFace Records. Not only is La'Toshia a wonderful singer, writer and volunteer, she also has a love for cooking, and participates in the program, Life On a Plate Re-unification.
Talitha Malone
Board Member
Talitha is a proud native of Portsmouth, Ohio, is a 1999 graduate of Portsmouth High School where she was a student-athlete, a member of various bands and choirs, and she participated in student government being elected as the Class President all four years of high school. The daughter of a music minister and now Pastor, Talitha’s love for music began at home but quickly extended to church and community. As a child, she was a member of her church’s youth choir and, at an early age, she became a member of the praise and worship team and adult choir. Within the community, she was an active member of Rhythm Arts and Drama (RAD) in addition to being one of the founding members of the illustrious singing group Daughters of Freedom (DOF).
Talitha attended Spelman College in Atlanta, GA where she graduated with Bachelor of Arts degrees in Psychology and Religion. At Spelman, Talitha’s musicianship and love for music was further developed as a member of the world-renowned Spelman College Glee Club, which allowed her the opportunity to perform at countless community and civic events in metro-Atlanta, including annual performances for the local Martin Luther King, Jr. celebrations, as well as travel to perform in various concerts/tours, both domestic and internationally, which included performances with award-winning actress/singer Audra McDonald and Portsmouth’s own world-renown opera star, Kathleen Battle.
Talitha attended graduate school at the University of Dayton in Dayton, OH, where she obtained a Master of Science degree in Education (M.S.Ed.) and an Educational Specialist degree in School Psychology (Ed.S.). She is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist, an AmeriCorps alumna, a member of Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity, where she currently serves as the President for the Atlanta Alumnae Chapter, and she has been a mentor through the YMCA’s Reach and Rise program, a therapeutic mentoring program that targets at-risk youth with social, emotional, and behavioral difficulties. Talitha also helped Maxine Malone formulate the Catcher’s Mitt Academic Response program that was housed out of the 14th Street Community Center.
Talitha has worked in both the public and private sectors of education since 2006 in various roles including teacher, literacy/reading interventionist, university instructor, and curriculum director. She is in her 11th year as a school psychologist, and she currently works for Gordon County Schools in northwest Georgia. Her professional interests include literacy, mental health, and academic and behavioral interventions.
Presently, Talitha is a resident of Marietta, Georgia. There, she attends GraceLife Church and continues to be an active member of the Worship and Arts department as a member of the praise and worship team and choir. She is also a volunteer in the children’s ministry where she serves as a leader for the children’s choir. When she can, Talitha is sure to get back to her roots to visit her family and community in Portsmouth, where she is a life-long member at her home church, Kingdom Builders Evangelistic Ministries, Inc. In her free time, Talitha enjoys singing/making music, watching and playing sports, the arts, and traveling. If all that isn’t enough, Talitha is also an Independent Consultant for Paparazzi Accessories as well as an Independent Beauty Consultant for Mary Kay, taking full opportunity to pamper women to make them feel beautiful both inside and out. But, her greatest joys are watching her two nephews grow up and having opportunities to impart wisdom and encouragement into the youth of her communities.
Mili A. Stephens-Lopez
Board Member
Mili A. Stephens-Lopez. Mili is an honorary board member, due to being retired and spending time travelling and with her children and grandchildren. Being an honorary board member does not slow Mili down in helping WOH. Mili designs jewelry and sells the jewelry with all proceeds benefitting Wings of Hope.
When Maxine Malone, our founder and director, came up with the concept for The Catcher's Mitt Program, Mili designed the logo for the program. The Catcher's Mitt Program is now being offered in many schools in and out of Ohio. The first year, Mili created a Catcher's Mitt Ornament for us that is pretty amazing.
Mili has a Masters in Business from the University of Arkansas and also studied photography at Cleveland State and she has attended countless photography seminars. Like most photographers, she has shot weddings, stage entertainment, sports, events, newspaper photography, portraits, births, models, had other jobs and the list goes on. She doesn’t solely identify as a photographer. She is also an artist, in several mediums, from designing dance costumes, props, and back drops to sketching portraits, with her focus being creative photography.
Mili has traveled to 6 of the 7 continents shooting storms at sea, people at work and animals while on safari. With the travel, she has made friends from around the world and found that her enthusiasm is contagious. For more years than she can count, she has taught on-location photography, starting with the people she first met while travel shooting because they wanted to know how to get that perfect shot.
Mili lives in Hot Springs, AR in the national forest (which is also her studio for the little time she is there). For a few years, she lived in Portsmouth, OH and worked at her husband’s OB-GYN practice. While living in Portsmouth, she volunteered at the 14th Street Community Center. After divorce and raising two children, she jumped back into photography and the travel began.
Mili served as Director of Public Relations, Volunteer Coordination and Fundraising for two hospitals and was the Executive Director for the two largest charitable health clinics in Arkansas.
Mili is the mother of two children, Natalie and Ron, and two grandchildren, Nico and Estella. She spends her time between her two children’s homes, helping take care of her grandchildren, her home in Hot Springs and aboard cruise ships.
Cynthia Anderson Morgan
Board Member
A native of Portsmouth, recently retired after selling her multi million dollar large commercial creative agency and photography studio company of 37 years. She has 2 daughters, Alex and Charlotte and a 1 yr. old grandson, Charlie. She is an accomplished artist and was recently interviewed by the Appwhisperer. She is an artist that creates imagery and stories by blending photography, painting, and layering and also does sculpture. Cynthia brings a creative mind and marketing to the table and looks forward to mentoring one of Wings of Hope's young women.
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