leadership
The ABCD Board of Directors provides leadership and oversight to ensure the organization fulfills its mission of improving quality of life through Community Economic Development, Energy Conservation, Housing Development, and Transportation. The board upholds accountability, equity, and innovation while guiding resources, partnerships, and policies that strengthen individuals, families, and communities.
2024-2025 Executive officers
Mr. Tomier Davenport
Ms. Latoya Dickens-Jones
Ms. Latoya Dickens-Jones
Board Chairperson
Assistant Principal
Adult Career & Technical Education
Canton City Schools
Ms. Latoya Dickens-Jones
Ms. Latoya Dickens-Jones
Ms. Latoya Dickens-Jones
Board Vice-Chairperson
DNP APRN
Adjunct Faculty Instructor
Aultman College of Nursing & Health Sciences
Ms. Yvonne Parks
Mr. John Ramos III
Mr. John Ramos III
Secretary
Belle Stone Elementary School
2nd grade Literacy & Numeracy Teacher
President - L.G.A.B.S.E
Mr. John Ramos III
Mr. John Ramos III
Mr. John Ramos III
Treasurer
Equipment Sales Engineer
Wadsworth Solutions
Ms. Starlette Isles-Burns
Ms. Starlette Isles-Burns
Ms. Starlette Isles-Burns
Entrepreneur
Ms. Chris Smith
Ms. Starlette Isles-Burns
Ms. Jenny Terrell
City of Canton -
4th Ward Councilwoman
Ms. Jenny Terrell
Ms. Starlette Isles-Burns
Ms. Jenny Terrell
Retired Teacher
Massillon City Schools
Ms. Natalie Haupt
Ms. Natalie Haupt
Ms. Natalie Haupt
Judge at Stark County Court of Common Pleas, General Division. Previously served as an assistant public defender.
Dr. Stewart Lytle
Ms. Natalie Haupt
Ms. Natalie Haupt
Pharmacy Supervisor at VA Medical Center
Ms. Lisa Johnson
Ms. Lisa Johnson
Mr. Ronald Young
RN, BSN, CDP, DFCDE, Director-Diversity Equity & Inclusion; President- Stark Co. Black Nurses Association; Chair - SCMHC
Management Team
Mr. Homaundre Pender
Mr. Homaundre Pender
Mr. Homaundre Pender
Transportation Director
Ms. Darlene Knott
Mr. Homaundre Pender
Ms. Darlene Knott
Chief Financial Officer dmknott@theabcdinc.com
COMMITTEES
MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
John Ramos III, Chair
Starlett Isles Burns
Tomier Davenport (ex-officio)
Will Dent (ex-officio-staff)
Natalie Haupt
Darlene Knott (ex-officio-staff)
Kent McClelland
Ron Young
The purpose of the MANAGEMENT Committee is to :
- Oversee the development of a fiscal and program performance monitoring process for ABCD - including the design of fiscal and program performance reports.
- Regular monitoring of fiscal and program performance and reporting progress and problems to the Board (including subsidiary and related corporations).
- Oversee the design and operation of the various administrative support systems (financial management, human resources, which includes personnel management and the grievance committee function), facilities, etc.
- Review audit reports and recommend action to the Board as appropriate.
COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE
Yvonne Parks (Chair)
Evelyn Byrd
Tomier Davenport (ex offico)
Will Dent (staff ex-officio)
Lydia Lee (staff)
Kathy Mitchell (staff)
Chris Smith
Jenny Terrell
The purpose of the COMMUNITY RELATIONS Committee is to:
- Oversee the formulation and implementation of strategies to strengthen ABCD's image and public relations.
- Oversee the development and implementation of a full-fledged marketing program for ABCD; including client and customer-focused market research.
- Oversee the development and implementation of a strategy fort maintaining and strengthening working relationships with key ABCD stakeholders.
- Oversee planning and preparation for ABCD Annual Meeting (including the Annual Report and the Awards Committee function).
- Oversee the design and implementation of donor campaigns for ABCD.
- Be involved in mobilizing current and prospective donors.
- Identify sources for funding for operational and demonstration projects and reviewing strategies for securing such funding.
PLANNING COMMITTEE
Ray Sales, Chair
LaToya Dickens-Jones, Co-Chair
Tomier Davenpot ( ex offico)
Will Dent (ex-officio)
Lisa Johnson
Stewart Lytle
Eugene Norris (staff)
Homaundre Pender (staff)
The purpose of the PLANNING Committee is to:
- Oversee the design and operation of ABCD's Strategic Plan.
- Oversee preparation for key Board planning and work sessions. (annual strategic and operational planning budget).
- Keep ABCD growth rules updated and ensure that they govern new program development.
- Ensure that ABCD's vision, mission, and strategic directions are regularly updated.
- Review and recommend action on funding applications, change strategies, and operational plans.