March 24, 2023 BY imani leave a comment
It’s Women’s History month! Women’s History Month is all about highlighting the contributions of women in history and in the present. The award-winning women of MASS are trailblazers in HIV prevention and care in the Hampton Roads community. From outreach to case management, we could not do it without the ladies of MASS.
Meet the women that MASS go:
Gwendolyn Ellis- Wilson:
Ms. Gwendolyn Ellis-Wilson, a native of Keithville, Louisiana, graduated from Huntington High School in Shreveport, Louisiana. She currently resides in Chesapeake, VA. Gwen served four years in the United States Navy, as an Electrician, before being honorably discharged in March 1993. She holds a Bachelor’s (1997) and Master’s (1999) degree of Social Work from Norfolk State University. In December 2022, she earned her MBA with a concentration in Strategic Leadership from Liberty University. Gwendolyn taught Sociology at Tidewater Community College for 10 years. She has worked in the field of HIV/AIDS since 2003. Currently, she serves as the Interim Executive Director at Minority AIDS Support Services, (MASS) Inc. She has worked at MASS for 17 years. Gwendolyn is an outstanding grant writer, and she supervises the implementation, outcomes, and reporting of those grants. The grants allow her to work with a diverse group of people where she continues to use her skills to empower individuals. As a lady of the first black Greek Sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., she is celebrating Sisterhood this month through continued “supreme service to all mankind”. This service for Gwendolyn extends from paid to volunteer work. She continues to assist community organizations with policies and procedures. She works closely with schools and provides “reading time” to pre-K and Kindergarteners. Her daily mantra is a Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. quote that says, “Everybody can be great because everybody can serve.” Gwendolyn encourages everyone to serve in some capacity. She is a glass-half-full type of lady. If we all serve in some capacity, the world will be a better place. Gwendolyn is a true advocate and loves her job and the population that she serves.
Keisha Edwards:
Keisha Royale Edwards, a native of Norfolk, resigns in South Norfolk and graduated from Norfolk State University earning her Undergraduate in English with a minor in Theatre in 1998 and a Master of Arts in Speech with a focus on Public Relations in 2007. Keisha has been with MASS for 5 years come April. Her passion has always been for live theatre and public relations. Anytime she can talk to people and network with others she is happy. Keisha does not have a shy bone in her body. She loves to laugh and make others laugh. While it will be a while before Keisha returns to the “big stage” and performs in live theater, each day she turns her world into a stage and “performs” for all whom she encounters. As the Director of Marketing & PR and Assistant Director of Finance at MASS, she is given the opportunity to reach out to sponsors daily for donations and Hampton Roads happenings. Television and radio are both second nature for Keisha so at any given time you may find her on-air talking about what MASS has going on. She really appreciates the relationships she has been able to build with local stores and retail chains that are always willing to give and lend a helping hand. A lady of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. she is also celebrating Sisterhood Month with her Sorors this month through love, service, and sisterhood. Keisha lives by the Mya Angelou Quote, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”Keisha wants YOU, reading this to remember, YOU are one of a kind and there is NOBODY like YOU. Make sure you use your God-given talent each day to show the world who YOU truly are. Keisha has been blessed to also have Royale Creations (her middle name), in which she started at the tender age of 11 when she made gift baskets for special occasions and people said she was really
good. Under Royale Creations while her focus is gift baskets it is not limited to just baskets, Royale Creations also comprises of home interiors, event planning/decorating & public speaking. To whom much is given, much is required, Luke 12:48. I will conclude in sharing, often I have been asked, Keisha, you do everything, what do you not do? And that answer is simple, “Cars, I don’t
do cars. I don’t want to fix a car, change a tire, change the oil, nothing pertaining to a car, I hire the professionals for that, but pretty much anything else I am
willing to try.”
Tameka Edmonds
In the words of Keisha Edwards…..
I would like to shine on Tameka Edmonds, the Director of Finance. Tameka has been with MASS since its conception over 18 years. She is the daughter in love of the founders, Marolyn & Stanley Edmonds. Tameka goes above and beyond daily to keep MASS afloat. It is usually the one behind the scenes doing THEE MOST and she definitely is! Tameka recently got her new kidney on December 14th after 11 years off and on the organ donor list. During this time, she has not missed a beat. She just came back to the office March 7th after being out for almost three months for healing, but get this, she was working harder from home than the office. She was still making sure bills were paid, deposits were made & grantees were satisfied. She stayed sending out emails and making phone calls. Her husband, Stan shared that she actually works harder at home than she does in the office. I can attest to that. Meka is my 3rd eye, my left arm, and my backbone here at MASS. I am supposed to be HER assistant LOL. She is my go-to for anything concerning MASS and before I make ANY financial decision, I am always checking with Meka FIRST. She is stern but fair. She catches my mistakes and makes me think about what I did wrong. She loves unconditionally on every staff member from the heart and is everyone’s biggest support system. She has a beautiful soul and deserves nothing but the absolute best. During some of the hardest times in her life, she has continued to wear a smile on her face AND uplift others in the process. Her attitude and diligence in her craft are admirable. She knows the money and the books like the back of her hand. I told Meka already, when she retires, I will retire too because AIN’T NO WAY! LOLOL. I am so blessed to call her my Sister, my Soror, and my Friend. I have only known Meka for 17 years when we crossed Delta together but it feels like a lifetime and we have a lifetime to go. People like Meka have the power to change the world and I am here for all of it.
Lena A.
In the words of Windy Brothers-Green…..
Lena will assist anyone at any hour of the day !!
Lynea H.
In the words of Lakisha Hogan-Corpening…..
Lynea H. is devoted to the cause. She has a wealth of knowledge and is able to break it down into layman’s terms. Lynea is a Non-medical case manager & Food Voucher coordinator here at MASS. She also facilitates support groups and is part of a host of committees that promote knowledge and eradicate the stigma of HIV/AIDS. Lynea works diligently to achieve the MASS mission and assists in sustaining and improving health. She also protects their dignity by encouraging the Independent living of our clients. She’s a Care Bear🤣😊
Tamara B.D.
In the words of Lakisha Hogan-Corpening…
Tamara is a Medical Case Manager. She has such compassion. Tam works tirelessly on behalf of the clients. She is conscious of barriers clients have and will provide support all while fostering Independence.
Arnice T.
In the words of Lakisha Hogan-Corpening…
Arnice is the Nurse Manager. She is the epitome of “Nurses are the heart of healthcare”. Her heart is designed to help, care, comfort, etc. Her gentle and keen personality helps people to relax and receive. Ms. Arnice with her caring heart also educates in a way that the individual can receive and digest it.
We’re honoring women at MASS all month of March long. March 10th is Women’s and Girls’ HIV Awareness Day. Come get tested and get a special gift from MASS. Let’s #StopHIVTogether!