The Board of Directors and committee members
Aanu-Oluwapo Adewusi - Founding Director
Education:
- Special Education Teacher certification training at Virginia Union University, Richmond, Virginia
- Bachelor of Science Degree: Environmental and Health Management Ferris State University, Big Rapids Michigan.
- Associate of Science Degree: Industrial Chemistry Technology, Ferris State University, Big Rapids Michigan.
Aanu came to the United States on June 15, 1990. She began her career as a substitute teacher with the Chicago Public School in 1996. She moved with her family to Richmond Virginia in December 2000. She has been working for Richmond Public School since February 2001 until present.
As a trained educator, she has worked with the secondary school special education population and English Language Learners (ELL) student, formally known as English as a second language, in both the classroom and as a homebound teacher.
Christopher Olukayode Akinola - Financial and Cultural Enrichment Director
Education:
- Master of Business Administration in Corporate Finance, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Nigeria
- Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, The federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Nigeria
Mr. Akinola, from Ogun State, Nigeria, currently works as a Clinical Research Associate for Chiltern International, having done so for 5 years. He has lived in the United States since 2002, and is fluent in English and Yoruba. Mr. Akinola has trained as an engineer and has worked in the computer industry.
His hope for the organization is to enlighten people of issues that pertain to Africa and Africans, in particular their culture and way of life. It is his belief that in this way, we can give back to the community that raised so many of us. Mr. Akinola is a Facebook administrator for the Nigerian Community: Richmond Chapter. He was a member of L.I.O.N.S. Club International and served as president of the Akowonjo chapter from 2001 to 2002.
O. Deborah Afolayan - Secretary
Education:
- BA in Media Arts Production, Emerson College, Boston, MA
O. Deborah Afolayan has served as the Secretary for the Board of Directors for five years. Having graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Media Arts Production, Deborah lends her skills in film editing and digital organization to WoMen of Connection through documentation of seasonal events and many other behind the scenes work. Watching WoMen of Connection grow from its inception in 2014, Deborah has a clear understanding of the organization and its intent for students’ futures, especially as a former student herself as well as a child of immigrants. She hopes to see WoMen of Connections continue to reach the heights set forth in our Vision.
Robert Henry - Advisory Committee Member
Education:
- Master of Natural Resources degree, The Executive Master’s program, Virginia Tech University, Blacksburg, VA
- Bachelor of Art in Business, Marketing from Delaware State University. Dupont Hwy, Dover, DE
Robert has over twenty years of experience in Workforce Development as well as working with Youth Leadership Development. He has worked in a variety of capacities in both the public and private sectors providing oversight and support to those seeking greater employment opportunities. Robert has been a Career Center manager at the Richmond Resource Workforce Center and a Manager for the Training and Development Corp.
Robert is currently the Virginia Community College System – Workforce Development Services (VCCS-WDS) WIOA Youth Program Coordinator. He is a customer-focused workforce development professional who is passionate about youth and has devoted his career to making life better for others.
Martin H. Williams - Advisory Committee Member
Education:
- Bachelor of Science degree in Technology Education Norfolk State University in Norfolk, VA
- Master’s degree in Biblical Wisdom, Wisdom University, Tulsa, OK.
Mr. Williams has been an educator in Virginia for the past 21 years and 2 years in Bertie, North Carolina teaching Technology Education. He holds 17 years of coaching experience in football and track and field, as well as 4 years of coaching experience in basketball, having served as head coach for a collective 12 years,
He hopes that his contributions to WoMen of Connection Ministries provide “quality education in the area of biblical wisdom for all mankind”. He is certified in Principles of Technology I and II and holds certification as a Project Lead the Way instructor.
Omer Kounga - Advisory Committee Member
Education:
- Bachelor of Science in History and Political Science Virginia Union University, Richmond, Virginia (VA.)
- Associate Degree in Human Services J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College Richmond, Virginia.
Mr. Kounga is fluent in English, French, Beti, and Spanish. He has lived in the United States since 2006. He was a member of Virginia Union University’s Political Science Honor Society and Pre-Law Society since 2016, as well as holding the position of Senior Class Senator since 2016. Also, in 2016, he was a Lobbyist Intern and Campaign Staff for David Bailey Associates attending political events and weekly general assemblies.
Dr. Verlean Haylen - Advisory Committee Member
Education:
- Doctorate in Theology, Practical Christian Institute of Evangelism Bible College, Hemet, California
- Masters in Christian Counseling, Community Bible Institute, Brooklyn, New York.
- Undergraduate degree in Child Psychology, (Incarnate Word University, San Antonio, Texas)
Founder of MySisterCare, Inc. in 1988 which is a witnessing, optimizing, mentoring, educating and networking ministry for women destined for leadership. The ministry initiatives supported existing social services programs by servicing women who were falling through the cracks and suffering with domestic violence issues, substance abuse, mental illness and breast cancer. MySisterCare, Inc was very effective in encouraging one-on-one mentor relationships with volunteers from local churches of various denominations. MySisterCare, Inc now partners with WoMen of Connection to assist women and their children with English as a Second Language (ESL) literacy and spiritual growth.
