TOPPS - Key Persons
A'Riah currently maintains a 3.8 GPA as a junior at White Hall High School. A'Riah says three of her greatest achievements are making the varsity basketball team, being selected to this board and obtaining her drivers license. After graduating high school, A'Riah wants to pursue her dream career of an Occupational Therapist.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- Founder
Annette Dove is Founder of TOPPS and also serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the nonprofit organization. Her academic background consists of a Bachelor of Science Degree in Special Education K-12, a Master of Science Degree in Education, an Elementary Education Administration Certification, an Arkansas Teacher's Certificate, and a Training Arkansas Profession Pathways (TAPP) Certificate as a State Trainer. Annette also has more than 30 years of experience working directly with youth. She has taught in the Pine Bluff school district for 11 years, served as the director of the federally funded program "Home Instruction Program for Preschool Youngsters" (HIPPY) for 11 years, served as the church youth director for 12 years, and also served multiple years on the Early Childhood Commission.
Beverly Devine House is an Arkansas native, having lived in McGehee, Arkadelphia, Little Rock, Pine Bluff, and England. Beverly graduated from Ouachita Baptist University with a Bachelor of Science in Education degree and from the University of Central Arkansas with a Master's degree in Library and Information Technology. She has taught in both public and private sectors and continues to tutor students individually. Beverly and her husband are active members of Calvary Baptist Church in Little Rock where she volunteers in the Children's ministry and with the hospitality committee. At home, you'll often find Beverly watching The Golf Channel with her husband, reading a novel on her Kindle (you can follow her on Goodreads), or playing with her 13-year-old toy poodle, Barkley.
Raised by grandparents after his mother became ill with MS, Brandon Jolly was a shy kid who always sat at the back of the classroom and didn't want to talk to anyone. That changed in 3 rd grade when he entered Little TOPPS and later joined "Moving Forward," TOPPS' mentoring program for young men.
Meeting every Saturday until they graduated from high school, Brandon and the other boys met successful businessmen, engaged in team-building activities and received coaching in a variety of life skills such as how to knot a tie and the proper use of dining utensils.
"The mentors taught us how to think critically and laid a foundation for what it takes to be a man," Jolly said. "It was a brilliant idea, to keep young black men off the streets so we couldn't get involved in things we shouldn't be involved in."
Jolly, 26, now works at Purdue University as a Residence Education Coordinator and is entering a PhD program in Higher Education Leadership. High school friends who weren't mentored have lives that look a lot different from his today, he said. "My drive to want to continue to succeed, to talk to people, to always look my best and be ready to perform-that's what TOPPS instilled in me."
Devontae Brown struggled to pay attention in school, began talking in class and stopped turning in homework and schoolwork assignments after his parents divorced.
With his father gone and his mother working two jobs to support the family, he might have joined a gang like some of his best friends. Like them, he might have gone to juvenile detention in 7 th and 8 th grade for gang-related robberies and assaults or found himself serving an adult prison term for even worse crimes.
Devontae says there was one reason he didn't go down that path: TOPPS.
"They had video games, extracurricular activities; they taught us how to cook and spent a lot of time teaching us valuable life skills," said Devontae, who joined Little TOPPS in the third grade. "It was a safe haven-safe from what was happening on the streets."
Now 22 and a college graduate, Devontae is paying it forward by serving as a mentor to three high school boys. "Being in Pine Bluff, it's so easy to get in trouble. One day you'll be here. The next you're dead and gone just by getting in with the wrong crowd. But TOPPS is like a really big family. They never leave anyone behind."
Tina L. Fletcher is a native of Plumerville, Arkansas and proud graduate of Morrilton High School. She holds a BA in Political Science and African American Studies from the University of Arkansas, an EdM in Teacher Education from Harvard University, and a PhD in Education Policy from the University of Pennsylvania. She is the CEO of Fletcher Education Solutions, a small education consulting firm that specializes in helping teachers and education majors pass teacher licensure exams. Tina's work experience includes internships with the Arkansas Public Policy Panel, the Southern Education Foundation, former US Senator Blanche Lincoln, the Congressional Black Caucus, and the Office of First Lady Michelle Obama. She is also a former social studies teacher and was named Teacher of the Year. Her work experience includes serving as a fundraiser for President Barack Obama and the Memphis Grizzlies where she managed the team's education program and raised funds for St. Jude. As an education consultant, Tina has worked with leaders in Crossett and Marianna to create plans of action to improve their education systems. Tina has been named a Visionary Arkansan by the Arkansas Times and was recently named to the 2022 Arkansas Business Top 40 Under 40 class.
Dr. Whitnee Boyd is a native of Humphrey, AR and graduated from Pine Bluff High School. She now resides in Fort Worth, TX and serves as the Coordinator of Special Projects for the Office of the Chancellor at Texas Christian University (TCU). She received her Doctorate of Education in the Higher Education Leadership from TCU. She graduated from the University of Arkansas where she received her B.S. in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing. She went on to earn a M.A. in Higher Education from Louisiana State University. Whitnee is a former Albert Schweitzer Fellow serving in the Fort Worth community through building college readiness programs in the Morningside area and currently serves on the Board for the DFW Chapter of the Albert Schweitzer Fellowship. She is a member of the Center for First-Generation Student Success Advocacy Group. Whitnee is a member of the Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church in Fort Worth where she serves as a youth leader. She is a Leadership ISD Fellow, member of the Fort Worth Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and she is active in her community through volunteerism and civic engagement. Whitnee is committed to creating and promoting change by challenging systems and creating a collective impact.
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Director of Community Outreach
Gina Alley, Director of Community Outreach and Client Relations, specializes in fostering relationships with the clients and the community to ensure open communication before, during, and even after services are performed. Gina departed from Con-Real about four years ago to complete her Masters in Public Administration at the University of North Texas. Upon her completion of the graduate program, Gina served as the Senior Assistant to the City Manager for the City of Grand Prairie, Texas. A majority of Gina's position at the City of Grand Prairie encompassed community outreach and special projects with a focus on mentoring children. Gina's plans to serve as the Con-Real representative in fostering relationships with clients and identifying potential opportunities for Con-Real.
Jordon is a senior at Pine Bluff High School where he currently has a 4.0 GPA. Jordon was inducted in the National Honors Society, elected as President in Gamers United at Pine Bluff High School, and won State Farm Bureau player of the week. After graduating high school, Jordon plans to attend college and pursue his dream career of an Industrial Engineer.
Kasee Dove has worked for TOPPS Inc. since the founding days and serves a multitude of roles. The most prominent role Kasee holds is the Program Coordinator for the TOPPS Graphics shop. A graduate of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Kasee achieved a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science. This education has assisted her with developing the success of the TOPPS Graphics shop, where she's responsible for training the TOPPS student workers in the designing of products. She also serves as the program coordinator for the Changing Steps girls mentoring program.
Kennedi is a junior at Southwest High School and currently holds a 3.75 GPA. Kennedi proudest achievements include making the Superintendent Honor Roll, being placed in the top 6% of her graduating class and making her Junior Olympics volleyball team. Kennedi wants to be a business owner when she becomes an adult.
Lloyd Holcomb is a Pine Bluff native, proudly graduating from Pine Bluff High School in 1993. He completed a degree in Religious Studies from Arkansas Baptist College. Currently, Lloyd serves as both the Funeral Director at Henson-Holcomb Mortuary as well as a Community Outreach Officer at Relyance Bank both located in Pine Bluff. In addition, he serves as a Pine Bluff City Councilman. Lloyd is an integral and effective part of the Pine Bluff community and is passionate about serving our community members.
Mike Dove has been working for TOPPS since 2005. He earned two bachelor degrees from the University of Arkansas, in Criminal Justice and Sociology, with a focus in Child Sociology. Mike earned his Master of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Cincinnati, with emphasis in Juvenile Justice. He is one of the co-founders of the Marcus C. Harris II: Moving Forward Program and one of the leading brains behind the development of the DREAMS program. Mike has mentored more than 100 young men and women throughout Arkansas and Texas.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Finance Committee
Patricia Minor is a native of Pine Bluff. She received her Bachelor of Science in Education with a minor in Early Childhood Education from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. She has worked more than 32 years in various public school systems, including Helena School District, Texarkana School District, Grady School District and currently the Star City School District. She enjoys teaching and helping others, and has the opportunity to not only share her gifts in her professional circle, but also in her church and community circles. She is a very active member and leader in her church in the youth and choir departments.
Job Titles:
- Food & Nutrition Coordinator
Paulette is a native of Altheimer, Arkansas. She graduated from Altheimer-Sherill High School and attended University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff in the field of Early Childhood. Paulette has 20 years experience as a store manger and ten years as a substitute teacher in the local school district. Paulette has volunteered with TOPPS for over five years. Paulette's duties include training of staff and sites, menu preparation, organization of food distributions, meeting all USDA Health departments requirements and data collection.
Job Titles:
- Program Coordinator
- DREAMS Program Coordinator & BEAT Project Director
- Project Director of Our BEAT
Raychelle is the project director of our BEAT (Breast health, Education, Access & Treatment) program. She is also the coordinator for the DREAMS (Dreams Require Educating and Motivating Students) program. Grant holds a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Business Management from the University of Arkansas-Little Rock. Grant has been volunteering with the TOPPS organization since its opening days, but it was in 2012 when Grant played a vital role in the success of the DREAMS program. Grant also serves as a mentor for both girls mentoring programs.
Ryan is currently a junior at White Hall High School. Ryan possesses a 3.9 GPA. Ryan states her biggest accomplishments was wearing the title as vice president of this board and becoming a competitive dancer. Ryan plans to become a Clinical Psychologist when she grows up.
Taylor is a junior at White Hall High School where she currently possess a 4.2 GPA. Some of Taylor's most notable accomplishments are being selected to work with Senator Boozman, getting inducted into the National Beta Club, and being selected as the president of this board. After graduating high school Taylor plans to attend college and chase her dream of becoming an Obstetrician-Gynecologist.
Warren G. Smith was born and raised in Pine Bluff and is a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff with a degree in Early Childhood Education. He received a Master's degree in Education Counseling from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He is a Guidance Counselor at a junior high school in Pine Bluff. Warren lives in Pine Bluff with his lovely wife and seven beautiful daughters and is also a Pastor of a local church. His desire is to see our youth growing and maximizing their potential to have a better quality of life.