School Search – The Gloria J. Taylor Foundation

Board of Directors

FOUNDERS

Dr. Theresa Dixon

Co-Founder/CEO

Mr. L. Cliff Taylor

Co-Founder/CFO

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Syrena Alexander

Board President

SyrenaBodden-Alexander is currently an assistant principal for Chicago Public Schools (CPS).

Syrena Alexander, Board President

Syrena Bodden-Alexander is currently an assistant principal for Chicago Public Schools (CPS). She also served CPS as a district-wide school psychologist for approximately 12 years. Currently, she is pursuing her doctorate in educational leadership at National Louis University. She desires to earn her degree to gain further insight into the continued development of young minds in the 21st century. As a community activist, she resides as the current board president for the Gloria J. Taylor Foundation. The foundation was established after the untimely death of her political mentor, Alderman Gloria J. Taylor. Together, with Ald. Taylor's children, the foundation was launched over 15 years ago to continue the commitment Ald.

Taylor passionately provided for her community. Mrs. Alexander is most proud of the recently awarded multi-million-dollar TRIO grant for two upward bound programs to the foundation. While serving others is a driving force for Mrs. Alexander, she is inspired to help young people overcome challenges by arming them with a quality education. She also served as board secretary for AAA Alternative School for approximately five years. Mrs. Alexander is passionate about education, the development of young people, and the development of her community at large. She is a Christian who has served her church family as a Sunday School teacher for over ten years. She strives to live with her hand open to help others, inspired by the famous quote by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, "Lifes most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing to help others?"

Tiffany Taylor

Secretary

Tiffany Taylor is the Executive Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent of ...

Tiffany Taylor, Secretary

Tiffany Taylor is the Executive Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent of Bremen High School District 228. Mrs. Taylor grew up in the South Suburbs of Chicago, attending Thornridge High School. While working for AT&T, she obtained her Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Network Management with honors. Her passion for our youth began with her community involvement, while her two sons played sports, and continued as she volunteered at the very school district she currently works for.

She has over 20 years of customer relations experience while engaging with people of all ages from all walks of life. Ms. Taylor believes all children can reach their highest potential when given the resources and opportunity to achieve in a rigorous and supportive learning environment.

Heloise Smith

Board Member

Heloise A. Smith grew up in the South Suburbs of Chicago and graduated from Thornton Township...

Heloise Smith, Board Member

Heloise A. Smith grew up in the South Suburbs of Chicago and graduated from Thornton Township High School in Harvey, Illinois. After High School, she attended Alabama State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree.

Heloise Smith has been a member of the Bethlehem Temple Missionary Baptist Church for the past 45 years under the tutelage of the late Rev. Dr. J C Smith ( organizing Pastor) and currently under the leadership of Rev. Jeffery L. Smith.

Heloise Smith has been active in her community with various organizations and is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She currently serves as the President of the Women's Department of the Progressive Baptist State Convention of Illinois, Inc. She has also served as the National President of the Young Adult Women of the Progressive National Baptist Convention.

Heloise Smith desires to always be a light to God's People and to not only talk about it but to live so that all will come to know and to have a personal relationship with the true and living God. Her favorite scripture is Jeremiah 29:11. For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. (12) Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.

It is an honor to serve on the board of the GJTF and pray that I will be used by God to never look down on a person unless I am lifting them up.

Angela M Pope

Treasurer

Angela Pope, a native of the southern suburbs of Chicago, has served as treasurer...

Angela M Pope, Treasurer

Angela Pope, a native of the southern suburbs of Chicago, has served as treasurer on the board of directors of the Gloria J Taylor Foundation since the year 2008. Her role includes seeking corporate and individual donors financially interested in community engagement and volunteerism to support the education and empowerment of our youth of today and the future. Angela is employed for over 25 years as a senior accountant at William Blair & Co. in Chicago, Illinois. She received her B.S. degree in accounting from Illinois State University in Normal, IL. Angela was a 27-year, active and faithful member of Bethlehem Temple MB Church in Harvey, Illinois, under the leadership of the pastor, Rev. Dr. J.C., and Willie Mae Smith. Angela is the wife of the wonderful Pastor Victor D. Pope of New Christian Fellowship MB Church in Chicago, IL.

They have celebrated 20 years of marriage, have two daughters, a son and three granddaughters. The Pope family resides in Flossmoor, IL. Angela has a God-given desire to help and encourage all children to succeed in life through educational and youth-oriented activities to achieve their fullest potential. She lives by the motto:
Trust In God, Believe In Yourself, Dare to Dream

PASTOR VICTOR D. POPE

Board Member

Victor Pope has been blessed to serve on the board of directors of the...

PASTOR VICTOR D. POPE, Board Member

Victor Pope has been blessed to serve on the board of directors of the Gloria J Taylor Foundation since 2008. Victor's other board memberships include Antioch District Association of the Baptist State Convention, Christian Education Teacher, and Advisor, BaythorneTownhome Condominium Association of Flossmoor, IL Treasurer, For 22 years as an associate minister at Bethlehem Temple MB Church, under the tutelage of Rev. Dr. J.C. Smith and Sister Willie M. Smith. Victor served as the Assistant General Superintendent of Christian Education and was a sought-after facilitator, lecturer, and guest speaker. Now, as the proud pastor of the New Christian Fellowship MB Church on the south side of Chicago, IL, Victor has made a significant impact on the congregation and the community at large. Victor is employed by ComEd, an Exelon Corporation. During his 27 year tenure as Senior Material Handler, he is responsible for supervising and training his staff on various computer software programs used to provide electrical service throughout Chicago and the Midwest region of Illinois.

Born and raised on the Southside of Chicago, a graduate of Lincoln Technical Institute, Victor has been married for 20 years to the lovely Angela Pope and has two daughters, a son and three granddaughters. Victor has a passion for the youth, teaching them to Put God first, you can always do better in life with God.

Dina Gatling

Board Member

Dina Gatling is the owner of Dina Marie's Catering specializing...

Dina Gatling, Board Member

Dina Gatling is the owner of Dina Marie's Catering specializing in Soul Food Cuisine. Co-founder of the Ciara Alexandria Gatling Memorial Scholarship along with her husband and three sons. Since it's inception in 2014, CAG Scholarship Fund hasannually helped four deserving youth in the quest to pursue higher education.

Before starting her own company, Dina Gatling worked as a District Sales Manager for Avon products for 22 years. She's very active at her church, serving as a Youth Leader, Planning Committee, and Head of Hospitality at A.I.C.L Ministries in Dolton, IL. Dedicated to serving others, she's also a Licensed Insurance agent for the state of Indiana and Illinois with Primerica Financial Services.

Lafayette Gatling

Board Member

COMING SOON!