Board of Directors
Pastor David O. Taylor
Board Chair
Pastor David is a 1984 graduate of Sussex Central High School, Sussex, VA. He is an alumnus of Richard Bland College where he received an associate degree in Business Administration. He also attended
Evans-Smith Leadership Institute of Virginia Union University School of Theology, St. Paul’s College,
where he received a bachelor’s in Organizational Management and Capella University where he received a master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy. Pastor Taylor is also a co-owner and the CEO of Accent Group and Family Services, a community-based services agency, with locations in Richmond and Fredericksburg, VA.
Pastor David also serves on several boards in the Central Virginia area.
Malcolm L. Manning
Malcolm L. Manning is the owner of STAAND Youth Services, Inc., providing therapeutic day treatment and mental health skill building. For more than 25 years, he has worked with underserved children and young adults. Malcolm serves as director of the Sussex Educational Foundation and Sussex County Chamber of Commerce director, and the Family Assessment and Planning Team (FAPT) board. He is also a member of the Virginia Association of Community-Based Providers (VACBP), Kappa Alpha Psi Inc., Prince Hall Free, Accepted Masons, and the Chesterfield County School System Mega Mentor program. Malcolm holds a degree in Sociology from Norfolk State University and completed James Madison University teaching certification coursework. He is married to the former Tracie Lewis, and they have two adult children and two granddaughters.
Altise M. Street
Altise works for DentaQuest and educates Virginia residents about the Medicaid Dental benefit. She holds a Bachelor in Business Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University and a Masters of Business from the University of Phoenix. Altise has worked in Central Virginia in the Human Service arena for over 18 years. Altise serves on multiple boards and strives to give back to her community to the best of her ability.
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Dr. Laura Taylor
Laura Taylor, Ed.D. is a business owner, educator, author, and community volunteer. After graduating from high school, she obtained a bachelor’s degree from James Madison University. As an adult learner, she received a master’s degree from Mary Baldwin College. Her doctorate from the University of Phoenix was conferred in 2012.
Laura volunteers as a mentor serves on multiple boards, and participates, with her husband in several faith-based initiatives throughout their community. One of her biggest outreach endeavors is sharing her two children’s books.
Rev. Charles Sumpter
Reverend Charles Sumpter is retired from the United States Army with 28 years of active federal service. He holds a bachelor’s degree in History from Norfolk State University, a master’s degree in Business from Central Michigan University, a Master’s equivalent from the U.S. Army War College, and a Master of Divinity from the Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University.
Melissa Perez Diggs
Bio forthcoming
Yannette Nicholas
Dinwiddie County Liaison
Bishop Darren L. Gay, Sr.
Bishop Darren L. Gay, Sr. is the Pastor, Founder, and Visionary of Higher Way Ministries in Petersburg, Virginia. Bishop Gay is a product of the Sussex County Public School System and a graduate of Richard Bland College. He attended Ferrum College Baptist Seminary and received his Doctorate Degree in Divinity from St. Thomas Christian College. Bishop Gay has been preaching the word of God for over 30 years, with 25 of those years serving as the Senior Pastor of Higher Way Ministries – Petersburg Campus. In addition, he serves as Executive Director of the B.A.L.M. Center (Breaking Addictions Learning Mentoring). Being obedient to the voice of God, he launched the E.A.G.L.E.S. Fellowship of Pastors and Leaders (Empowering and Assisting God’s Leaders For Extraordinary Servanthood). He is married to the former Danielle Bell of Hagerstown, Maryland, and they have four children and one granddaughter.
Yannette is a 2004 graduate of Dinwiddie County High School. She currently serves as the Outreach Coordinator for the Dinwiddie Department of Socials Services, where she can live out her dream of creating programs to help better the people of the community where she grew up. Yannette has worked in the Social Services field for 15 years. She has had a hunger for helping people since the early age of seven. She loves what she does, and her passion shows daily through her work within her agency, community, church, and organizations she serves.
Her favorite quote is, "Don't waste your opportunity to be the change that you seek!"
Jonathan Penn
Chesterfield County Liaison
Jonathan supervises the Assessment and Resource Team (A.R.T.). A.R.T. responds to requests from individuals and families needing emergency shelter, food, utility assistance, rental assistance, and conflict resolution. Jonathan is a Pulaski County High School graduate with a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Virginia Military Institute in History and a Master’s in Education and Administration from Virginia State University. Jonathan has worked in human/homeless services programs for over fifteen years in Southwest Virginia and Richmond, Virginia.
Rev. Deanna Petit Sailor
Dawn McCoy
Chief Executive Officer
Rev. Deanna M. Petit Sailor, LCSW is a retired pastor and social worker who has served in various non-profit leadership roles. Through her role at East End Partnership with Families, she expanded community partnerships and family engagement services. Rev. Sailor has also taught at Virginia Commonwealth University School for Social Work and has expertise with conflict resolution and mental health services. She holds an M.Div. from the Methodist Theological School of Ohio, completed a master's degree in social work and a bachelor's degree in sociology from Wayne State University, and an associate's degree in liberal arts from Highland Park Community College. In her free time, she enjoys her family and has a passion for the arts and play production.
Dawn McCoy has over 20 years of experience serving in the non-profit sector and public service leadership. Dawn completed the Virginia Partners in Policymaking Program as a thought leader and passionately serves as a gubernatorial appointee on state and nonprofit boards for individuals with disabilities. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Howard University and a master’s degree from the Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy where she was a Bryce Harlow Scholar.