Alice B. Otchere

Founder, Literacy for Life

Alice B. Otchere is Founder, and Executive Director Literacy for Life. Literacy for Life is a non-profit organization with a mission to address literacy deficiencies, provide enhanced learning opportunities through supplemental programs in underserved communities.

Ms. Otchere’s foundational expertise is in Human Resource practices, Executive Coaching and Leadership Development. She has successfully led clients in the design and implementation of regional and national human resource practices. Ms. Otchere’ business experience has allowed her to work in various business organizations in the healthcare industry, academia, and the energy industry. Her knowledge and expertise have created opportunities for her to consult and advise clients in a number of industries.

Ms. Otchere received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa. She completed graduate level studies in business at the University of Michigan and received an Executive and Leadership Coaching education and certification from the University of Texas-Dallas. Ms. Otchere is a credentialed coach designated by the International Coaches Federation.

Naana Danquah Jefferson

Naana Danquah Jefferson is the General Counsel Americas Land (which covers the US, Canada and parts of South America) for Schlumberger in Houston, Texas. She received her B.A. in Political Science and Sociology from Tulane University and her J.D. from South Texas College of Law. During her 15+ years at Schlumberger, Naana has had the opportunity to develop a focus in employment and labor law, compliance and internal investigations, and has been providing trainings on various topics to employees at all levels throughout Schlumberger.

In addition to her career, Naana is a Board Member of the Schlumberger Employee Credit Union and Dance Houston. Naana has a passion for helping others via volunteer and fundraising activities on a state, local and individual level.

Naana has a deep love for the arts. She is a former dancer and fitness instructor, and was the founder and owner of a dance, fitness, and creative arts studio. In her spare time, she crochets, makes jewelry, and tends to her collection of indoor plants. Naana resides in the greater Houston area with her husband, daughter and adopted fur baby.

Patricia F. Laster

Patricia Flowers Laster is a lifetime Librarian, who from a young age let her love for reading and literature shape her Professional course. While having served as an adjunct Community College Reference Librarian, a Public Library Assistant Director – her true love is the serving of underrepresented youth.

After completing her Bachelors of Arts at McAlester College in St. Paul Minnesota and her Master’s in Library Science at the University of Wisconsin, she began her career in New Jersey and now lives and works in her hometown, Houston, Texas

Wanda Williams Sykes

Wanda Williams Sykes was a Certified New York City school teacher for more than twenty five years. She taught beginning level Spanish and English as a Second Language to middle and high school students.

She supported students in their community services projects of crocheting lapcovers for residents of the neighborhood senior citizens residence. Wanda received her Master of Science in Education from the College of New Rochelle.

She is currently retired and living in her hometown of Brooklyn, New York. She enjoys reading, crocheting, appreciating the arts and driving to explore new places

Kwaku Owusu Aidoo

Mr. Kwaku Owusu Aidoo is Chairman of the Juliana Frimpomaa Foundation located in Accra, Ghana. As the Chairman, he is responsible for corporate oversight and presiding over the strategic direction of the organization. To accomplish this, he interfaces with business in various industries, other non profits/non government organizations and partners with the public to provide enhanced services to communities in need, with particular interest in Ghana. For example, the Foundation was directly involved and instrumental in creating a computer lab at a school in a local village in the Eastern Region in Ghana. The computer lab provides tools and resources so that the students may have access to technology and learn 21st century computer techniques.

Mr. Aidoo has an extensive executive background and work experience in international business. His business related ventures have required him to become proficient in dealing with people from various backgrounds and cultures. He has managed business deals in Asia, Europe. Middle East and the U.S. An astute businessman, he manages his business enterprises with knowledge, skills and abilities obtained during his 25 years in business. He has served as an Executive with various organizations including Santa Baron Ventures, and board of directors for Ghana and American Field Service (AFS-USA)’s cultural exchange programs. Currently, he is engaged in private enterprises in the land development, construction and timber industries.

Although he has an extensive business background, he will tell any who asks about his experience, “professionally, I am a teacher”. Before engaging in international business ventures and private enterprise, he taught in Ghana Education Service schools in several communities and villages. Teaching and education is still very important to him; as often as he can, he supports the educational pursuits of many deserving students who cannot receive financial support from others.

The Rev’d Harold Lockett, D. Min

The Rev’d Dr. Harold is a retired Episcopal priest in Atlanta, Georgia. He has served in the following positions as an Episcopal priest, namely, more recently as an Interim Priest in the Anglican Diocese of Bermuda, as the former Associate Priest of St Paul’s Episcopal Church in Atlanta, as the former Rector and Pastor of St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church in Decatur, Georgia, and as the former Chaplain/ Director of the Absalom Jones Student Center and Chapel in the Atlanta University Center.

Since graduating from the Interdenominational Theological Center, he has served as an US Army Chaplain, as an ACPE Supervisor in Training, as a Hospice Chaplain, as a Pastoral Educator for Organ and Tissue Donation for Transplantation, and as a priest. He is retired from the US Army Chaplaincy after over 21 years of military service.

He is a graduate of the University of Texas at El Paso, Texas (BBA-Marketing), the C. H. Mason Theological Seminary (M. Div & D. Min), and the Virginia Theological Seminary (Diploma of Anglican Studies).

He is married to Carol Marsh-Lockett, PhD, a retired professor of English at Georgia State University, and they have two adult children: Amanda and Joseph.
Fr Lockett is a Life Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and his hobbies include playing golf, traveling internationally, and reading.