Community Involvement

Founder of Y.E.S. (Young Empowered Sisters) Mentor Program

This program connected girls ages 12-18 with positive women in the community who served as their mentors. The program focused on the importance of self-worth, respect, community involvement, and education.

We took these young ladies on several educational and fun trips to include:

A tour of the Historical Central High School, Arkansas Capital the statues of Little Rock 9, and Daisy Bates’ Home.
A trip to Memphis where we toured the Slave Haven Museum, the National Civil Rights Museum, and the Lorraine Motel.
A trip to Atlanta, Georgia to tour the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Park and Museum Center. We also toured the historical HBCU Spelman and Morehouse.
A trip to St. Louis where we toured Harris Stowe State University, the Gateway Arch, and Griot Black History Museum.
The Y.E.S. girls and mentors also provided several public service duties in our community.

Conway Morning Rotary Club Member

The Rotary Club provides service to others, promotes integrity, and takes action to change the world. I am serving on the DCFS (Department of Children Family Service) Birthday Card committee which ensures that each child in foster care in the state of Arkansas receives a birthday card. The goal is to play a small part in bringing a big smile to each child.

Arkansas Foster Child Birthday Card Program Apr 11, 2022

This summer, Sheila Franklin observed 25 years working in the juvenile court system in Conway, her hometown. In that time, she’s seen a lot of the worst that comes to kids that lack direction and structure in their lives. But what she saw three years ago changed the arc of her career and her life.

Choosing to Excel

I was one of the original mentors when Choosing to Excel began with a program called Prim 'N Proper. The founder Thelma Moton has grown Choosing to Excel into a very impactful and much needed youth mentor program that empowers and encourages teens to make positive life choices.

Pine Street Backpack Program

I volunteer and donate to this program that addresses education. One primary focus is to provide backpacks filled with all the school supplies needed for kids in Faulkner County grades K-12 to start off the new school year.

Pine Street Backpack Program on Facebook

Dandra Thomas Basketball Invitational Tournament Committee

As a team, the committee organized the tournament, acquired donations, and brought community leaders together to support the Lady Cats basketball program.