Our Team

Meet Our Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Dr. Stephanie "Stephania" Herrera

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Dr. Stephanie "Stephania" Herrera joined the BEST Kids team in March 2022. Stephanie brings more than 25 years of strategic business development experience in nonprofits and membership organizations, as well as a lifetime of experience and passion for education and leadership development. She holds a BA in International Business Management, an MBA in Market Strategy from Regis University and a DBA in Business Administration. She holds a lifelong passion for mentoring. As someone who has served as both mentor and mentee in various capacities over the course of her life, she believes that mentoring is a powerful way to help people succeed. Outside of work, Dr. Herrera enjoys dance, yoga, meditation, and outdoor activities such as hiking and biking.

Director of Finance and Operations

Tope Sanni

Meet Tope

Tope Sanni

Operations Manager

Tope Sanni is the Finance and Operations Manager at BEST Kids and has over 5 years experience in budget and finance management. He has managed budgets for organizations in both the nonprofit sector and private sectors. He previously worked for Amazon as an Operations Manager and served as a Financial Analyst for The Coordinating Center, a nonprofit organization. He also served as a Program Coordinator and Director for three years at Lutheran Social Services. Tope holds an MBA in Strategic Management and Financial Analysis from the University of Minnesota and also received a Master of Science degree in Human Services Planning and Administration from Minnesota State University.

PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Carl Scott

Meet Carl

Carl Scott

PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Carl joined the BEST Kids team in August 2017. Carl is a Bronx native whose goal in life is to travel the world and help adolescents overcome any obstacle. He has lived in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Georgia, and now he is a Maryland resident. Carl graduated from the illustrious school by the sea, Savannah State University, in 2013 with a Bachelors degree in Behavior Analysis with a concentration in Sociology. Carl has a passion for working with under privileged youth, and writing. Carl has a helping attitude and lives by the quote "If one person can eat, so can two. And if Two people can eat, so can four." Sharing and teaching are some his strengths, just to name a few. In Carl's spare time, he enjoys playing basketball, trying new foods from different regions of the world, and watching American Ninja Warrior.

PROGRAM MANAGER

Richard Armah

Meet Richard

Richard Armah

Mentoring Support Specialist

Richard joined Best Kids in July 2023 and has experience working in the nonprofit sector, having previously served as the Ghana country rep for T.e.a.ch Africa, a British nonprofit dedicated to providing educational needs for deplorable communities in Africa. Richard has a fervent commitment to nurturing talent and fostering professional development within mission-driven organizations, which will help Best Kids and the MSS Team increase mentor engagement and community outreach. Richard has published two books and likes to cook.

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS

Letrice Weaver

Meet Letrice

Letrice Weaver

Development Manager

Letrice joined the BEST Kids team in June 2022. Letrice brings a passion for helping underserved youth to become all they were destined to be. Before joining BEST Kids, Letrice served as Assistant Principal of School Operations for 20 years and was responsible for overseeing the admissions, fundraising and development efforts. She is a native Washingtonian and received her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Howard University. Letrice is excited about supporting the mission of BEST Kids and contributing to making bright futures for the next generation of leaders. In her spare time, Letrice enjoys writing, blogging, relaxing at the beach, eating seafood, and spending time with friends and family.

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR

Sherrie Wright

Meet Sherrie

Sherrie Wright

Marketing & Communications Coordinator

Sherrie joined the BEST Kids team in January 2023. She has a strong passion for working with children and a wealth of communication experience. Since her junior year in high school, Sherrie has been working with children and even started her own daycare business in 2007. Successfully promoting her own business ignited a passion to help others with theirs.
Since 2015, Sherrie has been providing her expertise to various groups, including her church, family, friends, local small businesses and IRS (videography services). Her social media and communication skills have been an asset to those she has worked with, helping them achieve their goals and gain a wider audience. With her assistance, they have been able to establish a solid online presence and connect with their target audience effectively. She brings a unique blend of creativity and analytical skills to drive impactful campaigns. Her experience includes successful management of social media accounts, development of compelling content, and execution of targeted marketing strategies, resulting in consistently increased brand visibility and engagement.
During her leisure time, Sherrie finds solace in participating in church activities, capturing beautiful moments through photography and videography, basking in the warmth of sunny beaches like Aruba, and being a loving mother to her son. She lives by her favorite Bible verse which reminds her to "Walk by faith, not by sight". This helps her to maintain a positive outlook on life, even in difficult times, and encourages her to pursue her dreams with unwavering determination.

YOUTH VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAM COORDINATOR

Debohnei Reed

Meet Debohnei

Coming Soon!

PROGRAM COORDINATOR

Makyla Addison

Meet Makyla

Coming Soon!

MENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST

Dominique Watson

Meet DomINIQUE

I am a Mental Health Specialist at BEST Kids Mentoring DC. I graduated from Morgan State University in 2017 with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. I graduated from Bowie State University in 2022 with a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology. I created a 10 week program titled, "Out of the Box" to implement group wellness sessions. As the Mental Health Specialist, I will also offer one-on-one wellness sessions with the mentees. I am a mother to a 4- year girl named Bailey. In my free time, I enjoy party planning and balloon decorations.

MENTORING SUPPORT SPECIALIST

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Mentoring Support Specialist

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MENTORING SUPPORT SPECIALIST

Golda Akiwumi

Meet Golda

Golda Akiwumi

Mentoring Support Specialist

Golda was born in Accra, Ghana & was raised in the Prince Georges county area. Golda attended Virginia State University in undergrad & studied Criminal Justice w/a minor in Sociology. Golda later completed her master's in counseling psychology at Bowie State University.

Golda has a passion for working with adolescents. Golda has worked with youth & families in several capacities such as crises response, case management, Juvenile Detention & providing therapeutic services to the population of youth & their families. Golda's goal as a clinician is to provide support & rehabilitation to the youth & families she serves.
In her spare time she enjoys working out, spending time with family & watching movies with friends.

MENTORING SUPPORT ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Brenda McCrae

Meet Brenda

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Program Coordinator

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The success of BEST Kids would not be possible without the hard work, experience, and passion that each of our team members bring to the organization.