The MAN Foundation

09/21/2026

✨ Motivational Monday ✨

Yesterday, Dr. Walker had the privilege of watching one of her former Lakeview babies, Marie Des successfully defend her dissertation through Liberty University.

Her research, “The Impact of Black Women Executive Leadership Underrepresentation on Nonprofit Organizational Performance and Community Outcomes,” was powerful, but her words touched me even more.

She shared that she was “a little Black girl from Portsmouth” who was given an opportunity by another little Black girl from Portsmouth, surrounded by people from Portsmouth, to complete research that would contribute to something bigger than all of us.

That opportunity came through The MAN Foundation, the nonprofit she selected for her dissertation research.

Talk about a full-circle moment. ❤️

To watch someone she met in the 2nd grade stand before us as a scholar, researcher, and now Dr. Christie, while using an organization she founded as part of her doctoral research, reminded her that our work matters, our stories matter, representation matters, and Portsmouth produces greatness.

Desirae, congratulations on an incredible dissertation defense. We are so proud of the woman, scholar, and leader you have become.

From a Lakeview baby to Dr. Christie: look at God! 🙌🏾💜

Keep planting seeds. You never know how far they will grow.

09/19/2026

🎉 Happy Birthday, Sergio Neal! 🎉

The M.A.N. Foundation would like to wish our Public Relations, Security, and Transportation Director a very Happy Birthday! 🥳

Thank you for all you do for our organization, our families, and the communities we serve. Your dedication, support, and willingness to always step in wherever needed are truly appreciated.

We hope your birthday is filled with happiness, love, and many blessings. Enjoy your special day! 🎂🎈💙

Happy Birthday from your M.A.N. Foundation family! 🎉

09/04/2026

❤️ Fathers Forward Back-to-School Celebration at the Portsmouth City Jail ❤️

On Sunday, the M.A.N. Foundation, in partnership with the Portsmouth Sheriff’s Office, had the honor of helping incarcerated fathers celebrate the start of a new school year with their children and loved ones.

The fathers were selected by the Sheriff’s Office and completed a week of parenting classes led by Dr. Jaclyn Walker, Dr. Velvet Godwin Smith, and Leatha Ballard.

More than 2.7 million children in the United States have an incarcerated parent. Maintaining strong family connections during incarceration can improve outcomes for both parents and children. Incarceration does not erase a father’s desire to love, guide, support, and remain connected to his children. Every father deserves an opportunity to strengthen that bond.

We are forever grateful to Sheriff Michael Moore, Colonel Marvin Waters, and Major Terrence Riddick for their unwavering support of our mission and families.

✨ We were also honored by the presence of community leaders who continually stand in the gap:

• Mayor, the Honorable Shannon Glover
• Former Vice Mayor, the Honorable Lisa Lucas-Burke
• City Councilwoman, the Honorable Yolanda Edmonds Thomas
• School Board Member, the Honorable Arnette “Love” McSwain
• School Board Candidate Justin Jenkins

Your presence and support meant so much to our fathers and families!

🎤 Special Program Participants

• Keynote Speaker: Eugene Swinson
• Children’s Charge Speaker: The Honorable Arnette “Love” McSwain
• Children’s Book Reader: Janelle Beckles

🙌 Volunteers

Christina Hatcher | Khadijah Thomas | Endia Hatcher | Jennifer Lee

🧠 Board Members

Dr. Jaclyn Walker | Dr. Velvet Smith | The Honorable Lakeesha “Klu” Atkinson | Leatha Ballard | Amira Bethea-Lang | The Honorable Dr. Melvin Cotton Jr. | The Honorable Yolanda Edmonds Thomas | Deb C. Elliott | Sergio Neal | Markie Riddick | Dr. Vaundra Walters | Edinburgh Williams

🎓 Intern and Scholarship Recipient

We were proud to recognize our intern, Sakiah West, as the inaugural recipient of the Jennifer Jones Don’t Quit Scholarship and present her with a $500 scholarship.

This scholarship supports a young woman pursuing a service-centered career, including criminal justice, who demonstrates resilience, determination, a strong work ethic, and a commitment to never giving up.

The scholarship honors the legacy of Jennifer Jones, a founding member of the M.A.N. Foundation who passed away in 2020. Jennifer’s perseverance and “don’t quit” spirit will continue to inspire and empower young women for generations to come.

🎪 Vendors and Community Partners

Apples by Tawana Mills | Innovative Twist | Dime & Diva’s Roll and Press | Derek Hardy | Fly Girl Photography | Jae’s Gems Custom Treats | Janice Wilson | Latoya Burden | Michelle’s Décor & Planning | DJ Ayer Eye | Tonya Primadonna of Bounce N 2 Fun | Johnnie Brooks

Thank you to everyone who helped make this beautiful day possible. Together, we are breaking chains, building legacies, empowering fathers, strengthening families, and changing generations! ❤️

09/03/2026

💙 Thankful Thursday! 💙

On Saturday, The M.A.N. Foundation was invited to serve as a vendor at “The Truth About Today’s Drugs: What Families Need to Know” in Virginia Beach.

We had an amazing time making meaningful connections and exploring new networking opportunities that have opened doors for us to expand our reentry work! Sakiah did an outstanding job answering questions and educating attendees about The M.A.N. Foundation and the important work we do.

A special shout-out to our Board Chair, Dr. Velvet Smith, and one of our faithful volunteers for always showing up and supporting our mission! Together, we are continuing to make a difference—one connection, one family, and one second chance at a time. 💙

08/31/2026

✨ Motivational Monday! ✨

Yesterday, The M.A.N. Foundation hosted our annual Fathers Forward Back-to-School Summer Fest for a selected group of fathers and their children inside the Portsmouth City Jail.

The event focused on family reunification, strengthening father-child bonds, and creating meaningful memories before the new school year. 💙

📺 Check out the highlights from 13News Now!

I would also like to recognize and thank everyone who participated. I will share a bigger appreciation post recognizing everyone once we receive our professional pictures.

A Portsmouth back-to-school event reunited incarcerated fathers with their children, reinforcing family bonds and the importance of parenting.

08/28/2026

🎒🔍 Find-the-Board Friday: We Were Outside! 🔍🎒

On Sunday, the Honorable Lakeesha Klu Atkinson, a.k.a. School Board Klu, and I, a.k.a. School Board Barbie, brought a little Where’s Waldo? fun to Portsmouth with our Catch the Board School-Supply Tour!

In partnership with The MAN Foundation, Believe Pray Overcome, and sponsor Portsmouth United, we distributed book bags and school supplies in four Portsmouth communities: Churchland, Southside, Cradock, and Cavalier Manor!

A special shout-out to Velvet Smith, Tiffany Brooks, Markie Riddick, Sergio Neal/Sergio Neal, Jen T Lee and Endia Hatcher for volunteering and helping us make the day a success. We also thank every parent and family who followed the clues, found us, and came out to get school supplies!

We plan to do it again in the middle of the school year to help families replenish the supplies that always seem to disappear as the year goes on because the pencils may vanish, but our commitment to Portsmouth’s children will not! ✏️📚

We still have a few book bags available, so please reach out if your child needs one!

Shout out to Latricia Calloway for the pictures.

08/26/2026

🌟 Winning Women Wednesday 🌟

On Friday, the Honorable Lakeesha Klu Atkinson (School Board Klu)and I (School Board Barbie), along with Dr. Velvet Smith, Leatha Ballard and Jen T Lee, had the privilege of accompanying an amazing group of young ladies from The MAN Foundation, Horizons Hampton Roads, and Churchland High School to Richmond for Southern Black Girls Day at the Capitol at the Joy & Justice event.

Our girls spent the day surrounded by powerful women, inspiring leaders, and other young ladies from across Virginia. They were encouraged to use their voices, advocate for themselves and their communities, dream boldly, and recognize the power they possess to create change. From education and advocacy to STEM, arts, culture, and leadership, the experience showed them that their voices matter and that they belong in every space where decisions are made.

A heartfelt thank-you to my Sorors Kimberly Wimbish and Candi MundonKing for inviting us and ensuring that Portsmouth’s young ladies were represented. We are grateful for every opportunity to expose our girls to new experiences, positive role models, and spaces that celebrate their brilliance, beauty, voices, and limitless potential.

We are also thankful that we were able to use The M.A.N. Foundation van, the Believe, Pray, Overcome van, and the Sprinter van from Big Homies Community Outreach Program to transport our young ladies safely to this unforgettable experience. It truly takes a village, and we appreciate every organization and community partner who helped make this trip possible!

Portsmouth showed up, and our girls represented us beautifully! 💕✨

08/23/2026

🚨 HAPPENING TODAY! 🚨

All right, today’s the day! Join School Board Klu and School Board Barbie for our “Catch the Board” Scavenger Hunt—Where’s Waldo: School Supply Edition! 🎒📚✏️

Can you find us at all four stops?

🔍 11:00 a.m. — Somewhere in Churchland
🔍 12:30 p.m. — Somewhere on the Southside
🔍 2:00 p.m. — Somewhere in Cradock
🔍 3:30 p.m. — Somewhere in Cavalier Manor

Follow the clues, find School Board Klu and School Board Barbie, and grab school supplies, books, healthy snacks, and giveaways while supplies last!

Let the hunt begin! Where will we pop up first? 👀

08/22/2026

📍 CAN YOU FIND US? 📍

Tomorrow – Catch the Board Tour with School Board Klu and School Board Barbie! 💖

Sponsored by the The MAN Foundation, Believe Pray Overcome, and Portsmouth United.

Here are a few clues about where we’ll be:
(Watch the video)

🎃 11:00 a.m. – Think Halloween colors!
🏘️ 12:30 p.m. – Think Boldens!
⚓ 2:00 p.m. – Follow the anchor!
🧡💙 3:30 p.m. – Think UVA’s mascot!

Can you solve the clues and find us?

Stop by for school supplies, healthy snacks, books, giveaways, and lots of fun! We can’t wait to see you! 🎒📚🍎🎁

08/14/2026

🎉 Fun Friday with The MAN Foundation! 🎉

Last Friday, The MAN Foundation had the opportunity to participate in a Friday Community Cares Day at London Oaks. We partnered with Horizons Hampton Roads to provide a fun and memorable experience for youth and their families.

During our interactive photo activity, participants answered a question on a whiteboard, posed for a picture with their response, and decorated their own picture frames. They added magnets to the backs of their frames so they could proudly display them on their refrigerators at home. Each participant also received a positive affirmation card and a Snack Attack bag!

The activity was a huge hit, and the youth truly enjoyed expressing themselves, taking pictures, and creating special keepsakes to take home. Thank you to Horizon Hampton Roads for partnering with us to make this wonderful experience possible! ❤️