We hope you enjoyed the Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends! As the holiday season continues, please keep in mind the works of Agents of Hope. Our initiatives would not exist without the generous support of partners like you.
You have made it possible for us to impact our community in many ways! From our empowerment seminars, to Back To School supplies, to food drives in Africa, we want to express our deep gratitude to you for your belief in our organization.
Every year many people, both young and old, are faced with challenging obstacles that impede their success. We are changing that!
For many years Agents of Hope has empowered individuals towards becoming strong, confident and successful versions of themselves through its various empowerment and mentorship programs.
Your generous donation helps us to provide our programs. Many individuals have been empowered to seek the knowledge they need, engage new connections and create the life they desire.
With our strong passion and focus, we are changing the path for many people across the globe! You can be a part of that change…join the Movement and Give!
Detroit, Michigan, – The Agents of Hope Health and Fitness Team participated in the 5K Run at the Rhonda Walker Foundation’s annual Give and Get Fit 5K Run, Walk and 10K Race on Sunday, July 27, 2014, along the Detroit Riverfront at Rivard Plaza located at 1340 East Atwater, Detroit, Michigan.
Now in its fourth year, over 400 health conscious participants ran, walked and raced along Detroit’s Riverwalk, the Dequindre Cut Greenway path and downtown neighborhoods in support of the Rhonda Walker Foundation’s Girls into Woman programs – a five-year program for teen girls starting in the 8th grade and continuing until they graduate from high school. Over that five-year period the girls meet monthly for workshops, seminars, retreats, field trips and camps that focus on career and personal development. In addition, every girl is paired with an adult mentor.
The Agents of Hope team was award the “Team Spirit” Award for great collaboration, motivation and team support. Robert Gunn won the overall 5K Run for the Agents of Hope team and Ada Jones won in the women 30s age group. The participating Agents of Hope team members are: Shola Salako, Ada Jones, Olawale Anifowoshe, Robert Gunn, Yewanke Oke and Jayla Jones.
“What an exciting fitness and health event for Detroit! I am so proud of the Agents of Hope team and the motivation for everyone…let’s continue to give hope,” said Shola Salako, Agents of Hope’s founder.
The overall winners for the Rhonda Walker Give and Get Fit 5K Run and 10K Race – for the women include Blaire J. (5K time 20:48.6) and Andrea Brisson (10K time 42:06.4); and for the men Robert Gunn/Agents of Hope (5K time 18:17.0) and Jonathan Tate (10K time 41:39.6).
The Rhonda Walker Foundation was founded in 2003 and since then, 100 percent of its teens that have completed the five-year Girls into Women program graduate from high school and enroll in college and 95% percent of these students attend Detroit Public Schools where the graduation rate is far lower. It’s mission and work to empower inner city teen girls towards becoming strong, confident, successful, and moral future leaders continues with a bright future ahead.
Agents of Hope is a proud supporter of the Rhonda Walker Foundation. For more information on the Rhonda Walker Foundation please visit online at www.RhondWalkerFoundation.org or call (800) 652-2989.
The elegant evening of fashion, arts and culture featuring Vogue Afrik and a host of other fashion designers concluded with major success on Friday August 17th, 2012 at The Silver Garden in Southfield, Michigan. The evening started on time at 6:30 PM with a red-carpet reception and networking session with interviews and photography. Living art statues by Rozenia Johnson (MDUBA Associates) and Simbala Desilles decorated the reception area. Agents of Hope partner vendors were also present including Joi Taylor of Joi Jewelry, Edythe Ford of Walker Miller Energy Services, LLC, Folasade Egbedoyin of DavFolFun Quilts and Pillows, Victoria Wiley of Organo Gold, Rita Coleman of Pontiac Discount Pharmacy, and Ola Salako of AVON Products.
Promptly 7:15 PM, the main doors to the Mystic Ballroom were opened for guest admittance. The show started with Ezekiel Hosu and his talking drum from West Africa. His drum spoke of a befitting welcome and it announced the coming of the Hope Warrior King. Right on cue, Shola Salako, founder of Agents of Hope, entered the stage, captivating the audience with a warrior costume and gold body adornment painting by Rozenia Johnson. Ezekiel drummed around him and then exited the stage as Mr. Salako greeted the audience with a welcome speech. He spoke about Hope and about awakening the great power of hope within all of us. He explained that by helping others, we are actually helping ourselves.
Please scroll to the bottom of this article for photo highlights. More available on our Facebook page.
The event host, Eva Toby, was introduced by announcer Von Jour Reece and the show officially begun. She started by thanking Agents of Hope sponsors and partners including Rita Coleman of Pontiac Discount Pharmacy , Dr. Dolapo Shodipo of State Farm Insurance, Kene Monplaisir of My Solutions Diabetes and Wellness Center and Edythe Ford of Walker Miller Energy Services, LLC who presented a wonderful plan to help save energy while supporting the Agents of Hope charity. Ten dollars will be donated to Agents of Hope for every guest that registers for an energy home inspection. Next, the keynote speaker and honorable Mayor of the City of Southfield, Brenda Lawrence, delivered a powerful speech on the power of hope.
After a brief intermission for food and drinks, Dr. Olubunmi Ayo-Vaughan from Lagos, Nigeria continued the benefit show with a very touching introduction to the Agents of Hope Charity Drive video from July 31, 2012. She described the desperate and hopeless situations of very innocent children. She choked back on tears as she spoke about a new born baby girl (later named Destiny) that was abandoned in a filthy sewer in Lagos. Mosquitoes and other insects had fed on her scalp for several days before she was found and taken to Dr. Ayo-Vaughan’s hospital. She concluded with a powerful rendition of Maya Angelou’s poem, Alone.
FOX2 Detroit News Sneak Peak (air date August 10th, 2012):
To open the fashion show portion, the dance performing group, The Red Pumps (Erika Stowall, Laressa Batson and Lydia Porter) gave a sizzling dance performance in their signature red pump shoes to “Chop My Money” (P Square featuring Akon and May D.). The entire routine excited the audience as The Red Pumps did its mesmerizing number. The fashion show commentator, Ms. Vinetta Lloyd, was introduced and the Vogue Afrik fashion clothing (event sponsor) was displayed by fabulous models. All jewelry accessory complements were displayed by Classical Beads. It was indeed a unique experience watching the theatrics of the king, queen and gracious royal attendants bringing to life a rich African cultural heritage. This finale held the entire attention of the viewers.
To close the show, Hope Alive, a musical group dedicated to spreading the power of hope delivered its strong musical message to the world. Detroit-based saxophonist, Adeboye Adegbenro, was featured delivering an awesome sax solo. Singers included Augustine Agwegwe, Isioma Agwegwe and rappers Marx Ojemudia and Olanre Adewole. Agents of Hope founder, Shola Salako, and event sponsor Rita Coleman of Pontiac Discount Pharmacy thanked all guests and participants, and the show adjorned to the after-party. The Invincible DJ Ayoo entertained everyone in this rare annual party. It was indeed a show never-to-be-forgotten in the minds of many.
I have always believed that hope is that stubborn thing inside us that insists, despite all the evidence to the contrary, that something better awaits us so long as we have the courage to keep reaching, to keep working, to keep fighting.
Agents of Hope plays the vital role of connecting needy people looking for hope and motivation to prosperous individuals through entrepreneurial seminars and community programs. We are actively looking for agents of hope from various walks of life to join our team.
