Dr. Dixon was taught how to live in the world and family and community cohesiveness. Regrettably, it later turned into one of the most dilapidated communities in the City of Harvey. Dr. Dixon was determined not to be one of the statistics that plagued her community in the 1980’s. Drugs, school drop-outs, home abandonment, gangs, teen pregnancy were all rampant in her neighborhood. Dr. Dixon became the first member in her family to attend college. To no avail, Dr. Dixon fell pray to one statistic – becoming a single parent in her junior year of college. With the fear of having her mother disappointed in her, Dr. Dixon refused to return home and completed her Bachelors degree in Business Administration only one semester behind her classmates.

Realizing that a Bachelors degree would not complement the lifestyle she desired for her and her son. Dr. Dixon returned to college to complete her Masters degree in Human Service Administration. Wanting to continue her mother’s dream, and remembering the promise that she made her mother while watching her mother take her last breath of life, Dr. Dixon returned to school again to get her doctorate degree from Nova Southeastern University School of Human Services and Education with emphasis in Child and Youth Studies with a concentration in Management of Programs so that she could effectively run her own non-for-profit organization named in honor of her mother.

Dr. Dixon’s interests are focused in the areas of education, leadership, and community. She is the executive director and CEO of her own non-profit organization whose mission is: “Preparing our future for the future”
The Gloria J. Taylor Foundation is based on being the support that helps builds dreams. “We believe in the preservation of dignity and self-worth of every individual. Through our collective efforts, we intend to promote the development of a productive and positive self-image by assisting each individual to achieve his or her highest level or productivity. Our ultimate goal is the preservation of life, family and community unity within our inner-city.”

As an adjunct Professor at South Suburban College, Dr. Dixon feels great joy when providing instruction to area citizens. Dr. Dixon is also the Director of Educational Talent Search and Upward Programs which are funded by the Department of Education with the purpose of assisting low income at risk students in attending the college of their choice.

Vice President

Mr. Allen Perres

Mr. Perres was co-administrator of the Capital Markets Department as a partner and advisor to the fourth largest homebuilding investment bank. He also served as Director of Marketing, advising Sales Department staff of large and small companies on a national scale. He has managed capital formation for over 150 enterprises over the past 25 years and serve as special advisor to companies interested in capital formation.

Mr. Perres is licensed in the State of Illinois as a real estate broker and is a retired licensed securities principal. As chairman and CEO of Realcorp, Inc., he funded and managed over $900 million of commercial real estate projects and administered 250 employees, i.e., real estate brokerage, construction, condominium conversion. He has authored six books on human skills development, negotiation, decision making, and professional career search.

Treasurer

Dennis Howard

Dennis K. Howard is a graduate of Southern Illinois University – Carbondale with a Bachelors Degree in Recreation for Special Populations. He received his Masters Degree from DePaul University – Chicago in Rehabilitation Administration. He has been employed for the last 12 years with Community Agency for people with Developmental Disabilities. His function at CSO, Inc. is that of a Housing Specialist/Program Director for the Home Options program which is a first time homeownership program for people with disabilities.

Mr. Howard has worked with people with disabilities for a total of 31 years in the areas of: recreation & training, camping, fishing, animal therapy, wheelchair sports & coaching, social skills self help skills training, academics/GED, behavior management, vocational skills training, job skills, job placement, work adjustment, case management and homeownership during the last 9 years.

Mr. Howard is a two Time National Wheelchair Champion – 100 yard hurdles & 50 yard backstroke

USA National Wheelchair Team

International Wheelchair Games, Stoke Mandeville, England – Silver medal Basketball

Board Member for the Greater Chicago Homeownership Counseling & Education Collaborative 2002-2004

Secretary

Syrena Elizabeth Bodden

Syrena graduated from Roosevelt University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science. She worked as a Paralegal for several years at various law firms in the Chicago area. She originally wanted to pursue a law degree but found her passion in working with and empowering children. Therefore, she went back to school to pursue a graduate degree.

Syrena graduated from National Louis University with an Education Specialist Degree and Masters of Education Degree. Syrena currently works as a School Psychologist for Chicago Public Schools. She is impassioned about her efforts to assist children to achieve their greatest potential. Her future educational goals are to pursue a doctorate degree in Neuro-Psychology to study brain based learning. Her theory is that education “Transformation” is consistent with the “Syrena works with community based not-for-profit organizations that strive to increase and cultivate knowledge in people who otherwise would not have access to vital information. She is the President of the Gloria J. Taylor Foundation and Co-Founder of the United Community Development Center. Bother organizations work diligently to “Help people help themselves.”

Member

Priscilla M. Palmer, Ed. D.

Dr. Palmer’s impressive professional experience spans several areas of the Educational spectrum from teaching to administrative to consulting to publishing. She has served in the Lecture Field, as Practitioner Faculty, Reading First Consultant District Title I Specialist, Superintendent, Adjunct Professor-Educational Administration, Research Consultant/Grant Writer, Dean of Students, and Adjunct Teacher. She has presented workshops at National and State organizational conferences and Illinois school districts. She has received many honors and awards; holds memberships in several professional organizations and is actively involved in several community service organizations.