Board of Directors

– mts sickle cell foundation, inc. –

Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors consists of community and national leaders with expertise in a wide range of areas, including clinical research, hematology, blood bank and transfusions, law, civic engagement, ministry, real estate, advocacy, education, finance, marketing, business management, and more. The Board meets quarterly and is responsible for taking care of the strategic and financial health of MTS Sickle Cell Foundation, Inc. on an ongoing basis.

mapillar dahn

co-chair

Inspired by her three daughters who battle sickle cell disease, Mapillar Dahn founded MTS Sickle Cell Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization, to bring awareness to sickle cell disease and provide support to families affected by SCD. Since its inception in November of 2015, the foundation has hosted photo shoots for sickle cell families, sponsored over 100 children battling sickle cell disease to a week-long summer camp, prevented families from being evicted and or getting back vital utilities, hosts its annual kickball tournament to bring awareness to sickle cell disease, hosts awareness step-a-thons, conducts outreach visits to sickle cell patients who were hospitalized, provides educational material for awareness events, provides parking passes and food vouchers for sickle cell families at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, attends health fairs to spread sickle cell awareness, sends birthday presents to sickle cell patients all over the United States, provides financial assistance to families, hosts its annual holiday breakfast and toys giveaway, and more.

She has built a very engaged online presence of about 40 thousand users from all over the world and her awareness efforts have reached tens of millions across the globe through television, social media, billboard advertisements, speaking engagements, and more.

Mapillar has served as a Board Member of The American Red Cross Minority Recruitment Advisory Board, a mentor and speaker at Emory University Family Mentor Program, and a strategic partner of The American Society of Clinical Pathology Patient Champions and Lifesouth Community Blood Centers .

For her many contributions to the sickle cell community, Mapillar Dahn received the 2016 Woman of Influence by Life Changers Club International, 2017 Game Changer Award by Winning the Battles in Your Mind, 2017 Classy Awards by the Classy Living Society, 2018 Humanitarian of the Year by the Liberian Entertainment Awards, 2018 Sickle Cell Advocate Award by the Lockhart-Morgan Sickle Cell Foundation, 2019 Woman of Honor Award by TNT Entertainment, the 2019 Community Activist Award by Liberian Girls Rock, 2019 Community Activist Award by ATL’s Hottest Special Awards, 2020 Chief Tuazama Legacy Award by the Tuazama Development Initiative, and 2020 District 3 Superwomen Award by Commissioner Felicia Franklin-Warner.

She currently serves as a Member of The American Society of Hematology (ASH) Research Collaborative Patient Engagement & Education Subcommittee, a Member of The Georgia Health Policy Center’s Sickle Cell Disease Advisory Committee, is a Global Blood Therapeutics’ CBO Advisory Board Member, and serves as the Vice-Chair of the Clayton County Library Board of Trustees.

kim akins

co-chair

The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others. According to these words of wisdom from Mahatma Gandhi, Kim Akins has found herself in overwhelming ways. Compassionate, service-oriented, and dedicated, this Haddock, GA native and 1985 graduate of Jones County High School in Middle Georgia ventured to Fort Valley State University where she graduated with a degree in Marketing.

It didn’t take long for Kim to make her professional mark by being superlatively labeled as results-oriented, self-motivated, and driven. She has more than 20 years of diverse work experience in Coaching, Mentoring, Project Management and Information Technology and a wide range of professional experience and achievements with Fortune 500 and 100 companies including IBM and Delta Air Lines.

As IT Operations Manager for Delta Air Lines, Kim was responsible for daily managerial tasks and projects for a staff of 100 service desk agents and engineers who handle Delta’s technical support. Her service, duties and capabilities ensured the availability, performance, and operational integrity of Delta’s Information Technology. She was also a member of the Delta Air Lines C.E. Woolman Emerging Leaders Program and a Chairman’s Club Honoree.

With exceptional leadership skills to include vision, empathy, intelligence, and integrity, Kim has a heart for service and is an awesome community leader, aligning herself with organizations dedicated to improving the general welfare of people and affecting change in their communities.

She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Psi Alpha Omega Chapter, Chartering Member of the National Council of Negro Women, Henry-Clayton section where she served as a Regional Coordinator, Executive Director for Samaritan’s Together of Henry County, Inc, and Board Member for Helping In His Name Food Pantry.

In addition to her social and service organizations, Kim is a respected member within the Georgia political society and lauded for her exemplary organizational skills and servant leadership in Henry County and the state. She has served as a former Executive Board Member and Chairperson, an elected State Committee political party member, presided as Chair Emeritus and been directly involved in electing members from their county. As Chair she presided at the meetings of the County Executive Committee and managed the vital affairs to include arrangement for Party primaries, the County Convention, and the election of candidates who ran for office in the County.

Family is very important to Kim and she loves coordinating and hosting family events. As a life motivator/encourager, she enjoys being a Life coach to her family, friends and mentees. She also loves managing the family’s rental property business that she shares with her siblings. In her spare time, you can catch her jet sailing and spending quality time with her family and friends.

Kim is spiritually motivated, an ordained Minister, and has earned both her Master of Divinity and Master of Art in Christian Studies from Luther Rice Seminary. She attends church regularly and loves serving and working for the Lord.

sheree hopkins

treasurer

Sheree Hopkins is an accomplished professional accountant with more than twenty-five years of experience in the field. Her vast experience and skills serve as a basis to provide clients with virtual and onsite comprehensive accounting services, including bookkeeping, budgeting, payroll, tax preparation, auditing, corporate set up, sales and use tax and notary services just to name a few.

Sheree is dedicated to helping clients achieve optimal business success by assisting them in establishing practical and sound tax and financial processes. She is extremely focused on services for small to medium sized businesses. Sheree believes regardless of the size; every business should be treated with the same amount of attention to detail. With that, she prides herself in providing value-added services to her vast client base.

Sheree has a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, and hands-on work experience in fields ranging from entry level to senior leadership positions. Sheree is a member of the National Society of Accountants (NSA), National Association of Tax Professionals (NATP), QuickBooks Pro Advisor Member and Clayton County Chamber of Commerce member and Principal Partner, Board Member of the Clayton County Downtown Development District, Board Member of Angels of Virtue Girls Outreach Organization Inc, Board Member of Powerhouse of Women Inc., and the Treasurer of the MTS Sickle Cell Foundation Board of Directors.

Dr. Clark Brown

board member

Biography: Dr Robert “Clark” Brown, MD PhD is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Emory University. He serves as the Director of Clinical and Research Operations of the Sickle Cell Program at Scottish Rite campus. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina, his medical and graduate training at University of Tennessee and his pediatrics and pediatric hematology/oncology training at Johns Hopkins Hospital and St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, respectively. Dr Brown maintains a strong national connection within the sickle cell community, including being active investigator of several multi-center NIH sponsored clinical studies and educational outreach projects.

Research Focus: Dr Brown’s research efforts are focused on areas of novel genetic and pharmacologic therapies for sickle cell disease. As post-doctorial fellow at St. Jude Children’s Research hospital, his laboratory work focused on the influence of chromatin remodeling complex on expression of the beta-globin locus. As director of sickle cell program at Medical University of South Carolina, he served as principle investigator on multi-center, phase II and phase III clinical trials. Dr Brown continues his leadership role in clinical care and research at Emory University and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Recent research efforts are focused on identifying risk factors for sickle-related CNS injury and learning disorders. Recent clinical studies involve implementation of new MR imaging diagnostics (BrainMap and NSINC studies), promising stroke prevention therapy (SWiTCH and TWiTCH studies), and novel therapies to reduce early organ damage in SCD (hydroxyurea, crizanlizumab and voxelotor clinical trials).

Personal: In his free time, Dr Brown enjoys travel and competing in chess tournaments.

Tammy Ringo

Board Member

Meet Tammy Ringo, an exceptional individual with a profound commitment to the well-being of individuals and families affected by Sickle Cell Disease. With over 30 years of nursing experience and as a Certified Case Manager, Tammy’s expertise is grounded in compassionate care and advocacy. As a devoted mother of five, Tammy’s personal journey was deeply shaped by her eldest daughter’s 35-year battle with Sickle Cell. Her daughter’s passing ignited Tammy’s determination to champion the cause, becoming a passionate advocate for SCD patients and their families.

Tammy’s extensive involvement extends beyond her nursing career. She’s shown financial acumen as a treasurer on her Homeowners Board of Directors, exemplified leadership as a Girl Scout Troop leader, and contributed her talents as a PTSA member. Her dedication to community shines through her membership and service in the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, Psi Alpha Omega Chapter, as well as her involvement in Tabernacle of Praise Church International.

A life-long learner, Tammy earned her BSN cum laude from Wichita State University and later became a Certified Case Manager. She continues to uplift her community through involvement in Kinship of Clayton County, an organization dedicated to grandparents raising grandchildren. She’s an active school volunteer, dedicated to fostering educational excellence.

Tammy’s spirit of service knows no bounds. Regular blood donations to the Red Cross and her role as a nurturing caregiver to her grandson exemplify her devotion to improving lives. Tammy has volunteered for 8 years with Good Day Good Deeds, a organization that provide a hot meal monthly to the homeless. A Kansas native, Tammy has called Clayton County home for three decades, demonstrating unwavering loyalty to her community.

With a zest for life, Tammy finds joy in spending quality time with her family, including her four grandchildren, and indulging in her passions for travel, cooking, and date nights. Tammy has been married for 21 years. Her commitment to bettering lives is her life’s purpose, whether as a mother, wife, nurse, sorority sister, friend, or dedicated member of her community. In all she does, Tammy strives to uplift others and make each day a testament to the positive impact one individual can have.

Rep. El-Mahdi Holly

Board Member

El-Mahdi Holly has proudly called Henry County home since 2003. Raised in Georgia by his father, a Christian minister and businessman, and his mother, a local college professor, El-Mahdi was taught the importance of serving his community at a very early age.

After being awarded the National Youth Service Award from President Bill Clinton for his efforts mentoring young teens, El-Mahdi pursued and received a Bachelor of Arts from Morehouse College. He went on to earn a Masters of Public Administration from University of West Georgia with a specialized concentration in strategic planning and management of public service organizations.

El-Mahdi has enjoyed an extensive career working for local and national charitable organizations to better advocate for social justice, build interfaith community networks, provide job training programs and to protect youth and young adults from the dangers of sex trafficking. For over five years, El-Mahdi served as a senior law clerk and criminal warrant officer supporting responsible law enforcement and the judiciary. His career also includes serving as a regional political field director where he managed 26 Georgia counties for the Democratic Party of Georgia. He has also served as at-large corporate engagement director for the Morehouse College Atlanta Alumni Association and remains an avid community organizer.

A proud member of Tabernacle of Praise Church in McDonough, El-Mahdi is employed with the Henry County Board of Education, servicing Eagles Landing Middle School. As the state representative for House District 111, El-Mahdi intends to serve the working
families of Georgia. The district, which is located exclusively within Henry County, covers portions of the cities of Hampton, Locust Grove, McDonough, Stockbridge, Jonesboro and Jenkinsburg.

Rep. Sandra Scott

Board Member

“If I can just help One Person a day then, my Living will not be in Vain.”

Sandra Givens Scott was born to the late Mrs. Mamie Givens Jones and Samuel N. Givens in Quincy, Florida. She graduated from Havana High School and earned her BS Degree from Florida A&M University, School of Business and Industry in Business Management. She joined the United States Army (SSG) in 1984 and served in Seoul, Korea, Ft. Hood, Texas, and Nurnberg, Germany. She married MSG Edward Scott (32) and had one son, Dexter. She now has a grandson Lucas.

She received her teaching certification from Armstrong State University in Savannah in 1994. She has been an educator for 24 years.

She began her political career in 2007 as a School Board Member for Clayton County. She ran for State Representative in 2010. She won against two candidates without a runoff. She is now going on her12th year as a State Representative.

Representative Sandra G Scott is the Chair of the State of Black Georgia Legislative Agenda, Policy Chair for the National Foundation of Women Legislators (NFWL), The National Secretary for the National Organization of Black Elected Legislative Women, and a member of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators Executive Board. She is the Vice Chair of the Henry County Delegation, She is on the following committees: Human Relations and Aging, Reapportionment, Science and Technology, Department of Veterans Affairs, and Special Rules.

Representative Scott understands and knows that all Children can Learn and that all Children Learn different. She also knows that Reading is Fundamental and that is why she provided all the Child Care Centers, Barber Shops, and Salons in District 76 with books. Her motto is: “If a child is in your business for 10 minutes or more he or she should be reading a book.”

Representative Sandra G Scott is always working in her District as well as across the State of Georgia to Keep Citizens Informed. She has the following events for citizens of D76 on an annual basis: District 76 Day at the Capitol, Female Veterans Day at the Capitol, Senior Citizen Breakfast, Veterans Fish Fry, Health Fair, Christmas Wrapping Party, and a Christmas Party for Less Fortunate Children in Clayton and Henry County (D76). She participates in back to school activities by giving book bags and school supplies to different organizations. She gives Certificate of Achievements to all the 5th, 8th, and 12th grade students in District 76. She provides Teacher of the Year Resolutions to the teachers in District 76. She answers her phone and return emails.

Representative Sandra Givens Scott has received the following Awards:

2019 N’Zinga Woman of Esteem Excellence Award from Slow Jam Mix R & B
2019 Dr. Marilyn Flynn Henry County Democratic Woman of the Year Award
2019 Spark Award for National Organization of Black Elected Legislative Women
2017-2018 Vice Chair of the Largest Black Caucus in the World
2017 Humanitarian Award Honoree
2018 Parliamentarian for the National Foundation of Women Legislators
2018 Recording Secretary for the National Organization of Black Elected Legislative Women
2015-2016 Chair of the Clayton County Delegation
2015-2016 Whip of the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus
2014 Legislator of the Year Award from Rainbow Push Clayton-Henry-Fayette-Spaulding Chapter
2014 Chairman’s Award for the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus
2013-2014 Vice Chair of the Clayton County Delegation
2013 Georgia Legislative Black Caucus Legislator of the Year
2013 Legislator of the Year for Clayton County NAACP
2013 National Foundation of Women Legislators Woman of Excellence Award in Washington, DC

She is a member of Georgia Women Caucus, Working Family Caucus, WILL/WAND, Clayton and Henry County NAACP, Henry County Democratic Women, Board Member of the MTS Sickle Cell Foundation and a member of the Clayton/Henry Chapter of NCNW.

Atty. omari crawford

Board Member

Omari J. Crawford is an Assistant Attorney of the Law Department’s Public Safety Team, where he works with the DeKalb County Sheriff and other Public Safety Departments/Agencies. His practice includes contract review, providing legal opinions, and defending lawsuits involving allegations of excessive force and other violations of constitutional rights.

Mr. Crawford is a native of DeKalb County and earned his J.D. and MBA from North Carolina Central University in 2013. He earned his B.A. in Political Science in 2008 and his MPA in 2009 from Florida A&M University.

Mr. Crawford is an active Member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., 100 Black Men of DeKalb County, Inc. and serves as the General Counsel for the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Georgia. Additionally, Omari Crawford serves on the Board of the South DeKalb Family YMCA, was a member of the Leadership DeKalb Class of 2021, and is co-founder of Project LIFE (Learning Is For Everyone)—a Georgia nonprofit organization that awards scholarships and provides career-focused training to DeKalb County high school graduates.

Mr. Crawford uses his experiences as a former collegiate track and field athlete to mentor high school athletes within his DeKalb community. His hobbies include reading, cycling, running and traveling.

MTS Sickle Cell Foundation, Inc.

The mission of the MTS Sickle Cell Foundation is to increase the public’s awareness of sickle cell anemia by supporting awareness, education and research pertaining to sickle cell anemia as well as providing support to families affected by this life threatening disease.