The Board

Meet the Board

Pastor Lamont Hobbs

President

Pastor Lamont A. Hobbs is a licensed real estate broker and owner/principal broker of Hobbs Realty, LLC. He serves as the pastor of Metropolitan Baptist Church, Petersburg, Virginia. Previously, his background included 25 years of corporate leadership experience. As a Board member, Pastor Hobbs brings experience with partnering with the community through his numerous years as a pastor. Additionally, he brings strong financial and business experience through his years of leadership with Fortune 175 companies.

When he considers his passions and values as it relates to the work of the 2 HYPE Foundation, he is committed to empowering people and the community. Pastor Hobbs believes in the influence of economic empowerment and educational excellence for all.

Pastor Lamont Hobbs holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Management, a MBA, a Masters in Divinity, and he is a Licensed Real Estate Broker. He and his wife share two daughters and reside in Chester, Virginia.

Dr. Kelli W. Gary

Vice President

Dr. Kelli W. Gary is currently an Assistant Professor in the College of Health Professions at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). She is a Licensed/Registered occupational therapist who has worked in various academic medical centers. Dr. Gary’s past includes working in Veterans Administration and Skilled Nursing Facilities as Rehabilitation Director; Health Administrative Fellow for Department of Veterans Affairs; Advanced Rehabilitation Research Fellow for Department of Physical, Medicine, & Rehabilitation at VCU. She has published over thirty-three journal articles and three book chapters about racial and ethnic minorities with disabilities and the family members that care for them. Through her work, Dr. Gary prides herself on securing over $100,000 in grant funding for research and special populations. She has presented nationally and internationally in Canada, Spain, and South Africa.

As a Board member, Dr. Gary brings skills as a Past President of the Board of Directors for the Brain Injury Association of America and is a current member of the Board of Directors for special populations for the Department of Veteran Affairs. Additional skills of Dr. Gary include editor/author and grant writer.

When she considers her passions and values as it relates to the work of the 2 HYPE Foundation, she is highly passionate about education. Dr. Gary desires to create programs that guide children. With a particular interest in the underprivileged, she wishes to help them succeed in secondary and post-secondary education and improve their chances of becoming self-sufficient and productive members of society.

Dr. Gary holds a Doctorate in Philosophy in Health-related Sciences (Ph.D.), Master’s in Public Health (MPH), Master of Science in Post-professional occupational therapy (MS), and Bachelor of Science in occupational therapy (BS). She is widowed and resides in Chester, Virginia.

Charles H. Talley, Jr.

Secretary

Charles H. Talley, Jr. currently works in Quality Assurance Management as a Department of the Army Civilian. He is a Retired Army Logistics Chief Warrant Officer. Former positions include Dean of the Military’s only Advanced Culinary Training Center, Supply Chain Manager in Afghanistan, and Executive Chef for the Office of Secretary of Defense at the Pentagon. He is also an active member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

As a Board member, Mr. Talley brings leadership, collaboration, and critical and creative thinking skills. He prides himself on being highly effective at organizing and planning, while bringing understanding as a mentor and youth development coach. He has an aptitude for effectively managing resources and procurement processes and is trained in contract management and oversight. Mr. Talley is an active community volunteer, servant-leader, and effective teacher/presenter on career and human life topics.

When he considers his passions and values as it relates to the work of the 2 HYPE Foundation, he is enthusiastic about youth development. Mr. Talley desires to spread knowledge by teaching others how to manage resources better. He wishes to assist youth by providing support in acquiring scholarships, preparing for college, and showing young men what right looks like and how to dress and prepare for interviews.

Mr. Talley holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA), Bachelor of Science (BS) Degree in Business Administration, and Associates of Applied Science Degree in Culinary Arts. Additional certifications include Lean Six and Certified Executive Chef (CEC®) with the American Culinary Federation. He has three children and resides in Chester, Virginia.

Chanel Hobbs

Board Member

Chanel Epps Hobbs is currently a Deputy Comptroller for the State Corporation Commission. She manages the agency’s financial operations. Auditor, Principal Consultant, Cost Allocation Manager, and Financial Training Manager are past positions that have been held. She serves as the First Lady of Metropolitan Baptist Church, Petersburg, Virginia. She is a Delta Sigma Theta Incorporated member and an active advocate for finding a cure for ALS. Accolades include receiving the Governor’s Award for advocating for the community and her commitment to state service.

As a Board member, Mrs. Hobbs brings a wealth of financial and auditing skills, strong leadership abilities, a passion for community service, and a desire to uplift and inspire others.

When she considers her passions and values as it relates to the work of the 2 HYPE Foundation, she believes in being a catalyst for change. She strives to use her abilities to make a positive impact on others. Through the Foundation, she plans to utilize her passion for children and her desire to see adults succeed to enhance the community. Chanel believes in the saying, “Each One Teach One.” She strongly advocates utilizing financial and non-financial resources to uplift and support others. Mrs. Hobbs plans to work with the Foundation to identify opportunities to serve the community with compassion and care.

Mrs. Hobbs holds a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Accounting from Hampton University and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Virginia Commonwealth University. She and her husband share two daughters and reside in Chester, Virginia.

Andre’ Hawkes

Board Member

Andre’ Hawkes is currently an employee of the Chesterfield County Utilities Department and Virginia State University in the Athletics department for over 20 years.

As a Board member, Mr. Hawkes brings a knowledge base of interacting with children of all ages for over the past 30 years as a coach or mentor and in various other capacities.

When he considers his passions and values as it relates to the work of the 2 HYPE Foundation, he sums up his beliefs by wanting to build up today’s youth for tomorrow’s future.

Mr. Hawkes is CPR/AED certified. He and his wife share three children and reside in Chesterfield, Virginia.

Joyce Woolfolk Spencer

Board Member

Mrs. Spencer is a retired educator with over 40 years of proven experience and expertise in education. Her professional educational journey began with upper elementary and middle school education in Petersburg City Public Schools. Additionally, she has continued to support students through the roles of Resource Teacher for the Gifted Achieving Through Excellence Program; Coordinator of the Petersburg City Public Schools Gifted Program; Virginia State University Adjunct Professor; Richmond City International Baccalaureate Program Humanities Facilitator; and Virginia State University First Year Experience Student Enhancement Support Instructor.

As a Board member, Mrs. Spencer has a proven ability to plan, facilitate, implement, and supervise. She holds outstanding interpersonal and relationship skills and is effective in problem-solving and critical thinking. Additionally, she is task-oriented, dedicated, conscientious, and strategic in thinking creatively.

When she considers her passions and values as they relate to the work of the 2 HYPE Foundation, she has an unyielding commitment and support to helping youth elevate. She believes that education is a never-ending journey, and her goal is to help youth travel this journey with the greatest of success and accomplishments.

Mrs. Spencer holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education (1975) and a Master's Degree in Education (1980), both from Virginia State College and a Virginia State Department of Education Certification in Gifted Education. She is a Life Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Delta Omega Chapter, a Deaconess at Metropolitan Baptist Church, a member of the Sisters Sippin' Tea Book Club and the Petersburg-Prince George Retired Teachers' Association. Additionally, she is a two-time Teacher of the Year Awardee and the WXEX Golden Apple Awardee. She is married with 2 children and 6 grandchildren and resides in Petersburg, Virginia.

Roosevelt Charles

Board Member

Mr. Charles has twenty years of experience as a soldier in the United States Army and sixteen years of professional teaching experience. Additionally, he has seventeen years of executive management experience in decision-making, problem-solving positions in various organizations, extensive purchasing, budgeting control, and personnel experience. Mr. Charles is an effective leader with excellent analytic and people-sensitive skills.

As a Board member, Mr. Charles seeks out promoting opportunities and spaces that emphasize lifting communities, positive youth engagement, and modeling adult behavior to set an example for mature growth.

When he considers his passions and values related to the work of the 2 HYPE Foundation, he is passionate about utilizing people-sensitive skills to enable him to reach out to youth and young adults to engage them where they are while simultaneously pointing them in a positive direction.

Mr. Charles holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Virginia Tech University, a Master of Education from Averett University, and Command General and Staff College. He and his wife, Joy Charles, of 45 years, have 3 children and reside in South Chesterfield, Virginia. and care.