Meet The Governing Board of Directors
MRS. SHIRLENE BAKER, President, Governing Board of Directors:
Mrs. Baker is the mother of Dr. Trisha J. Baker, and one son, and grandmother of five. Her life’s work has been in service to others regardless of who they are. She retired from the Evanston Dist. 65/202 school system after 26 years of service. She has been a parent/student advocate, teacher, counselor, and mentor to children, teens, and adults. In addition to her role as Board President, Mrs. Baker continues to serve her community as a volunteer and supporter of various charities, church musician, soloist, and Bible study teacher.
“It is my honor and privilege to witness what God has done and is doing in my daughter’s life. Her dedication, determination, and passion for helping young people reach their divine purpose inspires me to do everything I can to help her fulfill her personal destiny.”
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REV. MICHAEL GIBSON, Governing Board of Directors:
Rev. Gibson is an anointed preacher, teacher, and musician. He is the loving father of three and devoted husband to a beautiful wife. He loves God and his family. He will do anything within his power to help anyone in need.
Rev. Gibson currently serves as the Minister of music at Fisher Memorial.
After serving over 40 years in the US Postal Service, Rev. Gibson now enjoys retirement. His favorite passage of scripture is Romans 8:35-39.
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MR. LARRY WAITES, Governing Board of Directors:
Mr. Larry Waites is a recent retiree from Chicago Public Schools (CPS) where he was a teacher and administrator. During his tenure with CPS, Mr Waites taught Social Science and Science. He served as the Manager of Advanced Placement for CPS and as the Dean of Students at Von Steuben Metro Science Center.
Mr. Waites is an avid sports fan and music lover, especially traditional Jazz. He is teaching himself how to play the bass guitar and enjoys singing with the Praise and Worship team at North Shore Assembly of God. Mr. Waites is married and has two adult daughters, a granddaughter and a grandson.
He is the founder of two young men’s mentoring programs namely, The Worship Center Boys Academy and Von Steuben’s The Mens Club. He, however, noticed a lack of mentoring for young women. So the opportunity to work with FOCUSED Ministries will allow him to utilize those experiences to mentor female adolescents.
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MRS. NICOLE ENGLISH, Governing Board of Directors:
Mrs. English currently serves at Evanston Township High School at Social Studies Department Chair. Her commitment to education is evident in her work with her colleagues. She loves the Lord as well.
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DR. TRISHA J. BAKER, Founder & CEO
Dr. Trisha J. Baker. is the oldest of two. Currently in her 30th year of teaching, she has taught at the high school, middle school, elementary school, and therapeutic day levels. She has also served as a Summer School teacher and Administrator/Coordinator. Basketball Coach and author are also other titles she carries including in her background along with Committee Co-Chair. She has also taught Youth Bible study and served as Worship Leader.
Born and raised in Evanston, Dr. Baker where she attended elementary school until her family moved to Skokie where she attended middle school and high school. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Alcorn State University, a historical Black college in Mississippi, Masters from National-Louis University, and Doctorate from Nova Southeastern University. During her time at Alcorn, she came to know God for herself through many hours studying the Bible. She developed close relationships with friends, some of which extend through today. She truly believes that God ordained her time at Alcorn where He showed Himself strong in her life.
Some of Dr. Baker’s hobbies include Reading the Bible, tennis, trying to play some golf, spending time with her family, especially her Mom, and with friends.
Dr. Baker truly believes that the Word of God is truth and can change a life like nothing else can in this world. She believes that God loves us more than we can even begin to imagine or even think about, that Jesus Christ died for our sins to give us new life. Dr. Baker’s message to youth, both girls and boys is “God loves you and there is God-given purpose for your presence in the earth.”