RAPHAEL KOIKOI

Class ’83,  National Chair & Member of the Board of Directors

Raphael Koikoi is a member of the Ricks Institute Class of 1983 (Floaters) who spent most of his formative years at Ricks Institute. He has served RIAA, USA Inc in various capacities, both on the local and national levels. Koikoi, an advocate for the marginalized, serves as a United Methodist Clergy-person.

Brief Bio

He believes that those given opportunities should be part of the work of creating opportunities for others. Koikoi enjoys travel, golf, cycling, and photography.

Duties of the Vice-National Chair

    • Assist and work closely with the National Chairman in carrying out the executive duties of the Corporation.
    • Perform all duties of the National Chairman in his/her absence or in case of any situation of incapacitation

    Rocheforte Padmore

    Class ’85, National Vice Chair & Member of the Board of Directors

    Brief Bio

    TBD

    Duties of the Office

    TBD

    Rena Smith - Jarrett

    Class ’76, Chair of the Board of Directors

    Rena is a servant leader who serves with honesty, accountability, and transparency. She is a 1976 graduate of Ricks Institute and the National Chair of the Board of RIAA-USA, Inc. Additionally, she serves on the Board of Trustees of Ricks Institute, Virginia, Liberia.

    Brief Bio

    Rena holds a BBA from the University of Liberia and an MPA from the Maxwell School of Citizenship & Public Affairs at Syracuse University. Recently retired from the World Bank, Rena dedicated 23 years to Budget/Financing with a specialty in Procurement. She has a passion for singing and is a founding member of the iconic University of Liberia Alumni Chorus.

    Duties of the National Chair

    • Preside over all Board meetings of the Corporation.
    • Lead the Annual Conference of the Corporation.
    • Countersign all Corporation checks in conjunction with the Chairperson of Finance prior to the disbursement of any Corporate funds.

    Emmanuel R. A. Paulus

    Class ’84, Past National Chairman & Member of the Board of Directors

    Deacon E. R. A. Paulus was elected National Chairman at the RIAA New Jersey 2016 Convention. Deacon Paulus served as National Vice Chairman under Mr. Dixon and had also served as National Religious Chairman and President of the New England Chapter for many years with many achievements.

    Brief Bio

     As National Chairman, Deacon Paulus launched the highest funded project in the history of the Association: “Project Renovate Ricks”. This project gave the W.V.S. Tubman Administrative Building a general and specific face lift which included painting, renovating classrooms and changing all the windows to modern styled windows at the cost of $50,000; the project was 95% completed under his leadership. The Science lab was also renovated by the class of 1976 and the gate project was started under Deacon Paulus’ Chairmanship.

    Duties of the Office

    Mietta Smallwood

    Class ’76, Chair of Records & Correspondence & Member of the Board of Directors

    Mietta Smallwood serves as RIAA USA Chairman of Records.  With a MS in Public Health Education and fulfilling careers in both business and health, she is a detail-oriented lover of humanity who champions goodwill and good health for all.

    Brief Bio

    Mietta is a devoted and proud mother of three wonderful adult children and an amazing son-in-law. Mietta is an ardent sports fan who prefers watching a game over a movie. This love of sports was developed many moons ago while at Ricks. She cherishes memories of her childhood friendships, and looks forward to creating many more through the work of the alumni association.

    Duties of the Chairperson of Records and Correspondence

    • Preside over the Records and Correspondence Committee.
    • The custodian of all official records of the Corporation.
    • Keep all Corporation document in a confidential manner.
    • Keep and distribute all official records of the Corporation proceedings, including agendas and minutes.
    • Responsible for keeping records of attendance at all Board meetings.
    • Coordinate all official correspondences of the Corporation.
    • Implement mechanisms for obtaining and retaining minutes of all Local Chapter meetings, as well as all meetings of the various Standing Committees either by having Records and Correspondences Committee liaisons on these committees, or by making other arrangements with the respective leaderships of the committees.
    • Responsible for ensuring a continuous update of all alumni membership contact data.
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    MARY EVONNE WEEKS

    Class ’80, Chair of Financial Affairs & Member of the Board of Directors

    Brief Bio

    Mary Evonne Weeks serves as Managing Partner for Verizon Enterprise Solutions with Fortune 100 Global accounts in Southeast Michigan. Evonne began her career with MCI Communications and has held various positions in Sales, Business Operations, and Service.

    She serves as a Member of the Board for the Ricks Institute Alumni Association, where they provide assistance for kids’ education in Liberia, West Africa. She is currently serving as the Chairman of the Trustee Board of New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Pontiac. She serves as Treasurer of the Liberian Association of Michigan. She is married to Tim Weeks, and they are proud parents of two Harvard graduates.

    Duties of the Chairperson of Finance

    • Preside over all Finance Committees. This committee shall be responsible for the receipt, tracking and disbursement of all funds and/or solicitations, including funds raised by the Local Chapters.
    • Ensure that all funds of the Corporation are deposited in a bank account bearing only the Corporation’s name. Under no circumstances should the Chairperson of Finance co-mingle the Corporation’s funds with his/her personal funds.
    • Countersign, along with the National Chairman, all checks issued by the Corporation on the corporate account.
    • Prepare and present to the Annual Conference a report showing all receipts and disbursements of the past year and all potential receipts and disbursements for the coming year.
    • Shall periodically make available reports to members of the Corporation clearly setting forth the financial status of the Corporation.
    • Chair all investment committees and appropriately invest the funds of the Corporation to obtain at least a market profit consistent with the decision of the investment committee.

    HAWA MELTON-THOMAS

    Class ’79, Chair of Legal Affairs & Member of the Board of Directors

    Brief Bio

    Born and raised in Brewerville, Liberia I am married, mother to (4) four amazing children and grandmother to (3) three precious grandchildren. I love my family and love to entertain and have a joyous time with family and friends I love politics. My love for politics started during my days at the University of Liberia and progressed during my adult life. I love to assist people, especially the underprivileged. Hobbies: Reading and listening to political articles and news; dancing; planning and coordinating events Favorite Quote: “You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. Please remember that your difficulties do not define you. They simply strengthen your agility to overcome”…. Maya Angelou Simply stated: I am a Go Getter….

    Duties of the Chairperson of Legal Affairs

    • Function as the Chief Legal Officer of the Corporation.
    • Responsible for maintaining the Incorporation Status and 501(C) 3 status of the Corporation.
    • Responsible for advice regarding interpreting and enforcing the Constitution and By-laws of the Corporation.
    • Review all Election processes and maintain its compliance.
    • Appropriately review all legal issues facing the Corporation and obtain legal assistance and/or advice when necessary.
    • Provide routine updates of Incorporation and non-profit changes that may affect the Corporation.
    • Preside over all votes at the Annual Conference for compliance.

    Rev. Emmett Goodridge

    Class ’75, President of New England Chapter & Member of the Board of Directors

    Brief Bio

    TBD

    Duties of the Office

    TBD

    Edwina Bropleh - Barchue

    Class ’80, President of Southwest Chapter & Member of the Board of Directors

    Brief Bio

    TBD

    Duties of the Office

    TBD

    Melvin Crawford

    Class of ’73, President of Georgia Chapter & Member of Board of Directors

    Brief Bio

    Melvin Crawford is the Managing Partner/CEO of Development Management Associates LLC (DMA).  He is an Engagement Manager, Regional Planner, and Africa expert, with more than 15+ years of experience leading multidisciplinary teams of subject-matter experts (SME’s) on United Nations (UN) missions to 21 African governments. 

    He has also held senior positions in the United Nations Development Programme. After migrating with his family to the United States, he sustained his passion for Africa as Fundraising Director at Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) forming partnerships and raising money for social housing projects in Africa, Middle East, Central America, Central Europe, and India. He has been married to Williette Horace Crawford for 45 years, who he met right after leaving Ricks. They live in the Atlanta metro and have five grown and gone children.

    Duties of the Office

    TBD

    Merline Morris

    Class ’78, President of Carolinas Chapter & Member of the Board of Directors

    Merline attended Ricks from 1971-1978. While at Ricks she was engaged in many of the religious and sporting activities on campus.  She was baptized in the creek in the Town on Ricks, and became a member of Washington Chapel Baptist church.  

    Brief Bio

    She received 3 leadership awards while serving as a Girls Auxilary counselor at the Baptist Youth camp. After graduating from the TNIMA School of Nursing, she volunteered as a Nurse at the Ricks campus clinic. Filling this position, being introduced and appreciated by the students and staff was one of Merline’s happiest moments. After several months, she took up assignment in Nimba County at the G.W Harley hospital in Sanniquellie for 2 years. Upon completing her assignment in Nimba, she returned to her alma mater Ricks Institute and became a full time Nurse until she traveled to the United States in 1985. She is blessed with 2 boys. Ms. Morris is the president of the RIAA’s Carolina chapter.

    Duties of the Office

    TBD

    RACHECL BRIGHT-NEAL

    Class ’79 (Trotters), President, Midwest Chapter & Member of the Board of Directors

    Brief Bio

    I am a Clinical Mental Health and Substance Abuse Counselor. MA. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I strive to help people understand that mental illness is not a stigma, but an illness like all other. With the right diagnosis and treatment, you can function at your full capacity.
     
    I am a proud mother of 2 young men. My hobbies are music, reading and traveling.

    Duties of the Office

    TBD

    Althelia Tubman

    Class ’76, President of New York Metropolitan Chapter & Member of the Board of Directors

    Brief Bio

    TBD

    Duties of the Office

    TBD

    Bertha Kofa - Chukwueke

    Class ’82, President of Metropolitan DC Chapter & Member of the Board of Directors

    Brief Bio

    Bertha has been a disciple of Jesus Christ for almost 40 years. Along with her husband, they have served as missionaries for 22 years in Southern Africa, specifically in Lusaka, Zambia, and Johannesburg, South Africa. 

    Currently, she works for the Greater Baltimore Church as one of the Elder’s Wives and Women’s Ministry Leader.
    Married to a handsome Man of God, Barnabas Chukwueke, and  blessed with two handsome young men, Toochi and David.

    She graduated from Ricks in 1982, belonging to the ‘Masuba Class’. Holding a BS degree in Community Health/Public Health from Williams Patterson University in Wayne, New Jersey.

    Duties of the Office

    TBD