Nominated by La’Chanda K. Stephens-Totimeh

Ms. Cetericka (CeCe) Grant is a devoted mother and active member of the OU Parent Partnership Advisory Committee (PPAC). As a parent leader, she enjoys attending family-centered programs and training that provide opportunities for parent advisors to share their lived experiences. Ms. Grant enjoys spending time with other parents, presenting parenting tools, and discovering new parenting options for her family.

Nominated by Sara Jacoby

Ms. Boneta is very active in helping those who live with disabilities.  She started the Surayya Ann Foundation at a mosque in order to offer those with food insecurities access to a food pantry.  Ms. Boneta is active in incarceration outreach and strives to help people not become re-offenders.  She also serves as a Chaplain for jails throughout Oklahoma.

As a parent leader, Ms. Boneta feels she is God-driven to make this world a better place.  She is inspired by the love of her grandmother and accepts this nomination in memory of her son Dekharai who, since an infant, lived with both physical and mental disabilities.

Nominated by Sara Jacoby

Ms. Bannister is involved in the community that helps those who are living with disabilities.  She is currently raising two teenaged boys who live with physical and mental disabilities. 

Ms. Bannister is currently working on her Ph.D. in Literature.  As a parent leader, she volunteers as much as she can with various groups that help those living with disabilities.  She is a fierce advocate for those who live with disabilities and makes sure that Oklahomans who are disabled have the opportunity to live their best lives.  She believes, “the bigger the world is in her mind, the smaller it really is in truth”.

Nominated by Dr. Lana Turner-Addison

Mrs. Deanna Braggs is a parent of eight biological children, four adopted children, and a grandparent to nine grandchildren.  For six years, she was a foster parent who cared for more than 30 children. 

Mrs. Braggs has two master’s degrees.  One is in Education and the other is in Special Education and Administration. She has a specialty in family and community service and received certified training in mild and moderate disabilities.  Her experience includes teaching at charter, public, and online schools.  She has also taught online and in-person classes. 

Mrs. Braggs has a lot of personal experience with disabilities within her family and multiple friends.  This allows her to relate to families with similar lived experiences on a very real and personal level. She believes that helping people with disabilities to transition to adult life is something society should be thinking about when a child is diagnosed. That is why she is passionate about academics.

Mrs. Braggs’ goals go beyond academics.  She believes people who are living with disabilities should become as independent as possible and they must have a social life.  She also believes that society should be educated about people who live with disabilities and students with special needs. Overall, she wants to make sure everyone she helps has a greater quality of life than what is expected. 

As an educator, Mrs. Braggs values the relationships she builds with students, families, co-workers, and administrators.  She knows community participation and commitment are essential and can be achieved by reaching out to our communities.

As a parent leader, she volunteers in her community and participates in the political process.  She believes leaders must consistently speak to people about the important work that is being done for those who live with disabilities. 

Mrs. Braggs said, “Passion is caught.  It is not taught”.  She demonstrates this belief through her work as a volunteer for the community she so graciously serves.  

Nominated by Betty Hawkins-Emery

Kendra uses her expertise as a realtor to help the elderly in her community.  The assistance she provides includes yard work and home renovations.  Kendra uses her own resources to do this.  She is also part of a reading program that serves many schools and teaches financial literacy to members of her community.  Kendra currently works for the Builders Association and is the parent of an eight-year-old son. 

Nominated by Demetrius Mayhue, Sr.

Kizzy is a mother of multiple children ranging from three to 18 years old.  She is the owner and operator of two non-profit organizations called Birthday Wishes and It Takes a Village.  Both non-profit organizations are located in Norman, Oklahoma, and serve their surrounding communities. 

It Takes a Village has provided school supplies, clothing, household items, and other necessities to thousands of families. Its most recent event reached 100 families allowing each family to pick out five new Christmas gifts for their children. The mission of Birthday Wishes is to ensure that no kid ever went without a birthday. Through this organization, Kizzy guarantees that each birthday boy/girl receives a cake and a gift to celebrate their big day.

Kizzy is actively involved in church leadership, outreach, and feeding the homeless. She has a passion for serving the community and provoking change and is the owner/operator of Shirley’s Angels in Norman, Oklahoma.

Nominated by Sara Jacoby

Ms. Laster has a 15-year-old son named Aiden.  In 2015, she lost custody of her son.  By entering sober living in 2016, she worked hard to regain custody of Aiden and works full-time. 

As a parent leader, she started “Sandwiches with Love”.  Using the money she raises herself, Ms. Laster goes out into the community and provides food to those who are housing insecure.  She is drawn to helping those who are housing insecure because she once lived in the same situation.

She wants EVERYONE to feel love no matter where they are on their journey.

Nominated by Tamara Bryan

In 2014, Lori and her husband decided to become foster parents.  After raising their children and enjoying time spent with their grandchildren, they felt a calling to help families get back on their feet.  Since then, they have fostered five children and have adopted three. 

Lori homeschools her children and focuses her attention on tending to their special needs. Going to church and serving her community is an important part of the process.  She utilizes the services provided by Legacy Family Network in Northeast Oklahoma and has been a great support to their family.  While at Legacy Family Network, Lori and her family attend training, monthly support groups, and other provided activities.

Lori is the vice president and a charter member of Fostering Mayes County.  The group helps raise money for the needs of foster children and their families.  They call it, “The Bridge”.  Its agency provides an inviting and private place for family visitation that is conducive to a safe and caring parent-child bonding environment.  Assistance services include providing clothing, beds, car seats, new outfits and other needs related to their daily living needs as well as summer passes and access to community events to help bridge the expense for the children and the families throughout Mayes county. Although Lori is very humble, she works diligently to make sure the children of Mayes County are taken care of. She recognizes that her most important job is taking care of her three adopted children.

Lori said her favorite part of fostering/adopting children is watching her kids learn to love and accept those who are struggling.  She notes the biggest struggle is bridging with the families. She wants others to know that even though you get attached to the kids, and it is hard to let them go, fostering children is in their best interest and not your own. She has been nominated because she is a great example to her community and for her selfless service to foster children and foster families.

Nominated by Danielle Dill

Marquess Dennis is a husband, the father of four children, and an active member of the Tulsa community. Marquess is the founder and Executive Director of Birthright Living Legacy, Inc., whose mission is to validate the position of the father within the family unit and bring fathers and their children closer together by providing programs to foster improved communication and connectivity. 

He currently serves as a member of the OCCY Children of Incarcerated Parents Advisory Committee and was the Chair of the 2022 Oklahoma Fatherhood Summit Planning Committee.

Nominated by Sara Jacoby

As a parent leader, Ms. Weingart spends her free time creating birthday gifts for foster children.  Her goal is to make sure that a foster child doesn’t go without a birthday party on their special day.  She spends her free time volunteering at her daughter’s school and is her father’s caregiver.

Ms. Weingart believes in breaking cycles.  She was raised in adversity and would like to be known as a ‘bridge builder’. 

Nominated by Dr. Lana Turner-Addison

Tracy started her career as a program coordinator for people with disabilities.  After serving in this role for more than 17 years, she desired to be a greater asset to her community.  This desire led her to become a law enforcement officer. 

In 2006, she joined the Tulsa County Sherriff’s Office (TCSO) and currently works in the Community Policing and School Resource Officer Division.  Since she joined TCSO, Tracy has formed numerous relationships throughout Tulsa County including various businesses, individuals, non-profit organizations, schools, churches, and more.  She dedicates many hours of her personal time to volunteering for these organizations.

Tracy is known for her acts of kindness, mentoring, and leadership roles. Without any thought, she gives her time freely.  She is as humble as they come and is not known for viewing community involvement as a means to collect accolades.  Her recognition is always a surprise and is never expected. 

I have nominated Tracy because I believe it is her time to shine and to be acknowledged for her parent leadership.  She does so much for our community and we appreciate her. One thing Tracy always says is, “My position is to be led by faith and let God's plan be revealed.  I just want him to use me accordingly without reservation or question.”  She is definitely a person who allows her spirit to lead and guide her. 

Tracy has two children.  One is grown and the other is nine years old.