HIP-HOPE INC.

Valora’ James is a Sr. Operation Specialist at Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Iowa. She has been with Wellmark for 11 years and counting. During her ten years, Valora’ has had the opportunity to gain a lot of experience and knowledge within multiple areas of the company. Valora’ served in National Accounts Customer Service for 7 years, Blue Card claims for 2 years Sr. Account Service Representative and is currently a Senior Operation Specialist.

 

I enjoy spending time with family, volunteering throughout the community and helping youth with growth and becoming successful. My passion is to enjoy life, create music and travel

Valora has graduated with her Master Degree in Business Leadership September 11, 2016 from William Penn University. Valora received her bachelor’s in business management in May 2013. Valora’ has an emerging knowledge of the insurance industry.

JoAnn Hughes, Manager of Silver Oaks Senior Living Apartments, Director of the Charles Lamont Lovelady Trust Scholarship Fund, Chairperson of Concerned Citizens for Justice, Business Manager with J.MOST Music/Lyrics LLC and World Class Events & Promo. For enjoyment she loves spending quality time with her three grandchildren, daughter and family.
Educated in the West Des Moines,IA School District. Graduating from Valley High School. Furthering her education in Accounting and Volunteer Management at Des Moines Area Community College. And at Drake University in the Non-Profit Leadership/Administration Certificate Program.
Interest:
Currently, Instructor with Capital City Steppers Des Moines, IA teaching Chicago style Stepping, a form of Ballroom Dance and Soul Line dancing for 5+ years.
Choreographer 30+ years and Choreographed for the Des Moines Playhouse, Drama Workshop, Gateway Dance Theatre, Tyrone Anderson and Fire Lip-sync group, and Central Iowa Repertory Theater, and Capital City Steppers Des Moines, IA.
Retired from Gateway Theatre with 23 years as a Performing Artist, Assistant Instructor, and Choreographer. Participated in workshops with renowned national dance artists. Also performed in numerous appearances and concerts with Gateway Dance Theatre throughout Iowa as an ensemble dancer, lead dancer, and soloist.
Retired from Le Chic Fashion Ensemble with 10+ years of service, after completing Nancy Bounds Modeling and Finishing School and John Casablanca Acting and Modeling School. Lechic Fashion Ensemble was established in 1986. As Co-Organizer, Instructor and model, Lechic Fashion Ensemble put on local and statewide productions for over 10 years. Occasionally still instruct and manage fashion shows.
Awards:
Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Achievement and Contribution – Gateway Dance Theatre
Outstanding Leadership and Service to the Des Moines Community – Black Ministerial Alliance
Sojourner Truth Award – Sisters on Target 1
The President’s Award for Outstanding Community Service – Des Moines Branch NAACP
Certificate of Appreciation - African American Leadership Coalition

ABOUT

Hip-Hope Inc. is a non-profit organization, with 501(C)3 tax exempt status, whose mission is to utilize arts and culture to promote, advocate and support Hope wherever symptoms of hopelessness are prevalent.  We define hopelessness as: “Being unable to function or maintain a desired quality of life due to lack of knowledge, resources, mental health and/or access to solutions.”  

 

Our primary  focus is on addressing community safety concerns and disparities as they relate to economics, health,  incarceration and education among underprivileged youth facing extreme challenges in the greater Des Moines area.   Hip-Hope Inc. assesses the needs of the youth, which they express through arts and culture. We analyze their works then address their needs through our programming. Success is achieved when the individual makes the choice to believe that NO situation or circumstance is hopeless.

Leonard “Lenny” Bell wears many hats serving multiple roles in and around the community.  Currently, Lenny is the Youth Education and Training Coordinator at the Evelyn K. Davis Center overseeing multiple initiatives including the After School Homework Assistance, ACT Prep, and Summer Youth Experience Program (SYEP). He is also serves in the roles of case manager, mentor, and Instructor for Des Moines Area Community College’s YouthBuild Program. Lenny also works with the Brother to Brother and Dream-to-Teach programs in Des Moines Public Schools.

His commitment to community growth and enhancement is illustrated in his community involvement, volunteerism, and desire to increase/expand the existence of and access to the arts in the city at large.  As Co-Founder and Host of Say What! Poetry over the past 12 years, Lenny has demonstrated his commitment to promoting and supporting the art form of poetry/ spoken word.  Lenny also serves as Board Vice-President and Program Chair for I’ll Make Me a World in Iowa which is Iowa’s longest running premiere African American cultural arts festival. 

Lenny has a Bachelor’s of Liberal Arts degree minoring in English/Creative Writing as well as a Master’s of Education degree focused of Community College Leadership from Iowa State University. He also has a Non Profit Leadership/Administration Certificate from Drake University.

Lenny loves the time he gets to spend writing, listening to all genres of music, performing, and public speaking.  However, nothing comes close to the time he spends with his family and friends.

“Everything I do is to preserve my connection to others, because it is that connection that makes this life worth living. This is why Hip Hope is so important. Hip Hope utilizes arts and culture to connect people to themselves and each other. It is those connections that builds the spirit of high esteem and motivation which leads one to desire to be successful.”