Leadership
Antwyne Calloway
Antwyne is the President and Executive Director of NNEO Inc. With 20+ years of community engagement, he oversees NNEO’s non-profit initiatives and two for-profit entities, contributing to the organization's impressive valuation of over six million dollars.
Jack Carroll
Jack is a graduate student at Virginia Tech pursuing a Master's in Urban and Regional Planning. Currently, he serves as Theo's research assistant on this project. His areas of study are community engagement, community development, and long-range planning.
Laura Hartman
Laura is associate professor of environmental studies at Roanoke College. She is trained in the study of religion, ethics, and the environment. Co-founder of RAISE, Roanoke Area Interfaith Stewards of the Earth, she is also a passionate advocate for public transit with BRRAG, Bus Riders of Roanoke Advocacy Group.
Decca Knight
Decca is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Trauma Specialist. She coordinates the Roanoke Valley Trauma Informed Community Network, works as a therapist with Family Services of Roanoke Valley, and serves as a consultant with numerous agencies. She is the founder of Standing for Equity in the Roanoke Valley, a DEIB based non-profit.
Darlene Lewis
Ordained Minister- President and Founder of The Hope Center a local non profit. A graduate of Phillips Business College. A graduate of Old Testament Studies at Liberty University. Former business owner of a local moving co.
Theo Lim
Theo is an assistant professor of urban affairs and planning at Virginia Tech. He is responsible for overseeing the H.O.P.E. project. His expertise is in environmental science and community planning.
Jane Gabrielle McCadden
Jane is a community arts specialist and activist through her business, One World Arts. She is a certified Singing Tree™ Facilitator, sculptor, writer and award-winning songwriter and recording artist. Presently, she serves as artist-in-residence for the City of Roanoke in Northwest Roanoke neighborhoods. Recent work includes The Empathy Project, HeartApples for Homeless Students and illustrations for Larry the Logperch published by The Kiwanis Club.
Heather Nolen
Heather is the Business Manager for the School of Public and International Affairs at Virginia Tech. On this project, she helps manage budgets and personnel providing the invaluable support functions for numerous community, government partners and academic researchers to collaborate as seamlessly as possible.
Nathan Self
Nathan is a research associate at the Sanghani Center for Artificial Intelligence & Data Analytics at Virginia Tech, specializing in developing interactive web-based data visualizations and serving as webmaster for this proect.
Antonio Stovall (Kula Musina)
Antonio is a highly skilled cultural educator and a holistic health practitioner. He is the proud owner of Ancestral Perspective, which is a powerful grassroots movement aimed at empowering communities. Antonio is also a passionate youth advocate who firmly believes in instilling the values of culture, community engagement, and self-esteem in the young generation. “The only way out. Is in.”
Leigh Anne Weitzenfeld
Leigh Anne Weitzenfeld is the Sustainability & Outreach Coordinator. As a Natural Resources Professional, she is passionate about facilitating community well-being, resiliency and sustainability within the community and guiding the City of Roanoke and its citizens towards a net-zero carbon emissions future to mitigate against the harmful effects of climate change.
Eric Wiseman
Eric is an associate professor of urban and community forestry in the Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation at Virginia Tech. His research seeks to increase understanding of urban forest planning and management and solving urban sustainability challenges using green infrastructure and nature-based solutions.
HOPE Students
Nas Wade
My name is Anazj Wade. I'm in 9th grade. I aspire to be an artist. I’m very family-oriented. I like to read. I'm creative and want to help others as much as possible. I'm very determined and won’t stop until my goals are completed. Interest: 3 things that interest Music Sports Creating videos
Daniel Horn
I’m a student at William Fleming, I like to play basketball & track and draw. I also enjoy challenging myself to new things in order to become a better version of myself. Interest- - Engineering, Art, Sports (Track & Field/ Basketball)
Deandre Dudley
My name is Deandre Dudley. I like to go on walks, watch TV shows, play video games, exercise and spend time with my family. I hope to start a successful business one day that will hopefully set me on the right career path. Three things that interest me are: 1. Getting the right education. 2. Bettering myself mentally and mentally physically 3. Just seeing more of life and the world.
Tre Anderson
Tre Anderson is a highly motivated 11th grader at William Fleming High School in Roanoke, Virginia. At an early age, Tre realized his passion for service. He participates in various youth activities at his church. His interests include basketball, playing video games with his friends, and media production. Tre’s future aspirations include furthering his education and working in film.
Xavier Banks
I'm Xavier Nathanial Banks-Hardeman from Salem, Virginia. I attended East Salem Elementary School, Andrew Lewis Middle School, and Salem High School. I started drawing in Elementary School and got into roleplaying and writing in middle school. In high school, I discovered hip-hop and began writing songs and poetry. Art has always been a significant influence on me. My ultimate goal is to be at peace, and my current goal is to become an artist. Three Things of Interest - Drawing, Creative Writing, Music, and Songwriting.
Kennedy Helm
Kennedy is a sophomore at Northside High School. She plays softball, is a part of the VA DECA program, and member of a community youth choir. Kennedy enjoys doing her own hair, as well as clients. She has a great interest in beauty, loves to cheer, and hopes to begin her career and private practice as a prosthodontist.
Milana Correa-Jackson
Milana is a freshman at William Fleming High School. She enjoys singing, doing her own hair as well as clients, and member of a community youth choir. She loves all facets of fashion and beauty. Milana plans to graduate high school a year earlier and begin her post-high school journey of her choosing in Atlanta, GA.
Angelina Williams
Angelina Jamia Williams, also known as Lina, was born on October 3, 2008 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She moved to Roanoke at the age of three and attended Rugby Head Start before transitioning to kindergarten at Preston Park Elementary by the age of four. Lina is currently a sophomore at Fleming High School and plans to attend college to become a pediatrician. She enjoys supporting and encouraging others and was the president of the FBLA club in eighth grade, where she organized a COVID supplies drive for the elderly and a turkey basket drive for the homeless. Lina was recently hired by the Roanoke Emergency Services Department to work with EMT units on emergencies after completing the Roanoke City Apprentice Program, Cohort 6. Interests: community activities, loves art, and designs.
Nonprofit Partners
City Partners
The following partners from the City of Roanoke are involved with this project: