Angerlisa (Lisa) Assimiou is a native of Cleveland, Ohio. She has spent her formal educational years at Cleveland Municipal School District, from which she graduated; she has also taken classes at the University of Phoenix. Lisa earned a certificate at Phlebotomy Training Specialist for phlebotomy, and is currently a phlebotomist at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. Lisa confessed Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior over her life and is an active member of New Sardis Primitive Baptist Church, where she functions on the Evangelism ministry and choir. Lisa is proud to call herself: a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, niece, cousin, and friend to many beautiful people.

Hannah Lee is a blessed and born native from Cleveland, Ohio. A graduate of the Cleveland Municipal School District, Hannah went on to pursue a career in the general litigation field as an Executive Assistant for one of the top black owned laws firms in Cleveland, Ohio. During this time she took the opportunity to participate in the non-profit, Volunteers of America; a program that connects children in need with new backpacks filled with grade-specific school supplies, and supports afterschool and mentoring programs for children and youth with acute needs, in disadvantaged communities.

After taking time to raise a family, Hannah returned to school to pursuit a degree in Paralegal Studies; she graduated with an Associates of Applied Science (AAS) in 2007. This degree was a catalyst that transitioned Hannah to obtaining a position working for the Chief of Police for Woodmere, Ohio. There she was encouraged to obtain a certification in Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training. CIT is a specialized police curriculum that aims to reduce the risk of serious injury or death during emergency interactions between persons with mental illness and police officers. Throughout her career, Hannah has gained the knowledge and determination to help her community. These experiences lead her to a rewarding career in her present field of insurance.

Hannah places the success of all of her endeavors on the solid foundation of her faith in God. Under his favor, she has been able to obtain the richness of every opportunity that she has been gifted. She shares her amazing journey with her husband, four children and her adored grandchild. As the Executive Director of the grassroot non-profit, Guns Down, Hopes Up Foundation, it is her hope to give an opportunity for change to children affected by gun violence. “It is intentional that within the community, our position is to lead in love for the next generation. While each footstep treads in being the village, let us leave a trail to light a nation. Our duty is not to teach, become what we see, rather to see what we become.”

Auliya Lovas was born in Cleveland, Ohio and was a Girl Scout her whole life and earned the Gold Award, the highest award in Girl Scouting, for starting a child care center in her local church which was the foundation of her enthusiasm as a child care provider. As a teenager, she lived in Danville, Virginia, Scranton, Pennsylvania, and Louisville, Kentucky with her sister and mother but returned to Cleveland to graduate from high school. Auliya attended Cuyahoga Community College and obtained a degree in early childhood education as well as a certificate in administration.

At the age of 19, Auliya began her career as a teacher, which led to being director, and inevitably gave her the ability to broaden her scope by opening, Liya’s Home Child Care, her own business. Over the past 23 years, Auliya has been steadfast in her zeal, compassion and love for children; in addition to the commitment and enrichment she has imparted to hundreds of children, she has also raised her own three children, for whom she is very proud of.

In addition to treasurer and secretary of the Guns Down, Hopes Up Foundation, Auliya is also the president of a non-profit, in memory of her late sister, that focuses on recognizing and providing scholarships for high school students involved in the arts. Auliya is honored to be a part of various women associations, that promote the improvement of the community by volunteering to provide meals, and clothes to the less fortunate. Auliya’s education, experience and passion for youth makes her highly qualified to serve as a member of this board.

Mercedes Hurt was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. At 29 years old, with educational training in home health aide care and early childhood development, Mercedes is the owner of her own event planning company. With over nine years of experience with children and five years of professional experience as a designer, Mercedes is the perfect fit to sit on the board as Director of Events & Special Projects.

In her recent roles as a designer and event planner, she worked hands on with many community events such as book bag and school supply drives, as well as hat and coat drives in the colder seasons. Mercedes’ passion as an event planner has granted her many opportunities for growth. Through this endeavor, she has improved her communication and networking skills, which have been advantageous when hosting parties and has also expanded her ability to assist people in need.
As a wife, mother of seven, Mercedes has a strong desire for all children to be celebrated and supported, not matter what the obstacle. The Guns Down, Hopes Up Foundation is another movement Mercedes is proud to be a part of because she knows this non-profit will impact many lives on a grander scale.