The Team

Rev. Green, Founder

In 2007, Rev. Doris Green made her first trip to Ghana, West Africa to research the work being done around the HIV/AIDS epidemic and corrections, her two lifelong passions.  After continuing her travels to the city of Contonou in Benin, Rev. Green discovered an even greater crisis:  the alarming number of parent-less children in need of shelter.  Moved by the plight of these young people and blessed with the help of the Grace Lawani, personal advisor to the President of Benin, Rev. Green was able to launch the Future of Benin project. 

Over the years, she has grown the project into a dynamic safe house for homeless orphans in Benin.  The orphanage incorporates schooling, health services and community integration to support young residents in blossoming into adulthood.

Grace Lawani, Founder

Grace Gangbo Lawani (born June 21,1939) started her professional career as a teacher, which she expanded to include saleswoman, self-employed trader, and founder of a vibrant business empire, including the popular Hotel GL, located at Lenin Square at Akpakpa in Cotonou. In addition to being highly regarded in the hospitality industry, she has an equally impressive political portfolio. Her previous political roles include, Deputy Mayor of Cotonou, Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Benin Republic, Senior Adviser to Republic of Benin President Boni Yayi. 

Richard Wallace, Co Founder

Richard Wallace AKA Epic is an ambassador in the Chicago Community. As an artist he has traveled around the World spreading the message of hope with mentions spanning from the New York Times to the Chicago Tribune. He believes that art is inspired by reality so he spends his days advocating for the over looked and often forgotten.
A sociology major and leading local social-justice rapper who goes by the name of Epic, Wallace, 33, of Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood, is a labor activist and founder of the Roosevelt student chapter of the Stop Mass Incarceration Network. 
As a labor activist, Wallace has been working to break down barriers and build solidarity between African Americans and Latinos in Illinois who make their living as temporary laborers/workers. 
In November of 2014, Epic released the solo debut album #OPRAH (Ordinary People Recording American History), in which the Chicago Reader credited Wallace for his “bold delivery” and “lyrics that draw upon the political and personal” in grappling with issues like racism, demolition of Chicago’s housing projects and the state of the Chicago Public Schools.

Issac Firmin Gangbo, Program Coordinator