My Hope for OKRA Soup is that it will help to further educate and uplift the community while encouraging them to be passionate about the importance of preserving Gullah Geecheeheritage. 
Dr. Jessica Berry
Founder and President
Dr. Jessica Berry is a passionate advocate for the celebration and preservation of Gullah Geechee language, culture, and history. She is the creator of the first professional development sessions that introduce educators to nuances of the culture and inform them of how to embrace the language in their classrooms.
She founded The O.K.R.A. Soup Foundation as a way to further her work by educating Gullah Geechee youth about the culture and creating a pathway for the development of the next generation of Gullah Geechee preservationists.
Her favorite saying is, “Gullah Geechee Been Ya, een gwine no where.” Her hope is to leave all she knows with the youth so that they can carry the culture into the future.
Chaquetta Richardson
Juris Doctor
Chaquetta Richardson I currently oversees the Workers Compensation Department at Lokey Law Firm, LLC. She is a native of Huger, South Carolina. She graduated from Winthrop University in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science with a minor in African American Studies. She further went on to graduate from Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School in 2014 and obtained my Juris Doctorate. After earning her JD, she returned to the Lowcountry in July of 2015 where she entered the legal world to explore her passion for helping others and serving the community. When not busy assisting clients, you can find Chaquetta enjoying the Lowcountry and all it has to offer with family.
Fun Fact:
If I had to eat one type of food for the rest of my life, it would definitely be Blue Crabs.
Patrick Martin
Teacher in Charleston County School District
Patrick Martin is in his 24th year teaching high school English and currently teaches in North Charleston, South Carolina at Charleston County School of the Arts. He has taught at both public and private schools in the Charleston area for 17 years. He loves to include local literature and culture in his lessons and has worked extensively on curricula that weaves Gullah Geechee literature and cultural artforms into K-12 English resources. While working with his graduate professors at Middlebury’s Bread Loaf School of English in Vermont, he started to see the importance of a more local and inclusive historical and cultural context to the materials that were chosen for English classes. In his spare time, he loves to grow tomatoes and spend time with his 14 and 2-year-old in the garden.
I’m excited to see the ways OKRA soup will help educate the community and share the story of these cultural legacies for the next generation.
Fun Fact:
After learning to shuck oysters lessons from the world champion, Deborah Pratt during his senior year in high school. Patrick won second place in the 1994 Virginia amateur oyster shucking competition.
Nia Swinton-Jenkins
Realtor & Collaborator, GoalDen Spaces, LLC
Nia Joy Swinton-Jenkins is a native of Mount Pleasant, SC. She attended Charleston County Public Schools, is a graduate of HBCU Saint Augustine’s University (B.S., Biomedical & Scientific Communication) and Benedictine University (M.P.H., Health Policy). Her career began in science and medical research. Upon beginning her career, Nia Joy married her college love, Keith Jenkins and enjoyed over a decade long career working at government agencies, hospitals and in education. She entered the military at the age of 29 and was commissioned as an officer in the United States Army becoming a Chemical Officer and most recently a Medical Services Officer, still serving with SC Army National Guard for eight years. With her mother’s suggestion, she obtained her real estate license, left her research career and became an investor, developer and podcast host. She is an enthusiastic, high-energy mom of two that enjoys the outdoors, trail & obstacle course runs as well as being active with community service organizations such as Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., The North Area Top Producers, The Dorchester Chamber and being a member of the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Task Force with The Charleston Trident Association of Realtors.
OKRA SOUP is an inspirational testament to our community and what our culture has to offer in unity, heritage and our legacy.
Fun Fact:
Gave birth to my children in Hawaii and their birth certificate looks just like President Obama’s.
Jaymes McCloud
Entrepreneur, J.H.W. Enterprises Property Management
Jaymes McCloud is a native of New York and was raised in Charleston, South Carolina. In March of 2018, Jaymes founded J.H.W. Enterprises Property Management, Incorporated, where he grew exponentially from managing one property at a mere $60.00 each month during its first year to an astounding portfolio of over 80 properties by year two. Currently, as the Chief Operating Officer of J.H.W. Enterprises, he leads a dynamic team of dedicated professionals in expertly managing & caring for close to 500 multifamily, commercial, and residential properties valued at more than 27M across South Carolina, Georgia, and Maryland. Motivated by a desire “to do property management the right way,” Jaymes guides his team in applying an integrity-led approach in effectively capturing market rent, identifying qualified tenants, stabilizing facilities expenses, and offering transparent reporting to property investors. In addition to his commitment to delivering optimal property management, real estate investment, and leadership development expertise, Jaymes is also a champion in the fight against homelessness and poverty. As a committed advocate for the disenfranchised and poverty-stricken, he is an active member of the Landlord Engagement Committee for Homelessness, where he works tirelessly to close the gap by providing safe and affordable housing to those without a place to call home. He has also used his strengths as a masterful networker to develop cohesive partnerships with non-profit organizations such as One80 Place, South Carolina Department of Mental Health, and Roper St. Francis Hospital to further provide housing assistance to those in the most urgent need. When Jaymes is not helping create legacies for clients, investors, and partners, he spends quality time with his beautiful wife Jessica and their three adoring children, Kylie, Kristian, and “little” Jaymes.
OKRA Soup will change the game of impact and empowerment amongst the youth. The organization’s core values identify the framework for turning dreams into reality. Today’s youth will count on OKRA Soup as a lifeline to lead the charge within the community – I’m honored to be a part!
Fun Fact:
I’m terrified of ketchup!
Stacia M. Dawson
Awendaw Sanitation Services
Stacia McNeil Dawson- A woman of integrity, virtue, vision, community, passion, and crazy faith! Stacia Yvette McNeil Dawson is the wife of Corey Dawson and the mother of Ty’Rek & Miles Dawson. She’s the daughter of Pamela McNeil & Val Latten but raised by the Emily “Julie” McNeil & James McNeil. Stacia was born and raised in Awendaw, SC. At a very young age Stacia knew she could conquer the world. Stacia has a natural flare for artistic designs and tested her creative gifts with her family and friends’ hair styles throughout her childhood. Her desires to promote the latest trends expanded after graduating from Lincoln High School in 2006. After high school Stacia enrolled in the Academy of Cosmetology, successfully completing the program in 2007. Fulfilling her desires to professionally provide hair care services was achieved.
The highlights of her hair designs have been showcased in weddings and other special events. Stacia’s passion for people afforded her the opportunity to become a Certified Nursing Assistant in 2009. She accomplished working as a self-employed cosmetologist and professional caregiver at the South Santee & Awendaw Senior Community Center until 2018. Stacia has added being an entrepreneur, a personal shopper and wardrobe stylist to her list of achievements. In 2012, at the age of 23, Stacia launched her mobile version of Soul2Sole Boutique. The success of the mobile Soul2Sole Boutique led to a brick and mortar location in October 2015 in Mt. Pleasant, SC in addition to an online store. Soul2Sole Boutique has been blessed to engage in partnerships throughout South Carolina and beyond. Fashion trends by Soul2Sole Boutique have been worn by celebrities and influencers including Grammy Award winner, Quiana Parler of Ranky Tanky; gospel artist, Erica Campbell of Mary Mary; Goo Goo Atkins (sister of Mary Mary); Mimi Faust of Love & Hip-hop reality TV show; and comedian/actress Tiffany Haddish. Stacia has also had the honor of partnering with gospel artist Tasha Cobbs-Leonard. Regardless of what Stacia did she always made sure she was giving back and involved in her community. Growing up in the Awendaw area which is considered the rural area of the low- country, Stacia saw a lack of many basic services that were needed. Stacia not only has a creative eye, but she is also a strategic visionary who is able to identify problems and develop solutions.
In July of 2022 Stacia and her husband, Corey Dawson, saw there was a need in the community by way of residential sanitation services. Several issues existed, including: • Most rural areas do not have access to a garbage collection service • The population is steadily growing • There are senior citizens who have no assistance getting their garbage hauled away • Most citizens working in the corporate world are working long extensive hours & miss the dump • Some may not have transportation or simply hate putting garbage in personal vehicles With the support of her husband and confirmation from God, Stacia took appropriate actions and established Awendaw Sanitation Services, the first minority woman-owned sanitation company in the state of South Carolina. Awendaw Sanitation Services operations began in August of 2022 and is currently servicing 9 areas with over 200 customers including 5 subdivisions with the support of 5 employees. Although the beginnings are small, the company is on a quest to expand services, increase employment opportunities and one day be the leading privately-owned sanitation company in the United States…with God all things are possible!
Stacia’s mission is to connect, inspire, influence and impact local & global communities. She remains humble in knowing that all that she is and all she desires to be is directed by God. Stacia is an active member of Mt. Nebo AME Church and is on the Budget Board for the Town of Awendaw. Stacia is a firm believer that if you put your mind to doing whatever it is you want to do, it will happen. Know your purpose and go after it all.
I hope to bring my creativity, knowledge, skills, and life experiences.
Fun Fact:
I live for a good time!!!
Keonta' Ramsey
CEO & Principle Consultant, Eloquence Unlimited, LLC
Keontá Ramsey uses her unique gift for creative wordplay to breathe life into incredible ideas. Think of her as Iyanla Vanzant meets Jay Z; she fixes people’s lives with language and makes messages that help them sound incredibly dope in the process. Wordplay Whiz, Awe-Inspiring Orator, and Communication Guru are just a few of the titles that Keonta’ has amassed since leaving the halls of Coastal Carolina University in 2012 with a B.S. in Molecular Biology and a minor in Health Promotion. Pivoting her dreams of becoming a pediatric physician, she capitalized on her skills as a talented writer and speaker to establish, Eloquence Unlimited LLC, Charleston’s 1st black-female owned copywriting agency and communication consultancy. Through Keonta’s leadership and the expertise of her talented team, Eloquence Unlimited has pushed the boundaries of what communications can achieve using innovative and emotionally resonant story forms. Named among the top thought leaders shaping the future of the communication industry, Ms. Ramsey combines nuanced insights on human behavior with a mastery of language to help organizations such as J.H.W. Enterprises Property Management Inc., United Community Bank, United Healthcare, the state of Ohio, and the YWCA-Greater Charleston share their most important messages.
A native of Charleston, South Carolina, she is deeply passionate about the growth and stability of underserved communities she has been fortunate enough to call home. With a heart for the youth and passion for servant leadership, Keonta’ dedicates her time and talents as a mentor and group leader with the Be a Mentor organization, a consultant with Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the Lowcountry, a membership committee member with the prestigious Harbour Club, and a member of the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce. As an entertaining speaker and presenter, Keonta’ also engages with audiences of all types, sharing her innovative perspective on life, leadership, and professionalism as workshop facilitator and presenter. Excited for the opportunity to directly impact the lives of Gullah Geechee descendants, she proudly accepted the call to join the Board of Directors for the O.K.R.A. Soup Foundation, also serving as the Fundraising Committee Chair for the organization. When she’s not blazing the keys of her MacBook or volunteering, Keonta’ enjoys spending quality time with family and friends, playing Jeopardy, and reading.
It is my hope that by joining the board of OKRA Soup, I will help to be the change that I wish to see in my community. By providing our Gullah Geechee youth with invaluable life tools, resources, skills, and exposure, through a lens of cultural pride and empowerment, I believe they will be unstoppable, and it’s beautiful to play a part in that process.
Fun Fact:
My favorite show is Jeopardy, and I always wanted to meet Alex Trebek.
