About
Butterfly Village Inc, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to creating an
environment that will empower women and girls to succeed academically,
socially, and professionally. Butterfly Village Inc. uses a holistic approach in
assisting women and girls break the cycles of poverty, teen pregnancy, and
domestic abuse. It is through our key components, EXPLORE, CONNECT, and
EMPOWER, women, and girls will recognize their full potential. We offer
opportunities to explore new experiences; connect with positive role models;
and be empowerED to push through adversity.
Women and girls are impacted by issues that hinder their capability to thrive.
Domestic violence, inequalities, health risks, and lack of access to services are just
a few experiences that can sabotage a woman’s capability to reach her full
potential. Butterfly Village Inc. is dedicated to creating a community in which
women and girls are equipped with the necessary skills, tools, and education to
navigate life's challenges with confidence, character, and boldness.
"A butterfly always remembers that there is beauty at the end of all the pain."
Our Mission
Our mission is to cultivate positive change in the lives of women and girls. We
envision girls to be confident leaders and recognize their inner strengths. They
will succeed in school, college, the workplace, and their communities. They will use
their voices, minds, and talents to influence individual and collective change.
Our Team
LaVerne R. Williams-Lewis - Board Chair
LaVerne Williams-Lewis is Talent Acquisition Consultant with LifeBridge Health, a premier health system throughout the Maryland area. LaVerne has over 20 years experience in Human Resources and Employment Services. LaVerne is a graduate of Morgan State University and Notre Dame of Maryland University. She is active in her church, The New Metropolitan Baptist Church where she serves on several ministries. LaVerne has been an active board member since the beginning of Butterfly Village and also serves as the chair for the Govenance Committee.
Andrea Long - Board Vice Chair
As a Licensed Professional Counselor who had worked in the areas of mental health and human services, I consider myself to be an advocate for all things that promote the healthy development of children and families. The opportunity to guide the work of Butterfly Village is very important and resonates with my want to be an “agent of change”. What I love most about this work is the pathways created for our young girls through the exposure to STEM learning and experiences.
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I enjoy making the most of my free time, through connecting with people who like to exchange ideas and have fun- this includes my husband and two sons along with Sorors and family and friends, to create good memories!
Ellen Langston - Board Treasurer
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With over 26 years of experience in the food service industry and more than 16 years in management, Ellen Langston has cultivated leadership and organizational expertise across multiple sectors. From April 2020 to present, Ellen serves as the Administrative Assistant to the Dean of Social Sciences Pathway at Tidewater Community College’s Portsmouth Campus. In this role, she manages personnel operations, track budgets, and process faculty contracts. Whether supporting faculty, overseeing large-scale operations, or providing direct assistance to individuals, Ellen is deeply devoted to meeting the needs of others. She also finds great joy in her family, her church, and most of all, her beloved granddaughter.
Theresa Hamlin - Board Secretary
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With a distinguished career in healthcare administration, marketing, and business development, Theresa has successfully managed healthcare practices, led strategic marketing initiatives, and provided visionary leadership across diverse healthcare settings. With a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Old Dominion University, Theresa applied a multidisciplinary approach to foster clinical innovation, drive business growth, and enhance patient-centered care. For over 12 years, she was instrumental in expanding services, improving operational efficiency, and building strategic partnerships at Eastern Virginia Medical Center. Now retired, Theresa enjoys spending her time traveling, cherishing moments with her family, and giving kissed to her grandchildren.
Jaedda Hall
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For 15 years, Jaedda Hall has ignited careers for diverse populations of students through impactful work-based learning opportunities. Her journey has included leadership roles at the Hampton Roads Workforce Council, supporting students at institutions like Tidewater Community College, and managing internship programs for over 300 interns at NASA Langley Research Center.
Currently, Jaedda is a Senior Workforce Development Consultant for Sentara Health and she plays a key role in curating partnerships that serve to reinforce experiences for Sentara’s current and future talent pipeline across the organization. Jaedda's dedication is recognized by prestigious awards like the Inside Business Top 40 Under 40 and CoVa BIZ Magazine's Millennials on the Move, solidifying her influence in shaping the future workforce.
Beyond her professional passion, Jaedda holds degrees in mass communications and urban education from Norfolk State University. She will earn her doctorate in leadership from Virginia Commonwealth University in Spring 2024.
When not inspiring the next generation, Jaedda enjoys creating lasting memories with her high school sweetheart husband and their two daughters
Tracey Wright
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Currently serving as a Risk Analyst at First Citizens Bank, Tracey, specializes in risk identification, mitigation and enhancing profitability. She holds a Master of Business Administration from Strayer University, and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Norfolk State University. Tracey also serves as Owner and CEO of The Wright Party Planner, a memorable event planning business.
Alexis Epps - Coordinator of Innovative Solutions
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Dedicated Human Resources Coordinator with over 8 years of experience, has a comprehensive skill set encompassing administrative tasks, learning and development initiatives, and talent acquisition support. Currently employed for the Port of Virginia where she is an Organizational Development Specialist, Alexis is known for effectively managing various responsibilities to achieve organizational objectives.
Valarie Franklin - Administrative Assistant
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Valerie J. Franklin is currently retired from the Navy and Marine Corps, Public Health Center after 40 years of Civil Service with the Department of Defense. Mrs. Franklin has been a successful Supervisory Military Personnel Specialist, Supervisory Human Resources Specialist, Education and Training Officer, Deputy Conference Director and Education and Training Department Head. Mrs. Franklin was instrumental in standing up the Navy Medicine Civilian Corps satellite office, in 2016, for the Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center. Mrs. Franklin has received the Meritorious Civilian Service Award on two occasions, as well as numerous other awards for exceptional performance. She has traveled extensively throughout the United States, Europe, Cuba, and the Middle East instructing Military and Civilian personnel on Leadership and Customer Service.
Mrs. Franklin attended Tidewater Community College briefly in 1981 for Data Processing, and again in 2012 for Business Administration. She also attended Old Dominion University, Darden College of Education to obtain training in Curriculum Development. Mrs. Franklin volunteers in her community. She is the Chairman of the Ministry of New Membership Committee and is a very active member of the Hospitality and Nurses Ministry of her church. Mrs. Franklin believes we can accomplish our dreams, no matter what the obstacles, if we have hope, faith and
determination.
