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MEET THE STAFF

Meet The Staff

MARVIN DANIELS
Executive Director and CEO

Marvin Daniels has over 39 years of experience in the non-profit sector, specializing in youth and community development, advocacy, and asset-based programming. He is the Founder of Beyond The Norm, where he serves as a trainer and consultant in conflict resolution, situational ethics, scenario planning, servant leadership, and team-building.

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Marvin's diverse roles include Adjunct Professor of Youth Ministries, Youth and Assistant Pastor, Regional Facilitator, Mediation Specialist, and Youth Outreach Worker across major cities such as New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Boston, Kansas City, and Branson, MO. He is also a recognized national speaker.

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He holds master’s degrees in Education and Urban Missiology, certifications in Dispute Resolution and Guidance and Counseling, and a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Graphics Technology from Cheyney University (HBCU). An ordained minister with the Baptist General Conference and the Church of the Nazarene, Marvin serves as a trustee and board member for several organizations.

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Marvin is married to Angie, and they have five adult children​: Malachi, Isaiah, Micah, Imani, and Nia.

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Rocky Hodge

Chief Operating Officer

Rocky was born and raised in Oklahoma City and has a strong commitment to education, community empowerment, and faith. After attending a local university, he began his career as a teacher and coach in the Public School System, focusing on leadership and resilience.

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Since moving to Kansas City in 2014 to join The Hope Center, Rocky has held roles including Director of Youth Programs, Director of Operations, and currently serves as Chief Operating Officer, working to create sustainable growth for children, youth, and families.

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As a pastoral team member at Mosaic Bible Fellowship, Rocky is dedicated to servant leadership, aiming to reflect God's grace through teaching, coaching, and ministry. His dedication to youth extends through nine summers with Kids Across America and mentorship in Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kansas City.

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A graduate of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce Centurions program, Rocky lives by Colossians 3:23, committed to uplifting others through love and service.

WEB TURNER
Business Manager

Web was born in Detroit, lived in Chicago, and has called Kansas City home for over 3 decades. He received his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Valparaiso University. Though his career has been in accounting for 40+ years, his passion has been in youth and young adult ministry for the last 30 years —- which has taken him on 20 mission trips (10 in the USA and 10 in Piedras Negras, Mexico) with those amazing young people.

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Web and his wife Laura have been married for 41 years and have three adult daughters. 

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Joining The Hope Center has been a refreshing and uplifting change for Web. After over 40 years in corporate accounting, he sought a part-time opportunity that would allow him to make a meaningful impact. He is inspired by the dedicated staff and volunteers who invest in the lives of children and families in the community, providing them with a safe, hopeful, and Christ-centered environment.

Celia Liptak

Director of Development

Celia Liptak is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in global marketing, business development, strategic planning, philanthropic fundraising, and sales optimization in both the nonprofit and for profit worlds. Her diverse background spans the education, health & wellness, tourism, hospitality, and gaming industries, giving her a unique perspective on both national and international market trends and strategies. Celia's talent for developing effective business and marketing branding objectives has consistently led to enriched opportunities and success for the companies she's worked with.

Celia is poised to drive transformative growth and innovation for The Hope Center of KC aiming to make a significant impact in the arena. Her unique blend of skills will continue to help to elevate The Hope Center of KC to expand their reach, and achieve unprecedented success in today's dynamic business landscape.

Nia Daniels
Director of Communications

A proud graduate of our Hope Center youth programs and Langston University, Nia has been a dedicated volunteer for many years, making her a familiar and valued presence in our community.

 

Nia is a seasoned multimedia journalist with extensive expertise in social media and digital communications. During her internship in the Office of the Vice President, she tracked and analyzed media coverage of various engagements, showcasing her skills in high-pressure environments. While in college, Nia was one of just six selected nationwide for the Harvard Alumni for Black Advancement program, where she successfully launched a mental health campaign aimed at Black college students.

 

Driven by a strong commitment to advocacy, Nia is dedicated to projects that amplify underrepresented voices and support community upliftment. 

ANGIE DANIELS
Senior Program Manager

Angie holds a degree in Elementary Education from Eastern Nazarene College and has dedicated 31 years to ministry alongside her husband, Marvin. Together, they are national marriage conference speakers. Angie is a certified substitute teacher and sexual health educator in Missouri. She is an avid speaker of abstinence-based and purity programs. 

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She previously served as the Women’s Director of Higher Ground at Kids Across America Camps for 11 years before relocating to Kansas City. 

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Passionate about supporting youth and families on the east side of Kansas City, Angie strives to be a faithful witness and role model in her community. She’s also currently a Bible study leader. Her team describes her as a prayer warrior who genuinely cares for others, embodying a vibrant energy and strength that makes her a valuable presence in the lives of those around her.

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Married to Marvin Daniels for 31 years, Angie is the proud mother of "The Fabulous Five": Malachi, Isaiah, Micah, Imani, and Nia.

Titus Brooks

Director of Operations and Administration Services

Titus was born and raised in Houston, TX but didn’t stay long after graduating high school. He spent his summers working in ministry at Kids Across America where he began building his leadership skills and a love for serving the youth.

 

He pursued an accounting degree at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, where he actively engaged in campus life and honed his leadership skills. Post-graduation, Titus deepened his biblical knowledge at the Kanakuk Institute further preparing him for a life of serving others in ministry.

 

With this enhanced understanding, Titus began his journey at The Hope Center as an intern, focusing on supporting youth, families, and the community. After his internship, he moved to Dallas to work as a secondary math teacher and married his wife, Karen Brooks.

 

In the summer of 2023, Titus and Karen returned to Kansas City and resumed their volunteer work at The Hope Center. Titus now serves as the Director of Operations and Administration Services.  

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Chris Chandler
Director of The Gathering KC

Chris has spent the majority of his life in Kansas City, Missouri. Many of those years were focused on local community ministry. Most recently he served as the teaching pastor of a local church before joining The Hope Center staff in 2024. 

 

Before joining the team, Chris’ church was a mission partner with The Hope Center where he saw firsthand the impact it has on the community. He’s excited to continue to develop spaces for the community to flourish through the opening of The Gathering KC. 

 

Chris has degrees from Evangel University and Asbury Theological Seminary. He loves preaching/teaching, playing the drums, and exploring all that Kansas City has to offer with his daughter Andie. 

TIMOTHY "TIM" LUMPKIN

Director of Sports Ministry

Tim is a driven individual committed to serving others and fostering community spirit. After several years as an intern at The Hope Center, he has taken on the role of Director of Sports Ministry. In this capacity, he combines his passion for sports with a strong commitment to mentoring youth, creating opportunities for both personal and athletic development.

 

Tim’s enthusiasm for sports enables him to connect effortlessly with others, drawing in those who share his interests. Whether discussing football, basketball, or soccer, he engages youth with genuine passion, which has made him a respected figure among the children and teenagers at The Hope Center.

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Outside of his role at The Hope Center, Tim actively competes in sports tournaments across the nation. He views sports as a vital platform for cultivating character, teamwork, and resilience in the young people he mentors, reinforcing his commitment to their growth and success.

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ALLISON DAVIDSON

Programs Administrator 

Allison Davidson, a North Kansas City native, holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from Park University. She began her journey at The Hope Center as an intern and has since progressed to Programs Administrator in her fourth year, focusing on mentoring Junior Leaders in Training and guiding 7th and 8th graders in developing Godly character and leadership skills.

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Passionate about empowering youth, families, and her team, Allison fosters emotional awareness, empathy, and a lifelong pursuit of faith. She identifies and nurtures individual strengths, embracing the transformative growth facilitated by God.

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Outside of her role, Allison enjoys dancing, outdoor activities, playing volleyball, and reading. She advocates for nutritional and financial literacy and values quality time with family and friends. Long-term, she aspires to provide accessible mental health and counseling services in underserved communities. Allison is excited to contribute to the groundbreaking work God is doing through The Hope Center.

JALYN TINKER
Intern

Jalyn Tinker hails from Houston, Texas, and has been a resident of Kansas City, Missouri, for the past three years. A recent graduate of Texas Southern University, Jalyn holds a degree in psychology and is eager to apply her knowledge to support The Hope Center’s mission and vision.

Currently, she is a third-year intern at The Hope Center KC, where she engages with the S.A.Y. Yes! program and works closely with high school students in the Leaders in Training initiative. Jalyn's favorite aspect of her role is the opportunity to connect with youth and witness their development into well-rounded individuals. Drawing inspiration from her own experiences, she is dedicated to empowering students to overcome challenges and achieve their full potential.

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Beyond her professional pursuits, she has a passion for dance, enjoys exploring new restaurants, and has been collecting gum wrappers for six years. Fun fact: she frequently attempts to recreate dance moves she discovers online!

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BOARD MEMBERS

 

 

NITA DANIELS

Director of Community Engagement, KC Scholars

 

Nita's passion comes from growing up in the same neighborhoods our kids come from & knowing they, too, can be whatever they choose through education and awareness.

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Nita is a member of Black Business Women of America Association (BBWAA), After-School Alliance (ASA), & an alumna of Stafford University in the United Kingdom. She also provides rescue services

to earthquake victims in Haiti & educational benefits to students in Johannesburg, South Africa.

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Victor Teevan

Enterprise Sales Executive, Nutanix

 

Victor's journey with The Hope Center KC began in 2017, when he volunteered with the Leadership In Training program for high school-aged boys, igniting his passion for serving others. He is deeply committed to both fatherhood and men's ministry, leading his two active children, Enzo and Emilia, while directing the Men's Ministry at Foundry Church in Lenexa. 

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Victor earned his Bachelor of Science in Marketing from the University of Kansas and has been thriving in Information Technology Sales since 2010. He appreciates the dynamic nature of the tech sector and has successfully managed several multi-million dollar digital transformation projects throughout his career.

 

 

NATE LEWIS

Art Director, Hallmark Cards, Inc. 

 

Nate graduated from Drake University with a BFA in Graphic Design in 2001 and has been working for Hallmark ever since. It was there he met his bride, Sam Lewis, who also works at Hallmark as a Senior Illustrator.

 

Nate and Sam live in the Longfellow neighborhood with their two beautiful young daughters, Johanna and Rosemary. They are members of Jacob’s Well Church, a non-denominational church in midtown Kansas City. They both serve their church community in multiple ways, including helping with design and creative needs, volunteering with the Kids Community and playing on the Worship Team.

 

They both started volunteering in the Leaders-In-Training youth program at The Hope Center in 2006. Sam is still a LIT volunteer and Nate has been serving on the Board of Directors since 2018.

 

 

CHRISTOPHER MILES

​Attorney, Husch Blackwell 

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Chris is an attorney who specializes in insolvency and creditors rights litigation. Chris received his law degree from Tulane University in New Orleans, and after a brief stint in Memphis, returned to Kansas City to continue his career in 2011. A long-time supporter of the Hope Center, Chris lives in the Kansas City area with his wife and daughter. Chris and his wife are members of Christ Church Anglican in Overland Park. Additionally, Chris serves on the boards of the Spire Chamber Ensemble and the Kansas City Bankruptcy Bar Association. 

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AARON WIENS

Vice President, Enterprise Bank & Trust

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Aaron specializes in lending and cash management solutions for a diverse array of commercial relationships in the manufacturing, distribution, and professional service industry.He has been with Enterprise since 2011. Aaron earned a Bachelor degree in Business and Finance from Baker University and an MBA from Baker’s School of Professional and Graduate Studies.

Aaron currently serves on the Board of THC in Kansas City and spends his time with his wife Kelly, two sons, Avery and Lucas, and the community.

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LESTER MCKINZY

Regional Manager, Turner Construction Co.

 

As a passionate Quality Leader, Lester partners with project teams throughout the Central US to ensure risk management during the Design-Phase, and construction of various types of buildings.  When quality-related issues arise in the field, he helps project teams find viable solutions to challenges. He is a native of Kansas City, Missouri, and has been married to the love of his life Yolanda for more than 19 years!In his personal time, he enjoys community service, learning history (US or abroad), and traveling with family and friends.”

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