Is to provide mental health education, counseling, financial literacy, mentoring, and empowerment programs that will be offered by skilled staff in a safe and secure housing or community facility.
Our Vision
Is to provide holistic programs that support the healing, growth, and development of individuals and their families in underserved communities.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE OIKOS PROJECT BY SCANNING THE QR CODE
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To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity. To impose on them a wretched life of hunger and deprivation is to dehumanize them. But to insist on the recognition of the inherent dignity and worth of all people is to lay the foundation for a truly free and just society.
- Nelson Mandela
Board of DIRECTORS
Board Members
HUGH DANIEL SMITH PRESIDENT
LISA WICKER, PH.D BOARD CHAIR
MARY LOU COLE BOARD MEMBER
DAVID COLE BOARD MEMBER
ANTHONY DAVIS BOARD MEMBER
SHELLY JONES HOLT, PH.D BOARD MEMBER
LISA MOORE BOARD MEMBER
Executive STAFF
Executive Staff
BISHOP HUGH DANIEL SMITH
FOUNDER & PRESIDENT
EMBASSY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION- DETROIT, MI
KATONYA JONES
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
EMBASSY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION- DETROIT, MI
MELISSA WALKER
MARKETING & PR DIRECTOR
EMBASSY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION- DETROIT, MI
HONORESS OF 2025
JUDGE SHANNON HOLMES
MRS. CHERYL P. JOHNSON
REVEREND DR. WENDELL ANTHONY
Congratulations
HONORABLE JUDGE SHANNON HOLMES
PRESIDING JUDGE OF SPECIALTY COURTS
MICHIGAN 36TH DISTRICT COURT
DETROIT, MI
Shannon A. Holmes is a highly accomplished and widely respected leader in the legal, public service, and community advocacy sectors, with an unwavering commitment to advancing justice, equity, and social restoration. A native of Lake Charles, Louisiana, Judge Holmes holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Dillard University, a Juris Doctor from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, and a Doctor of Ministry from the Ecumenical Theological Seminary of Detroit. She has also earned an Executive Leadership Certification from Harvard University, further solidifying her expertise in strategic organizational change and transformative leadership.
Judge Holmes has built an extraordinary career in public service, holding influential positions that span the legal, governmental, and military sectors. Her professional tenure includes serving as a Federal Investigator for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Assistant Corporation Counsel and Legislative Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Detroit, Judge Advocate in the Michigan National Guard, Administrative Hearings Officer for the City of Detroit, Human Resources Director for the City of Detroit, and Chief of Staff for the City of Detroit.
Elected in November 2011, Judge Holmes currently serves as Presiding Judge of Specialty Courts for the 36th District Court of Detroit. She provides executive leadership and strategic oversight of the Drug Treatment Court, Veterans Treatment Court, Mental Health Court, and Women’s Empowerment Docket. Beyond her judicial and policy leadership, Judge Holmes finds the greatest joy of her life in serving her community directly through acts of love and compassion. In honor of her late mother, she created Miss Velma’s Kitchen — a warm and welcoming space in her home where she cooks and serves fresh, home-cooked meals for local seniors every week. Judge Holmes is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Sisters of Excellence, Inc., the State Bar of Michigan, Association of Black Judges of Michigan, Wolverine Bar Association, and Michigan District Judges Association. She is also a devoted member of Renaissance Baptist Church of Detroit, where she continues to anchor her faith and community service.
Congratulations
MS. CHERYL P. JOHNSON CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
COALITION ON TEMPORARY SHELTER (COTS) DETROIT, MI
Cheryl P. Johnson is a visionary servant leader dedicated to transforming lives and breaking the cycle of generational poverty. For more than three decades as CEO of COTS, she has united Metro Detroit’s corporate leaders, social advocates, and rising professionals around a shared mission of hope and opportunity. She is also an Integral Life Coach and founder of CPJ Consulting Group, roles through which she continues to inspire and empower individuals, organizations, and communities. Known for her ability to see beyond a person’s circumstances, Cheryl has devoted her career to serving families facing homelessness and generational poverty. Under her leadership, COTS touches thousands of heartbeats each year. Her signature achievement, the Passport to Self-Sufficiency™, is a researchbased, holistic strategy that uses Mobility Mentoring® to help families achieve housing stability, economic independence, improved health, receive quality education, and develop fulfilling careers. This participantcentered, trauma-informed, and culturally competent approach is creating lasting change across generations.
Beyond her work at COTS, Cheryl’s influence extends through life coaching, where she helps clients rewrite limiting narratives and embrace their potential. Through CPJ Consulting Group, she draws on her experience, education and deep nonprofit expertise to provide training and strategic guidance for organizations. She has played a pivotal role in initiatives such as Warrior Women Against Poverty and founded The Circle, a powerful network advancing the personal and professional success of African-American women.
In commitment to service Cheryl serves on many boards, including Authority Health and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. She made history as the first African-American board chair of New Detroit. Cheryl’s impact has been recognized with numerous honors, including Crain’s 40 Under 40, the Spirit of Detroit Award, and recognition as a trailblazing woman of influence. In 2023, The Soul of Philanthropy honored her with the unveiling of a self-portrait at the Detroit Historical Museum, celebrating her profound impact. In 2025 she was named one of Crain’s Detroit Business Notable Leaders in Philanthropy. At her core, Cheryl is deeply rooted in family and cherishes her role as a mother and grandmother.
Congratulations
REVEREND DR. WENDELL ANTHONY
PRESIDENT, NAACP DETROIT BRANCH
SENIOR PASTOR, FELLOWSHIP CHAPEL DETROIT, MI
Reverend Dr. Wendell Anthony is a native of St. Louis, Missouri. He was educated in the Detroit Public School system. He graduated from Wayne State University with a B.A. in Political Science and Marygrove College with an M.A. in Pastoral Ministry. He attended the University of Detroit for advanced study in Black Theology. Rev. Anthony is a Certified Social Worker with the State of Michigan.
He became the Pastor of Fellowship Chapel in December 1986 following the passing of Reverend James E.Wadsworth, Jr. Through the grace of God and the labor of his ministry, the church has experienced the greatest growth in its 59-year history. Currently, Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony is a member of the NAACP National Board of Directors. In addition, he is serving his 17th term as President of the Detroit Branch NAACP, a position he has held for 30 years. The Detroit Branch NAACP is the largest branch in the country. It hosts the largest sit-down dinner in the nation, bringing at least 10,000 persons to gather every year to celebrate and commemorate the struggle for social justice, freedom, and equality. He is the founder of the Freedom Institute for Economic, Social Justice, and People Empowerment, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, which also sponsors the annual Freedom Weekend in the city of Detroit.
Reverend Anthony is the originator of the Take Your Souls to the Polls voter registration and mobilization program. This was initiated to bring about greater youth involvement in the electoral process. He is also the recipient of numerous awards and recognition, locally and nationally. Among them are the Samuel Dewitt Proctor Conference How Beautiful Are Thy Feet Award and the 2021 NAACP Image Award for Activist of the Year. On June 5, 2005, Reverend Anthony led his congregation, community and business leaders, government officials, supporters, and well-wishers in a procession to the new Fellowship Chapel called The Village, for its grand opening and inaugural worship service. In September 2005, Rev. Anthony married Monica G. Anthony. They are the proud parents of three adult daughters (Tolani, Maia and Theresa) and in 2011 a new addition was added, young Ms. Wendelaya Adiah Anthony.
Sponsorship & BUSINESS ADS
CHAMPION OF DIGNITY
SPONSORS
GROUP ONE
GROUP TWO
GROUP THREE
CONGRATULATIONS
On behalf of the Coalition on Temporary Shelter (COTS), we would like to congratulate President Hugh Smith, Embassy Community Development Corporation, and the Oikos Project on a job well done. This year ’ s Human Dignity Awards Gala will be one to remember, as we celebrate all the accomplishments the organization has achieved thus far. Thank you for the contributions you ’ ve made in the communities throughout the city of Detroit.
Cheryl P. Johnson Chief Executive Officer
The COTS Fatherhood Initiative was founded from our participation in the Detroit NextGen Fatherhood Workgroup beginning in 2019. This collaboration aligned with our organization's strategic initiatives by fostering a whole-family approach to advancing racial equity and furthering social and economic mobility.
This 18-month workgroup collaborated to explore ways to:
1) Better engage and serve fathers, especially fathers of color
2) Reduce barriers to father engagement
3) Expand father-centered services in support of fatherfriendly and whole-family systems of care
4) Highlight the true narrative of fatherhood.
The Kresge Foundation, ACCESS, COTS, Matrix Human Services, Starfish Family Services, and Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency were among the participating organizations.
COTS is proud to continue supporting fathers through all of our programs and services and advocating for fatherfriendly, whole-family systems of care.
Hundred Sheepfold
We are your Hundred Sheepfold PastorsPastors Rasheed and Ebony Jeffries
Our Goal is to have zero through the cracks!
Luke 15:4
“What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?“
We strive to stay connected and develop relationships with every member of our Sheepfold!
We do this through regular phone calls, check ins, meet ups and special core group meetings:
· Keep it One Hundred– Check in Zoom Meetings
· Hundred FOLD (Fellowship Opportunities Leading to Discipleship) - Teaching, Training and Treats
· FUNDRED– Outings designed to fellowship in a fun setting Now THAT’S DOPE (Definitely On Point & Exciting!!!)
Marci Bryant for Sync Digital Agency www.syncdigitalagency.com (248) 862-1372
Fulton for Majestic Concierge https://www.majestic-concierge.com/ (888) 624-3161
https://www.southfieldmentalhealth.com/
We are proud to cel 5 gnity Awards and the champions of justice who inspire us all.
If you or a loved one ha s been injured, you deserve an advocate who will fight for your rights and dignity.
Our firm is dedicated to helping individuals and families recover, rebuild, and move forward after life’s unexpected challenges.
We offer compa ssionate, experienced representation in personal injury|auto|wrongful death|police misconduct ca ses, always putting your needs first.
Justice isn’t just our profession it’s our pa ssi
Congratulations to this year’s honorees. Together, we build a stronger, fairer commun
P r e s i d e n t H u g h D a n i e l S m i t h , t h e B o a r d o f D i r e c t o r s , a n d t h e
e n t i r e E m b a s s y C o m m u n i t y D e v e l o p m e n t C o r p o r a t i o n f o r y e t
a n o t h e r i n c r e d i b l e H u m a n D i g n i t y A w a r d s G a l a . T h e p a s s i o n a n d
c o m m i t m e n t y o u d i s p l a y i n u p l i f t i n g h u m a n d i g n i t y a n d
e m p o w e r i n g c o m m u n i t i e s i s t r u l y i n s p i r i n g t o u s a l l . W e w i s h y o u
m a n y m o r e y e a r s o f s u c c e s s !
T R A N S C E N D E N T L I F E
O U T R E A C H I S M O R E
T H A N A M I N I S T R Y
I T ’ S A M O V E M E N T . “
& THANK YOU
Credits
CHAMPION OF DIGNITY SPONSORS
Min Ivan & Pamela Hart (Alpha Shepfold), Pastors Gregory & Ronita Coleman (Zoe Sheepfold), Pastors Reginald & Jennifer Day (GLOW Sheepfold), Pastors Rashed & Ebony Jeffries (Hundred Sheepfold), Pastors Carl & Lisa Miller (Fresh Fire Sheepfold), Pastors Carl & Monica Jackson (Zebulun Sheepfold), Corisa Reed (COTS), Gerald Edwards (COTS-Fatherhood Initiative), Lisa Moore (Lisa-The-Realtor)
GUARDIAN OF RESPECT SPONSORS
ALLY OF DIGNITY SPONSORS
MR. JAMAR & MRS. KRYSTIAN BIRD
TRANSITIONAL HOUSING RENOVATION SPONSORS
Legacy Builders, Foundation Sponsors, Home Maker Sponsors, Room Partner Sponsors, & Neighborhood Ally Sponsors
CREATIVE STRATEGY & DIRECTION TEAMS
SOUND MIND PRODUCTION TEAMS (LIGHTS, VISUALS, & AUDIO)
MICHBRUC MULTIMEDIA PRODUCTION COMPANY
HUMAN DIGNITY AWARDS EVENT TEAM
Mr. Andrew & Mrs. Tekeyah Gaines
Thank YOU
WE WANT TO PERSONALLY THANK EVERYONE WHO PLAYED A PIVOTAL ROLE IN MAKING THIS YEAR’S HUMAN DIGNITY AWARDS GALA A SUCCESS, FROM OUR ECDC BOARD MEMBERS, SPONSORS, PRODUCTION STAFF, GUESTS, AND EVERY INDIVIDUAL IN BETWEEN! YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS ARE PRICELESS.
