Iota Phi Lambda Sorority Spotlights African American Businesses and Women Entrepreneurs

Dallas – Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc., Psi Chapter will hold its 51st Annual Business Month Education and Scholarship Awards Luncheon on Saturday, April 26, 2025, 11:00 a.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton Dallas Campbell Centre. 8250 North Central Expressway, Dallas, Texas 75206.

A national business and professional women’s organization founded in 1929, Iota members seek to unite qualified business and professional women to enhance and improve their status in our highly complex, competitive business and professional world. The organization also establishes and promotes civic and social service activities for youth and adults.

Psi Chapter’s Honorees for 2025 Dominique G. Johnson Dorethea N. Hornbuckle
Business Entrepreneur Award Dominique G. Johnson grew up in the suburbs of Paris, working for many years in the sports marketing and event industry.

She found her passion in oil painting, and is celebrating almost 20 years in her own working art studio/gallery, located in historic downtown Grapevine, Texas, “A TOUCH OF PARIS,” where she transformed a small house from the 1920s into a location where creativity is in full swing, sharing the space with her son who
is also an artist in residence, and where she shares her passion with her students during painting classes.

Despite her love for the palette knife and oils, she likes to create and work with other mediums as well, including encaustic (beeswax) and acrylic paint.

Her journey presents itself through her paintings, which oftentimes are the landscapes she witnessed growing up.

Dr. Kera Collier is a native of Oak Cliff in Dallas, Texas.  She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry from Florida A&M University and Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree from Baylor College of Dentistry. 

She is a member of the National Dental Association and the International Dental Implant Association. 

Dr. Collier takes pride in offering Quality Dental Care in a comfortable atmosphere to everyone she serves, from the young to the “young at heart.”  

She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and when she is not practicing dentistry, Dr. Collier loves spending time with her family, serving with her Concord Church family, working out, and swing-out dancing. 

Favorite Sweet Treat: Strawberry Ice Cream, Favorite Singers: Fantasia, Jill Scott, and Erykah Badu, Favorite Hobby: Self-proclaimed “Karaoke Queen,” and Favorite Color: Purple.

Pam Hopkins has been in the real estate industry for more than 35 years. After earning her brokerage license, she started her own real estate company, Hopkins Realty & Associates in Cedar Hill, TX. She has been in business for 19 years. Under her brokerage, she has 17 agents that specialize in residential and commercial real estate.

Beyond her successful real estate career, Pam has ventured into social media launching a Podcast titled “Is There Love After 60?” 

This heartwarming series focuses on the joys, challenges, and possibilities of love and connection later in life. Pam is also a newly-published author, recently releasing her inspiring book, “The Will to Move Forward” after losing her husband of 40 years to COVID. Her book inspires and encourages readers to overcome life’s obstacles and embrace their victories.

Kertrina Dauway has chosen to dedicate her life to positively impacting others, with a strong focus on both individual empowerment and organizational success. 

She works closely with youth and young adults, guiding them to unlock their potential and improve their lives through mentorship, coaching, and support. 

Her commitment to helping others extends to the corporate world, where she partners with CEOs and high-level executives to enhance their leadership skills and improve their organizations’ bottom lines.  

After experiencing a COVID illness, she developed brain fog (short-term and long-term memory loss). A relative introduced her to sea moss. Thereafter she noticed her memory improved and she no longer stuttered.  Thus began her journey into the sea moss where her business promotes sea moss.

In addition to her professional endeavors, Kertrina has consistently volunteered her time to charitable causes.  

Daria McKenzie, lovingly known as Ms. Dee, is a licensed esthetician, eyelash extension technician and instructor with more than 17 years’ experience serving clients and students in the D/FW area and beyond. She is the owner of Total Escape Day Spa and Lavishing Lashes Academy, which are two businesses at 223 and 227 S. Cedar Ridge in Duncanville, Tx.

Ms. Dee decided to expand her business in 2013 with a full-service Day Spa, offering suites and training to determined early career beauty professionals. In 2018, the space next door became available and became an official lash school. Lavishing Lashes Academy has trained and provided mentorship to more than 500 upcoming lash professionals.

The Academy empowers and prepares students to secure their TDRL license, start a business, and build a high earning stable income.

Carol is a native Jamaican who migrated to the United States in 1998 with her son, settling in Cincinnati, Ohio. The transition from Jamaica’s warm climate to the wintery conditions of Ohio was a significant change, but it was a necessary step for their future. Carol lived in Cincinnati for 10 years, where she began her career as a Customer Service Associate at the Cincinnati Apartment Guide. 

Carol earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Accounting and joined Child Support Services as a caseworker. Carol next became a licensed insurance agent.

Carol has dedicated countless hours to organizing educational and entertaining events at senior communities and recreation centers. She has coordinated health fairs, bringing together health professionals, clinics, pharmacies, and transportation providers to offer essential resources.

Additionally, Carol has volunteered with the Department of Veterans Affairs. 

Dallas County Accomplishments:

John Wiley Price was elected the first African American Dallas County Commissioner in 1984.  An Elder Statesman and longest elected official in the county’s 173-year history, he is also the longest serving (active) employee at Dallas County (50 yrs).

He moved Dallas County MWBE from $50,000 in 1984 to an excess of $100,000,000 by 2014 and moved Dallas County staffing demographics to reflect population, impaneled the first ever all AA jury in Dallas County history, led the effort for Lew Sterrett to attain a passing evaluation from the Texas Commission on Jail Standards and championed the naming of buildings and courts for historic African American leaders.

Known as “Our Man Downtown,” the fiscally responsible commissioner led Dallas County to receive a AA-AAA Bond rating from Moody’s putting Dallas County in the top 10 among 3141 counties.

Very early on in life, Tracy wanted to be an entrepreneur.  At the age of 18, in July of 1988, while always fascinated with the Funeral Traffic Control Officers riding their Police Style motorcycle; Tracy purchased a police-style motorcycle from the Dallas Police Department and started Eveready Escort Service.

Tracy was first hired by Allen Gene Madison of Singing Hills Funeral Home and John Beckwith Sr. of Golden Gate Funeral Home as a single unit traffic control motorcycle escort guide while also continuing to work for Sears Roebuck and Company as a Loss Prevention Officer to support what has turned out to be a 36-year-old successful business.

In 1996;  DFW Motorcade Safety was then born.  

“Perseverance, Integrity, Persistence” and Hard Work had paid off and Tracy opened Tanksley Financial Group Services.

On Wednesday, December 18, 2024, Soror Terri Thomas was promoted to Deputy Chief of Police for Dallas ISD. In 2016, she made history by becoming the first female command staff officer. Thomas aspires to inspire young women, encouraging them to realize that they can achieve anything they set their minds to. Her journey has been one of perseverance, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

With 31 years of service with the Dallas ISD Police Department, including 24 years as a peace officer, Thomas is a dedicated community volunteer. She has served on the board of the Black Police Officer Association for 20 years and is an active member of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. Beyond her professional and volunteer work, she has coached select volleyball for 17 years, helping several young women secure scholarships.

Tiara J. Crump, a firm believer and full-time college student at Texas Woman’s University, is pursuing a degree in Nutrition with an emphasis in Dietetics. Her hobbies include cooking, reading/learning, nature walks, and spending time with loved ones. 

She is also a single mother to a lovely little girl. Each day she works towards becoming the best possible version of herself. She desires to ensure that she is walking in her purpose and leading by example. After graduating, her aspirations are to open a private-practice health and wellness business to help others reach their fitness/lifestyle goals through nutrition consultations and training.

She has expressed a sincere appreciation to each member of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority,  Incorporated, Psi Chapter for providing her an amazing opportunity and for all that is done for the community!

Dr. Januari S. Lewis is a native of Dallas, Texas where she graduated from Skyline High School. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Xavier University of Louisiana’s College of Pharmacy. During her time in New Orleans, she was blessed to serve her school and community in numerous capacities as a multiple year officer in the SGA, an advocate in the community, chairing the university’s Campus Partner’s initiative, an extension of the Big Brothers, Big Sister’s program, and humbly serving as Miss Xavier University of Louisiana 1998-1999. She served on the inaugural board of the Baylor Scott & White Health and Wellness Center in South Dallas and dedicated her time as the Board President of the North Texas chapter of the American Diabetes Association.  As the district manager of pharmacy operations she spearheaded charitable efforts for about 200 regional Walgreen’s locations. 

She partnered to open a Chiropractic and Wellness Center in the southern sector of Dallas and OxiJan, LLC,  a strategic consulting agency, focused on offering a breath of fresh air to businesses and organizations in need of rebranding, engagement, training, and strategic growth. After almost 20 years with Walgreens, the diehard Saints fan retired to devote more time to her passions – event planning and decorating fancy cakes. 

Currently, Dr. Lewis also serves as Treasurer/Endowment Fund Member of the Miss Xavier Alumni Group Board of Trustees, Adjunct Professor at the University of North Texas’ Health Science Center, Cohort 20 Ambassador for Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses – Dallas and Executive Assistant to the President of the Alpha Xi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated ®. 

Collette Jones is a dynamic leader and dedicated advocate for positive change, embodying the essence of service, growth, and community impact. As a social worker, she wants to ensure the safety and well-being of children. 

Collette is a force within Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc., Psi Chapter.  As Membership Chair, she diligently works to grow and strengthen the chapter, while her roles as Social Committee Chair, Founders’ Day Chair, and Black History Committee member reflect her ability to plan meaningful events that unite and inspire others. She also co-chairs the Career Exploration initiative and works with the Future Iota Leaders (FIL) program, where she empowers young people and fosters their personal and professional development. She transforms lives through her work and service and inspires others to dream big and take bold steps toward a brighter future.

In light of her parents’ determination to rear their children in the knowledge of the Lord, Rev. Willacin Velanne Gholston (“Precious”) was lovingly nurtured in the AME Church in Indianapolis, IN. 

Ordained an itinerate elder in the AME Church in the fall of 2009, she is certified with the Association of Professional Chaplains, and Association of Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE).

In 1995, Rev. Gholston was awarded a presidential scholarship to attend Bennett College for Women (Greensboro, NC), where her activities included Student Government, Political Pacesetters, Rotoract International and Campus Ministry and served as “Miss Bennett College.”  She graduated Summa Cum Laude from SMU’s Perkins School of Theology where she received her Masters of Divinity Degree.  She is Manager of Pastoral Services of Methodist Charlton Medical Center and Manager of CPE Programs for Methodist Health System of Dallas.