ABOUT US
OUR STORY
Hope4families autism foundation was born out of the need to give back to my home country, Nigeria, but the vision has expanded beyond the shores of Africa.
With 17 years as an educator within the public education system, here in the United States, in 2019, I began to sense that my time was up. But what I was going to do next, I had no clue. Initially, the thought was to go back to school for a doctoral degree in education reform, with the hope to provide consult within the educational system in Nigeria.
But in 2019, my family visited Nigeria and while on that trip, a burden was planted on my heart for the
special need population: Parents, children, and Special Education professionals alike.
At the time, I did not have the skills to meet this need, therefore, after I got back to the United States, I began to research for programs in Special education. My search led me to applied behavior analysis (ABA). Then, I did not have a know what ABA entailed or what it was about, but after meeting with the program coordinator at the University of Memphis, Dr. James Mindl, the rest is history as they say. I applied for a doctoral degree in ABA, and in the fall of 2020, I started my journey to becoming a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and a Doctor of Education with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis.
I have been privileged to develop diverse experiences in the field of ABA, working with different populations of individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities. One of my memorable experiences was volunteering at RIP (Regional Intervention Program), Memphis, TN as a consulting BCBA. RIP caters to families of individuals with diverse kinds of developmental disabilities. They equip parents with behavioral and counseling services needed to support their children with challenging behaviors.
I was also privileged to work with adult autistic individuals in group homes and day centers as well as children with autism both within the clinic and school settings.
Currently, I work as a clinician at an early intervention behavioral center in Dallas, TX, USA. I work with children with autism, and I create treatment plans for skill acquisition and behavior reduction goals.
Both my academic program and my research study have strategically positioned me to be extremely qualified to work with parents of kids with autism and their children.
I successfully defended my research and graduated in December of 2024.
Hope4Families Autism Foundation is a non-profit organization; it is registered both within the U.S. and in Nigeria. We are scheduled to have our inaugural seminar on January 26 th , 2025. Our goal is to continue hosting a seminar once a month, virtually and a yearly in-person conference.
Best,
Dr. Jo Tope-Ojo, EdD, BCBA, LBA
OUR TEAM
Baretta McKinney
Baretta McKinney is a Transition Consulting Teacher for the Department of Exceptional Children and Health Services, Memphis Shelby County Schools. Prior to this position, she was a Functional Skills High School Teacher. Ms. McKinney is also a dedicated parent of a young adult with special needs. She volunteers with Madonna Learning Center as a Parent Alumni Coordinator and with Hope Church Special Needs Day Program as a Board Member.
Ms. McKinney attended the University of Arkansas – Fayetteville, AR, Lane College – Jackson, TN, and the University of Memphis, Memphis, TN where she obtained a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, and several special education endorsements. She is also a graduate of the State of Tennessee Partners in Policymaking Program. Currently, she is taking post graduate courses in Special Education Leadership.
During her free time, she enjoys making memories with her family.
Albert Tope-Ojo (Topman)
Topman, is a dynamic force in the world of ministry and relationships. With a rich history of serving in Christian leadership roles from a young age, his extensive experience spans local, national, and international platforms. He is a renowned Public Speaker, Relationship Expert, Pastor, and Certified Pastoral Counselor. His remarkable journey along his wife, Josephine Temitope, began in 1990, and together, they have nurtured both their family and their ministry. TopMan’s commitment extends to nurturing and sustaining healthy relationships in all aspects of life.
Jacqueline Smith
Jacqueline came to know Christ in 1974, and she has since then served in various roles in the kingdom of God. 39 years ago, she got married to Rufus Smith, the senior pastor of Hope Church Memphis. She occupies the position of a full-time helpmate to her husband, at home, in ministry, and business. She is the mother of three adult children, Ruth Abigail Smith-Gardner, Rufus Smith, V, and Rhoda Anna Smith. She is also the grandmother of two boys, Malachi (13) and Shiloh (2.5). Since 2010, she has been actively engaged in writing Bible studies and her autobiography/memoir.
Margaret Isabel
Margaret was born in Lagos State, Nigeria to William and Ibiere Benibo of Obonoma in Rivers State, Nigeria. She, along with her siblings travelled with their father, a career Diplomat on his various postings to Hong Kong, Switzerland and Ethiopia.
Her Father’s return to Nigeria brought the family back to their homeland where she began to learn so much about her family, roots and culture. Her brief visit to the UK brought her into contact with a native Memphian, Charles Isabel who would later become her husband.
Months later, she returned to Nigeria with Charles to introduce him to her parents and the rest of her family, and got married, Customarily and in the Church. Almost 2 years later, their son Charles Henry Isabel III was born in Memphis, TN in 2005.
As parents, they began to notice some developmental milestones that their son Charles was lacking at his age. An appointment with a Pediatric Neurologist informed them that Charles was diagnosed with autism. Though the news was both shocking and devastating, Margaret sprung into action to find ways to help Charles with speech, physical and occupational therapies. She connects with other mothers of Special Needs children in her Church and various places to encourage, share and pray with them about their children.