IAMNOW South Carolina Chapter
Tyria Orr
Tyria was born on January 17th to Virgie Joyner and the late Michal Sutton.
She is a single mother of 3 beautiful children Dante’, Devonte’ and Cherish. She has one handsome grandson Zay’Vyon and one on the way.
Tyria is a proud 1996 graduate of Wade Hampton High School. Tyria graduated from Springfield College with a BA in Human Service.
Tyria is currently employed at her alma mater, Wade Hampton High School for the past 6 years. She has been working in the Hampton One School District for a total of 10 years. Tyria is also the Junior Varsity Cheer Coach for the past 5 years where she continues to inspire and empower the young ladies on the team.
Dr. Marcella Shaw
Dr. Marcella Shaw is a native of Yemassee, SC. Marcella is the wife of retired Chief Warrant Officer 04 and the mother of MaKayla and Madison. Marcella is the daughter of the late Sandra and Ervin Cook of Yemassee and Ben and Pearline Heyward of Hampton, SC. Marcella is a proud 1989 honor graduate of Wade Hampton High School Hampton. After high school, she attended The University of South Carolina, Columbia where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies. She furthered her education at Cambridge College in Boston, Massachusetts where she received a master’s degree in education. The Board of Trustees at South Carolina State University awarded
Marcella Education Specialist and Doctoral degrees in 2001 and 2003, respectively. Marcella is a member of Alpha Delta Kappa International Educational Sorority for women and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated.
Marcella has been an educator for almost 29 years and is the proud Superintendent of WSD29 and the Interim Superintendent Elect of the Barnwell County Consolidated School District.
Marcella firmly believes that to whom much is given, much is required. She lives by the motto, the day she ceases to serve is the day she ceases to live.
Judge Katina Capers-Washington
Katina Capers-Washington was born and raised in Hampton, South Carolina to the late Willie J. Capers and Laverne Capers. She is a 1992 graduate of Wade Hampton High School. Katina attended the University of South Carolina where she earned a BA degree in Psychology with a cognate in Criminal Justice in 1996. She furthered her studies at Webster University where she received a MA degree in Counseling in 2004. For over 16 years, Katina has worked with young people in the Lowcountry and Midlands areas of South Carolina as both a Life Skills Director and School Counselor. In 2019, she was appointed to serve as a Magistrate Judge for Fairfield County. As a Magistrate
Judge, she can utilize both her passion for helping others and her love of the law to make South Carolina a better place. Her family and friends often refer to her as Judge Lola Carmichael from the hit TV series, All Rise.
Katina Capers-Washington is married to Mr. Carmen Washington. They own a catering company named Que'd Up Smokers BBQ and Catering, LLC, where they not only specialize in delicious, southern cuisines but also give back to their community by donating meals and providing scholarships to local high-school seniors
Dwana Doctor
Dwana Doctor is the only child born to the late Hugh Doctor and Pearline Doctor Heyward (Ben). She wears several hats, but her most important role bears the title of MOM to Kelvin (30), Dondre (28), and Dekiyah (20) in addition to GIGI to Kamryn, Novah, Kashton, and soon to arrive, Kassidy.
She is a 1990 graduate of Wade Hampton High School, Varnville, SC, and a 2003 graduate of the illustrious South Carolina State University (Go Bulldogs!) with a Bachelor of Science degree in Family and Consumer Sciences w/ a concentration in Child Development.Currently, Dwana is the Executive Director of Hampton County First Steps, a nonprofit organization that works
to ensure that every child in Hampton County can benefit from quality early childhood programs.
“Everybody can be great because everyone can serve.” Martin Luther King Dwana has always had a passion for serving others. She is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, Hampton County Library Board, National Association Advancement of Colored People, National Council of Negro Women, National Black Child Development Institute, National Association Education of Young Children, and South Carolina State Alumni Association. In addition to these, she is also the founder of Diamond Butterflies, a mentoring group for young girls.
Dwana is a member of Antioch Christian Church Disciples of Christ where she has served as a Youth Advisor for Christian Youth Fellowship and Christian Women Fellowship.
Tearitha Brown
Tearitha was born on August 10th to Mary Louise White Brown and to the late Eddie Lee Brown SR. Tearitha is the 5th child of 9 children, and a mother of four Bobby Jr(33) N'neka(31) Tearikka(29) and NahJela(28) She is known as MeMaw to her 7 grandchildren. Ayden, Noah, Novah, Peyton, NyLah Rose,Tylen, and Loyal.
Tearitha is a graduate of the WHHS Hampton SC. Upon completion of High School she volunteered at the Beaufort Housing Authority while working for SOP (Son of Power Ministries) as the administrative assistant. Tearitha later
found her love for photography where she currently works for the DOD (Department of Defense) the last 16 years at Recruiting Depot Parris Island, SC where she continues to capture still and motion images in support of classified and unclassified memories for the recruits and their families.
One of Tearitha's favorite verse: I Am Fearfully and Wonderfully Made (Psalm 139:14)
Anita Smith
