About House of Serenity, Inc.
Our Mission
House of Serenity, Inc. is a non-profit organization that pledges to empower women and trans women of color by promoting self-preservation through holistic healing.
Vision Statement
We envision a safe, healthy and empowered community for women and trans women of color affected by HIV, cancer and/or mental Illness.
Years of Experience
Core Values
- We are DETERMINED to promote SELF-EMPOWERMENT for every Queen.
- We are DETERMINED to promote SOCIAL JUSTICE to cease stigma as it relates to socioeconomic status and transphobia.
- We DETERMINED to promote EQUALITY for Queens of color while embracing the AFROCENTRIC PERSPECTIVE.
- We will COLLABORATE with partnering community agencies, government and city leaders as it relates to implicit bias and racial disparities in health care amongst Queens of color.
Our Story
House of Serenity, Inc. (HOS) is a grassroots nonprofit organization, founded in 2015, by Dr. Delitta Scott-Dixon in Jacksonville, Florida. The organization was reorganized in late 2019 when HOS expanded to Atlanta, Georgia, where Mrs. Kizzy Champion-Massey, MSW joined as Director of Operations. Both Dr. Scott-Dixon and Mrs. Champion-Massey are Master level Social Workers with over 25 combined years of experience working in the field of HIV/AIDS, Case Management, Mental Health, housing, and substance use. Their philosophy is to serve individuals by cultivating relationships in a holistic environment to heal the total person, emotionally, physically, and spiritually.
The target populations for HOS are women and trans women of color in Jacksonville, Florida and Atlanta, Georgia affected by HIV, cancer and/or mental health. These special populations are unique for various reasons. Disparities in healthcare among women and trans women of color are due to structural racism and social determinants of health. Women and trans women of color are facing an overwhelming mental health crisis. These special populations also experience the following barriers to healthcare: stigma, distrust of healthcare, lack of providers from diverse backgrounds and lack of insurance. It is the desire of HOS to become a safe haven for these populations and to be the voice for the voiceless through social activism.
HOS refer to the populations that they serve as Queens. The organization offers their queens a variety of direct services that address immediate needs while nurturing long-term stability. Direct services focus on housing referrals, emergency financial assistance, advocacy, case management, career services, HIV linkage, HIV prevention services and counseling referrals. HOS provides an organic space where women and trans women of color can heal their mind, body, and spirit. The organization lights Queens of color paths to healing by guiding them to resources through partnering community agencies.
Our Team
House of Serenity, Inc.
HOS Board of Directors
Deleki Lee
PresidentA native of rural Georgia, Deleki Lee, was raised in historical Washington, Georgia. A small historical town affectionately known for its charm, historical beauty, and significant contributions during the American Revolutionary and Civil Wars. Deleki was born to the parentage of local school teachers and business persons. Raised with strong Christian values to simply serve others and do what’s right and pleasing, she gracefully developed into her gift of leadership.
A graduate of Augusta University, University of Georgia, Piedmont College, and Gupton Jones College of Funeral Service, she obtained degrees in education with an Educational Specialist being the highest degree earned. Deleki has served students and families of Washington – Wilkes for 23 years. She has served in the capacity of school administrator (principal and assistant principal) for the past 17 years. During her tenure, her school has been recognized for many accolades in honor of high scholastics.
Known for her exuberantly positive mindset, she loves encouraging students and adults with a hope of helping them to develop into their full potential. With great confidence, she believes all people possess a light that is designed to shine brightly and when equipped with the right tools, they can radiate in any capacity.
With a strong belief that she is to serve God and serve people, Deleki serves her community and work alongside nonprofit organizations to help them carry out their programs for youth development. She is also a dedicated member and officer of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. for 24 years, a member of the local chapter of the NAACP, 8th District Georgia Funeral Service of Practitioners Association, Professional Association of Georgia Educators, Georgia Association of Secondary School Principals, and Georgia Association of Educational Leaders, and serves House of Serenity.
Twelve years ago, her love and passion for photography transformed from a hobby to a successful business, Photos by Dee Photography. Her work also continues with her family business of providing funeral and burial services where she serves as a Funeral Director Apprentice and co-owner. She wears many hats and strives to wear them with a spirit of excellence.
Deleki resides in Lincolnton Georgia with her family.
Vicki Turman
Vice PresidentVickie Johnson Turman is a native of Elizabethtown, NC. She attended Bladen County public schools and was a 1976 graduate of Tar Heel High School. After high school graduation, she attended Fayetteville State University in Fayetteville, NC and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Intermediate Education. Upon graduation from FSU, Vickie became a middle school teacher and over the years taught in Wilkes County, Washington, Georgia; Killeen, Texas, Social Circle, GA and Greensboro, GA. In 1992, she earned a Master’s of Education from the University of Georgia in Administration and Supervision. Upon graduation from UGA she became a school administrator in the Wilkes County Public School System. In 2004, she became the administrator of a parochial school, Emmanuel Christian Center, and remained there until 2011. Vickie became a licensed realtor for the states of Georgia and South Carolina in 2016 and is currently assisting sellers, buyers, and investors in both states. She is a mother, grandmother and the widow of her husband of 33 years, L.V. Turman. She resides in Grovetown, GA.
Amanda Flood
TreasurerAmanda D. Flood is a native of Albany, Ga better known as the “Good Life City”. As a health care worker by day and an entrepreneur 24/7, she believes in the importance of serving others, financial literacy and generational wealth. Amanda attended undergrad at Albany State University where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in Business Management. From there, Amanda has had the opportunity to hold several leadership positions in organizations as well as on the job that has given her the opportunity to lead and develop others in the areas of service and leadership. In addition, Amanda has created a lifestyle brand and apparel line dedicated to educating, encouraging and empowering women and men of color to embrace their individual uniqueness and celebrate their culture. With Amanda’s excitement about taking on this role she passionately said, “I love being able to have the opportunity to encourage, empower and promote success through hard work, persistence, and financial literacy. I can’t wait to see where we collectively take this awesome non-profit organization.
Leslie Foney
SecretaryLeslie Foney is a Coding Analyst at Northside Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. She has over 10 years of healthcare experience, working in various capacities. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Management as well as 3 coding certifications: CPC, CEMC and CRC. Her greatest accomplishment is motherhood to her three amazing children. As a mother of color and working in the healthcare field, she has a deep passion for inequity in black maternal health, morbidity and mortality. She is committed to work on causes that promote women of color rights and leadership. She also believes in the elimination of violence against women. Leslie is also a photographer and owner of Saviree Portraits. She enjoys sharing her talent with the world. Her desire is to create photos to hold on to memories for a lifetime.
Kimberly Sapp
OfficerKimberly Sapp has been in the Social Service field for over 20 years. She started her professional career at Healthy Families/Healthy Start of Jacksonville in 1999. Since then, she has been dedicated to helping people within the community.
Ms. Sapp serves as a Program Specialist at Centene Corporation, a position she has held since March 2017. Where she provides specialty service care coordination to beneficiaries. Ensuring appropriate services are delivered. Ms. Sapp has assisted the community in a well-rounded capacity. She has served as a Guidance Counselor at a Charter School. She provides services to at-risk students between the ages of 16-21 ensuring that each student received an action plan to fulfill their graduation requirements. Additionally, Ms. Sapp has served as a Dependency Worker for the Department of Children and Families assisting children with reunification with their parents.
Ms. Sapp currently serves as a Volunteer with The Jacksonville Junior League, an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism and improving communities. Ms. Sapp graduated from University of North Florida where she received a Bachelor of Art degree in Psychology. She continued her education where she received a Master of Arts Degree in Counseling with an emphasis on Guidance.
Dr. Karine Alleyne
OfficerSince 2007, Dr. Karine Alleyne has been founder and president of Trinity Treatment Center, a medication assisted treatment program for substance use disorder. Trinity Treatment Center provides group and individualized counseling services to the Macon, Ga community. Dr. Alleyne received her Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Florida and completed her undergraduate studies at St. John’s University in New York. Dr. Alleyne is a member of Georgia Pharmacy Association, Georgia Society of Health-System Pharmacists, and Opioid Treatment Providers of Georgia. She grew up in Brooklyn, New York and has made Atlanta, Ga her home for the last twenty-seven years.
HOS Executive Leadership
Dr. Chanel Scott-Dixon
Executive Director/FounderDr. Chanel Scott-Dixon has over 20 years of professional experience in the field of HIV/AIDS. She attended Albany State University where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Allied Health. After obtaining her undergraduate degree, she started her career with Southwest Georgia Public Health with the HIV/AIDS Program. She previously served as South West Health District HIV/AIDS Program Director for 12 years in Albany, Georgia where she led HIV Care and Prevention Programs. Dedicated to serving individuals living with HIV in Southwest Georgia, she decided to pursue her degree in Social Work. She obtained her Master of Social Work from Valdosta State University. Providing HIV/AIDS education while eliminating stigma in rural communities became her mission. Dr. Scott-Dixon earned her Doctor of Education from Argosy University in 2012. Her dissertation was entitled, “Study of Rural College Students’ Knowledge and Perceptions toward HIV/AIDS”.
Dr. Scott-Dixon relocated to Jacksonville, Florida in 2014 where she held the position of Asst. Director of HIV/AIDS Case Management and Housing at JASMYN, Inc. While working at JASMYN, she developed a passion for working with trans women of color and LGBTQ+ youth. This journey led her on a pathway to wanting to help women of color. Dr. Scott-Dixon is the founder of the nonprofit House of Serenity, Inc. established in 2015. Currently, she’s employed with Grady Infectious Disease Program as a Manager of Social Service. Dr. Scott-Dixon lives by the following motto: “Individuals living with HIV In Rural South Georgia inspired me to become a soldier in the war of HIV. A trans woman of color living with HIV that I will lovingly refer to as ‘Mama June’ will forever be a guiding light for my journey. Every individual, no matter who they are, should be treated with respect and dignity because showing kindness is priceless”.
Kizzy Champion-Massey
Director of OperationsUpon Graduation from Savannah State University, Kizzy worked as a Legal Advocate at Savannah SAFE Shelter to protect victims of domestic violence located in Savannah, GA. Kizzy spent five years working at Memorial Health Medical Center in Savannah, GA, the only Level 1 Trauma Center in the region as a Care Resource Coordinator. After leaving Savannah, GA Kizzy moved to Brooklyn, New York and began working at Geel Community Services. She was hired as a Visiting Counselor providing case management and support services to adults with mental illness in the North Bronx. Kizzy took a training course at Hunter College and met a woman by the name of Yolanda Gonzalez, who would change Kizzy’s future employment. While in the training course Gonzalez informed Kizzy of open positions at Gay Men’s Health Crisis as a Case Manager. Kizzy was totally unsure of her employment future but took the initiative to apply. She was ultimately hired at what was the start of her career in HIV/AIDS. Kizzy worked at Gay Men’s Health Crisis for the next five years.
In 2011, Kizzy moved to metro Atlanta working for the Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS). Kizzy enjoyed working for DFCS, however, Kizzy understood that there was a specific area of Social Work that pulled on her heart strings. Kizzy was pulled back into the world of HIV/AIDS. For the next five years, Kizzy worked as a Case Manager with AID Atlanta and obtained her Masters in Social Work from Clark Atlanta University. Currently, Kizzy is employed with Grady Ponce Center, in Atlanta, GA. In 2019, Kizzy was appointed as Director of Operations at the House of Serenity, Inc.
Kizzy resides with her Husband, Elder Tony Lee Massey and their two pet turtles Ike and Tina in Stone Mountain, GA.
Our Partners and Sponsors
