William Mbu

Mayer, Minnesota

I was born in the Northwest Region of Cameroon, in the city of Bamenda where I did my secondary and post secondary education in Sacred Heart Colledge Mankon-Bamenda and Government High School Wum respectively. I graduated from the University of Yaounde with a major in English Lieterature in 1987. I am married to my wife, Lorraine Mbu and together we have four children with five grandchildren.

I taught English as a second language to French students in the West Region of Cameroon for ten years before coming to The United States in 1996.

Since 1997, I have been working with Hammer Residences, a nonprofit organization that provides services to kids and adults with disabilities and assist them live life to the fullest. My inspiration, dream, and desire to build an inclusive learning environment for children with special needs and disabilities come from my current job and my love to help and give back to the community.

 

Richard Oketch

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Richard was born in Uganda in East Africa. He came to the United States in 1982 and have lived in Ohio, Iowa/Illinois and Minnesota, where he went to the University and worked mostly within the education field as portrayed: Davenport Community Schools – 1985 to 1989 – Special education teacher EBD/Autism; St. Paul Public Schools -1989 – 2011 – Special education teacher, EBD/Autism Spectrum, DCD/LD

Counselor Multicultural Excellence Program – 1997 – 2008; Delta Airlines. 1996 – 2011 – Luggage department; Educator/Special Education Teacher – Retired, June 2011.

Richard has the following experiences as a teacher and counselor, President of the Association of Ugandan in Minnesota, Board member for the Center for Victims of Torture and Member/Vice Chair of the Uganda Human Rights League.

Richard is currently the Vice President on the Board of Directors for M.R.E.C.

 

Udeani Ignatius

Minneapolis, Minnesota

I have been married to my wife Katona Udeani since 1986. We have been blessed with three children and one grandchild. I am an attorney licensed to practice law before the Minnesota Supreme Court, the U.S. Federal District Court for Minnesota, and the U.S. Federal Court of Appeals for the Eight and Fourth Circuit. I practice law primarily in the area of Immigration and Nationality Law, Criminal Law (at the state and federal levels) and Family Law. As a solo practitioner, I have gained valuable experience regarding the administrative, marketing and managerial aspects of an organization.

Udeani is currently the Treasurer on the Board of Directors for M.R.E.C

 

Patrick Buehler

Wayzata, Minnesota

Patrick is a senior at Providence Academy, an independent, Catholic High School in Plymouth, MN. Prior to starting at Providence in 2007, Patrick lived in France for four years and England for two years. With such an international experience, Patrick learned to relate well with people from many diverse social, economic, and cultural backgrounds. At Providence, he is able to apply these interpersonal skills on the Upper School Student Council, where he serves as Senior Class President. In his junior year, Patrick led the 2013 Prom Committee and successfully orchestrated the largest prom in the 12- year history of the school. A 4.0 student, Patrick is an active member of the debate team, math team, National Honor Society, and Lincoln Society. He is a student in the University of Minnesota Talented Youth Mathematics Program and tutors fellow high school students. Patrick sails for the Wayzata Community Sailing Center and is captain of the Providence Academy Sailing team. He learned the French language while living abroad, and so shares a Franco-English background with many Cameroonians. After moving back from Europe, Patrick’s family became involved with Hammer Residences, where he met William.

Patrick is currently the Secretary of the Board of Directors for M.R.E.C

 

Albert Usumanu

Minneapolis, Minnesota

I was born in Bamenda in the Northwest Region of Cameroon. Following high school in Sacred Heart College and CCAST Bambili, I left for the United States in 1985 to attend the University of Minnesota in the Twin Cities. I graduated in 1989 with a BA. I enrolled at the William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul in August 1991. I graduated in June 1994. After a year in corporate practice and another year as an Assistant County Attorney in Dakota County, I went into private practice. I am married to Delphine Usumanu and together with our many children, we attend Bethlehem Baptist church in downtown Minneapolis.

Lorraine Mbu

Coon Rapids, Minnesota

I was born and raised in Albany, NY. I worked in nursing home for 16 years assisting the elderly with ADL’s and also as an Assistant Director of Activities.

I moved to MN in 1999 to live with my husband, William. Together we have 4 children and 9 grandsons. I have worked in Assisted living homes for 5 years and currently run my own in-home daycare which has been opened for 8 years. I have an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Development and also training with assisting children with special needs.

I have a passion for taking care of children and helping others. When William and I discussed the dream of opening a school for inclusive care, I was extremely excited and ready to jump in and get started. I think about different ideas for the school daily and look forward to opening the school with much anticipation.

 

Konde

Terriann Thommes Matejcek

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Terriann’s mission is connecting groups of people, organizations, and systems at the grassroots level to impact the greatest change for the most good. She has worked in the fields of health promotion and wellness for over 25 years as a consultant, trainer, and leader. Her favorite position was working at the county level to organize and bring together community leaders (formal and informal) to train and create one voice, mission, and strategy for preventing drug and alcohol abuse among youth. She has used the skills she learned from that objective as an outreach coordinator for labor unions, a community relations manager for alcohol and drug treatment centers for youth, and school districts across the nation. Currently, Terriann works for Hammer Residences recruiting training and placing volunteers. She is a graduate of the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN

Fun Fact: Terriann founded and directed a creative movement school for children. Terriann is currently the President of The Board of Directors for M.R.E.C.