About Us | The More Amour Foundation

Who We Are

The More Amour Foundation, NFP was founded and incorporated by Fatimah K. Muhammad in the Summer of 2020. This endeavor was a resurgence of a previous project undertaken in 2009 that Fatimah longed to see come to fruition. Fatimah grew up in a large family on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois. She witnessed a great sense of community as well as how the impact of a lack of resources, subpar educational institutions, and poverty had on her neighborhood and surrounding areas. As her view of the world expanded via college, military service, and travel, she understood that there was more to be done, more available for those in desperate need of a change from their current state of affairs in order to enlarge their capacity. Taking the holistic approach to address these needs, three platforms were identified; Human Interest, Education & Equality. With these three platforms, Fatimah believes flexibility and adaptability for an ever-changing society can be achieved through The More Amour Foundation (Not-for-profit.)

Fatimah Muhammad

Founder & CEO

Fatimah is passionate about the human spirit, condition, and quality of life. She believes in a holistic approach to affecting change in individuals and communities. In founding The More Amour Foundation, NFP, she envisioned three platforms in order to be impactful; Human Interest, Education & Equality.

Fatimah Muhammad was born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois. Ms. Muhammad is an alumnus of South Shore Community Academy (Chicago, IL), Eastern Illinois University (Charleston, IL) B.S. Speech Communication, Roosevelt University (Chicago, IL) Paralegal Studies Certificate and Governors State University (University Park, IL) M.A. Political and Justice Studies. She also has over 15 years of service to our nation and currently holds the rank of Staff Sergeant in the United States Army Reserves and is a two time combat veteran. Her primary military occupational specialty is Civil Affairs Specialist. Within her Army unit, she also holds the additional duty of Command Language Program Manager (CLPM).

A Bronze Star Medal and Department of State Meritorious Honor Award Recipient, Fatimah is also a Justice professional with over 10yrs of experience. She currently works as a Public Service Administrator with the Illinois Department of Employment Security and is also a trained and experienced Mediator. Ms. Muhammad is also the owner and curator of Amour Imports & Design, LLC, a business she created to bring leather goods, jewelry, crafts, and other significant cultural items from artisans around the world to the Chicago market.

VOLUNTEER & PROFESSIONAL TRAINING/ACTIVITIES

Refugee One – Mentor a Refugee family new to the U.S. 2015-Present Association for the study of The Middle East and Africa (ASMEA) 2008-2011
Methodist Uni./U.S. Army – Mediation/Negotiation Skills Training (40 hr course) Jan 2009
Neighborhood Restorative Justice Institute - Mediator, November 2004 – 2005- (Mediated victim/offender matters as delegated by the Illinois States Attorney’s Office.)
Court Appointed Special Advocate of Cook County - (CASA) July 2003 – 2005-(Investigated and submitted a report to the court regarding juvenile custody matters.)
Center For Conflict Resolution - Basic Mediation Skills Training (40 hr course) April 2004

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Chappel Billings, Ed.M.

Secretary

Chappel Billings, Ed.M., is a digital learning and educational technology leader, who provides guidance to nonprofit organizations, and educational institutions about ways to expand, impact and reach through digital programming and learning experiences. Chappel, a Chicago native, has over 18 years of experience in the public school arena as a special education teacher, school administrator, and instructional designer. Following a successful career in education, Chappel now serves in the role of Associate Director of Digital Learning and Innovation for Education Opens Doors, a Dallas-based nonprofit organization that provides college and career readiness curriculum and programming for middle school students.

Since beginning her consulting practice Chappel Billings, LLC, the Dare to Launch Masterclass, and her newly formed Grounded 44 Group, Chappel has helped women realize their dreams of starting their own companies or organizations. In her current role, Chappel is the Associate Director of Digital Learning and Innovation where she is responsible for providing digital learning experiences and college and career readiness curriculum to over ten thousand students across three states. Prior to her role at Education Opens Doors, she served as a Teacher Excellence Initiative training facilitator and instructional designer, in the human capital management department at Dallas Independent School District. Through her innovation, the team piloted the first online principal recertification platform. A Chicago native, Chappel began her career as a special education teacher in south suburban Chicago and later served as an assistant principal at Jesse White Learning Academy.

Chappel holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education from Eastern Illinois University and a Master of Arts degree in School Leadership from Concordia University, Chicago. She is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Educational Technology from Concordia University. Chappel Billings is a 2018 Future School Leaders Network Inductee.

Juanta Bennett Griffin

Director

Juanta Griffin is the Multicultural Learning Coordinator at the Oak Park Public Library. Mrs. Griffin holds an MA in early childhood education and has had many years of experience in management, education, and cultural programming, including in her previous position as a Child Development Specialist with Hephzibah Children’s Association. In addition, she is very involved with a number of community groups, including the Oak Park Elementary School District 97 (D97) Diversity Council (DivCo), the D97 Multicultural Festival, and the Suburban Unity Alliance. She organizes the Uniquely You Tea Party, a social and emotional workshop for Black girls ages 8-11 that deals with racism, colorism, self-esteem building, and growing up Black in Oak Park.

Juanta earned her Master of Education with a focus in Early Childhood Education from Concordia University Chicago. Mrs. Griffin and her husband live in Oak Park with their four children.

Emmem Ekorikoh

Director

Emmem Ekorikoh is an experienced software project manager and business/tech leader who consults for-profit, non-profit, government, healthcare, and educational organizations on how to integrate the use of technology to improve business processes and increase revenues while leading teams to successfully complete project deliverables. She brings over 10 years of project experience in domestic and international projects ranging from multi-million to multi-billion dollar projects with teams of over 250 team members.

Ms. Ekorikoh is a Chicago native and an alumnus of Loyola University Chicago (BS Psychology), and Benedictine University in Lisle/Shenyang University of Technology (MS Information Systems Management/ MS Public Health, Cert Disaster Management). She has obtained multiple certifications including Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Scrum Master, Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, and ITIL. She also volunteers to teach project management to veterans to help them transition from military life to civilian life through Black Diamond Charities where she is also on the Board of Directors. Her mentorship efforts (in and out of the office) have helped many realize their unique talents and pushed many to exceed their educational and professional goals.

In all aspects of life, Emmem Ekorikoh strives to combine the passions of her work life with the interests of her personal life. She believes in giving back to others by finding creative solutions to common problems and exploring alternative ways to restore balance and positivity within each experience. As a member of the Board of Directors for The More Amour Foundation, NFP, Emmem’s goal is to bring this unique perspective to the organization.

Malikah F. Ladner

Director

Malikah F. Ladner is a highly motivated professional, dedicated to serving her community. Malikah was born and raised on the South Side of Chicago in a large active family. She is married with two wonderful kids and is a graduate of Hyde Park Career Academy and Chicago State University (B.A. Sociology). In the near future, Malika plans to pursue an M.A. in Digital Marketing.

Over the years a few of the organizations Malikah has dedicated her service to are, The Salvation Army, volunteering as a chaperon on family field trips, donating clothes, and delivering toys to children in need. She also assisted a variety of churches on the south and west side of Chicago. Another Chance Church. Operation Cover Chicago, BSW Ministries and Lively Stone Missionary Baptist Church. Malikah is an active member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc.