Founder & CEO, Press Forward Inc.

Jacqueline D. Hite was born on August 11th to Clifton and Ethel Hite in Kansas City Missouri. She is the youngest of four children. She graduated high school from Raytown South High School in 1983.

In May of 1986, she enlisted in the United States Army. She served 22 years of active service as a Transportation Logistician and held the rank of Sergeant First Class upon her retirement. She completed six combat tours and was awarded several medals. She used her Veteran’s educational benefits and went to Paul Smith’s College located in upstate New York and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Culinary Arts Service Management and a Minor in Business.

She currently resides in Charleston, South Carolina.

She has always been a volunteer of service to many communities in the United States as well as overseas. She has served Thanksgiving Meals as a Salvation Army volunteer in both New York and Alabama. She was a Cub Scout Leader in South Korea. She has served as a board member on an After School Program in New York. She has worked with the Head Start Program with AmeriCorps in New Jersey. She has also volunteered countless hours for many organizations in Texas, Germany, Italy, Kansas, and Missouri to name a few.

Mrs. Hite has two children, one son; Tylan Gregory Hite; and one daughter, Jayla Denise Hite Edwards.

Board Secretary/Senior Veteran Liaison Coordinator

Jayla Hite Edwards was born to Tyrone Edwards and Jacqueline Hite in Anniston, Alabama. She is the third youngest of her blended family of nine siblings. She graduated high school from Charter Tech High School of the Performing Arts in Somers Point, NJ in 2019.

She was previously enrolled in Atlantic Cape Community College in Mays Landing, NJ where she studied General Studies. Ms. Edwards furthered her education at the Texas School of Phlebotomy and received her diploma in 2022.

She is currently employed as a certified Phlebotomist and she also is an instructor/proctor for a private company. Jayla currently serves as the Board Secretary and has held the position of Senior Veteran Liaison Coordinator for Press Forward for over four years.

Jayla is the daughter of US Army Retired parents. She has traveled all over and has volunteered in many different capacities. Some of those events were being a server for the Salvation Army Thanksgiving Homeless Meal Program, After School Program Pancake Breakfast, Touch a Truck, Ironman, Upstate NY Full and Half Marathons, as well as Press Forward events.

Ms. Edwards loves animals and currently takes care of two dogs, Azula and Zeus.

Board Chair

Tangela Curtis Wimbish was born to Leola Curtis and Leonard Williams in Atlantic City, NJ She is the middle child of 10 siblings. Her mother passed away at a young age and her father served in the US Army. Tangela graduated from Atlantic City High School in 1980.

She is employed by Morrison Healthcare where she is a Food & Nutrition Supervisor. She also is a jewelry consultant for Paparazzi. Mrs Wimbish loves to have fun and make people laugh. She loves to help people and make a difference in her community.

Before becoming the Board Chair for Press Forward, she volunteered many hours to the organization during events and fundraisers. She has been married to her husband Michael for over 42 years and has 2 sons, and 2 grandchildren.

Board Member

Takayenna Myers-McGee, National Certified Counselor, Licensed Professional Counselor, and Certified Case Manager is known for being dedicated, passionate, loyal and charismatic. She possesses the ability to relate to others regardless of age and her passion for life and helping others greatly contributes to her success as a case manager and therapist.

Takayenna received her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Criminal Justice from American Intercontinental University in January 2006. Following this accomplishment Takayenna continued her education receiving a Masters of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Chicago State University in December of 2011.

Prior to starting and gaining her MA degree, Takayenna served in the United States Army. Her father served in the Army as well as uncles, aunts and a host of cousins serving in different branches. While in the military Takayenna was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. She also deployed to Afghanistan for 16 months. Serving in the military was one of her greatest joys and accomplishments. In the military the seven core Army Values were instilled in her. Loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage. She served with a purpose and still applies these basic core values to her everyday living. Having served in the military is a huge part of her identity, who she is as a person.

Adding to her work history, Takayenna served as a School Based Counselor and Teen Parenting Coach working with children and their families. Takayenna has also worked as an Adoption Preservation Therapist. She has provided individual and family therapy. She has hosted group therapy and foster care workshops/education. Takayenna’s goal through therapy is to help clients achieve the change they seek for themselves. Takayenna is a strong believer that how/what we think plays an important role in the feelings, behaviors, and actions that follow those thoughts.

It is her belief that change is not permanent but ever evolving and it’s okay to get help with that change when you feel you can no longer do it on your own. Helping to foster love, change, and providing guidance as they embark on their personal journey. Everyone wants to live their best life and it’s more than just words, it’s a journey and it’s worth it!

Board Member

Chiquita Davis, loving mother of five children and two grandkids, has devoted 22 years of her life to serving her community as an employee of Shore Memorial Hospital. Born in Somers Point, New Jersey, Chiquita spent most of her childhood in Ocean City, and graduated from Mainland Regional High School.

When she's not working hard at the hospital, Chiquita delights in indulging her passions for bowling, dancing, and attending concerts. An unwavering fan of basketball and football, she can often be found cheering on the Philadelphia Sixers and Eagles.

In addition to her love of sports and music, Chiquita is known for her delicious banana pudding, which is a hit with her family and friends. She is a kind, hard-working, and fun-loving person who always has a smile on her face, an optimistic outlook towards life, brings joy to those around her and makes a positive impact in her community.

Isaac Martinez was born to Gina Hernandez and Frank Martinez in San Antonio, Texas. He is the third youngest in a family of four siblings.

He graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in Texas in 2019. Isaac currently is employed by Laurel Ridge Treatment Center as a behavioral health technician. He's also a homecare provider for his grandfather.

Isaac is cheerful and full of personality. He loves the outdoors and animals of all kinds and is always ready to help and provide for those in need.