Our History
Founded in 1939, Hopkins House is a nonprofit learning center for children, youth, and families, named in memory of Dr. J. Milton Hopkins, an African American physician who practiced in Alexandria, Virginia until his death at the age of 52 in 1927. Graduates of Hopkins House programs include a former Mayor of the City of Alexandria, Circuit Court Judge, Army General, Hollywood musician, and other achievers. Click Here To Read More History >>>
Our Mission
The mission of Hopkins House is to provide high quality, high impact educational programs and learning opportunities to children, youth, and their families, regardless of income, to help them achieve, in measurably effective ways, their full intellectual, economic, and social potential.
The Community We Serve
Hopkins House serves a socially diverse community of working and military families in the Northern Virginia metropolitan area. All programs are open to the public regardless of income or residency.
Senior Managers
J. Glenn Hopkins
President/Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Hopkins joined the staff in 1991. He is the seventh and longest-serving chief executive of Hopkins House. He has a master’s degree from Columbia University in the City of New York. He has over 35 years of senior-level management experience. He is a resident of the Fairfax County, Virginia.
Garvey Wright
Vice President/Chief Operating Officer
Mr. Wright joined the staff in 2020. He is a military veteran, having served in the United States Army for over 30 years managing hundreds of millions of dollars in financial transactions and contracts. He has a bachelor’s degree from Virginia State University. He is a resident of Fairfax County, Virginia.
Mohammad Hossain
Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Hossain joined the staff in 2020, as Staff Accountant. He was promoted to Director, Finance & Operations in 2021, and to Chief Operating in 2023. He has master’s degrees in business administration and in finance. He is a resident of Fairfax County, Virginia.
Deborah Okyere
Principal, James L & Juliette McNeil Preschool Academy
Ms. Okyere joined the staff in 2011. Through progressive promotions, she rose to her current position as Academy Principal. She has a master’s degree and over 15 years of professional experience in the early care and education field. Ms. Okyere is a resident of Virginia.
Cheryl Butler
Principal, Helen Day Preschool Academy
Ms. Butler joined the staff in 2022. She has a master’s degree from Howard University and over 12 years of professional experience in management and education, most recently working for Arlington Public Schools and is a resident of the District of Columbia.
Board of Trustees
James L. Banks, Jr.
Board Chair, Class of 2024
Mr. Banks has been a Hopkins House Trustee since 2016. He is General Counsel for the Society for Human Resource Management. He holds a Juris Doctor degree from University of Virginia. He is a resident of Potomac Falls, Virginia,
Harry “Bud” Hart
Board Vice Chair, Class of 2024
Mr. Hart has been a Hopkins House Trustee since 1986. He is Managing Partner at the law firm of Hart, Calley, Gibbs, & Karp, P.C. He holds a Juris Doctor degree from Georgetown University. He is a resident of Alexandria, Virginia. Bud is a member of the Trustees’ Executive Committee.
Elizabeth Partoyan
Board Secretary, Class of 2025
Ms. Partoyan has been a Hopkins House Trustee since 2010. She is a resident of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, senior fellow at the National League of Cities, and holds a master’s degree in educational psychology from Howard University. Elizabeth chairs the Trustees’ Programs & Assessment Committee and is a member of the Trustees’ Executive Committee.
Jesse O’ Connell
Board Treasurer, Class of 2024
Mr. O’Connell has been a Hopkins House Trustee since 2020. He is Chief Advancement Officer of the American Council on Education, holds a master’s degree from Georgetown University, resides in Alexandria, Virginia, and chairs the Trustees’ Budget & Personnel Policy Committee.
Julie N. Jakopic
Past Board Chair, Class of 2025
Ms. Jakopic has been a Hopkins House Trustee since 2002. She is President/CEO of iLead Strategies. A resident of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, she holds a master’s degree from the University of Maryland. Julie chairs the Trustees’ Public Policy & Advocacy Committee.
Shaun Amend
Trustee, Class of 2024
Mr. Amend has been a Hopkins House Trustee since 2022. He is military operations analyst, resident of Dumfries, Virginia, father of a Hopkins House Preschool Academy alumna, U.S. Army Veteran, and Vice Chair of the Trustees’ Programs & Assessment Committee.
Debra Arnett
Trustee, Class of 2024
Ms. Arnett has been a Hopkins House Trustee since 2022. She is Director of Real Estate at Carr Real Estate Services, a resident of Fairfax County, Virginia, holds a bachelor’s degree from Christian Brothers University, and is a member of the Trustees’ Budget & Personnel Policy Committee.
Beverly Barr
Trustee, Class of 2024
Ms. Barr has been a Hopkins House Trustee since 2010. She is a resident of Prince William County, Virginia, Ms. Barr holds a bachelor’s degree in business and human resources from Strayer University. Beverly chairs the Trustees’ Scholarships & Recognitions Committee.
Helen Clemens
Trustee, Class of 2024
Ms. Clemens has been a Hopkins House Trustee since 2022. She is Assistant City Attorney at the City of Alexandria, Virginia. A resident of Alexandria, Virginia, she is the parent of a Hopkins House Preschool Academy Young Scholar and holds a Juris Doctor degree from George Washington Law School. Helen is a member of the Trustees’ Public Policy & Advocacy Committee.
Charniele Herring
Trustee, Class of 2025
The Honorable Herring has been a Hopkins House Trustee since 2009. She is a State Delegate representing the 46th District in the Virginia House of Delegates and Vice President of Administrative & Logistics Services, Inc. A resident of the City of Alexandria, Delegate Herring holds a J.D. degree from the Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law.
Robert D. Hicks
Trustee, Class of 2024
Mr. Hicks has been a Hopkins House Trustee since 1999. Now retired, he was formerly a teacher with Alexandria City Public Schools. A resident of Falls Church, Virginia, Mr. Hicks holds a master’s degree from Virginia State University. Robert is a member of the Trustees’ Scholarships & Recognitions Committee.
Justin Wilson
Trustee, Class of 2025
The Honorable Mr. Wilson has been a Hopkins House Trustee since 2009. He is Mayor of the City of Alexandria, Principal System Engineer at National Railroad Passenger Corp (Amtrak), and a resident of Alexandria, Virginia. Mr. Wilson holds a bachelor’s degree from Virginia Commonwealth University.
