Wannette Smith
Founder & President
Wannette Smith is the Founder, Chief Executive Officer, and President of A Mother's Heart Rooted in Love Foundation, Inc. Her life's mission was born from one of the greatest heartbreaks a parent can experience: the loss of her only child, Da'Shaun M. Bing.
When Da'Shaun's life ended far too soon, her world changed forever. Although his passing was unexpected and her family was not prepared for his departure, she found peace in knowing that while earth was grieving, Heaven was ready to welcome him home. In the midst of unimaginable pain, Wannette turned to God, asking for direction, purpose, and the strength to continue. Through prayer, God placed a calling on her heart to transform her grief into a ministry of hope for others.
She believes that while it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a village, unwavering faith, and the wisdom of God to help a parent endure the loss of one.
From that calling, A Mother's Heart Rooted in Love Foundation, Inc. was established to ensure that no mother or father has to walk through the loss of a child alone. The foundation provides compassionate support through grief counseling resources, assistance with funeral and burial expenses, emotional support, and simply being a listening ear for families during their darkest moments. Every act of service is rooted in love, compassion, dignity, and hope.
As a woman of faith, Wannette believes that children are precious gifts entrusted to us by God for a season. As parents, we are called to love them unconditionally, guide them with wisdom, and raise them in the knowledge of the Lord. Though their time with us may be shorter than we ever imagined, their love, legacy, and purpose continue to live on.
Today, Wannette leads the foundation with a servant's heart, unwavering compassion, and a steadfast commitment to helping grieving families find hope beyond their pain. Her greatest desire is for every family that comes to the foundation to feel seen, supported, loved, and reminded that they are never alone.
Her prayer is that through the work of A Mother's Heart Rooted in Love Foundation, Inc., the love of a mother, the comfort of Christ, and the strength of community will continue to bring healing and hope to families across the United States.
Tracey Sapp
Treasurer
Tracy Sapp proudly serves as the Treasurer of A Mother's Heart Rooted in Love Foundation, Inc., bringing unwavering integrity, faith, wisdom, and a servant's heart to the organization. She is a loyal, honest, and compassionate leader who is deeply committed to the foundation's mission of providing hope, love, and support to families who have experienced the loss of a child.
To the Founder, Wannette Smith, Tracy is much more than a board member—she is affectionately known as "TT." She shared a special bond with Da'Shaun, who lovingly called her by that name, and she continues to honor his memory through her faithful service to the foundation. Tracy is truly a treasured jewel in the life of the Founder and in the purpose God has placed on this ministry.
A devoted wife and loving mother of two beautiful daughters, Tracy lives her life rooted in faith and guided by biblical principles. She is a faithful servant of the Most High God, seeking His wisdom and direction in every aspect of her life. Her quiet strength, discerning spirit, and unwavering trust in the Lord make her a source of encouragement and sound counsel to those around her.
As Treasurer, Tracy faithfully stewards the foundation's resources with excellence, transparency, and accountability. Her wisdom, humility, and willingness to allow God to work through her continue to strengthen the mission of A Mother's Heart Rooted in Love Foundation, Inc. Her life is a beautiful reflection of faith in action, and her commitment to serving others leaves a lasting impact on every family the foundation touches.
Makisha Brown
Vice President
My name is Makisha Brown, and I am honored to serve as Vice President of A Mother's Heart Rooted in Love Foundation, Inc. As a mother who has personally experienced the loss of a child, I understand firsthand the overwhelming grief, pain, and challenges that accompany such a devastating loss.
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My journey has given me a deep sense of compassion and empathy for families who are navigating the difficult road of losing a child. I know the importance of having a support system, a listening ear, and a community that understands the emotional impact of grief. This is why I wholeheartedly support the mission and values of A Mother's Heart Rooted in Love Foundation, Inc.
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I believe in the foundation's commitment to providing love, hope, compassion, and support to grieving families. Like the other dedicated board members who were carefully selected by the Founder, Wannette Smith, in honor of her son, Da'Shaun M. Bing, I serve with a heart for Christ and a passion for helping others. We are united by our shared values of faith, respect, honor, integrity, and love.
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Through this foundation, I am committed to helping families find strength during their darkest moments and reminding them that they are not alone on their grief journey. My prayer is that every family we serve feels supported, encouraged, and surrounded by a community that genuinely cares about their healing and well-being.
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Together, we strive to honor the memories of children gone too soon by extending love, comfort, and hope to those who need it most
Ima Wallace
Board Member
Ima Wallace, is a Board Member of A Mother’s Heart Rooted in Love Foundation, Inc.
A purpose-driven entrepreneur, strategist, and advocate for personal transformation and empowerment, committed to supporting individuals and families through healing, growth, and resilience.
Through her work, she brings a unique blend of leadership, structure, and compassion to the foundation’s mission.
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As a board member, Ima Wallace contributes strategic insight, organizational development support, and a heart-centered approach to expanding the foundation’s outreach and impact.
Her focus is on helping strengthen systems that allow grieving families to receive meaningful support while ensuring the foundation continues to grow with integrity, clarity, and purpose.
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Deeply aligned with the foundation’s mission, she is dedicated to honoring the lives of children and grandchildren lost too soon by helping build pathways of hope, awareness, and community support for families navigating grief.
Vanessa Walker
Secretary
As Secretary of A Mother's Heart Rooted in Love Foundation, Inc., I, Vanessa M. Walker, am honored to serve families with compassion, dedication, and a heart for helping others.
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Originally from Jamaica, I proudly served in the United States Navy for more than ten years, where I developed a strong commitment to service, integrity, and leadership.
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I am a compassionate, loyal, honest, and caring individual who believes in treating every person with dignity, respect, and love. My faith in Christ guides my desire to serve others, and I am committed to supporting families as they navigate the difficult journey of losing a child.
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Through my role with the foundation, I strive to provide hope, encouragement, and support to grieving parents and siblings during some of life's most challenging moments. It is my prayer that every family who comes to A Mother's Heart Rooted in Love Foundation feels the love of God, the strength of community, and the comfort of knowing they are not alone.
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I am grateful for the opportunity to serve this organization and help fulfill its mission of providing love, hope, compassion, and assistance to families across the United States during their time of need.