Ifi Heritage Center, Inc.
Who We Are
Irvin Shell-Director, Ifi Heritage Center Inc
Retired from General Services Administration (GSA) Project Manager FAC-PPM Level-II, FAC-COR Level-II, Veteran Health Administration (VHA) General Engineer and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Contract Specialist FAC-C Level-I.
Irvin is an Alumni of Purdue University and the Chicago Community Colleges. Irvin earned his Bachelor of Science in Construction Technology, Associate of Applied Science in Architectural and Civil Engineering Technology.
He is a Viet Nam era honorable discharged disable Army Veteran who serviced with the 2nd 505 82nd Airborne Infantry Division as a Medic.
Irvin has had a passion for Africa American history and the African American village since elementary school. He understands that financial literacy and entrepreneurship is the pathway to generational wealth and individual stability.
Irvin is an advocate for better affordable housing. He has a background in improvement of Public Housing, from his project management experience with Tampa Housing Authority early stages of Belmont Heights Development Phase III project and as a Coordinator with Chicago Housing Authority vacancy reduction initiative. As a former Mortgage Loan Originator, he helped seniors access their equity, pay-off debt and eliminate their mortgage payment.
Rev. Dr. Doris Barron-Shell, Program Director
Born in Pensacola, FL and raised by her grandparents in Atmore, AL, Rev. Dr. Doris Barron-Shell received her Doctor of Ministry degree in Christian Leadership and Hermeneutics from Andover Newton Theological School. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in African American Studies and a minor in Egyptology.
Rev. Dr. Shell is the first African American ordained female pastor to ever preach from the pulpit of the historic First Baptist Church of America in Providence, RI and the historic First Prospect Missionary Baptist Church in Wimauma, FL.
Doctor Shell has a deep passion for authentic cultural history, research and community development. She is accredited for initiating several non-profit programs and organizations. Among them are: The Minority Health Advocate Program, an advocate program for providing healthcare information and connecting emergency care providers, to all who do not have access to proper healthcare. “Jesus Set the Captives Free,” a prison ministry that focuses on placing former incarcerated men and women back into the local job market and reintegrating them with their families. Dr. Shell is the originator of WBRU’s 360 Degree Sunday Morning Gospel Hour, the RI Annual State Legislative Prayer Breakfast, and organized the first Heroes of the Faith Awards for outstanding community service.
Alberta McKinney, Financial Literacy Program Manager
Our vision is too equip and empower the community with the skills and knowledge that will allow them to make informed and effective decisions with all their financial resources. Financial Literacy training goes beyond impacting everyday household financial decisions. We offer in depth training for those in the community that desire or have existing businesses. This creates generational businesses, thus changing the dynamics of the community and families for generations to come.
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Tonya Gay-Jackson, Heritage Exhibit Curator
Tonya’s story begins at the heart and soul of old historic Wimauma.
A Descendant of the 1st African American general store and local teen entertainment spot in the late 50’s, Tut’s Place. “My quest to restore community pride, and strengthen the awareness of historic Wimauma by honoring its rich past.” Tonya works with Fellowship for common good, a community empowering group with diverse backgrounds. Her goal is to provide information through history to bridge its past present and future legacy.
