Staff

Mission Statement for Breath of Hope Foundation, Inc.: "to educate at risk children and their families by creating new innovations for asthma prevention."  

Gregory D. Brunson  MD. - Co-Founder/ Director

Gregory D. Brunson was born in Denver, Colorado. He attained his B.S. in Biology and attended Medical School at Baylor College of Medicine. While in medical school, his interest began with Asthma research, due to his nephew suffering from severe outbreaks of asthma and allergies. With his medical background, he was determined to research different ways of controlling and/or finding a cure for asthma. Throughout interning and his residency, he continued researching preventive methods for controlling Asthma. 

In 2001, he founded the Breath of Hope Foundation, Inc. and since then has helped many families that were suffering with a child who had asthma. Today, he works closely clinics in the Houston area were he helps with the diagnosing and treatment plans for controlling asthma outbreaks. 

One of Dr. Brunson's greatest dreams is to find a cure for asthma.

Carl E. Crayton Jr - Co-Founder/Marketing Director

Carl E. Crayton Jr.  is founder/C.E.O of Crayton Enterprises. He attended Florida A&M University; where he has earned an MBA in Marketing and a BS in Business Administration.

Mr. Crayton is a youth soccer coach and dedicated to proper exercise and nutrition. In his spare time, he mentors inner city youths. He is committed to the fight for asthma because he has family members who are battling the disease. His goal is to educate families on ways to control asthma outbreaks, so they can live asthma-free lives.

Debra Lofton –   Treasurer

Ms. Lofton, born and raised in Louisiana, has always displayed a passion for helping others in the community she resides.  She has been Treasurer of the National Council of Negro Women – Houston Chapter, and has worked 8 years with UNCF. She is currently an Accountant for numerous entities in the Houston area.

Ms. Lofton is sensitive to the needs and concerns of others who have asthma because her mother and other family members have suffered from the disease. She joins the organization in empowering children with the knowledge on how to live and have a normal life with asthma.

Ms. Lofton manages the treasury function for the organization, and acts as financial officer and advisor to Board of Directors; safeguard organization monetary assets; disperse funds to cover organization operating expenses.

Terri Fortenberry -  Secretary / Business Development Manager

Ms. Fortenberry is a native of Slidell, LA.  She has been in the pharmaceutical industry since 1992 and is currently a Senior Specialty District Manager with a well known pharmaceutical company. She used to working with individuals in the medical communities and educating medical professionals on disease state and drug treatment.

Ms. Fortenberry handles the Secretary function of the organization and also works as the Business Development Manager. Which consist of taking minutes and providing notices for Board Meetings, maintaining the organization’s records and history, develop and implement strategies, evaluate prospects and find new business opportunities, develop and nurture business relationships, develop key accounts, generate and execute projects.

Ms. Fortenberry is a strong believer in the organization’s mission statement and knows the important of educating individuals on preventive medicines.

Karena Poke, Community Relations Manager 

Ms. Poke is a native of Kansas City, KS.  She is the President of YPE LLC an event planning business and management company located in Houston. 

For over seven years, Ms. Poke has been committed to developing strong community relationships.  She consistently works with organizations like SHAPE Community Center, CHIP's Faith Based Coalition and Houston Housing Authority.

Ms. Poke is also the founder of "Remembering the History" a non-profit organization dedicated to providing the Negro League Baseball Legends with a platform to tell accurate history.

Danielle Brunson -Advisory Board Member

Danielle Brunson is currently an Advisory Board Member for the Breath of Hope Foundation, Inc. She holds a MBA from Texas Southern University: BA from Cheyney University.

Mrs. Brunson began career as an Account Executive for the Bank Of New York managing and overseeing accounts for common stock shares of SBC Communications. Mrs. Brunson continued to excel in her career in the financial services industry becoming a licensed NASD Registered Representative for Aim Investments, a mutual fund corporation. She is always seeking ways to enhance the lives of the youth today. 

Mrs. Brunson is dedicated in the fight for preventive ways to control asthma and allergies.

Nahir Frias-Henry - Hispanic Community Outreach
Coordinator ( Advisory Board Member )

Nahifr Frias-Henry is originally from Lawton, Oklahoma. She has resided in the Houston area for the past 4 years. She is a graduate from Florida A&M University and has been a physical therapist for 6 years. Professionally, she has treated people for various musculoskeletal and physical impairments. She is currently employed at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and works on the Bone Marrow Transplant unit. She is also a graduate student at Texas Woman's University pursuing a Master's Degree in Health Care Administration. 

Mrs. Frias-Henry serves as a liaison between the Hispanic community and asthma awareness programs offered by Breath of Hope Foundation, Inc. She has several family members who are currently struggling with asthma and understands the need for intervention and prevention in the Hispanic community. She is also the mother of a two-year-old daughter, Alaana, and the wife of a loving husband, Darian.

Dr. David Fuller- Education Outreach Manager 
( Advisory Board Member )

Dr. David Fuller attended Howard University in Washington, D.C., where he majored in International Business with a concentration in Marketing.  In 2001, as the co-founder and principal, he opened the doors of Accelerated Intermediate Academy (AIA).  AIA is an open enrollment Texas charter school.  The school services grades 6 – 8.  In 2003, the school added grades Pre-K – 5.  At present, the school has an enrollment exceeding 700 students with locations in Houston and Tyler. The middle school campus has received a rating of “Recognized” for the past three (3) years.  This is the second highest accountability rating awarded by the state of Texas.

Dr. Fuller always seek ways to enhance the lives of young people.  He is quoted as having said, "I am thankful for everyday that I am able to make a difference."   Whether at school or in the community, he is committed to developing  children’s mind and building their character.

Marilyn S. Hannibal-Case Manager  (Advisory Board Member )

Ms. Hannibal is originally from Lafayette, LA. She attended Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA on an academic scholarship where she graduated with honors with a BS degree in Microbiology/Medical Technology;

Ms. Hannibal worked as a medical technologist for 4 years in the Dallas area and then relocated to Houston to transition into the pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry.  

Ms. Hannibal said, "I have 16 years of clinical sales and district management experience. Working in this industry, I have learned the importance of training and education of health care professionals as well as patients. I have experienced how applied knowledge can change people’s behavior and bring about different outcomes. I am convinced for example that a disease state like asthma can be prevented and more importantly managed through training and education.   

"I have worked for corporations that specialize in drug research and development in various areas including respiratory, allergy, dermatology, cardiovascular, gynecology, neurology, infectious disease and ophthalmology. I enjoy my present position as a clinical specialist with Genentech, Inc (Biotech). It allows me to utilize my training and skill sets in training and education.

"My passion is to utilize my God given talents and gifts to truly make a difference in whatever small way I can in the lives of others.   I enjoy writing and exercising as these satisfy a mental and physical escape for me."

Venise Richardson - Case Manager  ( Advisory Board Member )

Ms. Richardson is a graduate of Spellman College and  is currently a Pharmaceutical Sales Representative. She has a personal passion for the fight against childhood asthma. Growing up as a child in Georgia, her family had many experiences with her brother suffering from asthma. Each Christmas they would travel to Richmond Virginia which was cold and snowy in comparison to Georgia. During their stay in Richmond her brother often had to visit the emergency room due to an asthma attack. She also remembers her brother playing with his cousins in the snow and running in to rest after every few minutes of play due to shortness of breath.