ABOUT US

Opportunity 1888 is a private foundation started by descendants of Harrison School alumni. Opportunity 1888 is incorporated as a Missouri Nonprofit Corporation and has been designated as a Federal 501(c)(3) corporation. Our mission is to inspire and empower people to value and preserve their historic journey.

Objectives:

• To preserve the physical asset of the Harrison School, which was built in 1890 for the primary education of children of African descent.

• To preserve the history, landmarks, and presence of the Central Missouri African American community.

• To serve as an educational, cultural, and civic resource to promote Tipton’s African American history, implications, and connections to the larger society.

• To provide a means to engage in authentic communication of a largely unrecognized shared history.

• To impart the understanding that people born in bondage, held as property, and emancipated could then study, earn degrees and become leaders.

• To provide a space where individuals, teams, and organizations can address self-imposed barriers.

• To promote a more inclusive society.

Services we provide to persons, groups and academic institutions:

• Developing and presenting in-person educational forums in the field of African American history.

• Providing African American historical materials and consultation services.

• Conducting guided tours of The James Shipley Museum of African American History.

• Making local historic and genealogy research materials available.

• Furnishing virtual museum services via the Internet.

• Advancing the preservation of African American history and genealogical research.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Donald A. Shipley – the son and grandson of Harrison School alumni – serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Opportunity 1888 Foundation, Inc. He is a retired Global Human Resources Executive with demonstrated expertise in strategic planning across multiple industries (engineering services, high technology, petrochemical, aerospace, and human development). He holds a Masters in Urban Affairs and Policy Analysis from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, a Bachelors in Political Science and Economics from Fisk University, and certificates in Labor Negotiations – Michigan State University; Finance and Accounting for non-financial managers – Georgia Institute of Technology; and Targeted Selection – DDI.

Donald’s past community involvement includes:

Board of Directors INROADS / Rocky Mountain Region – Recipient of Visionary, Platinum, and Executive Champion awards
Board of Trustees, Finance Committee, MLK, Sr. Building Committee – The Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church – Atlanta, GA
FIRST Robotics – Peachtree Region Board of Advisors
Education Monitoring and Advisory Committee (Federal Court appointment)
Gwinnett Technical College – Advisory Committee
Judivine Center for Autism – Board of Directors
Society for Human Resources Management
Southern Center for International Studies
United Way – Johnetta B. Cole Society
SOS Children’s Villages
Peachtree Corners Rotary Club
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

David O. Shipley, Jr – the son and grandson of Harrison School alumni – serves as Secretary of the Board of Directors. David is a Senior Consultant with TEMPO Group, a business and personal development consultancy. He is a Certified Supply Chain Professional, is Certified in Production and Inventory Management, and is a Certified Elite Personal Trainer specializing in senior fitness. David holds an MBA from the University of Chicago with concentrations in Public / Non-profit Management and Human Resource Management.

David’s past community involvement includes:

Waukegan, IL Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
Waukegan Citizen’s Police Academy Alumni Association
Abbott Lake County Skills Development Program – Adult Tutor
United Way of Lake County, IL Volunteer – Allocations Steering Committee Panel Chairman, Program Priorities Assessor, Admissions Committee Chairman, Planning Council Member
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. – Life Member

Dr. Alonzo L. Redmon, Jr. – the son and grandson of Harrison School alumni – serves as Treasurer on the Board of Directors. Alonzo has a Ph.D. in finance from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is a retired faculty member from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. Alonzo started a business that provides information on obtaining scholarships and grants for attending college. He has provided workshops for those interested in starting and maintaining new businesses. Alonzo is also the author of several articles on business finance.

Alonzo’s past community involvement includes:

Dudley High School (Greensboro, North Carolina) – mentor
Small Business Consultant
Online finance course development
Beta Gamma Sigma – largest business fraternity
Financial advisor to campus newspaper – North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Dr. Douglas S. Shipley – the son and grandson of Harrison School alumni – serves as a Historian and Genealogist on the Board of Directors. Douglas is the Founder/CEO of TEMPO Group, a business and personal development consultancy. He is a retired Supervisory Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Certified Mediator, Emotional Intelligence Assessor, and national award-winning genealogist and author. He is one of the speakers in the Missouri Humanities Speaker’s Bureau. Douglas has provided training workshops throughout the United States and internationally. He holds a Masters in Education with a concentration in Training and Performance Improvement and a Doctorate in Business with a specialization in Leadership from Capella University.

Douglas’ past community involvement includes:

Blacks United for Youth – Cobb (BUY-Cobb), Marietta, Georgia – President
Life Empowered Project – Instructor
Lindley Middle School/South Cobb High School – Mentor
Alpha Academy – Mentor
Big Brothers and Sisters – Big Brother
National Organization for the Advancement of Hispanics – Vice President
National Genealogical Society, Inc. – Member
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. – Life Member

Jacquelyn L. Redmon Jackson – the daughter and granddaughter of Harrison School alumni – serves as the Register Agent on the Board of Directors. She attended Central Methodist University and Columbia College and obtained Bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Sociology. Jacquelyn was a Human Resource Specialist and retired from the Missouri Department of Conservation as Employees Relations Manager.

Jacquelyn’s past community involvement includes:

A founder of Leadership for Excellence
Certified Franklin Covey
Member of Conservation Employees Credit Union Board
Member of Jefferson City Chamber of Commerce
A founder of Junior Leadership Jefferson City
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Timothy L. Shipley – the son and grandson of Harrison School alumni – serves as Homeland Representative of Opportunity 1888 Foundation, Inc. Tim is a former energy consultant who studied at Southwest Missouri University. He is a native of Tipton, where he quarterbacked the Tipton High School Cardinal Football Team.

Laura Smith, DVM – a cousin of multiple descendants of Harrison School alumni – serves as a Historian and Genealogist on the Board of Directors. Laura graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, followed by a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree, both from Purdue University. She completed a small animal private practice internship from Michigan Veterinary Specialists in Southfield, Michigan. Subsequently, she moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, where she has practiced both emergency and general practice for 15 years. She co-authored a National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places nomination and the Indiana Historical Bureau marker for the John Work House and Tunnel Mill Worksite in Charlestown, Indiana.

Laura’s past community involvement includes:

Indiana Mayflower society – Historian, Deputy Governor, national officer, Life member
First Indiana Company Jamestowne Society – Secretary and Governor
Daughters of the American Revolution – Member
National Society Colonial Dames of America – Member
Indiana Society of Pioneers – member
Boy Scouts of America and Girl Scouts of America – member and leader