Meet the Team
Behind every scholarship, every mentorship, and every act of service are real people who believe in brighter futures. Meet the team that leads Hem of Hope with faith, vision, and heart.
Josiah Gordon
Co-Founder & Executive Director
“I’m a premedical student at the University of Colorado Boulder, a former athlete with a lifelong passion for basketball, and above all, a follower of Jesus. My greatest joy is encouraging young folks to stay focused, pursue excellence, and know God.
God has looked out for me my entire life—providing opportunities, mentors, and blessings I could never have earned on my own. Out of gratitude, I started the Manum Dare Foundation, what is now the Hem of Hope Foundation, as a way to ‘lend a hand’ and reflect that same love and care back into my community.
As someone who grew up in the very communities I seek to serve, I understand the challenges students face. I’ve been through—and am still navigating—the ups and downs of education, and I’m committed to walking alongside the next generation as they chase their dreams. Whether through scholarships, mentorship, or outreach, my goal is to help young people aim higher, stay grounded in their faith, and believe in their God-given potential.”
Miles Woods
Co-Founder
“I am currently a sophomore at the University of Colorado Boulder, pursuing a pre-med degree with the goal of one day practicing medicine and continuing to make a meaningful impact on the lives of others.
I have been blessed with the opportunity to pursue higher education, and I see it as both a privilege and a responsibility. My motivation to serve comes from a deep faith and a desire to give back what God has given to me.
Through both my studies and my nonprofit work, I strive to let my actions serve as a testimony of God’s glory on earth—by supporting others, creating opportunities, and being a light in the lives I touch.”
Sandra Appiah
Community Impact Ambassador
“I am a fourth-year medical student at the University of Colorado School of Medicine with a deep passion for serving the communities around me. I’ve had the privilege of working with the foundation on a variety of events and am driven by a strong commitment to community and representation in medicine as I pursue a career in OBGYN.
I’m motivated by the support systems that shaped my own journey and strive to pay that forward by creating opportunities for others. I mentor pre-medical students and volunteer with the Mile High Medical Society, Colorado Black Health Collaborative, and the Center for African American Health’s Free Clinic.
My hope is to uplift others by creating spaces that foster growth, belonging, and better health outcomes while working to improve access to care in my community.”
We’re more than a team — we’re students, mentors, and neighbors who believe in the power of education and the love of God to transform lives.
