The LOHM Founder and CEO Dr. Topeka K. Sam received an Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree from the New York Theological Seminary (NYTS) for her life’s work with The LOHM and Hope House. Dr. Sam's mission to help disenfranchised and marginalized women and girls transition back into society through access to education, entrepreneurship, spiritual empowerment, advocacy, and housing has been powerful and impactful.

While incarcerated, Dr. Sam enrolled in NYTS' Seminary program. Despite being behind bars, Dr. Sam took this opportunity very seriously. She hand-wrote and mailed in her assignments to ensure that they were submitted on time, allowing her to complete the seminary's Certificate of Christian Ministry program. Once freed, Dr. Sam founded The Ladies of Hope Ministries. As a result of her dedication and hard work, Dr. Sam was awarded an honorary Doctorate in Divinity from NYTS.

The LOHM congratulates Dr. Topeka K. Sam for her continued work, profound vision, and relentless drive as she continues to dedicate her life and legacy to elevating and empowering other formerly incarcerated women and girls. 

The New York Theological Seminary (NYTS) brought the first master's program to prisoners at Sing Sing Correctional Facility 40 years ago. The seminary is marking the milestone with an expansion as they launch the first master's program for incarcerated women in the state of New York.

NYTS supporters came together for the first time in three years for the Urban Angels Gala, celebrating the continued success of its master's program at Sing Sing. The seminary has awarded more than 500 master's degrees in Professional Studies.

For the first time in its 122-year history, a woman now serves as NYTS president. Dr. LaKeesha Walrond also serves as the first lady of First Corinthian Baptist Church in Harlem.

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The LOHM is launching its third Hope House in Trinidad and will open its doors July 2022. The LOHM has expanded on its work with long-standing partner Google.org and has been given a $100,000 grant, which will be used in support of The LOHM's international expansion, including the launch of Hope House Trinidad.

"We’re tremendously thankful for the support of Google.org and its belief in our bold vision to provide necessary, safe housing for women impacted by the criminal legal system everywhere in the world,” said Dr. Topeka K. Sam, Founder, and CEO of The LOHM.

Through Hope House Trinidad, The LOHM will support justice-impacted women in Trinidad who have experienced incarceration by helping them access and build digital skills to prepare them for job searches and work, share the best of Google’s tools and training materials, develop scalable resources and amplify their voices.

The Ladies of Hope Ministries | www.thelohm.org

The LOHM is a registered 501(c)3