Five James Foundation Board of Directors
Sheran Zellous White -Founder & Executive Director
Sheran Zellous White has been the Administrative Assistant to high profile senior management in both the secular and Christian employment. She was promoted on April 1, 2021 as the Community Care Director, at Allegheny Center Alliance where she has employed since November 13, 2007. She spent 18 years at the now closed, Central Medical Center & Hospital from 1979 to 1997. Then from 1997 – 2007 she was the Administrative Assistant at Gateway Health Plan the Medicaid health section for Highmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Upon the tragic death of her only son in 2007 God called her to work in the Leadership Department at Allegheny Center Alliance where she was employed as the Administrative Assistant to the Leadership team until her promotion April 1, 2021 as the Community Care Director; where continues to serve our Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ.
Sheran is the Founder and Executive Director of Five James Foundation. A 501(C)(3) non profit benefiting widows, women, orphans and granting a yearly $500 scholarship to a student attending an accredited college. Five James Foundation was birthed out of the tragic losses of her five loved ones; her son William James White, Jr in 2007; her two grandsons William James White, IV and Jordan James White (both sons to her deceased son) in 2008 and the sudden death of her husband, William James White, Jr in 2009. She also lost her nephew, James Dwaine Zellous, tragically in 2006. Thus the name Five James Foundation.
She also volunteered with the Christian Legal Aid for two years as the Secretary on the Board of Directors.
Sheran has been to Kenya for six consecutive years with a ministry to five widows in a small impoverished town called Banana. Those five widows have since become self sufficient through the sales of merchandise handmade by them. All money to launch their businesses; chicken farm, vegetable farm, making jewelry/purses and the latest venture; a barber/hair salon training center; was raised through Five James Foundation. A total to date of over $30,000. This included the purchase of a vehicle for their local pastor to commute them to vendors to purchase their merchandise.
In 2017, 2018 & 2019 she has been asked to lead teams on a short term missions trip to Guadalajara, Mexico. Out of that missions was birthed a ministry to women in crisis through the leadership of Pastor Bob & Cheryl Fugate.
Most recent notable accomplishment is her award winning book, “I Am Ready To Come Right Away”. The book was The Authors Zone (TAZ) finalist for 2018 under the category non-function memoir. A story about her journey with the corrections and justice systems and the untimely death of yet another immediate family member, her 22 year old grandson; who died in the State Corrections Institution Pittsburgh on March 21, 2017 after a battle with stage 4 Hodgkin's Lymphoma and her struggles to visit before his passing into the presence of our Lord. It is available at www.amazon.com.
Update: Sheran received the City of Pittsburgh Council Proclamation on September 17, 2019 for her work of our Lord with widows, orphans, women and volunteer work throughout Pittsburgh and around the world. The day declared in her name as Sheran Zellous White day throughout the City of Pittsburgh. It was presented to her by Councilwoman, Theresa Kail Smith.
May we look like Jesus as we serve Him for HIs glory.
Vivian Brand Taylor, Esq. - Member
Vivian Brand Taylor is an attorney and human resources professional with experience in non-profit organizations, estate management and contracts, and community service volunteerism.
As a human resources professional, Vivian counsels C-Suite executives on compliance with labor laws and recommendations for operational management, from staffing to policies and procedures, involving oversight in multi-state and international personnel needs. As attorney, Vivian’s engagements include estate planning, labor and employment consultation, and contracts negotiations and preparations.
Vivian believes that the social ills of the world will be overcome by each of us being involved where we can, starting in our local neighborhoods and churches, then reaching out internationally to similar regions with need. She is a current member of the Board of Directors of Five James Foundation, having helped founder, Sheran White, with its incorporation; a foundation that began with hurt from a widow, a prayer for God’s direction to use the pain, and a heart to serve other widows accomplish their visions.
Prior Board membership includes four years at Three Rivers Community Foundation, leading a social change grant making committee and the investment committee; and Christian Legal Aid of Pittsburgh for eight years, where Vivian assisted clients with legal advice and consultation they could not afford otherwise.
In her spare time, at her local church, River City Christian in Sacramento, California, Vivian leads a weekly women’s study, helps with the church’s quarterly Spiritual Gifts classes, and regular mentors women on how to find their strengths, set goals and be successful in the work place. Vivian recently assisted a grass roots group of ladies form a non-profit in Portland, Oregon called Supporting Our Society (SOS). SOS engages, develops, and conduct community outreach service programs that will assist individuals and family, including projects like annual coat drives. Vivian can be reached at VBTaylorEsq@gmail.com .
DeVorne Puryear James, RN - Secretary
DeVorne James is a registered nurse, having earned a BSN from Indiana University of Pa. The first 15 years of her career were in the hospital setting providing direct patient care and is also where she met Sheran White. The two reconnected at Gateway Health Plan®, where DeVorne remains employed as a Sr. Care Manager for the past 22 years. In this position she manages the utilization of health care services to ensure care is appropriate and cost effective as well as identify individual needs or barriers to members receiving proper care.
She is a member of Allegheny Center Alliance Church in Pittsburgh, Pa. where she has served as a deacon, responsible for providing spiritual and holistic support and guidance and coordinating requests for assistance from the benevolence fund. She is a volunteer in the church’s Care Connection Ministry which provides resources for those in need of assistance with even basic necessities, such as food, clothing and housing.
DeVorne considers it a privilege and honor to serve with Sheran, founder of the Five James Foundation and a dear friend and sister in Christ. It has been a tremendous blessing to witness God’s power, providence and provision in Sheran’s life both before the foundation’s inception, and in the lives impacted after it was established. The foundation is truly reflective of the scripture found in Romans 8:28 ~
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose”.
There is joy after the grief. Sharing the joy is a gift of grace.
To God be the glory for the things He has done and will continue to do to advance His kingdom and care for His people.