About Us
Overcome! We all face challenges and yet, we are still here! We only lose when we give up and OGC values staying in the ring no matter how many times we get knocked down.
Give Thanks! If you want to go fast then go alone, but if you want to go far then go together. On the daunting journey of gap closing we must always acknowledge and appreciate those who open the doors of opportunity for us. Saying and showing thanks with sincerity is our speciality.
Contribute! We work with parents, custodial caregivers, social workers, teachers, public agencies and private agencies. Each one of these shareholders has an opportunity to do better on behalf of all foster kids striving to get an education.
About Us
Ohio Gap Closers is curated in Ohio and strives to serve all 50 states, the District of Columbia and the international community. We strive to positively impact the safety and success of children, families and the communities in which they live. Founded in 2018, we learn from and collaborate with the public education system and the foster care system to help close the gap! We are proud market leaders in educational outcomes for foster families but also provide services to close the healthcare gap, income gap and housing gap for all of those that find themselves at the wrong end of the gap.
Overcome! We all face challenges and yet, we are still here! We only lose when we give up and OGC values staying in the ring no matter how many times we get knocked down.
Give Thanks! If you want to go fast then go alone, but if you want to go far then go together. On the daunting journey of gap closing we must always acknowledge and appreciate those who open the doors of opportunity for us. Saying and showing thanks with sincerity is our speciality.
Contribute! We work with parents, custodial caregivers, social workers, teachers, public agencies and private agencies. Each one of these shareholders has an opportunity to do better on behalf of all foster kids striving to get an education.
Our History
Ohio Gap Closers is founded in the Porter family traditions established in Alliance, Ohio. These traditions include overcoming adversity, being thankful, and contributing. Our story starts with our matriarch, Ella Louise Porter (pictured below). Click on her picture to learn about our journey to creating OGC.
A Look Back
Our History
We honor the late Ella Louise Porter by continuing her love for children no matter where they come from through our work at Ohio Gap Closers LLC.
When you’re born into a family of approximately 45 different people, you have to be able to overcome adversity. Sometimes the adversity could be at home, in class, or at school trying out for the basketball team. The adversity could be from opening the refrigerator and wondering what you are going to eat tonight. No matter what the adversity is, it takes all of us working together to overcome it.
Growing up with a large family that included our father, mother, White siblings, Black siblings, and siblings with special needs, we were always thankful for each other. Our parents and teachers at school helped shield us from the materialistic nature of society and taught us to recognize that we had something to be thankful for in having each other.
As you can imagine, there was no room for laziness in our large family. Each and every one of us had to contribute. The boys took out the trash and mowed the lawn, while the girls cleaned the floors and washed the dishes. This might sound old school to many, but in the Porter household, this is how we were trained to contribute to the greater good.
It is only by the grace of God that we have all reached adulthood relatively unscathed. The fundamentals that our mother, Ella Louise Porter, taught us of overcoming, giving thanks, and contributing has produced great results including but not limited to: husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, lawyers, police captains, military service men and women, counselors, social workers, financial analyst, managers, high school principals, college admission officers, homeland security agents, entrepreneurs, information technology specialist, and our one of a kind Porter Palooza!
Our History
Ohio Gap Closers is founded in the Porter family traditions established in Alliance, Ohio. These traditions include overcoming adversity, being thankful, and contributing. Our story starts with our matriarch, Ella Louise Porter (pictured below). Click on her picture to learn about our journey to creating OGC.
A Look Back
Our History
We honor the late Ella Louise Porter by continuing her love for children no matter where they come from through our work at Ohio Gap Closers LLC.
When you’re born into a family of approximately 45 different people, you have to be able to overcome adversity. Sometimes the adversity could be at home, in class, or at school trying out for the basketball team. The adversity could be from opening the refrigerator and wondering what you are going to eat tonight. No matter what the adversity is, it takes all of us working together to overcome it.
Growing up with a large family that included our father, mother, White siblings, Black siblings, and siblings with special needs, we were always thankful for each other. Our parents and teachers at school helped shield us from the materialistic nature of society and taught us to recognize that we had something to be thankful for in having each other.
As you can imagine, there was no room for laziness in our large family. Each and every one of us had to contribute. The boys took out the trash and mowed the lawn, while the girls cleaned the floors and washed the dishes. This might sound old school to many, but in the Porter household, this is how we were trained to contribute to the greater good.
It is only by the grace of God that we have all reached adulthood relatively unscathed. The fundamentals that our mother, Ella Louise Porter, taught us of overcoming, giving thanks, and contributing has produced great results including but not limited to: husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, lawyers, police captains, military service men and women, counselors, social workers, financial analyst, managers, high school principals, college admission officers, homeland security agents, entrepreneurs, information technology specialist, and our one of a kind Porter Palooza!
Our Founders' Team
Taylor Porter
Information and InnovationTaylor Porter is Principal at Gamble Montessori High School in Cincinnati Public Schools. He served as Assistant Principal in Westerville City Schools and completed his BRIGHT Fellowship at Middletown High School. Before BRIGHT, Taylor was a Business Analyst for the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services’ Bureau of Automated Systems. He also worked as a Social Program Specialist for the Public Children Services Association of Ohio. To expand his work with students Taylor is a co-founder of the Ohio Gap Closers, an organization that works to improve academic outcomes for students in foster care. A graduate of the Columbus Center for Urban Progress’s Progressive Leadership Academy, Taylor holds an MBA from The Ohio State University (2016) and a B.S. in criminal justice from the University of Cincinnati (2009). Taylor is married to his wife, Fauzia, and has two children Taelynn-Marie and Ellis.
Emily Ragland
Talent DevelopmentEmily Ragland serves as Director of Admission at Capital University. Emily has spent her professional career serving as an advocate for college access for those with the most need, serving on both the Community Based Organization side and now working in higher education. Emily holds a bachelor’s degree from Capital University and a Master’s degree from the University of Dayton. Emily values family – as one of 13 kids, she spends her free time with her family or attending music events with her husband, who is a music educator.
Travis Porter
Partnerships and Community EngagementTravis Porter is a community leader in foster care services and in the mental health field. Travis is active in the community serving children, adults and foster families. Travis is trained in collaborative problem solving and a licensed CPI instructor at The Village Network. He is also an active case manager for CareSource. Travis has experience at mentoring at-risk youth, served as a behavior specialist at Rosemont, and community support person at Dublin Counseling Center/Syntero. Travis is a graduate of Mount Vernon Nazarene University and holds his BSW and LSW.
Mark Bobo
Finance and ContractsMark Bobo is a leader in child advocacy and student achievement. A graduate of The Ohio State University, holding both a BS in Agricultural Economics and Executive MBA. Mark is presently working for the Ohio School Board Association as lead consultant of membership engagement. Mark worked more than ten years in the banking and finance industry. Previously, he was Assistant Vice President and Operations Manager of the Issue Resolution Group for CHASE Mortgage Banking in Columbus. Vice-Chairman of Franklin County Children’s Services, He is a co-founder of Ohio Gap Closers as well as serves on several advisory boards. Mark is married to his lovely wife, Deborah, and they both are the parents to four beautiful children: Aiyanna, Mark II, Mathias, and Mahalia.
Racquel Armstrong
Diversity and InclusionRacquel Armstrong is Assistant Principal at Bexley Middle School. She has over 10 years of experience in teaching and administration where she has blended her passion for youth with challenging oppressive schooling contexts. She is a doctoral student at The Ohio State University, where her area of study is Multi-cultural & Equity Studies. She holds an MBA from Ohio State’s Max M. Fisher College of Business, an M.S.Ed. from The University of Pennsylvania, and a B.A. from Wellesley College. She is the recipient of a leadership certificate from The Progressive Leadership Academy and is a past Truman Scholar and Woodrow Wilson fellow. She is a co-founder of Ohio Gap Closers as well as serves on several advisory boards.
Our Team
Taylor Porter
Taylor Porter is Principal at Gamble Montessori High School in Cincinnati Public Schools. He served as Assistant Principal in Westerville City Schools and completed his BRIGHT Fellowship at Middletown High School. Before BRIGHT, Taylor was a Business Analyst for the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services’ Bureau of Automated Systems. He also worked as a Social Program Specialist for the Public Children Services Association of Ohio. To expand his work with students Taylor is a co-founder of the Ohio Gap Closers, an organization that works to improve academic outcomes for students in foster care. A graduate of the Columbus Center for Urban Progress’s Progressive Leadership Academy, Taylor holds an MBA from The Ohio State University (2016) and a B.S. in criminal justice from the University of Cincinnati (2009). Taylor is married to his wife, Fauzia, and has two children Taelynn-Marie and Ellis.
Emily Ragland
Emily Ragland serves as Director of Admission at Capital University. Emily has spent her professional career serving as an advocate for college access for those with the most need, serving on both the Community Based Organization side and now working in higher education. Emily holds a bachelor’s degree from Capital University and a Master’s degree from the University of Dayton. Emily values family – as one of 13 kids, she spends her free time with her family or attending music events with her husband, who is a music educator.
Travis Porter
Travis Porter is a community leader in foster care services and in the mental health field. Travis is active in the community serving children, adults and foster families. Travis is trained in collaborative problem solving and a licensed CPI instructor at The Village Network. He is also an active case manager for CareSource. Travis has experience at mentoring at-risk youth, served as a behavior specialist at Rosemont, and community support person at Dublin Counseling Center/Syntero. Travis is a graduate of Mount Vernon Nazarene University and holds his BSW and LSW.
Mark Bobo
Mark Bobo is a leader in child advocacy and student achievement. A graduate of The Ohio State University, holding both a BS in Agricultural Economics and Executive MBA. Mark is presently working for the Ohio School Board Association as lead consultant of membership engagement. Mark worked more than ten years in the banking and finance industry. Previously, he was Assistant Vice President and Operations Manager of the Issue Resolution Group for CHASE Mortgage Banking in Columbus. Vice-Chairman of Franklin County Children’s Services, He is a co-founder of Ohio Gap Closers as well as serves on several advisory boards. Mark is married to his lovely wife, Deborah, and they both are the parents to four beautiful children: Aiyanna, Mark II, Mathias, and Mahalia.
Racquel Armstrong
Racquel Armstrong is Assistant Principal at Bexley Middle School. She has over 10 years of experience in teaching and administration where she has blended her passion for youth with challenging oppressive schooling contexts. She is a doctoral student at The Ohio State University, where her area of study is Multi-cultural & Equity Studies. She holds an MBA from Ohio State’s Max M. Fisher College of Business, an M.S.Ed. from The University of Pennsylvania, and a B.A. from Wellesley College. She is the recipient of a leadership certificate from The Progressive Leadership Academy and is a past Truman Scholar and Woodrow Wilson fellow. She is a co-founder of Ohio Gap Closers as well as serves on several advisory boards.
Our Advisory Board
Gia Bell
Manager of Training and Development, Healthcare and Behavioral HealthGia D. Bell is both a passionate and servant leader, who is frequently called upon for her advocacy for Autism and underrepresented populations. She leads mainly by example, always doing her best and encouraging others to do the same. Gia was recently awarded the Women’s Network Leadership Institute Laura Allio Emerging Leaders award at the Greater Akron Chamber. She was also the recipient of the 30 For the Future Award through the Young Professional Network.
Gia has received Congressional Recognition from her work on Autism. She led the project at Cleveland Clinic Akron General to designate Cleveland Clinic the first Adult Autism Friendly Hospitals in the nation. Gia graduated from Kent State University. She is currently the Manager of Training and Development at Red Oak Behavioral Health. Gia currently serves on the board at the Women’s Network Leadership Institute Leadership Council. She also serves on the Fund Development Task for at the Akron Urban League Young Professionals. She is a member of the Torchbearers Akron’s Class of 2020. She also serves on the Parent Board Association at St. Vincent de Paul Elementary and Julie Billiarts Schools. She is a member of the Autism Society of Greater Akron, ATHENA Women and Leadership, Women’s Network Leadership Institute, Change Direction Committee, and the Greater Akron Chamber.
Traci Mcarty
LISW-S, Clinical Director THE VILLAGE NETWORKTraci McCarty has been a licensed social worker in Ohio since 2000. She has worked at The Village Network as a therapist, foster care clinical supervisor, program manager for juvenile court programming, and now Clinical Director for TVN’s Southwest Region. Concurrently, Traci has served as an adjunct professor at MVNU since 2009
Jennifer Stovall
School Counselor, Westerville South High SchoolWith 23 years as an educator, Jennifer Stovall continues to focus on student and family well-being. She understands the importance of foundation, support, and follow-through when it comes to students in foster care. Receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education and a Masters Degree in School Counseling, Jennifer spent 9 years as an Intervention Specialist and beginning her 15th year as a School Counselor at Westerville South High School. She serves as the Department Chair of the Counseling Department and recently has been awarded Educator of the Year for her building. Her hobbies focus on following her energetic boys during their involvement in sports, year-round.
Charmaine Campbell
Principal, Columbus City Schools-Parkmoor ElementaryMiss Charmaine Campbell has been employed with the Columbus City School District since the fall of 2007. Shortly thereafter, she obtained her English as a Second Language license. She has received several undergraduate and graduate degrees from The Ohio State University in the field of Education. Currently, she holds a B.A. in Psychology and a B.A. in African-American and African Studies with a specialization in early childhood family development, a Masters of Art in Educational Administration, a Masters of Education in Pre-K to third-grade education, and she is a National Board Certified Teacher.
Most recently, this summer she attended Harvard University and completed a course on Family Engagement. In the winter of 2015, she became the Principal of Parkmoor Elementary School. Since coming to Parkmoor, through grant writings and community partnerships, Miss Campbell has brought and implemented several in-school and after-school programs that help to aid both teachers and students achieve academic excellence. In 2017, Miss Campbell was awarded Principal of the Year in Central Ohio by The Ohio Alliance of Black School Educators.
Michael Montgomery
MA, IMFT-S, Empower Counseling Services, LLCMichael I. Montgomery is an Independent Marriage and Family Therapist with Supervision distinction in the state of Ohio. Michael brings over 18 years conducting diagnostic assessments, treatment plans and therapy to individuals, couples and families. Michael is an advocate for Women’s rights and the rights of other marginalized individuals struggling for equality and equity.
Michael is the owner of Empower Counseling Services LLC in Youngstown and Akron Ohio. Michael brings years of community development and organizing. Michael enjoys attending community events, social gatherings and cheering for his beloved Florida Gators in his spare time.
advisory board
Charmaine Campbell
Miss Charmaine Campbell has been employed with the Columbus City School District since the fall of 2007. Shortly thereafter, she obtained her English as a Second Language license. She has received several undergraduate and graduate degrees from The Ohio State University in the field of Education. Currently, she holds a B.A. in Psychology and a B.A. in African-American and African Studies with a specialization in early childhood family development, a Masters of Art in Educational Administration, a Masters of Education in Pre-K to third-grade education, and she is a National Board Certified Teacher.
Most recently, this summer she attended Harvard University and completed a course on Family Engagement. In the winter of 2015, she became the Principal of Parkmoor Elementary School. Since coming to Parkmoor, through grant writings and community partnerships, Miss Campbell has brought and implemented several in-school and after-school programs that help to aid both teachers and students achieve academic excellence. In 2017, Miss Campbell was awarded Principal of the Year in Central Ohio by The Ohio Alliance of Black School Educators.
Jennifer Stovall
With 23 years as an educator, Jennifer Stovall continues to focus on student and family well-being. She understands the importance of foundation, support, and follow-through when it comes to students in foster care. Receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education and a Masters Degree in School Counseling, Jennifer spent 9 years as an Intervention Specialist and beginning her 15th year as a School Counselor at Westerville South High School. She serves as the Department Chair of the Counseling Department and recently has been awarded Educator of the Year for her building. Her hobbies focus on following her energetic boys during their involvement in sports, year-round.
Gia Bell
Gia D. Bell is both a passionate and servant leader, who is frequently called upon for her advocacy for Autism and underrepresented populations. She leads mainly by example, always doing her best and encouraging others to do the same. Gia was recently awarded the Women’s Network Leadership Institute Laura Allio Emerging Leaders award at the Greater Akron Chamber. She was also the recipient of the 30 For the Future Award through the Young Professional Network.
Gia has received Congressional Recognition from her work on Autism. She led the project at Cleveland Clinic Akron General to designate Cleveland Clinic the first Adult Autism Friendly Hospitals in the nation. Gia graduated from Kent State University. She is currently the Manager of Training and Development at Red Oak Behavioral Health. Gia currently serves on the board at the Women’s Network Leadership Institute Leadership Council. She also serves on the Fund Development Task for at the Akron Urban League Young Professionals. She is a member of the Torchbearers Akron’s Class of 2020. She also serves on the Parent Board Association at St. Vincent de Paul Elementary and Julie Billiarts Schools. She is a member of the Autism Society of Greater Akron, ATHENA Women and Leadership, Women’s Network Leadership Institute, Change Direction Committee, and the Greater Akron Chamber.
Traci Mcarty
Traci McCarty has been a licensed social worker in Ohio since 2000. She has worked at The Village Network as a therapist, foster care clinical supervisor, program manager for juvenile court programming, and now Clinical Director for TVN’s Southwest Region. Concurrently, Traci has served as an adjunct professor at MVNU since 2009
Michael Montgomery
Michael I. Montgomery is an Independent Marriage and Family Therapist with Supervision distinction in the state of Ohio. Michael brings over 18 years conducting diagnostic assessments, treatment plans and therapy to individuals, couples and families. Michael is an advocate for Women’s rights and the rights of other marginalized individuals struggling for equality and equity.
Michael is the owner of Empower Counseling Services LLC in Youngstown and Akron Ohio. Michael brings years of community development and organizing. Michael enjoys attending community events, social gatherings and cheering for his beloved Florida Gators in his spare time.
Services
In this training we focus on transient students and how to find success in any academic setting. Parents will walk away empowered with real life tools to help their child. Teachers and workers will walk away with a better understanding on how to reach all students in the classroom.
In this dynamic workshop we will bring cultural competency to teachers and workers. Understanding how to speak the language of today's students and how to help them rise to new heights.
We can't suspend our way to success. Suspensions are not good for parents, teachers, or workers. Most importantly they aren’t good for kids! This workshop will provide alternatives to school suspensions that everyone can get behind.
Stress management is needed by everyone. Especially for the professionals that are working the hardest to help the students. In this workshop, we will provide a step by step guide for teachers and workers on how to regulate, relate, and reason in the midst of high-stress situations.
When should your son or daughter start preparing for college? No matter how old or what grade, the answer is right now! In this workshop, we will create custom action plans to take your student from right now to college admissions.
Enough is enough and it’s time to get serious about keeping our students safe. This training will provide parents and teachers with research and knowledge that helps erase bullying in the school and in the neighborhood.
Services
In this training we focus on transient students and how to find success in any academic setting. Parents will walk away empowered with real life tools to help their child. Teachers and workers will walk away with a better understanding on how to reach all students in the classroom.
In this dynamic workshop we will bring cultural competency to teachers and workers. Understanding how to speak the language of today's students and how to help them rise to new heights.
We can't suspend our way to success. Suspensions are not good for parents, teachers, or workers. Most importantly they aren’t good for kids! This workshop will provide alternatives to school suspensions that everyone can get behind.
Stress management is needed by everyone. Especially for the professionals that are working the hardest to help the students. In this workshop, we will provide a step by step guide for teachers and workers on how to regulate, relate, and reason in the midst of high-stress situations.
When should your son or daughter start preparing for college? No matter how old or what grade, the answer is right now! In this workshop, we will create custom action plans to take your student from right now to college admissions.
Enough is enough and it’s time to get serious about keeping our students safe. This training will provide parents and teachers with research and knowledge that helps erase bullying in the school and in the neighborhood.
Resources
Here at Ohio Gap Closers, we aim to offer resources for parents, students, educators and all those who strive to better the lives of the children in their communities. Sign up for our newsletter to get your free resources!
Resources
Here at Ohio Gap Closers, we aim to offer resources for parents, students, educators and all those who strive to better the lives of the children in their communities. Sign up for our newsletter to get your free resources!
The Ray Porter Scholarship
The Ray Porter Scholarship was established in memory of advocate Ray Porter. Ella and Ray Porter fostered over 40 youth in the Alliance, Ohio area, establishing a culture of family and espousing the values of overcoming, giving thanks, and contributing to society.The Ray Porter Scholarship
The Ray Porter Scholarship was established in memory of advocate Ray Porter. Ella and Ray Porter fostered over 40 youth in the Alliance, Ohio area, establishing a culture of family and espousing the values of overcoming, giving thanks, and contributing to society.Help Us Close The Gap
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