At Healing Hearts Healing Homes, we are passionate about helping individuals and families heal, grow, and thrive. As a faith-based nonprofit, we offer professional counseling, coaching, and community support to people in every season of life. Whether it’s couples working to strengthen their marriage, youth in need of guidance, seniors dealing with loneliness, or veterans searching for healing and hope, we walk alongside each person on their journey toward emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being. Our heart is to restore hope, rebuild trust, and create strong foundations—both in hearts and in homes.
Everything we do is built on four core pillars: healing, empowerment, education, and community. These values guide our mission every day.
We promote emotional and mental healing through counseling and coaching.
We equip individuals with the tools to build strong, purposeful lives.
We raise awareness of the importance of counseling and coaching through workshops, seminars, and community events.
We work together with the community and other organizations to improve the quality of life for all.
Our leaders bring passion, expertise, and faith to everything we do, as we unite together behind a mission to heal hearts and strengthen homes.
Coach Martez Layton is a US Navy Veteran, Certified Professional Life & Marriage Coach, and recipient of an honorary Doctorate of Theology for his impactful work in community development and strengthening families. A proven leader with more than two decades of experience in coaching, counseling, mentoring, and ministry, Coach Martez is widely recognized for his prophetic insight, practical wisdom, and ability to guide couples through transformation and growth.
As Co-Founder of Dream Builders Marriage Coaching & Counseling, he and his wife, Dr. Woodrina Layton, have worked with more than 1,000 couples across the nation — helping them heal, rebuild trust, and create thriving, purpose-driven marriages. From overcoming the challenges of growing up without a father figure to becoming a respected voice for men, husbands, and couples, Coach Martez inspires change by breaking unhealthy cycles, healing emotional wounds, and building marriages rooted in vision, purpose, and legacy.
His passion for restoring families and empowering communities fuels the mission of Healing Hearts Healing Homes to create stronger homes, stronger marriages, and stronger generations.
Dr. Woodrina Layton is a Licensed Professional Counselor, National Certified Counselor, and expert marriage coach with more than 20 years of experience in education, counseling, and behavioral health. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Memphis and master’s degrees in both Education and Counseling from Regent University.
She brings extensive experience in individual and group counseling across adult, adolescent, and gender-specific settings. Her leadership in both private practice and behavioral health settings reflects a blend of strategy and compassion, improving service delivery and creating supportive environments.
Her evidence-based and empathetic approach has empowered countless women and couples to move from pain to healing, rebuild trust, and cultivate deeper emotional and spiritual connection. In addition to her professional work, Dr. Layton has served in ministry leadership for decades, and her commitment to strengthening families and communities earned her an honorary doctorate in theology for her impact in ministry leadership and community development.
Ronald Boyd DeVoe Jr, aka “Ronnie”, is a luminary and legend in the music industry. Hailing from Boston, Massachusetts, he continues to make his mark as an renowned entertainer and member of New Edition and Bell Biv DeVoe. Beyond music, he’s a family man, philanthropist, and enterprising entrepreneur. In addition to his musical success, Ronnie’s ventures, like DeVoe Real Estate and Mission Bound Academy, highlight his commitment to advocating through education and wealth creation. His commitment to serving others earned him an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Philosophy in Humanities.
As a public speaker, Ronnie leverages his experiences, resources and relationships to help impact lives in communities across the world positively. Healthy marriages, uplifting our youth and mental health awareness are among a number of causes that he supports frequently. In his words, “It’s a blessing to use my gifts and talents to fuel my ultimate purpose, which is to bless others…!
Shamari DeVoe, born in Detroit and raised in Atlanta, epitomizes the spirit of a modern Renaissance woman. Beyond her roles as a devoted wife and mother to twin boys, she seamlessly navigates diverse realms as a thriving businesswoman, award-winning artist, and accomplished actress. Rising from her pivotal position as one-third of the platinum-selling R&B pop trio Blaque, Shamari has showcased her versatility in iconic films such as “Bring It On” and “Honey,” while also gracing television screens in “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” and “BET Presents The Encore.”
In recognition of her impactful career and dedication to uplifting others through art, music, and service, Shamari earned an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Philosophy in Humanities. With a dynamic career spanning over two decades—including three albums, notable features, triumphant stage performances, and significant contributions as both an actress and writer—Shamari’s journey is a testament to talent, resilience, and ongoing success.
Our leaders bring passion expertise and faith to everything we do united by a mission to heal hearts and strengthen homes.
Dr. Marissa Layton is a visionary, mission-driven leader with nearly a decade of experience in strategic planning, organizational leadership, and business development, alongside over 15 years of expertise in event planning, fundraising, and program development. She holds both a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership and a Doctorate in Strategic Leadership from Regent University. Certified in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace as well as Change Management, Dr. Layton has a proven track record of working with small businesses, non-profits, and Fortune 500 companies to optimize operations, build high-performing teams, increase organizational support, and drive sustainable growth.
Dr. Layton is known for implementing systems that generate measurable impact, cultivating strategic relationships with key stakeholders, aligning operational strategies with business goals, and developing compelling donor and sponsorship proposals. With a deep passion for community work—particularly youth enrichment—she has been recognized by ForbesBlk as an Elite Minority Leader for her commitment to creating meaningful change.
Dr. Kevin “Khao” Cates is an entrepreneur, philanthropist and music producer. Khao, a native of Montgomery, Alabama, is also the same multi-platinum, Grammy nominated producer, who lives by the motto, “Don’t just be successful, be significant!”
With over 30 million combined records sold, Khao has revolutionized the sound of Hip-Hop music by producing sounds and melodies that cross various genres of music.
He has also positioned himself as a major player in the music industry, while maintaining full control of his production and publishing.
In 2008 Khao took time off from music to create Bridge DA Gap. Bridge DA Gap is a 501c3 non-profit organization that combines hip hop music, education and mentoring to reach students and teach life skills applicable in today’s socially challenged environment. Bridge DA Gap has been implemented in schools across the United States as well as in the Bahamas.
President & CEO (Interim), Urban League of the River Valley / Greater Columbus, Georgia
Tracey R. Mosley serves as the Interim President & CEO of the Urban League of the River Valley, where he leads the organization’s mission to empower communities, promote economic opportunity, and advance social and racial equity across Columbus, Georgia, and the surrounding region.
With a strong background in community engagement and organizational leadership, Tracey works to expand workforce development initiatives, champion youth and family empowerment, and build collaborative partnerships with local business, civic, and faith leaders. His leadership is marked by vision, integrity, and a deep commitment to creating pathways for success and stability for underserved individuals and families.
Tracey’s passion for service extends beyond his professional life. He and his wife, Susan, have been married for over 20 years and share a heart for strengthening families and building legacy in their community.
