Janice Marchelle Davis was born alongside her twin brother James Maurice Davis, May 28, 1959, to late James “Dudney” Davis, Lillian Davis, and Irene Brown Smalley-Powell in Hot Springs, AR. Her early education began at St. Gabriel Catholic School and she along with several other students would become change agents in integrating   Jones School by becoming the first Black students to attend the all-white elementary school in the 4 th grade. Davis graduated from Hot Springs High School with Honors in 1977. She went on to attend the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology in 1981 and came back to her hometown to begin her thirty four year career with the Hot Springs School District as Speech/Language Pathologist changing the lives of countless children with communication disorders. Davis would later go on to obtain master's degrees from Henderson State University in Special Education K-12 and Special Education Curriculum/Program Administration.

She not only helped children with disabilities she also began a tutoring program at the Webb Community Center that was grant founded that would span for more than ten years. The program was three nights a week with certified teachers, an evening meal, homework/project assistance, computer accessibility, mentorship, monthly programs, and other related activities. An average of two hundred children in grades kindergarten through tenth grades benefited from the program.

One of her favorite quotes is by Marian Wright Edelman, “Service is the rent we pay for being. It is the very purpose of life, and not something you do in your spare time.” Along with a quote by Mahatma Gandhi, “The best way to find yourself, is to lose yourself in the service of others.” These quotes explain why she has always been a “Giver” and a “Helper”. Always for the underserved, the underdog, the less fortunate, the misunderstood, the voiceless, marginalized, and those who couldn’t advocate for them. She became their voice and advocate. Thus, The Giving Team.Inc was born.

A 501 (c) 3 non-profit has allowed Janice Davis to be an ambassador to publicly speak on behalf for children and social-economically challenged familied/individuals and provide them with access to resources which are essential to life’s most basic skills that many of us take for granted: food, clothing, social services, and life skills opportunities. And I am grateful to God for Him allowing me to be that person. Romans 8:28 “And we know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into His plan.”

Janice is the proudest mother of her only son, Dr. Keenan Jawhuan Davis (a house divided – he is a
graduate of Louisiana State University LSU Tigers), Goddaugter, I’nita Diane White, daughter in law, Dr.
Farah Husain, and Lolli to Parsa and Cairo.