OUR TEAM

Zakee F. Bowser

Zakee Farah Bowser, (08/31/1979 – 07/14/1997) was the first and only child of Gina L. Bowser. Born and raised in New Brunswick, NJ – Zakee, a popular, yet average teenager lost his life due to a senseless act of violent against him and the community in which he lived.

From playing basketball, telling jokes with his friends, to listening to music – Zakee, a Christian with aspirations to be successful in life was a loving, gentle giant who inspired many people. Zakee, also known as “Mellow” had a distinctive charm and an appealing demand about himself which invited family cohesiveness and positive and productive interactions with everyone who befriended him.

In addition to his intelligence, striking handsome look, tall stature, and very bright and dimpled smile – Zakee, a mama’s boy was an evident magnet to countless cousins and friends who always stayed the night at his home. From always playing basketball, to playing with his dog and video games, Zakee’s enormous upside and life was abruptly taken due to a random act of violence that has shook his beloved community.

It was because of Zakee’s character, neighborhood and school involvement, and love for his family – Gina Bowser, his mother founded the Zakee Bowser Enrichment Foundation (ZBEF) to promote peace and non-violence in the Central New Jersey communities.

Gina L. Bowser

Gina L. Bowser is a charismatic profound executive who works as an independent consultant. Gina’s passion is to create supportive services to enrich family life and cause communities to flourish. She grew up in New Brunswick, NJ. under the tutelage of her Christian parents along with her four siblings; one of whom is her identical twin. Gina graduated from New Brunswick High School, earned an Associate of Arts Degree from Middlesex County College, and a Master’s degree in Global Missions and Chaplaincy from York Christian College in 2016.

In addition to advocating for teens and pre-teens at the Middlesex County Court, she is a skilled choir director, youth advisor and missionary at First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens, where she serves under the leadership of Dr. Deforest B. Soaries who is her pastor and mentor. Gina’s joy is to empower youth, visit the ailing, and to share the love of Jesus to all whom she encounters. Along with interacting with families, juvenile offenders and victims of violence, Gina allows her courageous smile to shine as she serves on various ministries and boards throughout the central New Jersey communities. , Gina serves as a board member of the Central Jersey Community Development Corporation.

Unimaginably, on July 14, 1997 – Gina's life was tragically changed when she lost her only child. Zakee Farah Bowser 17 a young man of honor and prestige was shot and killed innocently in a random shooting right in his own community. Gina was empowered by her love of God to use her grief as a catalyst to rescue the lives of other youth when she learned that her son used his last breath to call out to Jesus just before dying. On that very day, she vowed to “Stop the violence, and save youth from trivial acts of aggression and bloodshed in their communities.”

Charming and full of zeal, Gina leads the following initiatives across multiple counties

• Executive Director of the Zakee Bowser Enrichment Foundation,
• Director of Rainbow of Hope,
• Executive Coordinator of Stop the Funeral (a state-wide collaboration with Bishop Donald Hilliard Jr.),
• Founder of Mother’s Appeal (a youth and family advocacy program for victims of violence Co-partners with Mothers of the Movement (a nationally recognized organization advocating against gun violence and police brutality), and
• Community Liaison for the award-winning faith-based Junior Debutante Program, Young Ladies by Design.

Under the passion and leadership of Gina Bowser, the ZBEF coordinates the following annual outreach events,

• Stop the Violence Block Party,
• Gift of Love Christmas Toy Drive,
• "Get Your School On" Back to School Supply Drive and
• Men and Women of Distinction Awards.

Gina has a unique ability to work successfully with the most difficult of youth. Gina's life is a profound testimony of a resilient soul who has overcome many obstacles (most recently breast cancer) to becoming a God-sent agent of change for young America. Gina has been the recipient of the following awards for her dedicated work with youth:

• Purple Heart (Family) Award,
• New Brunswick Police Community Relations Appreciation Award,
• Ebony Suburbanites Community Service Honoree,
• 2012, NAACP Hero Award,
• Juvenile Justice Commission Appreciation(3x),
• Delta Theta Sorority Woman of Achievement Humanitarian Award,
• 2012, C.A.R.E.S Community Service Award,
• 2013, New Brunswick Education Foundation Hall of Distinguished Alumni Award,
• 2018, Jenkins Brothers Journey Award,
• 2019, First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens, Martin Luther King Jr Service Award.

Rev. Dina L. Bowser

Rev. Dina Laverne Bowser has been a resident of the Middlesex County, NJ area for the last thirty years. As an independent IT Consultant for several fortune 500 companies, she has bridged technology with impeccable service. She holds an Associate Degree in Business Management from Middlesex County College, a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Education from New York Theological Seminary, and a Master of Divinity from York Christian College and Divinity School. Presently, she is pursuing a Clinical Pastoral Care Certification. Amazingly Rev. Dina Bowser still works diligently as an associate minister at the Cathedral International in Perth Amboy NJ, under the leadership of Bishop Donald Hilliard Jr.

She serves on the executive board of the Greater Central Jersey Clergy Association as the Community Affairs Liaison. Dina’s work as a Re-entry Coordinator and Chaplain at various prison sites has afforded her with the opportunity to travel to several countries. As an honorary member of the Community Network Services for Prison Re-Entry, Dina also oversees various outreach ministries and organizations by advising them how to maximum their program goals. Dina, an extraordinary event planner specializes in establishing collaborations with multiple churches and community programs in Middlesex, Somerset, and Essex counties. In addition to Reverend Dina’s love for family and community, her creativity and zeal to see young women embrace social graces and etiquettes is the primary reason why she became the NJ Executive Coordinator for Young Ladies by Design Junior Debutante Program. Through that faith-based, award-winning program Rev. D finds great joy and fulfillment in working with some exceptional young ladies destined for greatness

Rev. Dina Bowser is currently President of the Zakee Bowser Enrichment Foundation in New Brunswick New Jersey, Director of the Youth Empowerment Council and executive officer with the United Christian Chaplain Association. In addition to being Dina is also realtor with Realty Mark First Choice Realtors in Parlin, NJ where she is a member of the Elite Realty Group In addition to Dina being the Program Director of the Rainbow of Hope Re-Entry Program she also oversees several community projects to support families in crisis. Instructor at Pnuema Life School of Ministry, she also prepares men and women to handle life crisis throught teaching the word and mentors at risk youth, and host forums related to women dealing with domestic violence, juvenile delinquency, and dxrug and alcohol dependence . This year she launched her own outreach ministry to Women and Young Adults Imagine Me International Ministries. The goals are to embrace and empower women and young adults to strive for excellence rebuild their lives and walk in victory. Graciously, she accepts the challenges to work with women who are incarcerated or homeless. Desire is to take the Church beyond the four walls help others to step out of darkness and regain their lives and goals. Proclaiming” Jesus Loves You” Dina’s motto is, “With our hearts and hands we will touch the untouchable, caress the unwanted, and speak truth to” All Things Are Possible With Christ.” Dina believes that through prayer and the love of Christ, along with equipping participants with basic life skills and support, lives can be changed and maximized through Jesus.