Charissa Newport

Background

Charissa’s journey is deeply connected to a family history of grassroots advocacy and compassionate service. Her early years were spent living in Quebec, Canada, and the Ivory Coast in West Africa, developing a global perspective and a heart for diverse communities from a young age. Her family’s story is tied closely to advocacy for individuals with Down syndrome. Her grandmother, Carolyn Davis Newport, co-founded The Arc of the Ozarks in 1959 around a kitchen table to build a vital support network for children with developmental disabilities. Today, this legacy continues through the Timothy Grant Newport Activity Center—named in honor of Charissa’s uncle—and The Carolyn Newport Fund For Young Families. This shared passion for advocacy is the very reason Charissa's parents met at Baylor University, as both of her parents grew up with brothers who had Down syndrome. Additionally, her grandfather, Russell E. Newport, was an internationally renowned sacred music soloist whose warmth, artistry, and passion for music left an enduring mark on her love for singing and community engagement. Building on these foundational values, Charissa focuses her energy on professional excellence, spiritual support, and global philanthropy, including ongoing support for organizations like Compassion International, Operation Christmas Child, and regional humanitarian efforts in West Africa.