We are a nonprofit rooted in Sierra Leonean heritage, dedicated to building healthier communities through care, dignity, and sustainability.
Mission Sierra is a registered nonprofit based in Nashville, Tennessee, with deep roots in Sierra Leone through our founder, Dr. Jacqueline Renner-Bangura. Established in 2019, our organization focuses on grassroots development in Sierra Leone’s underserved townships.
We exist to uplift communities through healthcare, clean water, farming, and education — all powered by local participation and cultural connection. Our approach centers on listening, co-creating, and investing in solutions that last.
Dr. Jacqueline Renner Bangura is the founder and President of Mission Sierra Inc. Her paternal ancestry goes back to Waterloo, founded in 1819 as a settlement for liberated African slaves. Since her migration to the United States in 1980, she achieved a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from The Ohio State University, a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Emory University, a master’s degree in nursing from Middle Tennessee State University, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Vanderbilt University. She has 35 years of healthcare experience with 20 years in critical care and 15 years as a Nurse Practitioner in outpatient clinics, during which she raised five children. She established her own private medical clinic, Cape Sierra Family Clinic, in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, which she co-owns with her husband, Dr. Lamin Bangura.
Inspired by her father, the Rev. J.K.C. Renner, who donated land to her for building a modern clinic, she proceeded to launch Mission Sierra Inc. after his death in 2019. Shortly after the establishment of the incorporation in late 2019, the growth of the organization was stalled by the 2020 Covid Pandemic. Jacqueline then dedicated time to growing their clinic in Tennessee as it recovered from the setbacks of the pandemic. After making several assessment trips to Sierra Leone, she is now ready to launch Mission Sierra to action. Jacqueline will be involved in all areas of developing the mission, including fundraising, recruiting medical and nursing personnel for mission trips and ground operations.
Dr. Lamin Bangura is a Physician in Nashville, Tennessee. He started his career in healthcare as a graduate of the nursing school in Sierra Leone, after which he worked in the public health sector, traveling to various communities in Sierra Leone administering vaccinations and other preventive health services. He continued to further his education in Cuba where he earned the Doctor of Medicine degree in 1989 from Instituto Superior de Cencias Medicas de Villa Clara, Cuba. On moving to the United States, he did a Family and Community residency at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee after which he spent several years working in emergency units and outpatient clinics. He now works with his wife, Jacqueline, at their private medical clinic, Cape Sierra Family Clinic in Nashville, Tennessee. Lamin will be directing the medical services to be provided at the proposed Mission Sierra Clinic in Waterloo.
Dr. Nneanata Echetebu is a second-year Family and Preventive Medicine resident at Emory University. She earned her MD and MHS with high honors from Meharry Medical College and holds a BA in Psychology from the University of Tennessee. Passionate about service and health equity, she has taught refugee health literacy through Siloam Health, mentored youth via Big Brothers Big Sisters, and volunteered in a pediatric health program and a community breastfeeding promotion program. Her research on pelvic pain and the acceptability of office hysteroscopy during a Mayo Clinic internship was presented at the 70th ACOG Annual Meeting. She also completed a global health elective in medical Spanish in Trujillo, Peru. Dr. Echetebu is a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society and the Gold Humanism Honor Society, recognizing excellence in scholarship, service, and compassionate care. As Diaspora Medical Director of Mission Sierra, she leads medical mission trips and recruits diaspora physicians to volunteer during medical clinic operations.
Dr. Amechi Echetebu is a dentist in Memphis, Tennessee. He acquired his bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 2017 from the University of Tennessee in Memphis. He then went on to do a residency in Implantation Dentistry at the University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama. He now operates his own private dental practice, River City Dental & Implant Center, in Memphis, Tennessee. He obtained experience in doing medical missions during the summer break of his undergraduate years, when he traveled to Serabu in Sierra Leone, assisting with several surgeries at a local clinic. Upon completion of the construction the mission clinic building, Amechi will serve in a consultant role for the design of the dental clinic as well the furnishing of the clinic with the necessary dental equipment. He would then play a lead role in organizing dental mission trips, recruiting dentists from the diaspora to volunteer their services in the running of the dental clinic in Waterloo.
Dr. Virlena Tippitt is a graduate of Facultad de Estomatologia “Raul Gonzalez Sanchez” Havana, Cuba. After graduation from dental school in 2018, she moved to Nashville, Tennessee where she has gained experience working with other dentists in all areas of general dentistry. She currently works at Meharry Dental College in Nashville, Tennessee. She acquired previous nonprofit dental mission experience working with Teethsavers International, Lubbock, Texas and with Mercy Ships. Virlena will direct the dental building design in Waterloo and supervise the dental equipment purchase of the proposed dental wing. She will also serve as the ground dental operations director upon completion of the dental facility.
Mr. Chukwudi Echetebu, esq. acquired a bachelor’s degree in psychology and business from Middle Tennessee State University and a Juris Doctor degree in 2019 from Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. He currently works at Manson Johnson Conner, a full-service law firm with a diverse practice in Nashville, Tennessee. In addition, he is the Chief Financial Officer of Tripod Transportation Inc., member of the Board of Directors of Mary Parrish Center, a non-profit mission advocating for domestic violence survivors and an avid real estate investor. ‘Mission Sierra’ was originally named by Chukwudi. He set up the legal structure of Mission Sierra Corporation during his final year of Law school. He has traveled to Sierra Leone on several occasions where he saw a need for the development of youth programs and created an initiative in agriculture to provide work opportunities for the youth. He will have an active role in all aspects of legal compliance of the organization. He will also mediate agricultural and other development projects that Mission Sierra undertakes.
Ms. Miatta Echetebu, esq. obtained a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Duke University, a master’s degree in psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Texas School of Law. She won the American Psychological Association Fellowship in Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Policy in 2014, placing her in SAMHSA’s office of Behavioral Health Equity helping to implement the agency’s Disparity Impact Strategy nationwide. She spent five years leading in the evaluation and implementation of SAMHSA-funded systems-of-care for children’s mental health across the State of Illinois. Miatta later served as a legal clerk for the NAACP in 2020, drafting legislation and spearheading racial justice initiatives across the State of Texas. She is currently a corporate associate in the Houston office of Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP, a Chambers-ranked law firm. Miatta leads in developing mental health programs for the Waterloo community and supports the organization in legal compliance and corporate fundraising.
Mr. Ishmael Bangura graduated with a bachelor in psychology from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Tennessee, and a master’s degree in education from Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee. He is currently pursuing a Doctoral degree in Education at Tennessee State University. He has experience working in elementary education at the Williamson County school district in Tennessee. Ishmael will play the challenging role in Mission Sierra of educating a largely illiterate population in Sierra Leone, by coordinating the development of materials for health literacy education at an elementary level.
We envision a healthier future for Sierra Leone — where every person can access quality care, clean water, and nutritious food.
Our work is driven by the belief that communities can thrive when given tools, knowledge, and support. Through local collaboration and evidence-based solutions, we aim to build a world where wellness and dignity are within reach for all.
Support healthcare, clean water, and farming projects led by local talents.
Enhance health literacy and community knowledge for sustainable well-being.
Invest in projects that uplift generations through resilience and opportunity.
We identified land for the future health clinic and began building relationships with local leaders and contractors.
Initial wall construction started. Fundraising efforts launched to complete securement and design the full clinic structure.
Our goal is to start building the medical and dental wings of the Waterloo Health Center.
We aim to train and recruit local professionals and support staff to prepare for clinic operations.
Launch of full medical, dental, and mental health services — along with water access, farming, and education programs.
Scale successful clinic and water initiatives to other underserved townships across Sierra Leone through local partnerships.
Our values guide every project: serve with integrity, empower communities, work hand-in-hand, and always build for long-term impact.
We serve with honesty, accountability, and transparency.
We believe in building solutions with, not for, communities.
We partner with locals to maximize strengths and ownership.
We plan for long-term change rooted in local leadership.
At Mission Sierra, we don’t just deliver aid — we co-create progress. From clinic construction to farming and water access, we focus on real solutions powered by real people.
Together with donors, volunteers, and partners, we are laying the groundwork for a healthier Sierra Leone — one rooted in community resilience, equity, and dignity for all.
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