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Deidre Johnson Says You Are In The Driver’s Seat Of Your Life

By Spark Point | March 6, 2024

Deidre Johnson is the CEO and Executive Director of the Center for African American Health, a community-based nonprofit in Denver that empowers the Black community to make informed health decisions. “I have learned so much and I’ve really grown and enjoyed being in this role,” Deidre shares.  Since taking over the role 8 years ago,…

Paula Brown on Showing Up Authentically in Community Work

By Spark Point | February 21, 2024

Paula Brown is the director of operations at the Center for African American Health, a nonprofit based in Denver that empowers the Black community to make informed health decisions and achieve whole-person wellness.  Paula’s extensive portfolio includes human resources, facilities and property management, development and implementation of strategic plans, vendor relations, and driving improved performance…

Trinice McNally is a Transformative Leader Who Promotes Healing and Inspires Change 

By Spark Point | November 1, 2023

Trinice McNally is a nationally-recognized activist, creative and educator who wears many hats. She is a founding director of the Center for Diversity, Inclusion & Multicultural Affairs at the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) and founding director of the Envisioning Safety On Our Campuses Now Project (ESOC NOW). She is also an Ifá…

Jamese Beauford Unapologetically Advocates for Black Women and Girls

By Spark Point | October 11, 2023

Jamese Carey Beauford is the 1st Vice-President of Programs, and former President, of the Metropolitan Atlanta Chapter of The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., a nonprofit organization advocating for Black women and girls in the areas of health, education and economic empowerment.  “When I was younger I didn’t know that this is the…

Karina Nelson on Advocacy and Knowing Who You Are

By Spark Point | October 6, 2023

Karina Nelson is the Volunteer Manager at the Invest in Girls program of CEE, a nonprofit working to build financial literacy and confidence in high school girls. This program offers online and in-person workshops to help girls become financially confident and even pursue a career in finance.  “I love what I do because I know…

Tiara Nicole Riley Lives Life Intentionally

By Spark Point | September 13, 2023

Tiara Nicole Riley is a life coach, motivational speaker, author and HR manager. She also serves as a board member for Stillborn And Infant Loss Support (SAILS), a nonprofit dedicated to helping people who have been affected by the loss of a baby. She began working as a life coach, motivational speaker, and published author…

Dr. Monique Darrisaw-Akil Uses Authentic Leadership to Transform Education Systems

By Spark Point | August 30, 2023

Dr. Monique Darrisaw-Akil is the Superintendent of Schools at the Uniondale Union Free School District in Long Island, NY. Dr. Akil was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY and realized early on that she wanted to dedicate her life to fighting for equity in education.  “My life, in some ways, was shaped by de facto…

Sharon Washington Brings a Trauma-Informed Approach to Anti-Racism Consulting

By Spark Point | June 21, 2023

Sharon Washington is the founder and CEO of Sharon Washington Consulting, which provides sustainable strategies for institutions to promote equity, inclusion and belonging by cultivating racial literacy and anti-racism. The pathway to this work started when Sharon was just four years old and her family moved from Oakland, California to rural Oregon where Sharon’s family…

Samra Ghermay Believes in the Power of Inclusive Philanthropy 

By Spark Point | June 7, 2023

Samra Ghermay is the Director of Development and Communications for the Sadie Nash Leadership Project, a nonprofit at the intersection of love and rigor that empowers young women and gender-expansive youth of color as agents for change in their lives and in the world.  Growing up in Eritrea, East Africa, Samra watched her mother and…

Eshé Collins Advocates for Equity in Education 

By Spark Point | May 24, 2023

Eshé Collins is the Senior Director of Programs at Jumpstart, a national early education organization dedicated to providing high-quality education access for all children. She also serves as Chair of the Atlanta Board of Education. From a young age, Eshé noticed the economic and educational disparities in her hometown. “You often hear about a tale…

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