: Shonnah is the Global Product Growth & Innovation Evangelist at GetFeedback, the leading customer experience management solution for Salesforce. Shonnah is a Co-Lead for SurveyMonkey’s Black ERG BUILD, a Salesforce MVP with over 11 years in its ecosystem and holds many certifications and designations. She is seen as a thought leader in the Salesforce ecosystem and beyond. Shonnah co-founded a successful nonprofit to help underrepresented adults break into technology. Her leadership with Teen Tech Titans, PepUp Tech, WiT Diversity & other community organizations has led to multiple awards & recognitions. Including the Equality Trailblazer award and a golden hoodie.

Shonnah had the distinct honor of signing the White House’s Pledge to America’s workforce along with Marc Benioff. The Pledge to America’s Workers—committing to expand programs that educate, train, and reskill American workers from high-school age to near-retirement.

Emily M. Newsome believes words to be the creative force of the universe. As a Christian Life Coach based in Dallas, Texas, her practice focuses on helping clients to use in tandem with the Word of God, to accomplish their goals, and to build richer and more fulfilling lives. When you write it, read it, say it and see it, it will surely come to pass!

A lifelong student with a deep respect for education, Emily has studied at the University of Chicago, DePaul University, Case Western Reserve University and American Public University, Texas Bible Institute and Seminary, Light University and Grace International Seminary. She holds two Bachelors’ degrees, both a Masters and PhD in Theological Studies, and Hs additional training in Biblical Counseling, and Christian Life Coaching.

An ordained minister, Elder Newsome currently serves on the ministerial staff as Community Liaison at Open Door Church Dallas under the leadership of Dr. Glenn Tatum. She has been a supporter of the community through the years, currently serves in several capacities at Southern Methodist University including the President’s Commission of the Needs of Persons with Disabilities, President of the Black Faculty and Staff Association, and a member of the newly established Black Unity Forum. She also moderates a weekly live coaching call entitled Keys to Godly Freedom through the International Faith Covenant Fellowship 24-hour prayer line. This ministry is designed to provide practical keys based on biblical principles to understand and unlock unprecedented freedom in daily Christian life.

Emily has been recognized by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority for Outstanding Achievement in the Arts, the Texas Gospel Excellence Awards for Spoken Word, Region 10 Educational Service Center for using her literary works to inspire women to excellence, and by My Second Chance, Inc. as Volunteer of the Year.

Emily has been perfecting her literary craft since the fifth grade. Her poetry has been published in the 1995 and 2005 National Library of Poetry anthologies, both the 1975 and 1996 editions of Lindsay Patterson’s anthology, A Rock Against the Wind, and the 1997 anthology Kente Cloth: Southwest Voices of the African Diaspora, edited by Jas. Mardis. She is also featured on Uncertain Rituals (2013), a CD of short stories by S. Pearl Sharp. Her first self-published volume of poetry, Phoenix, received limited circulation in 1980, and is currently being considered for a second release. In 1997, she published a second collection of poems entitled Seasons of Desire: Love Poems for Ordinary People. Dr. Newsome has several projects in the works, including a spoken work CD, a devotional that captures lessons and exercises from Keys to Godly Freedom, as well as the non-fiction work, Sanctioned Misogyny, focusing on how the church condones the culture of domestic violence, and what we can do to change that culture.

Mona Kafeel has dedicated her life and career to being a change maker. She currently serves as Interim Executive Director at Texas Muslim Women’s Foundation Inc. (TMWF), a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering women and their families through multifaceted programs. She is instrumental in creating domestic violence shelters that are trauma-informed and culturally specific.

Her extensive work with the grass root community has led her to serve on multiple advisory boards, including Asian Advisory Committee to the Congresswomen Eddie Bernice Johnson. Public Policy Commission of Texas Council on Family Council. The policy team researches, works and eventually crafts the legislative agenda pertaining to intimate partner violence to ensure that survivor voices are included.

Mona also serves on the Senior Advisory Board for senior citizens to the Mayor of City of Plano. In this capacity she advises the city council on the issues that are important to seniors living in Plano.

She led a youth led initiative in High schools across Dallas to educate /prevent teen violence. Mona created the Environmental Education Program for children in Plano ISD schools. At Texas Interfaith she led her to develop community programs serving at-risk children, seniors and unemployed adults. A frequent presenter on diversity, inclusion, intersection of faith and family violence.

She was awarded “Education Mentor” by the City of Plano for her work.

Alumni of America Muslim Civic Leadership Institute at USC. Alumni Leadership Plano.

Karen T. Craddock is an Applied Psychologist, certified EQ Practitioner and personal/executive coach. She has special interest in socio-cultural contexts and relational frameworks that center on issues of equity & wellness, leadership & partnership, and capacity building across sectors. Her practice is grounded in psycho-emotional functioning, relational-cultural theory and connection which include explorations of race/gender, resilience, creative expression and the neuroscience of inclusion. Dr. Craddock is a Visiting Scholar at the Wellesley College Centers for Women and currently collaborates on projects to advance equitable social-emotional learning and wellness in multiple settings. She is co-founder of The Wellness Collaborative, Inc. focusing on interdisciplinary initiatives and learning platforms that address disparities, uplift strengths, and anchor traditional cultural modalities for healing, especially those integrating mental health and wellness. Among her writing and editorial works include Black Motherhoods: Contours, Contexts and Considerations, ‘Why Racialized Exclusion Hurts and How We Can Remain Resilient, and Social and Emotional Learning During COVID-19 Crisis: Equity Lens Reflection. She is a tribal member and chair of the Safe Harbor for the People of the First Light, Aquinnah Wampanoag, and steering member/chair of the equity & inclusion committee for the Social-Emotional Learning Alliance for Massachusetts, as well National Advisor for Social-Emotional Learning for United States. (Ed.M. Harvard University; Ph.D. Tufts University)

Shawana O. Carter is the Founder and Chief Hope Dealer of Carter’s House, an entrepreneur, and an advocate for low-income parents and children. Shawana is a speaker dedicated to helping others see the endless possibilities that await them. Born in San Antonio, TX, Shawana knew early on that she was here to help others. Reared in the church, she grew up with and still has a strong relationship with God. Shawana is the oldest of four children born to Eddie and Wanda Carter. Growing up, Shawana was always the protector, and others called on when they needed advice. Becoming a teen mom at seventeen, Shawana grew up quickly. Like all other situations she has dealt with in her life, she faced this transition from teen to mom head-on. As a former single mom, she has valuable knowledge of how hard some days and nights can be, but she also knows the rewards of seeing your child begin to grasp that you are doing the best you can. Shawana’s most crucial role in life is that of mom to four beautiful children: Quynton, De’Andre, MyKaylah, and Grace. To Shawana, like most mothers, her family is everything. So when she and Edwyn found themselves technically homeless, living in a motel with three of their four children, she was beyond distraught. They had no money, no real address, and four children looking at them for guidance. Life had indeed happened and kicked them down; however, her unshakeable faith kicked in. In 2013, after several years of trying to figure out what she was supposed to be doing with her life, Shawana was lead to start Carter’s House, a children’s clothes bank serving children ages 0-18. In the beginning, there was a lot of doubt about what to do and how to do it, but remembering how she and Edwyn felt when they couldn’t provide, she knew this is what she was supposed to do. So she prayed and pressed forward while often repeating one of her favorite statements - “Where God gives vision, He gives provision.” Carter’s House is now seven years old. Carter's House provides clothing to children and teens in Dallas County. Carter’s House has established partnerships with several organizations through Dallas and Tarrant Counties. Carter’s House has provided clothing to over 5,500 children to date. Shawana is the owner of QDMG Enterprises and is planning to release her own line of affordable school uniforms in the Spring of 2021. Shawana is a purposeful optimist who believes in the power of a smile. She is committed to leaving a positive impact on all she encounters.

Yulise Reaves Waters, Esq. is Deputy Director of the Lone Star Justice Alliance. She oversees the program and team development, partnerships management, and community engagement aspects of the Transformative Justice model in the Second Chance Community Improvement Program (SCCIP—pronounced “skip”) in Dallas County and in the Rehabilitative Interventions and Supports for Emerging Adults Program (R.I.S.E.) in Williamson County. Previously, Waters was a Dallas Assistant City Attorney where she co-founded SCCIP - the first-ever specialty court for young adults in the State of Texas - which was awarded the 2018 National Association of Drug Court Professionals’ Equity and Inclusion Award for “excellence and leadership in demonstrating and promoting cultural proficiency in treatment court services.” Waters holds B.A. degrees in English (magna cum laude) and Spanish (magna cum laude), a B.B.A. in Organizational Behavior and Business Policy (magna cum laude), and a Juris Doctorate, all from Southern Methodist University, where she is a member of the Inaugural Emerging Leader Board at the Dedman School of Law. Waters holds memberships in the Juvenile Law, Criminal Justice, and Collaborative Law Sections, and is a member of the Leadership Dallas Class of 2020. Nationally, her commentaries on race and justice have been featured on syndicated radio and in major U.S. city newspapers. Waters is the recipient of numerous honors including the 2020 SMU Dedman School of Law Distinguished Alumni Emerging Leader Award, Dallas Business Journal “40 Under 40,” Prairie View A&M University Ministers Conference Outstanding Leader Award, Texas Muslim Women’s Foundation Peace Champion Award, DFW Millennial-to-Watch, Texas State Fair Juanita J. Craft Catalyst Award Honorable Mention, and the SMU Black Alumni’s History Maker Award.

Thana Hickman-Simmons grew up on the south side of Chicago in a very middle-class home. As a teen, she found herself facing an unplanned pregnancy at the age of 17, just as she received her acceptance letter for college. At the time, she did not understand the shift in her plans.

Thana was determined to finish what she started, although the journey had shifted. Thana was never homeless due to the amazing support system she was blessed with. Her parents, sisters and godmother were the support system that helped her realize that she could have a husband, children and still obtain a degree and career. Thana started an insurance career at the age of 21 and continued the journey of completing a degree in Business Administration now with three daughters. Her support system with grand!

As Thana evolved in her journey, she relocated to Dallas in 2007. Thana realized that she was blessed with something that many girls did not have, a real mother, a father, a surrogate mother and a village of women around her, thus Viola’s House was formed in 2008 as a mentoring program to give aid and support to teen mothers. Thana’s passion was undeniable as she felt all teen mothers deserved support and the opportunity to obtain education and a successful career to take care of their children. Shortly after the inception of the mentoring program, Thana realized that so many teen mothers in the Dallas area lacked housing and became homeless after learning of their pregnancy for various reasons. Hence, a residential program for homeless expectant teen mothers was started. Through a partnership with Cornerstone Baptist Church, Viola’s House opened one apartment with two beds in 2015 to start the residential program. Within six days, there were approximately 10 applicants for two beds! Shortly thereafter, more apartments were opened and Viola’s House was at capacity at all times with 7-8 homeless expectant teen mothers and their newborn babies after they gave birth.

Years later, Viola’s House has given a safe home, a bed, and programming to over 50 homeless teen mothers in South Dallas. Viola’s House currently operates out of a newly renovated state of the art facility which holds six mothers and six babies. There is staff on site 24 hours a day and licensed counselors, mentors, and educators who partner to ensure the growth and success of our residents.

Thana currently holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, is a certified Life Coach and holds a license of ordination in ministry. Thana has had a successful insurance career for 20 years for several top insurance companies as a catastrophic claims manager. Due to her longstanding career, Thana has discovered her passion for contract law and will begin the journey of Law School at UNT Dallas College of Law.

As the Executive Director of Viola’s House, Thana has found her greatest joy in serving homeless teen mothers as they transition from homelessness to self-sufficiency. Thana is blessed with three beautiful daughters who now serve at Viola’s House in various capacities and she resides in Dallas, TX.

My journey began with a mother that was a very loving, nurturing and insightful woman. My childhood was filled with joy and enrichment. She shared a lot of her wisdom with me throughout my childhood and gave me all of the tools she felt I needed to become a successful independent woman. I was a member of a synchronized swim team, Girl Scouts, Jr. Red Cross Volunteer; voted Most Popular in High School, Captain of Competitive High School Swim Team, and Varsity cheerleader; traveled outside and throughout the U.S. before 18 years of age. I attended University of Southern California and graduated from Texas Women’s University. I received a Bachelor’s of Science Degree and Master’s degree in Education with a certification in Early Childhood Education, was selected as a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader, voted DISD teacher of the Year and was a recipient of the Golden Apple Award from Hartford Public Schools. I taught kindergarten in DISD for 13 years and 2nd and 5th grade for 2 years in Hartford, Connecticut. I mention these accomplishments because I had a wonderful and loving childhood. Drug addiction does not apply to any particular socio-economic group or status- quo. The disease of addiction robbed me of all the positive things in my life for which I had worked. Instead of prosperity, my addition took me to a place of emotional, spiritual and physical bankruptcy. I used drugs for 10 years. It was not until I reached a place of extreme hopelessness that I realized that jails/institutions were not a part of the vision my mother had for me. This is when I sought help to recover. In June of 2003 I began my journey of long term recovery, a new journey that involved walking a totally different path. This journey involves me helping others. I am currently certified by the State of Texas as a Peer Recovery Support Specialist and have a Masters in Social Work from Texas A&M- Commerce University. I am motivated by my commitment of making a living amends to my mother, who died before I got clean/sober. I know that my dedication to help others would make her proud of me. I began praying for direction and realized that my passion for children was still there. I also discovered a new passion which involved working with women suffering from the same disease that so affected my adult life. Through prayer, my vision became clear. I wanted to give women and children the same hope, comfort and stability that had sustained my growing up. It was with this vision that Hopeful Solutions was born.

Shaylon Scott is a native Texan from a rural East Texas town with a burning desire to make an impact in the world. She has effectively blended a career in the nonprofit and for-profit sectors while raising two children as a single parent. She has a Bachelors of Science in Criminal Justice from Wiley College with an educational background in Public Relations and Communications from the University of Texas at Arlington.

She has experience and knowledge working in local government managing millions of HUD dollars, Rural Development and TDHCA funded housing and community programs. She has experience in grant writing, program creation and implementation. In the nonprofit sector she’s administered education programs to students in Austin Texas on Child Support and Paternity Law from the Texas Attorney General and facilitated trainings and presentations to students in Travis County ISD and the Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program. She previously served as the Community Engagement Manager at VolunteerNow and was the liaison for the City of Dallas’ volunteer driven efforts. She has served on numerous committees for City of Dallas Special Events, programs and initiatives as well as consulted on program implementation and adjustments.

Currently Shaylon serves as the Regional Director of North Texas for On the Road Lending. She presents information sessions on the agency’s mission and programming specifics to large and small groups as well as strategize on outreach efforts to area nonprofits and businesses. Her focus is on expanding the program’s reach in the North Texas Region to further promote its value while partnering and collaborating with organizations that align with OtRL’s core mission. She also works with senior leadership to improve and evaluate processes, technology, innovative ideas and staffing needs.

Most recently she’s received an award for innovation from the financial inclusion roundtable of Dallas and was also honored to win the 2018 Social Venture Partners Impact Investment Pitch competition. As the newly elected President of Collin County Social Services Association she continues to use her platform to elevate the needs of the community and the nonprofit sector as a whole.

She served as the Communication & Marketing Chair for the Texas Volunteer Management Conference for three years and freelanced for the Dallas Morning News’ Frisco Insiders blog. She is a graduate of Leadership North Texas University, received the 2016 Outstanding New Volunteer Administrator of the year by the National Association of Volunteer Programs in Local Government and currently serves on the advisory committee for Collin County families IMPACT initiative. She recently launched a new business venture called Book Mecca, an online black bookstore and platform for black literature and their authors. She is an avid reader, aspiring writer and has also expanded her speaking portfolio. Her career is continuously accelerating and growing while she continues to learn new skills and reach out for new opportunities to advance and make a larger impact in her community.

Esteria Miller will share her journey that changed her life forever. Esteria is a Healthcare professional with a passion for global health. A published commentator and speaker with a national platform, she has expertise in project and program management for chronic disease initiatives in vulnerable populations. During a season of brokenness, she completed training at Shalom Bible College and Seminary receiving her Doctorate in Nouthetic Counseling and Biblical Studies. She is currently in her first year of coursework toward a PhD in Christian Education at Shalom.