EDUCATOR
Upon graduating from New York University, I became an elementary teacher in 1987 with the dream to make a difference in the lives of children, especially children of color. I was fortunate to return to my Queens neighborhood and teach in my childhood school with a diverse student population. My interest in cultural diversity and advocacy for educational equity has continued for decades. It later inspired me to become a literacy specialist to improve the reading skills of my students. Currently, as a full professor of teacher educator at St. Joseph’s University in New York, I teach undergraduate and graduate courses about literacy and cultural diversity. My books, “Sistah Girl: Step Into Your Greatness” and “Yo Bro: Strive Toward Excellence” address the need for diverse literature in bookstores and schools. Further, I perceive my Empowerment Consulting Services, such as my professional development sessions and empowerment workshops, especially with students as an extension of my joy as an educator and proponent of multiculturalism. My sessions are always grounded in literacy theory to insure understanding and diversity continues to be my teaching focus. I am proud to say that my passion to further educate myself to better educate others is still going strong.
LEADER
I pursued my doctoral degree in educational leadership at the University of Virginia to acquire the administrative capacity on policy decision-making in education. For decades, I have been afforded opportunities of various administrative roles that have impacted instructional, PK-12 and higher education, programs. My experiences, such as department chair, program director, and school administrator, have refined my leadership skills to help others to improve theirs. My Empowered Feminine Leadership Workshops are designed to facilitate professional growth of leaders who desire to create a work environment that is conducive to their collaboration, creativity, and compassion. I pride myself in my transformative leadership style that embraces people as unique individuals with unique leadership approaches, learning styles, and work situations.
SISTAH
As women, I believe that despite our age, locale, or SES, we have some cultural similarities and experiences. As a Sistah, I aim to encourage, embrace, and empower other women in their journeys to greatness. I want to support them to appreciate their true selves and utilize their voice and power to advocate for their innate rights. The purpose of my book, “Embrace Your Power: A Sistah to Sistah Conversation”, and the Sistah Hood is to create a safe and nurturing environment for women to flourish and transform into the women they aspire to be. Whatever the role, mother, corporate leader, or teacher, a Sistah must feel free to embrace her feminine energy and gracefully rule her world.