Fostering Success for Young Women in both K-12 and Higher Education.
Meet our consultants
Dr. Shannel Batten
About
Dr. Batten-Walker is a passionate educator with 25+ years of experience dedicated to fostering student success. With an unwavering belief that all students can excel, Dr. Batten-Walker has devoted her career to creating inclusive and supportive learning environments. Her commitment to personalized instruction and innovative teaching methods has empowered countless students to reach their full potential. Dr. Batten-Walker’s dedication to educational equity and her belief in the inherent potential of every learner continue to inspire both colleagues and students alike.
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Areas of Expertise:
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Parent involvement
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Grade retention
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Classroom management
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Growth mindset
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Helping your child succeed
Dr. Tacquice Wiggan Davis
About
Dr. Tacquice Wiggan Davis is a Jamaican born, New York raised, New Jersey and North Carolinian educated; administrator, educator, consultant, and keynote. Over the course of the last 20 years, she has proven to be a transformational leader who is not afraid to dive into topics such as diversity, equity, justice, and inclusion, leadership development, operational management, healthy relationships and boundaries, and self-love to name a few. Here are two testimonials from her clients which speak to who she is and her approach to her work: “No matter the individual, Dr. Davis has the ability of reaching deep into someone and pulling out their inner leader from within. She has an unbelievable way of pushing individuals to maximize their true potential and their ability to be an effective agent of change in society.” “Dr. Davis displays an open, transparent leadership style; a deep and intersectional understanding of the dynamics of difference, privilege, and power; profound emotional maturity, unimpeachable integrity, intelligence, exceptional judgment, creativity, diplomacy, humility, the ability to inspire, and the gravitas necessary to achieve ambitious goals.” But of all the individuals who call on her, her three favorite people call her mom!
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Areas of Expertise:
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Leadership Development & Mgmt.
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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
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Effective Supervision
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First Generation Programs
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Strategic Planning
Maryann Diaz
About
Maryann Diaz is a first-generation college graduate with more than 15 years of experience in education, social services, and social justice. With an unwavering commitment to advancing equity in education for BIPOC scholars and their families, Maryann works incessantly to support all stakeholders in understanding that trauma not transformed, is trauma transferred.Leading with compassion, grace, and emotional intelligence, she advocates that healing trauma is true liberation. In her current role, Maryann serves as a School Social Worker and Co-Equity Lead for Comp Sci High in Bronx, NY. With an awareness of the Social-Ecological Model, Maryann aims to improve the quality of transactions across various societal systems for transformation to occur. A call to action she has to fellow colleagues: You cannot fear the population you serve. To be a positive disruptor and provide the gift of impermanence, one's accurate self awareness is critical. A call to action she has to our youth: Trauma is not your fault AND healing is one’s birthright.
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Area of Expertise:
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Social Work
Pache Felton
About
Areas of Expertise:
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Curriculum Developer
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Executive Education Instructor
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Strategic AI In Human Resources
Lakeesha Eure
About
With a specialized focus on trauma, domestic violence, sexual assault, and community violence, Lakeesha is a sought-after community-based therapist. Her unique skill set involves activating trauma-focused wraparound services and community-based interventions, aimed at healing communities in need.
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Areas of Expertise:
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Violence Prevention
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Restorative Justice Practices
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Trauma & Recovery
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Organizational Strategy & Planning
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Leadership Management
Dr. Temeshia Lemons
About
Dr. Temeshia Lemons is the Director of Advising for University College at Montclair State University. Mrs. Lemons is responsible for leading the strategic and day-to-day academic advising operations of University College and supervises a team of professional academic advisors, and academic success coaches. She leads the professional advising team in developing innovative, student-centered support strategies for pre-major (undeclared) college students, including technology-enhanced advising solutions, data-informed processes and initiatives, and seamless collaboration with University College's exploratory academic programming efforts. Dr. Lemons received her B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Public Speaking and her Master of Education in Higher Education from Salisbury University, and Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration with a focus in Educational Leadership.
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Areas of Expertise:
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Academic Advising
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College Preparation & Exploration
Karima McKenzie
About
Former teacher, athletic supervisor, and now vice principal, Karima McKenzie, has experienced burnout and mental health struggles firsthand. Now, she is dedicated to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion by teaching teens and young adult women how to love themselves unconditionally and treat their bodies with respect. In her workshop, Karima will share practical strategies from her book to help teens and young women honor themselves, their families, and their schools while navigating the challenges of being a student or educator. Participants will leave feeling inspired, empowered, and motivated to face these challenges from a place of grounding and centeredness.
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Areas of Expertise:
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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
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Social Emotional Learning
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Health & Wellness
Dr. A. Tamika Quick
About
Dr. Alberta “Tamika” Quick is a first-generation college student born in Harlem, New York City, and raised in Passaic, NJ. She holds a B.A. in Marketing and Communications from Ramapo College of New Jersey, an M.A. in Counseling with a concentration in Student Affairs Personnel from Montclair State University, and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Saint Peter’s University. She currently serves as the Assistant Secretary, Academic and Student Support Programs for the NJ Office of the Secretary for Higher Education (OSHE).
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Over the course of the last nineteen years, Dr. Quick has worked in higher education, with areas including student affairs and diversity education. Dr. Quick’s growing passion lies in empowering, advocating, and supporting young women of color.
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In 2019, Tamika decided to align her passion with her purpose and created her own 501c3 non-profit organization Leading Young Women, Inc an organization that looks to support black and brown girls building lifelong learners who want to lead the future. The organization strives to inspire and encourage female empowerment, social education, mentorship, and basic life skills that will foster partnerships with parents, community members, and friends.
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Areas of Expertise:
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Student Affairs
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Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
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Strategic Planning
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Restorative Justice
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Women’s Empowerment
Dr. Naima Ricks
About
Dr. Naima Ricks is the Executive Director of After-School All-Stars New Jersey. As the
Executive Director, Dr. Ricks is responsible for setting the chapter’s strategic vision;
overseeing quality after-school programming throughout New Jersey; elevating the profile of the chapter; and developing and executing the chapter’s fundraising plan. Dr. Ricks is a dynamic and visionary leader; she has worked tirelessly to improve the community she has been a part of since the age of two. Dr. Ricks graduated from William Paterson University with a bachelor’s degree and earned her Master's Degree as well as her Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership, Management, and Policy from Seton Hall University, and is also a proud and active member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Currently, she also serves as the 2nd Vice Chair of the Girl Scouts Heart of NJ Board of Directors.​ Dr. Ricks’ primary goal in life is to cultivate young men and women into the leaders of tomorrow.
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Areas of Expertise:
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Leadership Development
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Diversity and Inclusion
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Goal Setting
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Effective Communication
Dr. Elaine Sanders
About
Dr. Elaine Sanders, is the Co-Founder of Harlem Girls, Inc. She holds a B.A. in Forensic Psychology from John Jay College; a M.S. in Organizational Leadership from Nyack College and an Ed.D in Educational Leadership and Management from Capella University. Dr. Elaine is a certified Yellow Belt in Lean Six Sigma, certified in DE&I from Cornell University, an author, licensed realtor, licensed minister, and adjunct professor. She believes there are three essential elements in life that determine success—empowerment, education, and motivation. She speaks at various women’s, youth, and education conferences nationally and internationally. Dr. Elaine conducted professional development training for Teachers College, Columbia University. Over the years she has served as the Dean and Department Chair at Pillar College. Dr. Elaine believes we were born with a greater purpose and sometimes we just need someone to encourage us to be our best!
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Areas of Expertise:
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Emotional Intelligence
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Organizational Change
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Team Dynamics
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Conflict Mgmt.
Dr. Kimberly Wright-White
About
Mrs. Kimberly Wright-White began her career in education over 20 years ago and has served in the capacity of teacher, vice principal and principal throughout her career in education. She led the creation of two newly formed schools in Newark, New Jersey. One was a newly formed public school for girls and the other was a newly formed charter high school of culinary and performing arts. Mrs. Wright-White was also the Founding Principal of both schools.
Born and raised in Newark, New Jersey, Mrs. Wright-White has always had a desire to bring much needed resources to underserved communities. She cared her Bachelor of Arts from Howard University in Washington, D.C. and her Master of Arts from St. Peter's University in Jersey City, New Jersey. Currently, she earned her Ph.D. in Educational Management from Hampton University.
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Areas of Expertise:
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Emotional Intelligence
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Organizational Change
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Team Dynamics
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Conflict Mgmt.
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