Team Bios
A Little About Us
We started as five women with different backgrounds, experiences and passions. Our common goal was to create more ways for people, whose voices often go unheard, to have avenues to tell their story. "To help and be helped" through stories is what bibliotherapy is all about.
Makida Bey, M.A.
Advisory Board Member
Makida Bey is the Founder and C.E.O. of the Resilience Therapy Center and is passionate about resilience therapy and coaching. Besides providing psychotherapy, Makida has recently been a guest speaker on topics that benefit from resilience coaching, including PTSD, Depression, psychological domains of health, cultural racism,and self care for individuals and communities. She has also assisted with workshops on topics such as microaggression, racial discourse, and how and when to engage others on difficult issues.
Makida has served as a Senior Consultant in the Enterprise Integration Capability area of Booz Allen Hamilton’s Engineering and Operations Team. She worked as a Subject Matter Expert with The Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE) Resilience and Prevention Directorate, specifically in the areas of instructional design and curriculum development. Her expertise includes behavioral health, Employee Assistance Programs, facilitation and training, instructional systems designs, curriculum design and development, training analysis, and health care systems.
She holds an M.A. in Counseling Psychology from Towson University, a B.A. degree in Psychology from Alfred University. She also has a Graduate Certificate in Instructional Systems Design from the University of Maryland and a Graduate Certificate in Leadership Development from The George Washington University. Makida has also completed coursework towards a Ph.D. in Work and Organizational Psychology at Aston University in the U.K.
Makida has served as a Senior Consultant in the Enterprise Integration Capability area of Booz Allen Hamilton’s Engineering and Operations Team. She worked as a Subject Matter Expert with The Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE) Resilience and Prevention Directorate, specifically in the areas of instructional design and curriculum development. Her expertise includes behavioral health, Employee Assistance Programs, facilitation and training, instructional systems designs, curriculum design and development, training analysis, and health care systems.
She holds an M.A. in Counseling Psychology from Towson University, a B.A. degree in Psychology from Alfred University. She also has a Graduate Certificate in Instructional Systems Design from the University of Maryland and a Graduate Certificate in Leadership Development from The George Washington University. Makida has also completed coursework towards a Ph.D. in Work and Organizational Psychology at Aston University in the U.K.
Tabitha Davenport, P.M.P.
Operations Officer
Tabitha's background is as a Senior Project Planning and Control Analyst for a major aerospace government contractor. After starting as a software developer in defense and space, her career shifted to project management. She has implemented Earned Value Management (EVM) as a mission planner and lead analyst in the Aerospace Industry for over 15 years. During that time she balanced her love of math and science by also serving on an EEO Advisory Board with a focus on strategic planning and programming addressing issues facing underserved groups and as an EEO First Responder. In 2006, she became the Director of Program Management for a small defense contractor where she implemented a Program Management Office (PMO) for software development programs.
She achieved her Project Management Institute (PMI) Project Management Professional (PMP) credentials in 2007. Tabitha studied Electrical Engineering at Florida A&M University. She also studied Electrical Engineering with a focus in Aerospace at the University of Maryland.
As Operations Officer of Words Heal, Tabitha uses her experience in strategic development and planning, budgeting and business analysis to maintain sustainable programs; to maintain the Words Heal, Inc. strategic plan and implement new processes and approaches to achieve it; to anticipate future consequences and trends; and to balance the delivery of bibliotherapy programs against the realities of a budget. Tabitha lives in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.
She achieved her Project Management Institute (PMI) Project Management Professional (PMP) credentials in 2007. Tabitha studied Electrical Engineering at Florida A&M University. She also studied Electrical Engineering with a focus in Aerospace at the University of Maryland.
As Operations Officer of Words Heal, Tabitha uses her experience in strategic development and planning, budgeting and business analysis to maintain sustainable programs; to maintain the Words Heal, Inc. strategic plan and implement new processes and approaches to achieve it; to anticipate future consequences and trends; and to balance the delivery of bibliotherapy programs against the realities of a budget. Tabitha lives in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.
Mary Amanda Graham, Ph.D.
General Board Member
Mary Amanda Graham is an Associate Professor at Seattle University in the School Counseling Program. She has worked in community counseling settings as well as schools; in the United States and internationally. She is a certified school counselor for the State of Washington and has worked in elementary, middle and high schools. Dr. Graham is Reality Therapy Certified and a Glasser Scholar. Her research interests include creativity in counseling, counseling supervision, school counseling advocacy and social justice advocacy. She has a extensive background in using bibliotherapy in corrections, schools and at the university level. She has developed a model of counselor supervision based on the tenets and framework of bibliotherapy (The Graham Model of Biblosupervision). Dr. Graham has published four articles on the use of bibliotherapy in supervision as well as one book chapter. She has also facilitated numerous presentations on the topic.
Charlene Phipps
General Board Member
Charlene Phipps lives in Baltimore City and is a very active Servant Leader and an Independent Community Healing Advocate.
She loves working with children, youth, and families to learn about our history. Charlene is the founder (2011) of iRead Book and Activities Klub, which is a community partner with several non-profits, schools, and neighborhood associations where she provides programming, host book clubs, and arranges museums trips and other enrichment activities.
She has collaborated with The Center for Urban Families and also The Reginald F. Lewis Museum on a number of youth programs. For the past fifteen years, Charlene has worked as an Administrative Supervisor and Coordinator of medical and mental health services.
She loves working with children, youth, and families to learn about our history. Charlene is the founder (2011) of iRead Book and Activities Klub, which is a community partner with several non-profits, schools, and neighborhood associations where she provides programming, host book clubs, and arranges museums trips and other enrichment activities.
She has collaborated with The Center for Urban Families and also The Reginald F. Lewis Museum on a number of youth programs. For the past fifteen years, Charlene has worked as an Administrative Supervisor and Coordinator of medical and mental health services.
Paula Potts, M.Ed., RCST, BCPP
General Board Member
Paula is an author/poet, energy medicine practitioner, jewelry designer, dog mom and more.
Her early career as a higher education professional assisting developing colleges, HBCUs and government initiatives was highly touted until disaster struck.
The onset of severe disability in 1988 changed the trajectory of Paula's life in colossal ways. For the next 25 years, she journeyed through devastating losses to ultimately exceed her expectations for recovery through the study and practice of energy healing and the determined pursuit of remedies that work.
In 2005, Paula awakened to the call of storytelling and "poeting"; to fulfill her sacred contract with healing that has become the focus of her courageous quest for purposeful living. For the past decade, Paula's passion to help others heal has found inertia through her writings. A self-
published poetry book, JustPAULA - A Few Words Inside the Mind of Panic, Pain and Healing, was her literary launching pad in 2009. Her memoir, Yesterday When I Was CRAZY: A Sacred Contract With Healing, is poised to invite controversy and critique while inspiring hope and providing insight into Health and Wellness opportunities outside the box. Paula's self-empowerment series entitled, The FEEL BETTER Challenge, a five-part webinar on IMPACTINGU blog talk radio, featuring guided energy exercises is available on paulapotts.com as a resource for learning new tools for self care and building health.
Her early career as a higher education professional assisting developing colleges, HBCUs and government initiatives was highly touted until disaster struck.
The onset of severe disability in 1988 changed the trajectory of Paula's life in colossal ways. For the next 25 years, she journeyed through devastating losses to ultimately exceed her expectations for recovery through the study and practice of energy healing and the determined pursuit of remedies that work.
In 2005, Paula awakened to the call of storytelling and "poeting"; to fulfill her sacred contract with healing that has become the focus of her courageous quest for purposeful living. For the past decade, Paula's passion to help others heal has found inertia through her writings. A self-
published poetry book, JustPAULA - A Few Words Inside the Mind of Panic, Pain and Healing, was her literary launching pad in 2009. Her memoir, Yesterday When I Was CRAZY: A Sacred Contract With Healing, is poised to invite controversy and critique while inspiring hope and providing insight into Health and Wellness opportunities outside the box. Paula's self-empowerment series entitled, The FEEL BETTER Challenge, a five-part webinar on IMPACTINGU blog talk radio, featuring guided energy exercises is available on paulapotts.com as a resource for learning new tools for self care and building health.
Tayaabah Qazi, M.S.
General Board Member (Former)
Tayaabah has been in the field of Education for 15 years. She acquired a B.Sc. in Neuroscience from UCLA. Starting her contributions as a teacher, meanwhile studying to acquire Teacher Certification in Chemistry, she joined the administrative team of a parochial school as a Vice Principal. To strengthen her administrative experience, she pursued and completed a MS Degree program in Educational Leadership.
She developed school improvement plans, designed professional development programs for teachers, created and taught an online training course and facilitated renewal of school accreditation status, before taking a break to homeschool her son. She feels passionate about creating safe and healthy learning environments for young children and adolescents in faith based institutions. Before accepting a position as an Elementary School Director, she volunteered her time tutoring in-need students, designed school improvement initiatives of area schools as well as pursued spiritual guidance through studying divine revelations.
She developed school improvement plans, designed professional development programs for teachers, created and taught an online training course and facilitated renewal of school accreditation status, before taking a break to homeschool her son. She feels passionate about creating safe and healthy learning environments for young children and adolescents in faith based institutions. Before accepting a position as an Elementary School Director, she volunteered her time tutoring in-need students, designed school improvement initiatives of area schools as well as pursued spiritual guidance through studying divine revelations.
Baiyinah Siddeeq, M.A.
Advisory Board Member
Baiyinah, also known by the pseudonym Umm Zakiyyah and her birth name Ruby Moore, is a professional writer and founder and owner of Al-Walaa Publications, whose publications have international readership. She is best known for her novels in the spiritual and intercultural genres. She has also written for magazines and newspapers worldwide and regularly blogs about overcoming spiritual and personal struggles.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, a master’s in English language learning, and is Certified in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA). Her work has been translated into multiple languages and is used in book clubs, schools, and universities in America and abroad.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, a master’s in English language learning, and is Certified in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA). Her work has been translated into multiple languages and is used in book clubs, schools, and universities in America and abroad.
Brian Thompson
General Board Member
Brian A. Thompson, the first African-American to design a US banknote in history, has been employed as a Journeyman Banknote Designer at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing for 30 years. A graduate of the University of the District of Columbia with an Associate Degree in Advertising Design, Brian received an Outstanding Alumni Award in 2001. In 2013, he achieved “celebrity” status as the designer of the new one hundred dollar banknote. Brian’s historic milestone was featured in articles in the Wall Street Journal, Barron’s, Esquire Magazine and on The Tom Joyner Morning Show. An inspired leader, Brian served as Youth Minister for four years and now serves as Assistant Pastor at Gethsemane United Methodist Church in Maryland. He has yet another sacred passion that finds him on college campuses and at schools throughout the DC Metro area as a guest lecturer on Asperger’s Syndrome and mental health advocacy. Brian’s wealth of knowledge and experience is opening doors for many who would not otherwise have access to opportunities for healing and well being. Brian’s message gives hope to the voiceless.
Hena Zuberi
Advisory Board Member
Hena Zuberi is the Editor in Chief of Muslimmatters.org, an award winning web magazine. A community organizer for years, she resides in Washington D.C. where she is the staff reporter for the Muslim Link newspaper. Hena transitioned from television into print and social journalism after working as a TV news reporter and producer for CNBC Asia and World Television News (now Associated Press TV). Her articles have been in published in Motherhood magazine, New America Media, and she has contributed to the CNN Belief Blog, as well as other media outlets. Most recently, Hena's work has been published in the Tree of Life- a resource book by CHAI Parenting Initiative, a nonprofit dedicated to mental health and wellness in the South Asian community. Hena is actively involved in starting Hijrah- a magazine for incarcerated Muslims. She was featured on American Public Media's radio show, The Story, and has spoken at the Society of Professional Journalists Conference.
Passionate about faith based community service, she works closely with the Zakat Foundation of America. Hena served as the Youth Director at the Unity Center in Southern California for ten years. She uses her experience with youth to conduct Growing Up with God workshops in communities around the country.
Passionate about faith based community service, she works closely with the Zakat Foundation of America. Hena served as the Youth Director at the Unity Center in Southern California for ten years. She uses her experience with youth to conduct Growing Up with God workshops in communities around the country.
Faiza Coleman-Salako, M.S.I.S.
Executive Officer / Bibliotherapist / Mediator
Originator of the "PersonalLibrarianServiceTM"
Faiza Coleman-Salako is a behavioral and social services librarian and mediator. She has over twenty years of experience offering research and information services to clients, that are significant for effectively reaching historically disadvantaged populations.
While serving as a K-12 educator, for over ten years, she supported students and their families through bibliotherapy - the therapeutic use of books and information. This experience led to an appreciation for the importance of tailored psychological health awareness and interventions within every community.
Faiza has since worked with public health, mental health professionals, and religious leaders to conduct community based participatory research for decreasing perceptions of loneliness and social isolation. Her interest is in finding the best way to disseminate useable information to increase the likelihood of effective support. She has contributed to projects involving the use of faith-texts to improve health literacy, systematic reviews using integrative medicine, informed decision-making in minority communities and ecological momentary assessment interventions.
As Executive Officer of Words Heal, Faiza uses her experience to help create sustainable programs; to connect people with literature, prose and 'sound' that support their desire for positive change and resolve conflict; and to firmly establish bibliotherapy as a proven aid for psychological well-being.
Faiza holds a Bachelor's degree in Journalism from Butler University and a Master of Science in Information Science from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. She has formal training in Islamic and Quranic Sciences, alternative dispute resolution (including Islamic mediation) and power-based violence prevention. She specializes in bibliotherapy and mediation for couples, families and elders.
While serving as a K-12 educator, for over ten years, she supported students and their families through bibliotherapy - the therapeutic use of books and information. This experience led to an appreciation for the importance of tailored psychological health awareness and interventions within every community.
Faiza has since worked with public health, mental health professionals, and religious leaders to conduct community based participatory research for decreasing perceptions of loneliness and social isolation. Her interest is in finding the best way to disseminate useable information to increase the likelihood of effective support. She has contributed to projects involving the use of faith-texts to improve health literacy, systematic reviews using integrative medicine, informed decision-making in minority communities and ecological momentary assessment interventions.
As Executive Officer of Words Heal, Faiza uses her experience to help create sustainable programs; to connect people with literature, prose and 'sound' that support their desire for positive change and resolve conflict; and to firmly establish bibliotherapy as a proven aid for psychological well-being.
Faiza holds a Bachelor's degree in Journalism from Butler University and a Master of Science in Information Science from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. She has formal training in Islamic and Quranic Sciences, alternative dispute resolution (including Islamic mediation) and power-based violence prevention. She specializes in bibliotherapy and mediation for couples, families and elders.
Sabriyya Ocasio
General Board Member
Sabriyya has 25 years of experience as an educator (K-12), specializing in exceptional abilities and special needs for home and religious educators. She also has marketing (graphic design) and curriculum development experience for non-profit organizations. She earned a Bachelor's of Computer Science from Pace University. She is passionate about the mental and spiritual health of families.
Dr. LaShara Shaw
General Board Member
Dr. Shaw holds positions as clinical counselor, supervisor, and pastoral and Christian counselor. Her background in community mental health, clinics, in-home, and around the bend prepped her to examine policy exploration for a mindful and holistic approach. LaShara is passionate about exploring modalities and relationship strengths to strategize for personal growth. She engages in counseling, ministry, volunteerism, and academic vigor to implement a balance of practical procedures and evidence based models. She approaches outreach, community engagement, and service opportunities with determination, a trauma-informed approach, and respect. oks forward to future endeavors. Cheers!
Maryam Alausa
Social Media/Brand Advocate
Maryam Alausa is studying Health Care Markets and Finance on the pre-med track at the University of Pennsylvania. She hopes to become an Oncologist. She shares her experience with social media marketing with Words Heal, Inc. In her free time on campus, she blogs, takes photos, and listens to NPR podcasts.
Nikia Marie Bilal
Attorney
Nikia Marie Bilal was born and raised on the south side of Chicago. She earned her B.A. in Communications from Loyola University and her J.D. at DePaul University College of Law. A married mother of five children, Nikia currently resides in the northern suburbs of Chicago.
Jeff Nemcher
Multimedia Consultant
Jeff Nemcher is a resident of Naperville, Illinois where he lives with his wife and two daughters, his background in design and education have been utilized in broadcast, multimedia and print production along with the development of distance learning applications. He has focused on the concept of digital storytelling and the importance of allowing the message to drive the medium. Jeff served for years as a volunteer docent with the National Trust for Historic Preservation at the Farnsworth House where he helped with curriculum development, new docent training and visitor tours.
Kimiko
Transcriber
"Youngest of three and animal lover. Eternal learner." Kimiko is a self-taught transcriber, who first learned ten years ago. She also transcribes for other volunteer organizations.
Delicia Powell
Undergraduate Volunteer
My name is Delicia Powell and in my past I have dabbled in a couple of different job sectors. From customer service, retail, leadership roles and working with children, the elderly community, you name it, and I probably have done it. What I have been searching for was a job that was fulfilling where I can inspire others.
I volunteer as a Fitness Instructor for a Senior Citizen home. That is when I discovered that I want to help others in becoming healthy and fit.
As I noticed that I was drawn to helping my community and interested in others succeeding is when I finally felt passion for what I wanted to do.
I volunteer as a Fitness Instructor for a Senior Citizen home. That is when I discovered that I want to help others in becoming healthy and fit.
As I noticed that I was drawn to helping my community and interested in others succeeding is when I finally felt passion for what I wanted to do.
Nashid Rasool
Accountant
Skillfully strategic in demonstrating oversight and guidance over accounting and acquisition operations, Mr. Rasool is an adept financial professional with in-depth experience in significantly enhancing business productivity and maximizing efficiencies.
Vaishali Umrikar
Sound Editor
Vaishali Umrikar is a volunteer podcast editor. She happens to be an avid podcast enthusiast. She first started listening to podcasts to make her work commutes more bearable and her boring warehouse job more interesting. She loves the wealth of free information that podcasts offer. Vaishali is very excited to bring the Elder Diaries project to a wide audience. She hopes to continue learning about podcasting.
