Tony Billups is currently the Alabama Workforce Equity Coordinator for Jobs to Move America., a strategic policy center that works to transform public spending and corporate behavior using a comprehensive approach that is rooted in racial and economic justice and achieved through community organizing.
Tony is a long-time HIV survivor. Since beginning his work in HIV in 2013, has focused on stigma reduction in all its forms. Being very passionate about the plight of people living with HIV/AIDS, Tony feels that it is everyone’s responsibility to educate themselves and others as much as possible on HIV/AIDS to help prevent its spread and start erasing stigma. Fighting HIV is an intersectional fight. To eradicate the virus, we have to fight the following: poverty, educational disparities, homophobia, bigotry, and racism. All of these play a part in the spread of the virus.
Toney believes that people fear things that they don’t understand, which is why he doesn’t mind sharing his personal story and experiences to combat stigma, fear and overall ignorance wherever it exists. He asserts, “There was a time when being HIV Positive was a death sentence, now the disease isn’t killing people, fear is.“
Shakita Brooks Jones is a Montgomery, Alabama native and a graduate of Troy State University with a B.S. in social work and a master’s in social work from the University of Alabama. She is working on her Doctorate in Social Work at the University of Alabama. Shakita also has a master’s degree in public administration and a nonprofit management certification from Auburn University Montgomery.
Shakita is an Assistant Clinical Professor within Auburn University’s social work program. She is the founder of Central Alabama Alliance Resource & Advocacy Center. Shakita is also a strategy and facilitation consultant with Radical Optimist, a cooperative team of practitioners that serves to support groups in racial healing learning.
Jeremy Crum is a native of Selma, Alabama and a 2016 graduate of Alabama State University. While obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education, Jeremy was heavily involved in several organizations such as HPER Club, Golden Ambassadors, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and Student Government Association, where he served as SGA President.
Jeremy went on to attend Auburn University at Montgomery where he earned his Master’s Degree in Kinesiology with a concentration in Sports Management. Mr. Crum is a strong advocate for education and has been teaching Physical Education for nine years, coaching track & field for seven years, and coaching football for four years. He loves working with children and serving as a strong positive role model for them.
Shereda Finch has been the executive director at the Council on Substance Abuse-NCADD (COSA) since 2013. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, she has worked in the non-profit arena for over 25 years. Under her leadership, COSA has secured over 12 million dollars to expand and implement substance misuse, HIV, and mental health prevention programs and recovery support services across Alabama. Shereda led the effort to open Montgomery’s first full-service Recovery Community Center, a place where individuals with alcohol and drug problems receive holistic wrap-around services and peer support.
As a member serving on various local and state councils and commissions, she is dedicated to addressing behavioral health issues that impact individuals, families, and communities. Shereda has a bachelor’s degree in political science, two master’s degrees in community health education and public administration, and is currently working on her PhD with a focus on Mental Health Administration.
Yvette Hester serves as the Director of Behavioral Health Prevention at the Council on Substance Abuse (COSA) in Montgomery, Alabama. With 8 years of experience at COSA, she focuses on developing, implementing, and evaluating programs designed to prevent mental health and substance misuse disorders. Her professional background also includes working with individuals with physical, mental, and intellectual disabilities.
Ms. Hester holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling, both from Alabama State University. Additionally, she has earned a graduate certificate in Forensic Vocational Evaluation from Auburn University. This accomplishment has allowed Ms. Hester to work in the areas of career and technical education where she enjoys preparing students not only to be college-bound but career-ready in a vocational pathway of choice.
Nikita McClain is an experienced Human Resource/Organizational Development (HROD)
executive and consultant whose passion is developing talent and thriving workplaces where teams are inspired to optimize their potential and achieve impactful results. As Founder and Principal of Hayes Street Consulting, Nikita brings over 20 years of experience and leadership in areas including HR, Operations, Organizational Development, and Leadership Coaching.
In addition to formal education at the University of Alabama and Western Michigan University, Nikita is a lifelong learner with certifications in HR management, financial counseling, DEIB, non-profit capacity building, and executive leadership to name a few.
Nikita is active in the community serving on boards and councils at Montgomery Meals on Wheels, Family Sunshine Center, and Alabama Committee for Career and Credentialing Pathways. She mentors female professionals with Momentum Leaders. Outside of these things, you will find Nikita enjoying time with family, friends, a good book, or inside Home Goods.
Tasha McDonald Carter has been a full-time entrepreneur for 20 years. Her own experiences in life and business fuel her passion and dedication to helping leaders reach their full potential and pay it forward to a world in need. She currently owns Maximized Growth, L.L.C., a training, and development company. Tasha McDonald Carter is an independent Executive Director with the John Maxwell Team. She is also a Certified D.I.S.C. “Personality Assessment” Consultant under the Maxwell brand.
Through customized courses and training programs specific to leadership, communication, and personal growth, Tasha also serves numerous educators, including the Alabama State Department of Education, Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools, and Alabama Education Association. She is a graduate of Leadership Montgomery, Class XXXIII, and a graduate of Leadership Alabama, Class XXXI. Currently, she serves as an ambassador for the Montgomery Chamber of Commerce.
Elana Parker Merriweather currently serves as the Adolescent & Adult Substance Use (SU) Program Manager at the Alabama Department of Mental Health. Previously, she has served as the Director of Behavioral Health Prevention at COSA, Director of Behavioral Health for Medical Advocacy & Outreach, Health Services Administrator in the Offices of Minority & Women’s Health and Center for Emergency Preparedness at the Alabama Department of Public Health, and Reentry Coordinator at the Alabama Department of Corrections.
EElana has an Ed.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from AL State University, an M.Ed. in Community Agency Counseling & BBA in Marketing from the University of Montevallo. She is a member of the AL Alcohol & Drug Abuse Association (AADAA), AL Counseling Association (ACA) & Advisory Board Chair for the Alabama School of Alcohol & Drug Studies (ASADS). Elana is married to Retired Army Colonel Anthony Merriweather and they have three blessings, Jeremy, Joshua, and Alex.
Cheryl Riley has been a beacon of inspiration in the field of education, leaving an indelible mark on countless lives for other 30 decades. With a remarkable career spanning 35 years, Cheryl’s journey began as a dedicated Math and Science teacher, where she honed her skills for over 25 years before transitioning into administrative roles.
As a respected workshop facilitator and presenter, she shares her wealth of knowledge on community building, effective communication, and classroom management at local and national education conferences. Cheryl has lent her leadership to school accreditation teams across the United States, ensuring educational standards are met with excellence.
As a three-time published author and certified life and career coach, she extends her guidance to help individuals realize their full potential in all aspects of life. Cheryl actively serves on various educational boards and remains a member of several professional organizations. Cheryl currently resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, with her husband, Alvin, and finds joy in being a loving parent to three adult children and doting grandparent to two adorable grandchildren.
Christopher Thomas is a leading business Entrepreneur, marketing mogul, and motivational speaker. He is passionate about helping his clients reach their highest potential. Before establishing inMMGroup, Christopher worked his way through the corporate and
government sectors to gain the knowledge, skills, and expertise needed to thrive as a marketing and business strategist for clients from any industry. He provides a unique viewpoint to each of his clients and uncovers undervalued potential in their businesses.
Many of his ideas and strategies have led to millions of dollars in profit increases for his diverse portfolio of clients. As an industry leader, Christopher identifies and teaches clients the factors that limit and restrict their business growth. He exposes his clients to a myriad of effective and profitable marketing strategies with lower risk. He also takes successful concepts from different industries and adapts them to a specific business – giving his clients an advantage over their competition.
Dr. Robert White is an educator, legal analyst, and pastor with over 25 years of professional experience. He has been a member of the distinguished faculty of Alabama State University for over 20 years and also serves as an adjunct instructor for other local colleges. Dr. White served as in-house legal counsel for the Alabama Education Association and interim Director of Voter Registration and Elections for the Secretary of State’s Office.
In addition to serving as a government liaison, lobbyist, and professional development agencies, Dr. White is co-founder of the first registered African American alternative energy company in the state of Alabama; Quail Energy. He has produced several radio talk shows, contributed to many scholarly works, published three books and is currently finishing three more on the topic of civil rights and spirituality.
Dr. White has conducted numerous scholarly presentations and served on several committees and boards in the community. He is currently along with his wife, Nichelle, pastoring the Montgomery City of Refuge and the Greenville City of Refuge. Dr. White has one daughter (Charity) and his passion and conviction is raising the consciousness of today’s young people and winning the lost for Jesus Christ