Meet Our Team
The Right Kind of Black Girl is proud of the outstanding leadership and invaluable contributions made by members of our board and our team.
Our Board of Directors
Shambria Williams, MSW
Board President & CEO
Evelyn Williams
Board Member, Treasurer
Entrepreneur
Nikki Maxberry
Board Member
Senior Director, Cox Automotive Inc.
Ashlee Hamilton, JD
Board Member, Secretary
Associate, Pillsbury Law
Gwendolyn Priestley
Board Member
Public Relations & Brand Consulting
LIKE WHAT YOU SEE?
If so, there are many ways and levels for you to work directly with TRKBG, from volunteering, to mentoring, to getting your company involved or attending events. Serving on our Board of Directors is a special opportunity to work shoulder to shoulder with a group of dedicated professionals, executives and entrepreneurs who are contributing to the movement and cultivating funds and providing strategic leadership and planning. Our high functioning Board delivers executive level vision and guidance as TRKBG continues to grow and evolve. On our Board, you can make a high level, long term impact on everything from growth and capital campaigns to marketing, HR and policy making.
Our Team
Hoover over our photos to learn more about our dynamic team
Shambria Williams, MSW
Executive Director
“You are worthy. You are everything your ancestors dreamed you would be and could be. Believe it and honor it, know that the solution is not outside of you." -Anonymous
Shambria is a natural advocate. From fending off bullies as a child to leading organizational change in college, she has never been one to passively complain. A true changemaker, she sees conditions that trouble her spirit, and she shifts seamlessly into generating ideas for change. Shambria is the founder and CEO of The Right Kind of Black Girl. Born and raised in southern California, she has spent over five years as a director of a nonprofit. In this role alone, she has helped over 100,000 California kids receive eyeglasses to achieve classroom success. Shambria grew up in a community littered with injustices—from witnessing her own family struggle with incarceration, poverty and substance addiction to witnessing gang violence and extreme homelessness in her neighborhood. Shambria graduated with a bachelors in sociology and psychology with an emphasis on law and society from California State University, Los Angeles. She went on to graduate with honors from the University of Southern California with a masters degree in social work with a focus on community organization and business innovation.
Shambria is a natural advocate. From fending off bullies as a child to leading organizational change in college, she has never been one to passively complain. A true changemaker, she sees conditions that trouble her spirit, and she shifts seamlessly into generating ideas for change. Shambria is the founder and CEO of The Right Kind of Black Girl. Born and raised in southern California, she has spent over five years as a director of a nonprofit. In this role alone, she has helped over 100,000 California kids receive eyeglasses to achieve classroom success. Shambria grew up in a community littered with injustices—from witnessing her own family struggle with incarceration, poverty and substance addiction to witnessing gang violence and extreme homelessness in her neighborhood. Shambria graduated with a bachelors in sociology and psychology with an emphasis on law and society from California State University, Los Angeles. She went on to graduate with honors from the University of Southern California with a masters degree in social work with a focus on community organization and business innovation.
Mechelle Newman
Chair, Revolutionary Black Girls
Born and raised in the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles, California, Ms. Newman was taught at an early age to be kind and caring towards others, and at the same time “Don’t let nobody play you.” Ms. Newman currently works as a paralegal for the County of Los Angeles, Office of County Counsel in their Dependency department, where she is able to work on cases that help prevent the abuse of children and help reunite families that have been torn apart. Having studied Sociology with an emphasis in Law and Society, her love for serving people and the community led her to want to be part of The Right Kind of Black Girl. As an entrepreneur, her outgoing and fun-loving spirit led her to create “Chaise Moments,” a wedding planning/coordinating company, out of a deep-rooted passion for creating moments that bring people together to create meaningful lasting memories. Ms. Newman currently serves in the Book Club committee for The Right Kind of Black Girl out of her joy of reading and bonding with other like-minded women to discuss various topics drawn out of the diverse book selections they read monthly.
Destiny Henderson
Chair, Queens Building Queens
"We must not, in trying to think about how we can make a big difference, ignore the small daily differences we can make which, over time, add up to big differences that we often cannot foresee.” - Marian Wright Edelman
Originally from a small town in Texas, Destiny relocated to the Los Angeles area with a desire to positively impact the new community in which she became a part of. She views The Right Kind of Black Girl as an opportunity to serve the community, while supporting Black women and girls in the LA area as they pursue their passions and live out their purpose. Destiny has worked in the business development and marketing space for the past 5 years, and is currently pursuing her masters from Johns Hopkins University. In her spare time, Destiny enjoys hiking, stand up paddle boarding, and trying new cultural cuisine Destiny Henderson is a graduate of Baylor University where she obtained a BA in English and minored in Business Administration.
Originally from a small town in Texas, Destiny relocated to the Los Angeles area with a desire to positively impact the new community in which she became a part of. She views The Right Kind of Black Girl as an opportunity to serve the community, while supporting Black women and girls in the LA area as they pursue their passions and live out their purpose. Destiny has worked in the business development and marketing space for the past 5 years, and is currently pursuing her masters from Johns Hopkins University. In her spare time, Destiny enjoys hiking, stand up paddle boarding, and trying new cultural cuisine Destiny Henderson is a graduate of Baylor University where she obtained a BA in English and minored in Business Administration.
Jodie Smith
Chair, Melaninated Mama
Jodie Smith is a proud Los Angeles native who gave up her role as a wife and corporate executive ladder climber in search of a more meaningful career and life, eventually becoming a 500-hr Yoga Teacher, Herbalist and overall Magic Mama with a specific passion for returning natural healing back to her community. Inspired by her own mental health journey and experience with lack of support for individuals and especially women of color she has made it her mission to provide access to tools and methods of self-care, spiritual & holistic wellness and yoga.
Katherine Allen, MHA
Chair, In-Her Beauty
"My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style" – Maya Angelou.
Katherine is a Human Resource professional specializing in Talent Acquisition in Healthcare organizations. She graduated from Park University with a Master's of Health Administration – Human Resource Management. She completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Compassionate to others' needs, Katherine worked with kids and families in disadvantaged communities to help children thrive in and outside of the classroom. An ambitious baker, Katherine founded NoviceBakers.com, a food blog dedicated to bringing easy and rewarding baking experiences to the kitchens of confectionary enthusiasts. Committed to the personal mantra, "Feed your soul to nourish your life." She believes real beauty is an expression of the heart.
Katherine is a Human Resource professional specializing in Talent Acquisition in Healthcare organizations. She graduated from Park University with a Master's of Health Administration – Human Resource Management. She completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Compassionate to others' needs, Katherine worked with kids and families in disadvantaged communities to help children thrive in and outside of the classroom. An ambitious baker, Katherine founded NoviceBakers.com, a food blog dedicated to bringing easy and rewarding baking experiences to the kitchens of confectionary enthusiasts. Committed to the personal mantra, "Feed your soul to nourish your life." She believes real beauty is an expression of the heart.
Tyra McKinney
Chair, Fit for the Culture
Tyra is a Mom, Entrepreneur, and Life Coach dedicated to helping women realize their true life purpose. She has spent many years searching for her true purpose in life, and that journey has lead her through several different industries. After 7 years of being an entrepreneur she has acquired unique and valuable knowledge that will help anyone succeed. She obtained her Bachelors degree at CSU Monterey Bay California and continued into specialized skills like, Bookkeeping, American Sign Language, Life and Health Insurance, Personal Training, Nutrition, and so much more. She started her own bookkeeping service company in 2013 and has plans to turn that into a class for financial literacy. Her main focus in life is to help other reach the life they have been dreaming of through life coaching.
Ashlee Hamilton, MA, JD
Chair, Winners Circle
"Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare. -Audre Lorde"
Ashlee provides administrative support to The Right Kind of Black Girl and serves on various program committees. A native Californian, she has experience in both the education and legal industries. Ashlee has developed a strong sense of devotion to the challenges facing underrepresented and underserved populations, especially the Black community. As part of the first cohort of the UCLA VIP Scholars Program in high school, Ashlee was impassioned as she garnered language and tools to productively address her subtle experiences of racism and subordination. Her experiences have given her a deep appreciation for nonprofits that seek to improve the quality of life of marginalized communities. In her free time, Ashlee reads fiction novels and develops sneaky ways to get her friends and family to eat more vegetables.
Ashlee studied Chinese and Global Studies at the University of California in Santa Barbara, where she received her BA. She also received an MA in Special Education from Loyola Marymount University. During her Juris Doctorate program at UCLA, she specialized in Critical Race Studies.
Ashlee provides administrative support to The Right Kind of Black Girl and serves on various program committees. A native Californian, she has experience in both the education and legal industries. Ashlee has developed a strong sense of devotion to the challenges facing underrepresented and underserved populations, especially the Black community. As part of the first cohort of the UCLA VIP Scholars Program in high school, Ashlee was impassioned as she garnered language and tools to productively address her subtle experiences of racism and subordination. Her experiences have given her a deep appreciation for nonprofits that seek to improve the quality of life of marginalized communities. In her free time, Ashlee reads fiction novels and develops sneaky ways to get her friends and family to eat more vegetables.
Ashlee studied Chinese and Global Studies at the University of California in Santa Barbara, where she received her BA. She also received an MA in Special Education from Loyola Marymount University. During her Juris Doctorate program at UCLA, she specialized in Critical Race Studies.
Beryl Harris
Chair, Book Collective
“The woman who does not require validation from anyone is the most feared individual on the planet.” -Mohadesa Najumi
Beryl provides administrative support to The Right Kind of Black Girl and serves as Co-Chair of the Book Club Committee. Beryl has almost a decade of banking experience, where she has focused on operations, compliance, and risk management. Beryl was raised in a fun, loving, and hardworking military family. Although she moved around a lot, she was very involved in her community. Not only was she an active member of the Boys and Girls Club of Scott Air Force Base, where she played various sports and was a member of the Torch Club, but she also served as a mentor for Freedom Arts Education Center in St. Louis, Missouri. In the various places she called home, she spent her free time tutoring young Black children and serving as a positive role model. After relocating to Los Angeles, Beryl sought community engagement by volunteering with Forgiving For Living, Inc., a nonprofit that restores the self-esteem of at-risk teenage girls by providing tools for a more fulfilling life. On the weekends, Beryl enjoys spending time with her grandparents and exploring Los Angeles. Beryl received her BS in Business Administration and Marketing from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville
Beryl provides administrative support to The Right Kind of Black Girl and serves as Co-Chair of the Book Club Committee. Beryl has almost a decade of banking experience, where she has focused on operations, compliance, and risk management. Beryl was raised in a fun, loving, and hardworking military family. Although she moved around a lot, she was very involved in her community. Not only was she an active member of the Boys and Girls Club of Scott Air Force Base, where she played various sports and was a member of the Torch Club, but she also served as a mentor for Freedom Arts Education Center in St. Louis, Missouri. In the various places she called home, she spent her free time tutoring young Black children and serving as a positive role model. After relocating to Los Angeles, Beryl sought community engagement by volunteering with Forgiving For Living, Inc., a nonprofit that restores the self-esteem of at-risk teenage girls by providing tools for a more fulfilling life. On the weekends, Beryl enjoys spending time with her grandparents and exploring Los Angeles. Beryl received her BS in Business Administration and Marketing from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville
Faith Anumba
Chair, Divine Wellness
"The function of freedom is to free someone else.” -Toni Morrison.
Faith is a somewhat native Angeleno raised in LA and born in Nigeria--and is a graduate of UCLA with a B.S. in Psychobiology. She joined the TRKBG while going through a journey of spiritual awakening and mental wellness after splitting with a long time significant other. Since then, she has developed a passion for helping black women reach their own personal spiritual divinity. Her goal for Divine Wellness is to develop a sisterhood of women who seek to transform themselves emotionally, intellectually, and physically for the better. Her interests comprise of yoga, meditation, writing, hikes, conscious healthy eating and regular exercise, as she is also a member of the Fit for the Culture committee. She currently works as a medical device representative and is pursuing a side career in personal training.
Faith is a somewhat native Angeleno raised in LA and born in Nigeria--and is a graduate of UCLA with a B.S. in Psychobiology. She joined the TRKBG while going through a journey of spiritual awakening and mental wellness after splitting with a long time significant other. Since then, she has developed a passion for helping black women reach their own personal spiritual divinity. Her goal for Divine Wellness is to develop a sisterhood of women who seek to transform themselves emotionally, intellectually, and physically for the better. Her interests comprise of yoga, meditation, writing, hikes, conscious healthy eating and regular exercise, as she is also a member of the Fit for the Culture committee. She currently works as a medical device representative and is pursuing a side career in personal training.
Connie Freeman
Chair, Hey Queen
“Iron sharpens iron; So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” -Proverbs 27:17
Connie is a contract compliance professional in the transportation industry. She has also been an entrepreneur for the past 13 years in the fields of tax preparation, insurance inspection and contract compliance administration. Connie began her corporate career in her early twenties, and she was always that one Black person in the department. This drove her to always do her best on every assignment and to confidently take on additional responsibility without hesitation. As the Chair of Hey Queen Hey, Interim Chair of Queen Be You and an active member in TRKBG, Connie encourages others to exude confidence in all that they do. Connie expects members to wake up with a positive attitude and ready to accept any challenge that may arise. Connie attended Regis University where she earned a BS in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting and Morgan State University (Business Professional Studies) where she obtained a certification in Contract Compliance Administration. Connie’s motto is: “If you have a problem, don’t complain about it without presenting a solution.”
Connie is a contract compliance professional in the transportation industry. She has also been an entrepreneur for the past 13 years in the fields of tax preparation, insurance inspection and contract compliance administration. Connie began her corporate career in her early twenties, and she was always that one Black person in the department. This drove her to always do her best on every assignment and to confidently take on additional responsibility without hesitation. As the Chair of Hey Queen Hey, Interim Chair of Queen Be You and an active member in TRKBG, Connie encourages others to exude confidence in all that they do. Connie expects members to wake up with a positive attitude and ready to accept any challenge that may arise. Connie attended Regis University where she earned a BS in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting and Morgan State University (Business Professional Studies) where she obtained a certification in Contract Compliance Administration. Connie’s motto is: “If you have a problem, don’t complain about it without presenting a solution.”
