Manifesto

Sondi Lee, a native of Washington, D.C., moved to New Jersey in the early 1990s to defend the constitutional rights of indigent adults and children accused of crimes. She fell in love with Camden and, along with fellow attorneys, purchased property to inspire professional settlement and community revitalization. For 15 years, she championed the city’s growth through economic programs, home ownership, school rebuilding, and public safety initiatives.

Sondi has advocated for neurodivergent students in Camden Public Schools and worked with the Division of Youth and Family Services to protect children from abuse and neglect, enhancing family safety and welfare. As a Program Coordinator at Camden County College, she has collaborated with public agencies to draft wills for the elderly and disabled, supervised student-led efforts with the ACLU and helped to document complaints of excessive police force. She has also participated in community forums on Autism, post-incarceration college attendance, and the benefits of community college for high schoolers.

Sondi is a devoted mother and active church member whose greatest passion is fostering intergenerational family growth. She firmly believes in addressing basic needs as a foundation for healing past traumas and breaking cycles of generational harm.

Jodina Hicks is the President of Volunteers of America of Pennsylvania (VOAPA). In her role, Jodina has executive responsibility for over 180 staff serving vulnerable populations, primarily focused on health equity, community health, and housing. Before VOAPA, Jodina was Executive Director of UrbanPromise Ministries in Camden, NJ. Jodina began her community and missional based work with UrbanPromise in 1988, creating the StreetLeader program, which is a teen employment and leadership initiative, and the UrbanPromise Academy, which serves as an alternative high school for at-risk teens in Camden. Two thousand teens have been employed in Camden through the StreetLeader program, and it has since been replicated in 18 cities and countries. In 2000, she joined Public/Private Ventures, where she helped plan and launch the Amachi children of prisoner’s initiative and the Ready4Work national reentry model (President’s Reentry Initiative). Both Amachi and Ready4Work were highlighted in the White House’s State of the Union addresses and both led to the creation of new federal funding streams, with replications in all 50 states. In 2002, Jodina earned her Juris Doctor from Rutgers Law School (Camden).

Jodina served as Vice President and Chief Program Officer of the Safer Foundation in Chicago, which is the premier prisoner reentry program in the nation. Her policy work at Safer included the writing and passage of state and local legislation aimed at reducing barriers for formerly incarcerated individuals, writing federal recommendations and testimony (including for then U.S. Senator Obama) and contributing to the State’s blueprint policy book. Jodina was named in the top 100 Pennsylvania Non-Profit Leaders in 2022.

Denise Page Baker is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She received her Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and a Master’s Degree in Education from Lincoln University of Lincoln University, PA. Denise is a member of Kappa Delta Pi, International Education Honor Society and has received Teacher of the Year twice. She received the Lincoln University Founders Day Award, and the Lincoln University Graduate Spirit Award in recognition of her passion for encouraging others and giving back to the community.

Denise is an educator with thirty-plus years of experience beginning as a classroom teacher and culminating with a twenty-two-year career in the capacity of a successful school principal and educational administrator.

As an enthusiastic educator who loves watching students achieve success, Mrs. Baker believes that all students can learn. One of her favorite statements to students and parents is “Dare to Dream Big!” Denise genuinely believes that if educators do not teach students to dream big and pursue their aspirations, then something especially important will not happen in their lives and in the lives of their families. Therefore, it is the responsibility of educators to uphold lifelong learning through a holistic design and delivery of effective programming which promotes a comprehensive approach to educating students.

As the saying goes, “Once an Educator, Always an Educator,” Denise continues to advocate and ensure that students have conducive learning environments which are healthy and safe. Moreover, she believes that the home and school must work together collectively to ensure the educational, physical, emotional, and social success of the student. Denise is a member of the First African Baptist Church of Sharon Hill, PA. She is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated. Denise has the love, support and encouragement of her husband of thirty-two years and her two adult sons.

An accomplished leader, influential communicator and exceptional coach, Valerie has a proven history of expertise in developing meaningful coaching & training programs for world-class organizations in both the public and non-profit sectors. Valerie has two decades of proven results in the financial, sales, consulting, and coaching industries as a Financial Advisor. Her success led to the launch of Valor Consulting, Inc. in 2013.

Valerie’s keen ability to identify the obstacles that impede success has enabled her to coach thousands of clients to achieve exponential growth in their businesses. She has strong business acumen, and her skill set extends beyond the coaching platform to consulting with firms to achieve success in practice management, team, and leadership development. She is a prolific speaker on personal growth and travels nationally presenting at leadership and development conferences and forums.

Valerie holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She received her Coach Certification in 2009 from Erickson College in Vancouver, Canada, and Master Coach Certification in 2012.  She is also an Accredited Certified Coach with the ICF.

Dr. Paula V. Boulware-Brown is a clinical psychologist in the states of Pennsylvania and Virginia. Dr. Brown has worked in the field of psychology in varying capacities for 29 years. Most prominently she has held leadership roles as a psychologist in several dual diagnosis treatment facilities including the US Navy and Caron Treatment Center.

Presently she serves as the Associate and Training Director of psychological services at Caron Treatment Centers. Dr. Brown also serves as an adjunct faculty at West Chester and Alvernia Universities. In this capacity, she is charged with training the next generation of psychologists. Additionally, she enjoys consultation and working with professionals looking to enhance their vocational goals. Dr. Brown’s theoretical orientation is Cognitive Behavioral Theory, she holds specialized training in evidence-based psychotherapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Enhancement Therapy, and marriage and family therapy. She holds a BA in Psychology from Messiah College, an MS in Counseling Psychology, an MA in Clinical Psychology, and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Regent University.

Dr. Brown is the author of “Eagles Don’t Eat Chicken Food,” an inspirational book offering strategies for overcoming life’s obstacles with the goal of self-actualization. Dr. Brown uniquely integrates psychology and theology, promoting health and healing through this unique lens. Dr. Brown is married to Pastor Jamal D. Brown, and they have two daughters: Janiyah and Jasmine Brown. The Browns have been united in covenant for 30 years, together they pastor the Family Restoration Worship Center.

Professor Phillips is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has enjoyed serving the community in this capacity for over 30 years.   She has been an Adjunct Instructor for Rutgers University School of Social Work for over 20 years.  She has been a repetitive recipient of the Outstanding Adjunct Instructor Award in the School of Social Work and still finds the experience of teaching energizing and challenging. She also received recognition as the Most Inspirational Instructor from the Intensive Weekend Program. Professor Phillips has worked as the Director of the Resolve: Employee Assistance Program, in the juvenile justice system, and as a consultant/counselor at Homefirst. 

Professor Phillips was a participant in the Social Work committee on Diversity and Race and served as the chairperson of the Rutgers Advisory Council for Continuing Education. Her classes and workshops include a range of topics such as, Diversity, Mental Illness, Spirituality, Relationships, and Topics for People Living with HIV, Resilience, Impact of COVID, Grief and Loss, Pain in the lives of BPOC, Life Cycle Issues, Student Identity and Conflict. She has found a new passion for providing timely and engaging workshops for the online community.

Professor Phillips has a Private Practice in Highland Park, New Jersey. She has facilitated groups for adolescents, women, and grandparents. She enjoys journaling, being a DJ with an I-Phone, hosting gatherings, and feels her mission includes exposing people to the power of truth and connectivity.

Professor Ray joined Rider University in the Fall of 2019. He teaches courses in Legal Ethics and Sports Law in the Legal Studies & Sports Management Department. Prior to joining Rider University, he taught courses in Sports Law, Risk Management, as well as Fitness & Wellness at Raritan Valley Community College. He has also taught online courses in Environmental Law, Policy, and Ethics for Fairleigh Dickinson University.

As an attorney, Professor Ray’s legal experience includes practicing in the areas of criminal defense, worker’s compensation, contract law, family law, small-business legal issues, and real estate.  

In addition to his litigation and teaching experience, Professor Ray also has over 15 years experience working in the fitness industry as a fitness trainer as well as in managerial positions. Professor Ray holds a Bachelor of Arts from Louisiana State University and a Juris Doctor from Rutgers University School of Law. He has been recognized as a Rising Star Recipient by the Hunterdon County Bar Association. 

Shia Tekhna, a native of Newark, NJ, now resides in Camden County, NJ. Renowned for her exceptional team-building and nurturing abilities, Shia has dedicated her career to child welfare advocacy and policy writing.

Shia is an active member of the Camden County East NAACP Branch, where she serves as 1st Vice President and Membership Chair. She also contributes to the Youth Works Committee, volunteering her time to support youth in their fight for social justice. At Be Inc, Shia is a committed volunteer, dedicated to promoting family success.

Shia holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Rutgers University and a Master’s Degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University. She has also completed additional training in Non-Profit Organizational Development, Global Leadership and Administration, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace, and Experiential and Interactive Training Methods.

Shia is a proud mother of two remarkable young adults. In her free time she enjoys traveling and gardening.