MEET THE TEAM
“People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.”
-Theodore Roosevelt
Martina Dailey, LMSW
FoundeR/Board President
- Licensed Social Worker in the State of Alabama
- Master of Social Work from the University of Alabama
- Bachelor of Social Work from UAB; Associates in Applied Sciences degree from Lawson State Community College Birmingham
- Graduate of the Operation Hope Entrepreneurial Training Program
- Generalist social worker with professional experience in various sectors of the social work profession, including Therapeutic Foster Care, Adolescence substance use, Nephrology and women substance use
- Martina’s desire to open and operate New Awakening is birthed out seeing a need in the community, her family’s generational history of addiction and personal trauma that she has experienced
Sherita Acoff
Board Vice President/Treasurer
- Over ten years experience as a Financial Consultant, senior technician, and branch manager
- Bachelor of Science Degree from Athens State University; with a major in business management and minor in finances
- Associate of Science Degree from Calhoun Community College in Huntsville, AL; Major: Business Administration
- Currently works in the banking industry, where she utilizes her knowledge of finances and business to provide customers with an exceptional banking and customer service experience
Travae Griffith, BSW, MA
Board Secretary
- Master of Arts in Marriage, Couples and Family Counseling from UAB
- Bachelor of Science in Social Work from UAB
- Currently employed at UAB as a Case Manager for Treatment Alternatives to Street Crimes (TASC) Jefferson County Drug Court Program
- Owner of El Sagrario Comprehensive Marriage Service Center, LLC
- Author of “Fanning the Flames: A Guide to Building and Sustaining a Godly, Rewarding Marriage“
Tangie M. Macon, LICSW, PIP
Business Partner
- Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
- Master of Social Work from Alabama A&M University
- Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (minor in Psychology) from UAB
- Clinical Therapist experience with Work in Progress Counseling Services, LLC
- Previously worked as a Clinical Social Worker at Cooper Green Mercy Hospital for 14 years
- Currently employed at the Birmingham Veterans Administration Hospital as a Clinical Social Worker for the past 10 years
- Currently work as a Clinical Therapist at Willow Grace Wellness in Birmingham, AL
Judge Maria fortune
Court liaison
- Received her B.S. from the University of Northern Colorado and Juris Doctorate from the University of Denver College of law
- Serves as a District Judge in the criminal division
- Prior to taking the bench, she had her own law practice, specializing in a variety of areas of law
- Previously served the citizens of Jefferson County as a Special Circuit Court Judge in Family and Criminal Court
- Member of the Alabama State Bar, Colorado State Bar, Washington DC State Bar, the Women’s Lawyers Section, and the Criminal Justice Section of the Birmingham Bar Association
- Currently the presiding Judge for the Drug Court program in Jefferson County, Birmingham Division
Feleciana Williams
Program Assistant
- Graduated from x-ray school at Carraway Hospital in Birmingham, AL
- Certified and registered as a Radiologic Technologist at the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists
- She is an advocate for community and organizational initiatives that promotes quality health care for disadvantaged groups
- Currently employed at The Kirkland Clinic, specializing in conducting mammograms and other x-rays
Evangelist Barbara Ross
Peer mentor
- Is the founder of a ministry: Faith, Fashion, and Finance; the Owner of Unique Boutique
- Is a licensed and ordained minister and a teacher and preacher of the Gospel
- Has over 20 years of recovery
- Has volunteer experience of with speaking at various women’s shelters, offering hope, encouragement and motivation to members of the community
Danielle Square, RN
Health Educator
- Over 10 years of nursing experience
- Graduated from Wallace Community College Selma with her Licensed Practical of Nursing in 2010 and Associate Degree in Nursing from Wallace Community College Selma in 2015
- She has worked in the nursing homes and hospitals Black Belt area caring for the community
- Now she serves as the Director of Nursing at Montgomery Women’s Facility in Montgomery, AL
Cynthia Ward
spiritual life coach
- She has a calling to inspire, uplift, encourage and serve others
- She has inspired others through teaching, volunteering, acting and playwriting
- Author of a children’s book, titled “God Hears Me”
- She has a parenting program called “Parenting on Purpose”
Cynthia is currently a Parent and Childbirth Educator with Birmingham Healthy Start Plus, Inc.
brenda Bush
peer mentor
- Over 5 years of recovery
- Graduate of WorkFaith Birmingham Job Readiness Program
- Previous work experience includes providing personal mentoring, coaching and advocacy for members of the recovering community
Melissa Powe
Community connections advisor
- Bachelor of Science degree in Human Resource Management from Faulkner University
- Master of Biblical Counseling
- Has extensive experience volunteering with local community organizations helping others, building relationships, being a resource for those in need and networking
Ciara Mitchell, RD
nutrition Educator
- Registered Dietitian with experience in clinical nutrition, research, higher education, and scientific writing
- Master of Arts degree in health studies at University of Alabama; Bachelor of Science Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Alabama
- Currently pursuing Doctor of Philosophy degree in health education and promotion with a concentration in nutrition at UAB
- Interest relates to the role of nutrition in chronic disease management, especially among marginalized communities
Maria hatch
outreach specialist
- Business of Administrative Management Degree from Virginia College
- Founder of Maria’s Women Health and Wellness
- Member of the Order of Eastern Star
- President/Head chaperone for Fairfield band
- Active member in the community, with volunteer experience in feeding the homeless, community clean up, back to school, and with senior citizens