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 of seeing a need in the community, her family’s generational history of addiction and personal trauma that she has experienced
CIara mitchell, RD
Board Vice President/Treasurer
- Registered BioNutrition Research Dietitian
- 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
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
- Formerly 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“
ashley M. Stringer, LICSW, PIP
assistant secretary
- Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
- Master of Social Work degree from the University of Alabama; Bachelor of Social Work degree from UAB
- Over 9 years experience in the social service field, specializing in mental & behavioral health, foster families and trauma informed care
- Has served as a field instructor throughout her social work career and is passionate about shaping the next generation of social workers
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
- Author of “The Presence of Peace”
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 in the 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
- Bachelor of Science in Education from Tuskegee University
- Master of Education from The University of Alabama at Birmingham
- 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”
- 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 from Andersonville Theological Seminary on Albany, GA
- Has extensive experience volunteering with local community organizations helping others, building relationships, being a resource for those in need and networking
mARIA hATCH
COMMUNITY 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
- Currently a Certified Community Health Resource Worker
AMBER UNDERWOOD, msw
RECOVERY EDUCATOR
- Master of Social Work Degree from the University of Alabama
- Bachelor of Social Work Degree from the University of Alabama
- Professional experience includes mentoring young girls and counseling women with substance use disorders
- A trailblazer for individuals to be empowered to embrace their God-given identity so they can fulfill life’s purpose and become their best whole self
- An author, businesswoman, and social servant involved in a variety of community initiatives
- She enjoys drinking coffee, reading books, camping out in local coffee shops, growing through life lessons, and traveling globally