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, PhD, MA, RDN
Board Vice President/
Treasurer
- Registered BioNutrition Research Dietitian
- Doctor of Philosophy Degree in health education and promotion with a concentration in nutrition
- Master of Arts degree in health studies at University of Alabama; Bachelor of Science Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Alabama
ashley M. Stringer, LICSW, PIP
BOARD 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
Toi thornton
Board Member
- Co-host of Good Day Alabama; Extra and Traffic Anchor for Good Day Alabama
- Graduate from Dillard University with a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Broadcast Journalism
- Master of Arts Degree in News Media Journalism
- Currently a Ph.D. student at Liberty University
- Previously taught journalism as an Adjunct Professor at Spring Hill College in Mobile, AL.
- Currently serves as the Public Relations Director for the International AIM Convention of the Church of God in Christ
- Creator and Host of a web show and Podcast within the WBRC Network called, Undisclosed Trauma with Toi Thornton
- Member of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated, the National Association of Black Journalists, and the Rotaract Club of Birmingham
- Board Member for youth organization, Ignite Foundation
- Affiliated with the Restoration Academy Advisory Council
Jean McCrady, PhD
Board Member, Ex-officio
- She acquired business education at North Alabama College of Commerce in Huntsville
- She later obtained an AA degree, Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Sociology, & a PhD in Leadership & Human Behavior
- Has started and managed a number of businesses, including manufacturing, business barter exchange services, ostrich farming, recreational real estate business development, and other enterprises
- Since 1958, she has devoted considerable time to community volunteer services, as a founding board member of several organizations, serving as President or Chairman of local, state, regional, and national organizations
- Currently she chairs the board CASA (Care Assurance System for the Aging and Homebound) in Marshall County
- Currently serves as a volunteer business coach at the Catalyst Center for Business & Entrepreneurship
- She commenced competitive racing at age 82, and has accumulated 14 state age records, ranging from one mile to 10k distances
- Her most recent record (in the Fall 2022), was for the 5k distance at age 89
James Venable
Board Member
- Bachelor of Business Administration Degree from Marshall University
- Retired Human Resources Professional
- Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Member
- Advocate for initiatives that promotes community and self-worth
TANGIE M. MACON, LICSW, PIP
BUSINESS PARTNER
- Bachelor of Business Administration Degree from Marshall University
- Retired Human Resources Professional
- Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Member
- Advocate for initiatives that promotes community and self-worth
GWARMEKIA STURDivant
Director of Mentoring
- Author of 10 inspirational and motivational books, including I’m Not Kissing the Frogs, Altar Call, & Colors, Shapes and Sizes
- She is driven by her passion to be a vessel for God’s use as she mentors and motivates youth and young women
- She has previous volunteer experience as a Bible school teacher and reading to children at the Boys & Girls Club
- Her goals are to reach teen girls and young adults by giving them honest feedback from life challenges and helping them learn from those challenges and experiences
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
Doris Barren
Parenting Program Facilitator
- Bachelor of Science in Business Management
- Author of ‘Change Your Mindset/Save Your Child: Saving Our Children by Healing Ourselves‘, along with its companion guide ‘Change Your Mindset/Save Your Child: My Mindset-Transformation Guide
- Working with and advocating for our young is a lifelong passion; this began with her own three daughters
- Organizations Doris has work with for youth include the Campfire Program (formerly Campfire Girls), the Boys Scouts Explorer Program, Juniors Achievement’s Business and Career Readiness Program (aimed at Middle School students), and Vacation Bible School at her Church
- Currently a Professional Development Specialist with Imagine Learning, a developer of award-winning digital language, literacy, and math programs used by K-12 students across the nation
- Member of the Tutoring Program at her church where she helps students from elementary through high school
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”
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
- Certified Recovery Support Specialist
- 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
Mentor
- 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
Mentor
- 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
Samantha Houston
Peer Mentor
- Certified Recovery Support Specialist
- 4 years of recovery
- Recovery advocate, peer mentor, and peer innovator
- She is an internship supervisor, where she trains individuals in recovery to become Certified Recovery Support Specialists
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
Yakima Burch, LPC
Mentor
- Obtained her undergraduate degree in criminal justice at Alabama State University in Montgomery, AL
- Later pursued a Masters Degree in Criminal Justice/Public Safety at Auburn University at Montgomery
- Obtained her Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree at Troy State University in Montgomery
- Founder of F.E.E.L. Counseling & Wellness Services
- She enjoys traveling, spending time with her fur baby, and trying new cooking recipes
Danielle Square, BSN, RN
Mentor
- Over 10 years of nursing experience
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Jacksonville State University
- 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