Shakiea A.
SUPERPOWER: Resilent Leader
Detroit, MI
Shakiea Arnold-Childs is a mother of 4 children, grandmother of 1, married, is resilient, and is very strong woman in this world.
She has a lot of notches in her belt, an abundance of hobbies, skills, and accomplishments. Hobbies such as laughing, dancing, and skating. Skills to help others in the areas of mental health awareness, parent leadership, event coordination, literacy courses, welding, cooking, and the ability to facilitate and train these skills to support her passion in helping families in her community. She is a graduate of CFAF, a graduate of the EJAM Fellowship, and is a certified Michigan Navigator. She recently graduated from welding school, but her greatest accomplishment is making it through the day alive.
LaQuitta B.
SUPERPOWER: Fierce Optimism
Detroit, MI
The desire to care for her mother in her golden years is what drove LaQuitta to become a certified nursing assistant, but being a teen mother of a child with a mental health illness is what fueled her passion for advocacy. LaQuitta has a soft spot for those that are in need and the reward for her work is the companionship. Whether lobbying for safe staffing as a union steward, fighting for services for her children’s special needs or caring for her patients she uses her talents to break through tragedies to find comfort and community. LaQuitta has recently completed her early childhood education certification with honors. She is also a Community Outreach Coordinator for Detroit Champions of Hope, is involved in Wayne State University’s Citizenship for Health program, and is a parent in the Brightmoor Alliance’s Early Life Alliance Program.
Amy B.
SUPERPOWER: Hope Giver
Ypsilanti, MI
Amy Bonner, born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, to Puerto Rican parents, is a mother of three, a certified Community Health Worker, and a licensed massage therapist. Passionate about serving underserved populations and addressing social determinants of health (SDOH), she is the founder of Wash and Care, an organization providing free laundry services and holistic support. As a Community Influencer with MDHHS and a graduate of CFAF, Amy is committed to advocating for families, promoting healthier lives statewide, and enjoys traveling to explore new ways to serve and connect with others.
Felisha C.
SUPERPOWER: Healing Heart
Albion, MI
Felisha has raised four children as a single mother, four who are now in college and one who is in high school. She is a licensed nursing assistant and has a general studies degree from Kellogg Community College. Felisha is a life-long Michigander and lives in Albion.
Felisha is passionate about increasing food access in her community, working at a local food distribution center for over five years. Working there is important to her because she knows what it is like to experience food insecurity, and she wants people in need to see an understanding and familiar face. As a graduate of CFAF, she is working on creating an emergency food pantry in her neighborhood. Her goal is that this pantry will make an immediate difference in the lives of families that are most in need.
Samika D.
SUPERPOWER: Constructive Agitator
Grand Rapids, MI
As a middle child, Samika Douglas knows that you must speak up to be seen, to get what is due not just for yourself—but for everyone. A passion for service started at 18 when she volunteered at a local crisis center and more than two decades later, she continues to be a voice for her community of Grand Rapids. For her, what started as sharing her own lived experience with food insecurity became her way to connect with and support anyone that needed an advocate. As a long-time community liaison, she now sits on the Kent County Food Policy Council. At the foundation of her beliefs is the desire to make everyone feel better, no matter what. “Delayed does not mean denied, and sometimes denied just means that there is something better coming along.”
Priscilla L.
SUPERPOWER: Intentional Transformer
Holland, MI
As a five-time former convicted felon, Priscilla understands the importance of breaking the cycle of violence, recidivism, and the significance of second chances. While the court sentenced her to 21 years of fines and probation, Priscilla created a self-improvement plan to turn her lived experience into a tool for empowering herself and others. She now serves as a Community Development Worker and Youth Leadership Coalition Director at Heights of Hope, an asset-based community development organization. A CCAR-certified recovery coach, she coaches others and co-leads Seeds of Change, a community safety advocacy partnership educating neighbors on their rights in interactions with probation, immigration, parenting, school hearings, CPS, and law enforcement. As a community organizer and social justice advocate, she sits on the City of Holland's Neighborhood Improvement Committee and is President of the Parent Advocate Committee for Escape Ministries, a program that supports youth in need of guidance. She is a powerhouse youth/young adult specialist who inspires breakthroughs through hope.
Cindy M.
SUPERPOWER: Gentle Influencer
Otsego, MI
Spurred by her husband’s health scare, Cindy is a passionate believer that food is medicine and is committed to developing an equitable local food system that provides quality food access with dignity for all. She is the co-founder of a new non-profit, the Allegan Food Alliance and serves on the Board of Directors. This non-profit serves as the Food Policy Council for Allegan, MI, committed to working across multiple sectors of the community to transform the Southwest Michigan food system into one that is united, healthy, strong and resilient. One accomplishment has been to increase the number of seed libraries to nearly all the Allegan County libraries empowering the community to grow their own fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers. Cindy and her team are also in the planning stages to develop community gardens, a farm stop and a food club housing a subsidized grocery store, kitchen, restaurant and fitness center in an active and community-oriented area of Allegan. Additionally, she is a member of the Multi-Agency Collaborative Council of Allegan County where she participates in the Food Security Community Health Improvement Plan Workgroup and is also a graduate of CFAF.
Melissa M.
SUPERPOWER: Relatable Advocate
Hillsdale, MI
Melissa knows firsthand how poverty and addiction can fuel food insecurity and increase crime. Now sober, she is a certified recovery coach and volunteer for the Hillsdale County court as an advocate and sponsor for those facing legal challenges and incarceration for addiction-related offenses. It is Melissa’s goal to open a sober living facility that not only treats addiction but also addresses Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs in the recovery process, so that people can return to society as their whole selves. Her advocacy is an important part of her sober journey, reinforcing how far she has come. Melissa is currently on the Dean’s List at Eastern Michigan University where she is studying social work and women and gender studies. She credits her determination to her belief that you cannot stop trying until the miracle happens.
Tyra M.
SUPERPOWER: Compassionate Advocate
Detroit, MI
Tyra Moore is the Founder & CEO of A Girl Like Me Inc. (AGLM) is a (501(c)3) located in Detroit, MI. Built from her personal experience of giving birth at the age of 15 in 2007 to a child she withheld from family and friends until the week of delivery for fear of judgment and repercussion. She had nothing other than a new found love of being a mother to a beautiful girl at that moment. Unbeknownst to Tyra her mom put out a rallying cry to their community and the response is what drives her to this day. Her new family returned home to find every item they would need lining the steps and entryway to her grandparents home. Much of which lasted for years. It was at that moment, through tears of joy that she promised herself that she would one day pay it forward by helping Girls, Teens, Teen Moms and Moms. Girls like her.
Dana S.
SUPERPOWER: Creative Visionary
Frederic, MI
Dana Seeley is a professional freelance artist and a mother of four children between the ages of 12 and 25 and resides in a picturesque small town in Northern Michigan. Her passions include nature, bird-watching, and supporting her daughters' volleyball teams. Dana has more than a decade of expertise in food preservation and has instructed a few low-income families on how to preserve and extend the shelf life of food by methods of water bath canning, dehydrating and more. Dana earned eight Certificates of Award from MSU Extension and other prestigious organizations upon completing her recent courses in food, nutrition, and preservation. She aspires to educate families outside her social circle by providing free informative videos and classes.
Alisha S.
SUPERPOWER: Purposeful Builder
Ypsilanti, MI
Alisha Spencer is a wife and mother of two sons. She founded Mentor With A Purpose, a program for girls aged seven to twelve that promotes self-confidence, cultural awareness, and community participation. Additionally, she is a trained doula dedicated to supporting and advocating for women, ensuring they have a voice in their birth plans. As a community leader, she had the opportunity to represent Michigan in Washington, D.C. at the Feeding America summit on food insecurity. She also advocates for and helps families connect to resources they may not be aware of.
Dana T.
SUPERPOWER: Organizational Powerhouse
Interlochen, MI
Raised by Educators, Dana is not only passionate about teaching children, but also enthusiastic about educating educators. Through her consultancy, Dedicated Early Childhood Consulting, Dana prepares early education professionals for certification. A recipient of the Celena L. Barnes Family Leadership Inspiration Award, Dana is a fervent advocate for Michigan children and families. At home in Interlochen, MI with her husband and five children, Dana is also a church administrative coordinator at their local congregation and continues to volunteer for many local programs aimed at supporting early education.
Cara S.
SUPERPOWER: Empowerment Leader
Grand Rapids, MI
Cara has been a parent leader in Kent County since August 2018, and believes that motherhood naturally places one into a family leadership. She has four children, whom she describes as “my precious pride and joys (pp&j), all have strong unique independent awesome personalities." Some have diverse needs, including both special needs and neurotypical, and advocates for each of them while teaching them to express their needs and overcome life’s challenges.
She is especially proud of her work with WIC, which prompted the organization to include parents on their board of directors so that Parent Voice can now be heard. Cara is equally proud of the work she done since the very beginning of Think Babies Michigan. She currently serves on multiple committees, including West Michigan Perinatal Quality Collaborative, Mitten Mommas, Local Leadership Group (llg), Great Start Family Quality Collaboration, Home Visiting CQI, National Home Visiting AIM, Think Babies Michigan, PDG B-5 and Early On Stakeholders. Last year, Cara was appointed by Governor Whitmer to be on the MICC. Her exceptional commitment has propelled her onto local, state, and national level. Cara gets excited for any project that involves working with other parents, finding out what programs work or don't work, why and how to make them better.
Mary S.
SUPERPOWER: Support Champion
Kalamazoo, MI
Mary Short lives in Kalamazoo, Michigan, with her two children, two cats, and one dog. When COVID-19 led to virtual learning, she stayed home with her kids and decided to return to university. She graduated with honors in May 2024 from Ferris State University with a degree in Information Security, Intelligence, and Networking, specializing in Project Management. In addition to her academic pursuits, Mary runs a local business that helps homeowners and short-term rental properties enhance guest experiences. She also works for her local hockey team, the Kalamazoo Wings, and as a bookkeeper for a functional medicine doctor. Outside of work and studies, she enjoys hockey, lacrosse, and soccer.
Mary is passionate about supporting single mothers, advocating for better support systems, resources, and policies. She understands firsthand the struggles of balancing work, education, and parenting, and is committed to improving access to nutritious food, affordable childcare, and educational opportunities for single mothers and their children. Through collaboration, she believes these challenges can be turned into opportunities for growth.
Steph T.
SUPERPOWER: Cultural Broker
Detroit, MI
Steph is a dedicated community health worker, CAPPA-trained birth doula, and MDHHS SDOH community influencer. She's faced many adversities as a teen mom and barriers, this gives her an unique prospective on how to approach community empowerment. She founded the organization Searching and Growing Always (SAGA) to provide resources and support to individuals seeking foundations of hope, drawing from her own experiences. As a lifelong advocate for health and wellness, she educated herself through resources, training, and education to support growing food in small spaces. She advocates for healthy choices and teaches about holistic alternatives, particularly in local food deserts. As someone with a healthcare background, she sees the need for food access, awareness, and education to address health conditions, concerns, and disparities. She holds the title of Community Health Worker (CHW) under MiCHWA, is a National Society of Leadership and Success member and sits on the Michigan Chapter Board of Directors for Social Work (NASW).
Currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Social Work, Steph has set her eyes on a PhD. She will be completing her internship, anticipating graduation in March 2026 in Macro practice Adult Protective Services. Her dedication to advocacy, community empowerment, and social justice make her a valuable asset as a parent advocate and leader in various organizations. In her free time, she spends time with her family, loves theatre and karaoke. She’s an outdoorsy person and has three cats!
Najma T.
SUPERPOWER: Impact Advocate
Ypsilanti, MI
Najma is a wife and proud homeschooling mother of six. She prides herself in bringing a parent’s perspective and voice to every table that involves families. She has volunteered her time and energy supporting families and others in her local community since she was a high-school student.
When Najma is not attending to her family, you can find her out in her community. She is engaged in the work of the Michigan Region 9 Perinatal Quality Collaborative. She is a board member of a local non-profit organization that strives to lift people out of poverty, and she is a Parent Representative on the Advisory Board for Parent Leadership in State Government. She helped in the development of the Racial Justice Impact Assessment Tool for Washtenaw County Health Department where she serves as a member of Community Voices and the Health Equity Council.
Najma is the founder of Hands and Heart Doula Care, where she provides compassionate doula support to mothers throughout their birthing journey. With personal experience as a mother of six, she ensures support from prenatal appointments to birthing choices. She is also a trained Survivors Mom Companion tutor and is piloting the "Doulas as Travel Companions" program with Region 9 Perinatal Quality Collaborative.