Crecilla Scott, Politics & Wisdom | Scott is the founder and CEO of Infinity Research, LLC, a social science research company located in Maryland. In addition to research, the company creates professional development workshops that focus on career planning skills that are critical to professional development, career growth, and advancement. Crecilla has worked for several nonprofit organizations committed to improving opportunities for youth. She is passionate about educational issues, particularly as they relate to underrepresented populations. As an education researcher, she has examined issues such as the achievement gap, college enrollment and retention, and graduation rates. Her academic interests include researched-based approaches to educating hard-to-reach populations and current school models that work. She is an avid reader with interests in contemporary issues that affect the community. Crecilla is also a passionate speaker who has given professional presentations for various organizations and federal agencies. She earned a Masters degree in Sociology from the University of Maryland College Park.
Bianca Ashton, Spirituality | Born and raised in Washington, DC, Bianca always had a passion for writing. She worked as writer/reporter for her high school newspaper and later went on to attend Elon University in Burlington, NC to pursue a degree in Broadcast Communications and a minor in Sociology. An only child, her foundation was built on her strong relationship with her mother, a single parent. She has a passion for empowering others; especially black women and seeing them rise to their rightful places as queens on this earth. She currently works for the Network Operations department at TV One and will be furthering her education this fall at American University, pursuing a master's degree in producing film and video.
Fadesola Adetosoye, Social Issues | A great man once said, "Resolve to succeed. The greatest discovery one can make is that nothing is impossible." This quote resonates through Fadesola, an emPower magazine social issues contributor and blogger, as she strives to pursue and accomplish her ultimate goals in life. She comes from a Nigerian background and was born and raised Silver Spring, MD. Miss Adetosoye is a current graduate student, working on her M.S. in Health Policy at The George Washington University. Her focuses are health disparities, among disenfranchised population, and reproductive health, among residents of developing nations. Currently, Fadesola works as a Program Manager with a quasi-government organization in Washington, D.C. and will serve as a Faculty Advisor for PIC during the 44th Presidential Inauguration activities. She is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals. Most recently, she was recognized as a Wyeth Scholar and received the Baer Award for Individual Excellence from The George Washington University. Miss Adetosoye is passionate about the social issues impacting our nation, especially as they relate to health and economic disparities. She has several years of experience in management and health sciences research. During her free time, Ms. Adetosoye enjoys reading, spending time with her family and friends, participating in community service activities and catching some 'shut eye' if time permits.
Tyree Anderson, History, Culture & Theology | Reverend Tyree A. Anderson is a native of Birmingham, AL and he is married to the former Denise Brown, PhD and they have one child, Lesley Asantewaa Anderson. He currently serves as the Executive Pastor at the Shiloh Baptist Church in Alexandria, VA under the pastorate of Rev. Lee A Earl. At Shiloh, he uses his gifts of preaching, teaching, and discipleship development to empower those he encounters. Recognized by his colleagues and former professors as a rising scholar. He is the recipient of a B.S. in Criminal Justice from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, a M.A. in American History from George Mason University, and a M.Div. degree from the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University. He is the 2002 recipient of the Evelyn Pugh Memorial Fellowship for Excellence in History from George Mason University Department of History. In 2005, Rev. Anderson served as the only student lecturer for the John Malcus Ellison Convocation at Virginia Union University School of Theology. Rev. Anderson has also studied African Traditional Religions in Ghana, West Africa. He has lectured on Liberation Theology in Uganda, East Africa. Rev. Anderson also serves as the founding director of an international theological Christian Education program at Shiloh for pastors and elders in Uganda. Rev. Anderson is a member of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. former member of the American Academy of Political and Social Sciences and the American Historical Association. He is also a mentor and confidant to many seminarians. Rev. Anderson has dedicated his life to make the Kingdom of God a reality in the lives of those he encounters. His scripture of encouragement is Matthew 5:11-12 "Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Tona Boyd, Social Issues | I am Tona Boyd, a native Washingtonian currently residing in Prince Georges County. I work full-time in the Healthcare field. I am also a licensed Make-Up Artist with a home business “Beauty From Within LLC”. I’ve attended Prince George’s Community College taking courses towards a Criminal Justice degree. My passion for writing began in middle school writing poetry. I began writing again as an adult journaling my life’s experiences.
Kezia Williams, Political | Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and blaze trails.” This quote was meant to challenge people to rise above the status quo and go beyond what is expected or even anticipated; it is a mantra Kezia M. Williams, political contributor to emPower Magazine, has followed since 2002 when she first became committed to being politically involved. Kezia M. Williams is a native of Richmond, Virginia and proud alum of Christopher Newport University (CNU), where she received her degree in political science and journalism. Currently, she works as a senior analyst with the government in Washington, DC. She also works as President of her company, Intimate Arrangements, LLC, which is a company that focuses exclusively on special occasion planning for couples (www.intimate-arrangements.com). Most recently, she was appointed as fundraising chair for Generation Obama-Washington, DC and has organized several fundraising events that grossed thousands of dollars for the campaign. She was also the youngest member to serve as an Alexandria Human Rights Commissioner (2005 – 2008) and the first Director of Political Engagement for the Northern Virginia Urban League, Young Professionals Network (2005-2007). She is also a member of the Alexandria Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and a political columnist with emPower magazine. Ms. Williams has over seven years of political event planning and fundraising experience, a skill she began developing in 2003 after founding a campus chapter of the NAACP at CNU. On her free time, Ms. Williams enjoys reading in Potomac Park or enjoying an old episode of West Wing with a cold root bear and a small box of lemonheads.
Quincy Lewis, The Brotha Chronicles | Quincy L. Lewis, most often known as “Q,” is a 29-year-old writer from Detroit, MI. Q realized his writing talent during his second year of college when he was invited by the Journalism Department advisor to join the school newspaper. Many deadlines, two internships, a degree from Wayne State University, and five years of freelance work later, Q offers his wit and knowledge to the readers of emPower. In his spare time, Q loves to write poetry, and is inspired by some classic poets such as William Blake and T.S. Eliot, but heavily influenced by Harlem Renaissance poets like Gwendolyn Brooks and of course, Langston Hughes. Q has most recently developed a publishing company called FLIPSIDE INK, in hopes of publishing all of those ideas of struggling artists, who are not capable of getting the attention of large publishing houses.
Kaye Guidugli | is a proud graduate of the University of Michigan and currently resides in Baltimore, MD where she is pursuing a Masters of Arts in Theology from St. Mary’s Seminary & University’s Ecumenical Institute. As a former middle school teacher Ms. Guidugli has a special interest in the moral and character development of children and adolescents.
Eric Leggette | In 1996, after hearing a story from a childhood friend describing the "baby mama drama" her fiance was going through, little did Eric Legette know his life would change and a passion would take over the next twelve years of his life. While developing the concept of his program Fathers With Voices, he had to navigate the family court process in order to continue seeing his daughter. He won his visitation case but the lessons he learned and observed regarding the treatment of fathers made a lasting and motivating impression on Legette. Since that time, through his program Fathers With Voices, he has assisted countless numbers of separated and divorced fathers involved in family court related cases. His program has successfully accomplished the program's goal which is to increase the involvement of fathers in the lives of their children. Over the past decade he has appeared on many local and national radio/television shows. Most notably the Michael Baisden show, the Tom Joyner Morning show and FOX 8 News. He was the invited guest speaker of the Indiana Fatherhood Coalition in September 2008. He has appeared in the New York Times newspaper and Honey magazine. Legette has contributed articles to online magazines Mybrotha.com, Empressmag.com and Solemag.com In April 2008, Legette's first book was published-Closing the Curtain on Baby Mama Drama and in June of the same year he and his program was featured in Ebony magazine.
