Our Team
The Justice-oriented Youth (JoY) Education Lab
JoY Lab Leadership and Operations
Haley Rose Kowal (WPHS Preservation Project Intern, Fall 2023; Education Programs Manager, 2023-2024; Operations Manager, 2024-Present) has worked in various community spaces since she moved to Philly in 2017, from cafes to libraries to archives. She is very grateful to have found the JoY Lab. Everyday looks a little different as Operations Manager (with the exception of Thursdays which are always for WPHS). She most appreciates the opportunity to be part of an intergenerational collective that engages in critical conversations on anti-displacement and community archival work. Participation in intergenerational and community-driven participatory action research continues to fascinate and challenge her. She received her Masters in Library and Information Science from Drexel University, and her Bachelor of Arts in English from Temple University– summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa.
JoY Lab Projects: West Philadelphia High School: Preservation, Intergenerational, Cultural Heritage Project; Placekeeping: A Co-designed Model for Intergenerational Co-housing and Coalition Building in a University-Adjacent Community
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JoY Lab Projects: Placekeeping: A Co-designed Model for Intergenerational Co-housing and Coalition Building in a University-Adjacent Community; How Public Arts Programming Strengthens Civic Infrastructure and Promotes Civic Innovation; Black Girls STEAMing through Dance
Current PhD Student Research Fellows
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JoY Lab Projects: How Public Arts Programming Strengthens Civic Infrastructure and Promotes Civic Innovation; Placekeeping: A Co-designed Model for Intergenerational Co-housing and Coalition Building in a University-Adjacent Community (2023-2024)
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Joy Lab Projects: West Philadelphia Community Dialogue Project: Conflict Resolution, Racial Healing, Arts-Centered Community Dialogue; Placekeeping: A Co-designed Model for Intergenerational Co-housing and Coalition Building in a University-Adjacent Community
Tamecah Pinkney , NBCT, M.Ed., is a Black, first-year, part-time Ph.D. student in the Educational Leadership and Policy program at Drexel University’s School of Education. For the last 22 years, she has enjoyed challenging the minds of the 8th-grade Science students she teaches in Wilmington, DE. As a Black public school teacher, she has developed a passion for connecting with her diverse students and their families. As a wife, mother of two school-aged children, full-time teacher, and part-time student, she is hyper-aware of the complex challenges of being involved and engaged in her children’s education. However, she has not let this interfere with the part she has to play as a parent and a Black educator. Consequently, her research focuses on how families and schools connect to improve student experiences. In the coming years, Tamecah will continue championing better home and school relationships so her middle school students can achieve and excel in their academics.
Undergraduate and Masters Student Research Fellows
Jahyonna Brown (JoY Lab Undergraduate Student Research Fellow, 2019 - Current) is an aspiring student currently applying to university with an interest in double majoring in economics and French. She hopes to focus her research on international affairs and create a language program for inner city kids. She is also a former student at West Philadelphia High School who began working at Drexel through the recommendation of her former teacher.
JoY Lab Projects: West Philadelphia High School: Preservation, Intergenerational, Cultural Heritage Project; West Philadelphia Community Dialogue Project: Conflict Resolution, Racial Healing, Arts-Centered Community Dialogue
Caitland Okorafor is a first-year graduate student in Drexel University’s College of Computing & Informatics pursuing her degree in Human-Computer Interaction and User Experience Design. Originally from Prince George’s County, Maryland, Caitland earned her B.S. in Early Childhood and Special Education from Bowie State University (HBCU). She hopes to improve her design and research skills while giving back to the community. Ultimately, by supporting Black Girls STEAMing through Dance, she aims to increase the Black, female representation in the technology industry. As she has recently moved to Philly, she is excited to see all that the city has to offer and what she can offer it.
JoY Lab Projects: Black Girls STEAMing through Dance
Cianni Williams (JoY Lab Graduate Student Research Fellow, 2024 - Current) is a recent graduate of Drexel's Undergrad Teacher Education program, and currently pursuing a master's in Teaching, Learning, and Curriculum. Dedicated to fostering an inclusive learning environment, Cianni is passionate about implementing an anti-racist curriculum and amplifying student voices to promote equity and understanding within schools' communities. As a native of Philadelphia, it is important for Cianni to give back to her community, and this comes in the form of entering Philadelphia’s educational system.
JoY Lab Projects: Women in Natural Sciences: A Longitudinal Comparative Case Study of Black Women in STEMM (1995-2015); Racism and Resilience among Black Autistic Children and Caregivers
JoY Lab Research Fellow and Operations Alumnae
Tajma Cameron (JoY Lab PhD Student Research Fellow, 2020- Current) is a PhD candidate in the School of Education at Drexel University pursuing her degree in Education Leadership and Policy. Prior to arriving at Drexel, Tajma earned a BS in Biology from Temple University, an MS in Biotechnology Studies, and an MAT with a Biology certification from UMGC. In addition to being a doctoral student, Tajma is a certified Biology teacher (7th-12th grade) in Maryland and Pennsylvania and worked as a science and math teacher teaching a range of courses to 9th-12th grade students. Tajma’s overall research focuses on how culturally affirming, sustaining, and creative instructional practices and curriculum can be utilized to cultivate and nurture Black girls’ STEM identity in formal school settings and informal STEM environments.
JoY Lab Projects: Black Girls STEAMing through Dance; Women in Natural Sciences: A Longitudinal Comparative Case Study of Black Women in STEMM (1995-2015)
Jaaziel Cooper (JoY Lab Undergraduate Student Research Fellow, 2021 - Current) is a rising second year BSBA student in Drexel University's Lebow College of Business. She has been active in the Drexel community as a Student Advocate in the Student Center for Diversity & Inclusion and is an Undergraduate Research Fellow working with the JoY Education Lab through the STAR Scholars program. Her research focuses on the various types of funding currently used in the United States education system and methods of optimizing current structures in order to achieve consistent student success and equality.
JoY Lab Projects: Black Girls STEAMing through Dance.
Karena Alane Escalante Manager of Strategic Partnerships and Community Engagement; PhD Student Research Fellow, 2020- Current) is a doctoral candidate from Los Angeles, California. Before attending Drexel University School of Education, she earned her B.A. in psychology from Grinnell College in Iowa and her M.S.Ed. from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. After teaching for five years in Oahu, Hawai’i, Karena became interested in assessing the various ways in which ELL policies on a federal level impact rural learning communities. Her research interests involve advocating for non-native English students and illuminating their cultural relevance at multiple levels of the education system. As a woman of color and first-generation Ph.D. candidate, Karena is passionate about dismantling systems of oppression within academia.
JoY Lab Projects: West Philadelphia High School: Preservation, Intergenerational, Cultural Heritage Project; West Philadelphia Community Dialogue Project: Conflict Resolution, Racial Healing, Arts-Centered Community Dialogue
Neisha Terry Young (JoY Lab PhD Student Research Fellow, Summer 2022) is a doctoral student in the Ph.D. in Education Leadership and Policy program at Drexel University. She has over 12 years of experience as a middle and high school English Language Arts educator in Jamaica and the United States, where she operated in various teaching and leadership roles. She holds a teaching diploma in Double Option English from Shortwood Teachers College in Jamaica, in addition to a BA in English from Georgia State University (summa cum laude) and an MA in English from Southern New Hampshire University. Her research focuses on exploring the intersectional identities of immigrant students and exploring ways in which critical multiliteracies can be utilized as a platform for immigrant youth to navigate dominant discourses about their identities.
JoY Lab Projects: STEMCees
Monique ‘Moe’ Woodard (JoY Lab PhD Student Alumni, 2022) is a research analyst at Metis Associates and a PhD candidate at Drexel University School of Education. She graduated from Wilkes University with a Bachelor’s degree in Integrative Media and Theatre. She earned her Master’s degree in Digital Media and continues to incorporate her digital media background in her research. Her research focuses on supporting creativity in Black girls as they learn to code virtual environments. She also has several years of experience developing summer camps that teach children to code.
JoY Lab Projects: Black Girls STEAMing through Dance
Drexel Faculty and Staff Partners
Sabrina Afroz, MS, is a PhD student in Biostatistics at the Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University. She holds both a bachelor's and a master's degree in Statistics. Previously, Sabrina contributed to multiple research projects as a research assistant in her academic institutions in Dhaka, Bangladesh, as well as through independent collaborations, which led to her co-authoring three research articles to date. Her research interests include machine learning algorithms for public health, longitudinal data analysis, and spatial and Bayesian analysis. She serves as a research assistant for a large-scale mixed-methods longitudinal study funded by the National Science Foundation titled “Women in Natural Sciences: A Longitudinal Comparative Case Study of Black Women in STEMM (1995-2015).”
JoY Lab Projects: Women in Natural Sciences: A Longitudinal Comparative Case Study of Black Women in STEMM (1995-2015)
Susan Brooks has close to 30 years of experience as an educator, facilitator, presenter, and trainer in the areas of experiential learning, professional development, civic engagement, and cross-cultural communication. Since 2007, she has served as the Associate Dean for Experiential Learning and a Professor of Law at the Drexel University’s Kline School of Law. Professor Brooks has written extensively and has conducted workshops in the U.S. and across the globe to promote “Relational Lawyering,” an integrative humanistic approach to legal practice and education aimed at positive social change. She received her J.D. degree from New York University in 1990, an M.A. in clinical social work from the University of Chicago in 1984, and earlier received a B.A. from the same university. She is a member of the Pennsylvania bar, a family mediator, and a trained peacemaking circlekeeper, and maintains her social work certification.
Janai Keita, is a creative, storyteller, future social worker, and mentor. She was born and raised in West Philadelphia. Attending Philadelphia school district schools her whole life, she graduated from Philadelphia High School for Girls. Directly after that she attended Penn State Erie, The Behrend College and received her bachelor’s degree in psychology with a Minor in Women’s Studies. Janai navigated the child welfare system as a case manager but the one thing that always stood true is the love for mentorship and positive youth development. Janai now works alongside Kimberly Godfrey and Dominique Thomas with the Women in Natural Sciences Program. Janai Leads the WINS III component which works with the program’s college Freshman and Sophomores. As a WINS Alum, she enjoys being able to pour back into a program that poured so much into her.
JoY Lab Projects: Women in Natural Sciences: A Longitudinal Comparative Case Study of Black Women in STEMM (1995-2015)
Kristine S. Lewis Grant, PhD is a Clinical Professor of Multicultural and Urban Education in the School of Education at Drexel University. Prior to joining the Drexel faculty, she was a Research Associate with Research for Action. She earned a PhD in Urban Education from Temple University, a MEd from the University of Colorado at Boulder, and a BA from Knox College. Her research interests include culturally and linguistically diverse family engagement in urban schools, and recruitment and retention of teachers of color. She is a member of the board and former president (2017 - 2020) of the Pennsylvania chapter of the National Association for Multicultural Education.
Elizabeth McGhee Hassrick, PhD, is an assistant professor with the Life Course Outcomes Research Program at the A. J. Drexel Autism Institute. She received her masters and doctoral degrees in Sociology from the University of Chicago and a masters in Education from the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque.
Uk Jung is an architect and educator in the Department of Architecture, Design, & Urbanism. He founded a design and consultation practice in 2016 in Philadelphia. His research is focused on the availability of affordable housing and affordable commercial spaces in underserved communities undergoing rapid development and gentrification.
JoY Lab Projects: Anti-Displacement: The Untapped Potential of University-Community Cooperative Living
Kirsten Kaschock is a poet, a novelist, a critic, and an editor who works in several genres but whose work consistently addresses intersections between language and body. Her most recent book of poetry, The Dottery, won the Donald Hall Poetry Prize from the Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP). She is currently the editor-in-chief of thINKing DANCE, an online journal produced by a consortium of dance writers in the Philadelphia Area.
JoY Lab Projects: Anti-Displacement: The Untapped Potential of University-Community Cooperative Living; How Public Arts Programming Strengthens Civic Infrastructure and Promotes Civic Innovation; Placekeeping: A Co-designed Model for Intergenerational Co-housing and Coalition Building in a University-Adjacent Community
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JoY Lab Projects: Anti-Displacement: The Untapped Potential of University-Community Cooperative Living
Raja Schaar, IDSA, is Program Director and Assistant Professor of Product Design at Drexel University’s Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design. She also co-chairs IDSA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council. She is an industrial designer with an extensive background in museum exhibit design and healthcare design who is passionate about ways design can make positive impact on society at the intersections of health equity, the environment justice, and STEAM education. Raja’s interdisciplinary research focuses on addressing inequities in maternal health through wearable technology; methods for engaging black girls and underrepresented minorities in STEM/STEAM through design and technology and dance; innovation and entrepreneurship education; and biologically-inspired design and sustainability. Raja studies the ethical implications of design and technology through the lenses of science fiction and speculative design.
JoY Lab Projects: Black Girls STEAMing through Dance
Rachel Wenrick is an Associate Teaching Professor of English and Founding Director of Writers Room, a university-community literary arts program at Drexel University. She has worked as a waitress, a roofer, and a personal assistant. All of these jobs required paying attention. Being a writer has trained her to look for the through-lines that intersect to make a larger narrative. She received an MFA from Columbia University’s School of the Arts and is co-author of singer and activist Angelique Kidjo’s memoir, Spirit Rising.
JoY Lab Projects: Anti-Displacement: The Untapped Potential of University-Community Cooperative Living; How Public Arts Programming Strengthens Civic Infrastructure and Promotes Civic Innovation; Placekeeping: A Co-designed Model for Intergenerational Co-housing and Coalition Building in a University-Adjacent Community
Community Researchers
Michelle Allen attended the School District of Philadelphia and graduated from West Philly High in 1971. She attended an HBCU, Morgan State University, and graduated in 1976. Michelle returned home to Philadelphia after graduation and enrolled at the University of Pennsylvania in the criminal justice Masters program. Although she was unable to complete her Masters degree, she then pursued a career in social services working with the intellectually and physically disabled population in agencies throughout PA and DE. This became Michelle’s passion, and she worked in this field as a caseworker for over 30 years, retiring from Elwyn, Inc. in 2020. Michelle presently works part-time at the Seeds of Greatness Early Learning Center as an Assistant Teacher-supporting teachers and kids in learning social, communication, and independent skills.
JoY Lab Projects:West Philadelphia High School: Preservation, Intergenerational, Cultural Heritage Project
Judith Capers is a West Philadelphia resident and has been employed at the School District of Philadelphia for 14 years as a (SSA) Support Services Assistant. She primarily works with kindergarten and first-grade students providing small group instruction in reading and math. She graduated from Pierce College and received her Associate in Business Administration. Judith has participated in several Drexel-Affiliated programs, including Drexel’s Academic Intervention Program, Dornsife Summer Camp, and Drexel After-school program. Judith has a big heart for children and is passionate about helping them achieve their academic goals. She is the Wife of a Drexel Alumni and a Mother of two. She is very excited to be a part of the JoY Lab team.
Keyssh Datts is a multimedia creator/community organizer from SouthWest Philly who uses the love of the past, the now, and Afro-futurism to help people learn and unlearn for the betterment of society and humanity. Their major research lies in the area of environmental justice and colonialism.
JoY Lab Projects: Anti-Displacement: The Untapped Potential of University-Community Cooperative Living; How Public Arts Programming Strengthens Civic Infrastructure and Promotes Civic Innovation; Placekeeping: A Co-designed Model for Intergenerational Co-housing and Coalition Building in a University-Adjacent Community
Myra Lewis is a passionate and ambitious intern eager to make a meaningful impact as the Summer Program Coordinator with Black Girls STEAMing Through Dance. As an enthusiastic learner and a driven team player, she is constantly seeking opportunities to grow both professionally and personally. She is currently pursuing her undergraduate degree at Howard University as a 3rd-year Biology major, and Chemistry minor, with aspirations of obtaining a medical degree. Beyond my academic pursuits, she is a 3rd-year dancer with the Ooh La La! Danceline at Howard University, which keeps her balanced and inspired outside of her academics. Combing her love for science and her excitement for dance she is excited to establish a new perspective in her role with Black Girls STEAMing through Dance (BGSD)!
Catherine Nettles was born and raised in West Philadelphia. She is currently the Recording and Corresponding Secretary of the Alumni Association. She has served for over 10 years and is from the class of 1987. When she was a student at West, she was told that “we are our brother’s keepers.” This is what makes her want to give back to the students.
JoY Lab Projects: West Philadelphia High School: Preservation, Intergenerational, Cultural Heritage Project
Bonnie Poole-Linder was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA. She was educated by Philadelphia public schools. Upon graduation from WPHS in 1973 she relocated to Fayetteville, NC, her Mom's home, where she visited every summer growing up. In 1974, she enrolled in Fayetteville State University and received her B.S. in Business Education in 1977. In 1979, she returned to Philadelphia and began a career with US Postal Service, retiring 32 years later in 2011 as a Human Resources Manager. Bonnie is a proud Mom of an adult son and daughter and a very special granddaughter. “With this generation, it just seems like so much is lost with the comradery, so maybe if youth see what we’re doing, they’ll want to get involved. It’s important for youth to see what was so that we can see some of the old things return and avoid continuing some of the things that didn’t work.” –Bonnie Poole-Linder
JoY Lab Projects: West Philadelphia High School: Preservation, Intergenerational, Cultural Heritage Project
Arania (Rana) Goldsmith-Carter is a long time native of West Philly who lived down the bottom and attended Martha Washington Elementary School, Shaw Junior High School in Southwest Philadelphia, and West Philadelphia High School class of 1969 where she is a board member of the Alumni Association. She graduated from WPHS and attended Community College of Philadelphia and received her Associates in Health Information Technology before receiving her B.S. in Public Health at Temple. She has been married for 48 years and has 4 children and 9 grandchildren. Her hobbies include traveling, ice skating, roller skating, bike riding, knitting, dancing, book clubs, and gardening.
JoY Lab Projects: West Philadelphia High School: Preservation, Intergenerational, Cultural Heritage Project
Ronald Ray is a native West Philadelphian who graduated from WPHS in 1973. He is currently a board member of the WPHS Alumni Association (WPHSAA) and is very active in his class. He is also newly wed. When asked about his work in the JoY lab, Ronald shares that he is passionate about preserving the history of the West Philadelphia Community. Back then, he says, the children enjoyed going to school. Growing up, all along the way, students would pick up one another as they walked to school, and West Philly was actually a big tight-knit community. Everyone wasn’t friends with everybody, but things were sociable. “Today’s youth think they’re connected but they’re actually disconnected. There is no such thing as Black history. If you don’t turn back and put your hand back, how will others know?” –Ronald Ray
JoY Lab Projects: West Philadelphia High School: Preservation, Intergenerational, Cultural Heritage Project
Rebecca Rose is a resident of West Phila., and a member of Dornsife DCAC. She hold a M.S. in Human Services from Springfield College and a B.F.A. from Carnegie-Mellon University. She has work as an artist, art therapist and director of children and older adult services. She co-hosted Juneteenth events with Petersburg National Battlefield for ten years and in so doing founded in 2011 Hopewell Museum of Art and Intercultural History which has emerged into the Humanity Museum of Art and Intercultural History in Philadelphia. Lending her experience, she is delighted to participate in this Critical Race Dialogue project team.
JoY Lab Projects: West Philadelphia High School: Preservation, Intergenerational, Cultural Heritage Project
Kenniaah K. Rose Samuel-Evans “Born to serve and lead”– 40 years of servant leadership working as a conscientious change agent with Institutions of higher learning, state and local government, non-profits, the private sector, communities of faith, professional and civic organizations to uplift the spiritual, health and welfare plight of impoverished families by working to help close systemic racial and economic disparities. She joined the mission of the Drexel University JoY Lab and the AmeriCorps Seniors project to be an advocate for solutions impacting the survival of seniors and families impacted by housing and other social ills.
Marie Wilkins-Walker has been teaching for over 25 years. Teaching and learning in the classroom and the community begins with the students. Student choice and student voice is a mandatory component of the WPHS community and blends well with educating the whole student. Committed to focusing on College and Career Readiness, research and active engagement are the cornerstones to success in developing lifelong learners. My mission for students is to be successful in their communities and partnering with Dr. Ayana Allen-Handy and her team are the ultimate best fit! The Preserving History and Research Project provides our students with real world real time experiences. I am excited and will remain committed to our continued success.
JoY Lab Projects: West Philadelphia High School: Preservation, Intergenerational, Cultural Heritage Project