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President/Chair
Felicia Harris-President & Founder
HOW IT STARTED
The decision to lead Black Girls in Blazers started before Felicia knew anything about running an organization. Ms. Harris was born in Michigan and moved to California at a very young age. Shortly after the move, her parents divorced and a series of life-changing events began. Sadly, these stories are all too familiar. Her parents made alcohol and drugs a common denominator which in turn led to severe neglect and abandonment of Felicia and her sister. Through traumatic experiences, there were challenges and a sense of hopelessness. Felicia spent most of her adolescent and teen years angry, and she was always getting into fights not because she started trouble but because she was quiet. Then came her saving grace. Her grandparents assumed full responsibility for her and her sister and she became actively involved in the church.
HER CALLING
While caring for children Felicia found her calling. She became a certified foster parent caring for over 60 children of different genders, races, and ethnicities, offering love, guidance, protection, and structure.
EXPOSURE TO SISTERHOOD
Being involved in church is where Felicia grew fond of gracious, confident, and powerful women. They all called each other sister. The women wore beautiful suits with matching hats, jewelry, furs, stockings, and high heels. Their style and grace captivated Felicia's attention, and she knew then that this was the type of woman she wanted to become- beautiful and classy. Being called Sister gave Felicia a sense of sisterhood. When she wore a suit or put on a blazer at such a young age she felt a sense of confidence, strength, and respect. Felicia still wears her blazers today and the feeling is still there. She wants to provide that same sense of sisterhood to the young girls who join Black Girls in Blazers.
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
Ms. Harris is a graduate of the University of Phoenix where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Business and a master's in management. She has also earned a professional certification in Small Business Management and Entrepreneurship. She owned and operated a family daycare facility for over 13 years.
Our Board of Directors
Uvonka Wallace - Board of Directors Vice President/Interim Treasurer
Mrs. Uvonka Shanta Wallace was born in Monroe, LA as an only child. She had other siblings from her father. Uvonka moved to California which was a very complicated transition. She went from a house full of family members in the South then moving to Oakland, CA was strange to her. She spent many days alone. Her parents divorced when she was very young, and the hurt endured from that experience was difficult. Uvonka felt being dark-complected, changing weight, and shyness often made her a target for being teased. Her mother worked and went to school at night to further her education to provide only the best. Uvonka grew up with a private school education from elementary to high school due to the work ethic and diligence of her mother. During this time Uvonka was alone yet again to get herself dressed in the morning and come home to an empty house until late in the evenings.
Being alone caused Uvonka to develop anger and low self-esteem because of the insensitive people with whom she interacted daily some even called themselves her friends. Words and phrases like “black tar baby and blackie” brought her to tears repeatedly.
Fortunately, the ancestry of the family consists of phenomenal women mainly her grandmothers Melba L. Williams and Maurine Lloyd. It was these two women that taught her how to be positive, to hold her head up high, to look a person straight in the eyes, to articulate when she spoke, and to find her confidence.
Uvonka is the woman she is today because of those women. That’s why this organization is so important to Uvonka. She is fully commented on Black Girls in Blazers and its mission. She understands how important it is to have someone positive in your life. She is ready to pave the way for the girls we serve.
Uvonka has been married for 32 years and has 3 children and 7 grandchildren. Her work experience includes 20 years in the insurance industry and 10 years in the healthcare field.
Halley Joiner - Registered Agent/Board of Directors
Halley Joiner was born in Oakland, CA, and relocated to Elk Grove, CA where she graduated high school and attended Dillard University in New Orleans, LA. Halley grew up in a home with foster siblings because her mother was a foster parent. Although she gained many sisters and brothers throughout her life she has witnessed firsthand the effects of trauma on children. Halley is that go-to friend when they needed a listening ear. Although she is still young she tends to give good sound advice. She understands why there is a need for a program like Black Girls in Blazers and is willing to commit to having an impact on the girls we serve.
Kennedy Parson -Board of Directors Secretary
Ms. Kennedy Parson is currently pursuing her medical degree intending to become a medical doctor specializing in obstetrics. Kennedy experienced living with foster children as her mom was a foster parent. As a young child, she didn't understand why many of those children were so sad and angry. but as she grew into an adult, she can understand their pain. Kennedy was born in Oakland, CA, and relocated to Elk Grove, CA in 2004. During her transition to high school, she moved back to Oakland, CA, attended St. Elizabeth High School, and graduated from Oakland Tech. Kennedy has always been a scholar and was often criticized for the way she spoke oftentimes told she talked like a "White girl. " She was even told by an elementary school teacher that she wouldn't finish high school and would have babies and be on welfare. Although she remained a scholar this statement stayed close to her because she never thought she would hear that from someone that was supposed to be of great influence. Kennedy began to question her greatness and her self-esteem began to decline. She started to struggle with her weight and lost her self-confidence. Her mom and others close to her would often tell her she was beautiful, but Kennedy soon realized that to feel good about yourself you have to know your self-worth. She continues to work on herself but would not pass on the opportunity to share her story with young girls and to let them know we are not perfect, but we can't let other people determine our destiny and be the finisher of our story. Black Girls in Blazers would consider it a privilege to have her on the team. Just to add to the teacher mentioned above, Kennedy is finishing up her senior years in college, is on the Dean's List, and doesn't have any children.
Jackqueline Felix-Atkins Board of Directors
Ms. Jackqueline L Felix-Atkins aka (Jackie) was born and raised in Oakland Ca. Jackie attended Oakland public schools and is graduated from Skyline High school. Jackie is the oldest child of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Felix and has one sibling Nicole Felix. Jackie came from a two-parent home that exposed her to activities that kept her out of mischief. There were challenging times during Jackie’s childhood with bullying and insecurities, but she overcame those issues by involving herself in community and church activities. Jackie was known as a daddy’s girl and had a great relationship with her father. Jackie’s father passed away on December 3, 2000, during the age that Jackie would truly need her father figured around. Jackie married in 1995 and has two sons. The Atkins Brothers are known in the tennis bay area world and provided the fundamentals of tennis to intercity youth. This community service led to working with the United States Tennis Association where the Atkins family received several community services awards. Jackie’s sons went on to attend prestigious colleges and graduated with honors. After twenty years of marriage, Jackie and her husband divorced in 2018.
After the divorce, Jackie went on to complete her Association of Arts degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences from Chabot Community College (2016) and her Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Cal State University East Bay (2021). Jackie is currently a candidate for the master’s program in public administration at Cal State University East Bay (2024). Jackie is a member of a few organizations, including Regina Chapter #67 Eastern Star organization where she holds a leadership position serving the community providing services to intercity families, and supporting the homeless preparing necessary items needed for day-to-day living. Jackie holds a leadership position within her church as a steward providing Christian-based services to members of the organization and helping maintain the financial support of the church. She also serves on the Season of the caring committee within her church providing clothes and nutrition to the homeless.
Jackie is a member of a nonprofit organization called L.I.F.E. Courses Inc. A non-profit that addressed the critical educational needs of middle school students whose performance during the years often determines their long-term academic success or failure and stimulates entrepreneurial aspirations. Jackie’s biggest accomplishment is the creation of a traveling program within the Oakland Public School District where she exposed students to learn about American history by traveling to different cities and countries. For the work in creating and historical traveling program, Jackie received recognition by the Mayor of Oakland Libby Schaff, and Congresswomen Barbara Lee for her community involvement in introducing youths to different cities and their culture in history as well as exposing the young people to meet great leaders around the world. Jackie is also a member of the National Coalition of 100 Black women where she works on the membership and scholarship committees supporting the organization’s community events and services.
Denicia Alves- Board of Directors
Denicia was born and raised in Sacramento, California. Her parents divorced when she was young and she saw her mom struggling to take care of her and her siblings. She also struggled in elementary school academically and didn’t care too much about her education. But when she went to high school she decided to work hard and get good grades so that she would be able to take care of herself when she got older. She put herself through college and despite all the obstacles she faced she graduated at the top of her class from Dillard University. She is currently focusing on developing her Business Predestined Investments LLC and her traveling company The Girls Who Fly LLC. all while being a full-time Registered Nurse. It is very important to her to help little girls who look like her and help to mold them into successful women.
Our Board of Directors
Juanaki Dillard-Battle
Jaclyn Hughes - Director of Marketing
Jennifer (Evette) Washington
Ms. Juanaki Dillard-Battle was born and raised in Oakland, California to teenage parents. She is the eldest of 5 siblings and the mother of 5 children (raising her 3 step-sons as well).
Growing up in the city of Oakland, many families suffered the drug epidemic of the 1980s, and Juanaki’s family was not the exception. Juanaki’s family wer
Ms. Juanaki Dillard-Battle was born and raised in Oakland, California to teenage parents. She is the eldest of 5 siblings and the mother of 5 children (raising her 3 step-sons as well).
Growing up in the city of Oakland, many families suffered the drug epidemic of the 1980s, and Juanaki’s family was not the exception. Juanaki’s family were recipients of AFDC and lived below the poverty level most of her life. Dropping out of high school, as her parents did, Juanaki earned her G.E.D. by the time she was 18 years old.
Relocating from the Bay Area to Stockton in 1998, with her now ex-husband and family, and purchasing their first home, Juanaki made a career change to self-employment. She opened a small family child care facility in her home, licensed for 13 years through the State of California, Community Care Licensing Division. While owning and operating Mrs. Battle’s Kids child care, Juanaki studied and became a licensed Cosmetologist. Acknowledging and surrendering to her calling to serve people, she made the tough decision to close her business and pursue furthering her education as she knew her need in the community was greater than the capacity she was serving. Juanaki spent the next 6 years completing her education at San Joaquin Delta College earning Associate of Arts degrees in Social and Behavioral Sciences, Teacher’s Education, and Communication Studies then transferring to the University of the Pacific, earning her Bachelors of Arts degree in Sociology and studying Psychology and Communication Studies. The transition to higher education boosted Juanaki’s confidence as she successfully competed on the Speech and Debate team. It is true when they say, “Public Speaking is the most common phobia ahead of death, spiders, or height” yet it is the most marketable skill you can have. This was the most challenging accolade of Juanaki’s academic career.
With remembrances and impact of Juanaki’s support system, today, she is dedicated to helping young people explore, gain, and challenge themselves to be better than they were yesterday and become a better “self” every day, embracing mistakes made throughout life and creating the relatable lessons we all learn from.
Black Girls in Blazers is important to Juanaki because……
A blazer represents confidence and pride. The confidence to walk into any space with her head held upright and the pride to carry her past life struggles/challenges as the life lessons that molded the woman that she is today.
SHE IS……….
BRAZEN & BEAUTIFUL
OVERT
STRENGTH
SASSY & SILLY & SMART & She IS HER SMILE.
Indeed, Juanaki is a B.O.S.S.
Jennifer (Evette) Washington
Jaclyn Hughes - Director of Marketing
Jennifer (Evette) Washington
Jaclyn Hughes - Director of Marketing
Jaclyn Hughes - Director of Marketing
Jaclyn Hughes - Director of Marketing
Born and raised in Oakland Ca, I graduated from Skyline high school and obtained my diploma in Medical Assisting and am currently pursuing my degree in sonography. I am the baby of two older siblings so I know what it means to be spoiled but like a lot of young girls I see in today’s times I too have made mistakes and let a lot of great o
Born and raised in Oakland Ca, I graduated from Skyline high school and obtained my diploma in Medical Assisting and am currently pursuing my degree in sonography. I am the baby of two older siblings so I know what it means to be spoiled but like a lot of young girls I see in today’s times I too have made mistakes and let a lot of great opportunities pass me by. But the person who I am today I always was not, the woman who I am becoming is who I strive to be each and every day. Change is possible, growth is achievable, and success is obtainable. My favorite scripture: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13. A part of Jesus I can only do the bare minimum, but with Christ I can do all thing’s nothing is impossible!
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