A Holistic Approach to a Living Economy for Early Educators

Chief Operating Officer

Dr. Kathleen E. Walls, the COO of Learn, Empower, Grow Consulting group is also the owner and founder of the G.R.E.A.T.E.S.T. Counseling & Consulting, in Philadelphia, PA.  She is a clinician, leadership coach, educator, facilitator, author and Keynote Speaker.  Dr. Walls is the President of the registered nonprofit Sisters 4 Harmony, Inc. (501c3).  As an author, Dr. Walls has written and self-published two spiritually focused self-help books and the children’s book series The Adventures of Froggy-T & Bunnie ~ A Hip Hop Tale that helps with the development of social skills, coping skills, and emotional intelligence. 

Dr. Walls has been an adjunct college professor, psychotherapist, and strategic advisor to leaders and organizations on their people, process, and performance challenges. She lectures, counsels, consults, coaches, and delivers interactive seminars, keynotes, and motivational speeches. Dr. Walls has also researched and developed several strategic plans, programs, and curriculums. She has worked with a wide range of civic, educational, federal, healthcare, and business enterprises including (but not limited to) the Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield (Little Rock, Arkansas), Fetter Health Care Network (Charleston, South Carolina), National Disaster and Emergency Management University (NDEMU), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency (NOAA), Oregon Department of Emergency Management (ODEM), Thomas Jefferson University (Philadelphia, PA), Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM), and Webster University Ghana Campus (Accra, Ghana). 

Dr. Walls can regularly be found hosting her vodcasts on her YouTube channel @askdrwalls525 and being the lead actress, Lioness, in the YouTube Web Series Kadaga (@uccntv) which raises awareness about human trafficking in all of its forms.  Dr. Walls thoroughly enjoys traveling globally, incorporating a holistic perspective in the development of leaders, young people, students, and rising professionals, and helping people learn how to live their G.R.E.A.T.E.S.T. Life!

Educator & First Aid/CPR  Trainer

Tola has over 27 years of experience as proprietor, trainer, coach, in the field of Early Childhood, Out of School Time and Educational Programs and Organizational Development and Leadership consulting. 

My core work focus is to collaborate, build relationship, show, train and develop leaders.   I enjoy... sharing resources to equip early childhood practitioners, teachers, educators, families, and proprietors. My work is to support education in its diverse and multifaceted characteristic, to enhance care and services provided to children of all ages and including special and able friends, accept the behavioral challenges in early learning environment programs and offer supports and clarification to teachers in and how to care for each child in our inclusive learning spaces.

A strong advocate for family value and respectful of cultural competencies that influences the wholesomeness of the student, the child in front of a teacher, on any giving day and the teacher in front of the student. 

I understand that empowering teachers on what to look for embraces and supports the management of individuality and creativity of each student outcomes to a healthy, wholesome and successful child teacher relationship in our world of ECE.

As an educator, “I believe that children live what they learn”.

I believe that all children should grow in an environment that is designed to help flourish their innate curiosity. An environment that helps develop, support, incite critical thinking, reasoning and confirms each and all curiosity and creativity in the classroom. Hence my work to promote, support and implement curriculum that is robust in embracing uniqueness and inclusiveness. The learning experience that starts each Childs’ interest and desires; a curriculum that is adaptable, can be eased and implemented by the teacher / practitioner/parent for the individual child through observations, assessments gathered during caring for the child individually and in a group using differentiation techniques. 

I believe an educator should be an extremely specific type of person... not anyone will and can meet the requirements necessary. An educator should never forget that he or she is a role model and the impacts we leave in students are indelible marks for the rest of their lives.

As an educator, I know I will be fortunate to have enough and trillions of opportunities, as a result, I strive every time to be an outstanding role model to all that I promise to serve. I take time in showing students and adults a nurturing learning environment; showing patience, organizational, accountability, Integrity, perseverance, respect and kindness are prevalent in my work. In my space, I create a learning community that encourages like and unlike behaviors that are necessary to succeed in society and have lots of fun doing it...

“A child that is yelled at learns to be timid and fearful always. Please don’t bury natural creativity! Please speak words of kind correction and praise”. - Tolani Aiyegbusi

Organization and Human Development Executive and Thought Leader. Growth strategist skilled in visioning, planning, Execution and Results. Relationship manager. Develops lower -middle- upper-level thinkers to greatest potential. I consider myself as a versatile Systems Thinker and people champion.

A graduate of Lagos Anglican Girls Grammar school. Earned degree in Food Science from South Bank Polytechnic in London, England, Food Marketing from Saint Joseph’s University in Pennsylvania USA, Masters in Science in Organizational Development and Leadership at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Certifications in the field of Early Childhood Education, Adult Education and Trauma Inform Application and Practices, Mental Health certification in youth and Adult.

Adult Education | Workforce Development Coordinator 

Ms. Robinson has more than 25 years of experience in workplace development and adult education. Her company, RM Robinson Solutions LLC, specializes in classroom instruction, curriculum development, product design, and project management for individuals and adult education organizations. She delivers engaging instruction in basic writing, reading comprehension, American pronunciation, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), problem solving, conflict resolution, and time management. Regina uses her passion for history to create dynamic curricula and activities for adults, K-12 students, teachers, and local historical sites. She is a member of the Philadelphia Mayor’s Advisory Committee, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), and a board member of Liberty Academy Elementary School (Liberty City, Florida). Recently, she narrated the acclaimed documentary Invisible Warriors: African American Women in WWII. The film is about the 600,000 Black Rosie the Riveters who helped win the Allied Victory against fascism abroad while confronting racism at home.

Griot Photographer & Videographer

Edmund “Umoja” Herman, known to many as Brother Umoja, is the President and Founder of Umoja Communications Company International (UCCI), Umoja Communications Company Network (UCCN TV), and the YouTube web series Kadaga (@uccntv), which raises awareness about Human Trafficking. As the griot photographer,   Brother Umoja has been sought to capture the images of numerous historical, musical, political, religious, spiritual, and sports events nationally and internationally.  

Brother Umoja had the honor of being the personal photographer for the Reverend Al Sharpton for 6-years and worked with the late Johnny Cochran, Betty Shabazz, Coretta Scott King, and many others.  He currently works as a freelance photographer but also as the personal photographer, videographer, and archivist for Learn, Empower, Grow Consulting Group, Sisters 4 Harmony (501c3), and Latinos Educando Juntos.

Throughout his career, Brother Umoja has had the pleasure of interviewing, filming, photographing, and establishing working relationships with a variety of individuals and organizations such as (but not limited to) director Warrington Hudlin (Boomerang, House Party, etc.), actor Antonio Fargas (Starsky & Hutch, Foxy Brown, etc.), martial artist and filmmaker Jose “the Latin Dragon” Torres, Reverend Carolyn C. Cavaness of Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church, South African international music sensation Lira, the Commodores, the legendary Freddie McGregor, Marcia Griffiths, and many others. 

Brother Umoja has been recognized by the BBC and many others for the work that he has done over the years.  He was inducted into the Hall of Fame within two martial arts communities.  He also received an award from the New York City Black firefighters for his work with them after the 9/11 attack in New York City.

As an active member of society and the global community-at-large, Brother Umoja enjoys networking, spending time with his grandchildren, traveling, and connecting with people across the globe to make this world a better place.  

Griot Photographer & Videographer

Kevin Hubbard is the owner of Mind Over Matter Counseling & Consulting, LLC and holds a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Temple University. Kevin is highly trained in Mindfulness Practices.  He teaches client’s how to first understand their presenting concerns while creating a strong awareness and acceptance of “The Self.” 

Kevin utilizes an eclectic, holistic approach to support client’s overall wellbeing which is inclusive of one’s mind, body and spirit. Kevin uses natured-based therapy to create the conditions for healing to occur and to enhance the therapeutic experience. He also focuses on using a strengths-based approach to help clients participate in their own healing process.

Kevin has made it his career to work in communities of color that suffer many injustices, including but not limited to access to quality mental and behavioral health care. Kevin has worked in the African-American community for the last 15 years working with children, adolescents, and adults. 

Early Childhood Champion and Creative Development Coach

Rebecca “Little Turtle Who Sees”  Jackson-Square (Ed.S.) is a Two-Spirit Indigenous artist, poet, and early childhood education advocate who believes play is the foundation for transforming our world. With over 30 years in education—including managing Higher Education Early Childhood Initiatives at the Pennsylvania Key and serving three years on the NAEYC Affiliate Council—Rebecca integrates artistic expression into educational practice, using creativity as a tool for healing, discovery, and empowerment. She/they has championed professional development in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging while supporting Latino/a/x ECE professionals in their preferred language, presenting at national conferences in both English and Spanish. As a published poet and mixed media artist inspired by Powwows and ancestral connections with the Nanticoke Tribe, Rebecca's work explores themes of resilience, reconnection, and reclamation. She founded the Native Artists Pathways Fellowship Program to support emerging Indigenous artists and has spent a decade teaching community and youth arts. Currently serving as Education Professor at Delaware Technical Community College and Community Councils Coordinator, Rebecca champions play-based learning as essential to child development and cultural preservation—honoring ancestors while building bridges between tradition and transformation for future generations.