Malikah comes to PHEND with over twenty years’ experience working primarily in the college access and career education field with High School and first year generation college students. Prior to PHENND Malikah served as the Assistant Program Manager of a non-profit organization called A Better Chance, working to provide access and equity to recruit, identify and place students of color into independent day & boarding schools located throughout the United States. In this role Malikah was able to serve students in the Midwest & MidAtlantic regions.
Before working with A Better Chance Malikah was responsible for managing the Philadelphia Scholars Program with the Philadelphia Education Fund helping to provide supports, mentoring and additional resources with college students who applied for the last dollar scholarship. Malikah started at PEF as the TRIO College Access Coordinator working at Roxborough High School assisting seniors with college applications, filling out the FAFSA, coordinating college trips and providing college readiness workshops to help students get to and through college successfully.
Working with the Scholars Program Malikah learned about food insecurity and the challenges that our youth experience in college. This furthered Malikah to get more involved in her community by becoming a member of the Junior League of Philadelphia and serving on both the Little Black Dress Initiative committee, a fundraiser to combat food insecurity in Philadelphia, as well as the Diversity and Inclusion committee.
Malikah earned her Master’s degree from Rosemont College, and her Bachelor’s degree from Lincoln University. She was destined to be a writer, but after she graduated from college she decided to complete a year as an AmeriCorps VISTA Volunteer with the Big Brother Big Sister Association, in which she worked as a School-Based Mentoring Intern. This experience propelled her interest and passion for working with youth.
Malikah currently resides in Drexel Hill, PA, and loves to spend time with her family. In fact, she hopes in the near future to write a children’s book with her daughter.
Kenyada Posey, a native of Montgomery, Alabama, is a community organizer. She received a B.A. in Political Science and a M.A. in International Relations from Troy University. During her time at Troy University, Kenyada served in the Political Science Club, Women’s Initiative, and the Black Alliance Club where she promoted leadership behavior, civic engagement, and academic achievement. She chaired Saving Ourselves for Democracy, an organization committed to encourage young people to actively engage in the democratic process and the Montgomery County Democrats–promoting her peers toward civic and political engagement. During her time working with Montgomery City Council, Kenyada helped plan and organize the Montgomery City Summer Youth Job Program. She has also served as an AmeriCorps member at Youth build Charter School. Kenyada passion lies in the future of youth adults in America and around the world. She believes the youth should be trained today on leadership for tomorrow.
