Meet Our CSW68 Parallel Event Panelists!
Pamela E. Alexander
Chair, Women in the NAACP Committee (WIN)
Macomb County Michigan NAACP Branch
Pamela’s professional career in human services has expanded by more than
40 years. As an executive administrator, her areas of expertise have centered on developing and managing non-profits and start-ups, providing leadership development in managing organizations and training directors/supervisors and direct-line staff through the “Servant Leadership Model.” Pamela is a facilitator/trainer on board leadership processes, race, equity and inclusion principles, a grassroots community organizer and social justice advocator. Pamela has created “promising practice model” programming for homeless LGBTQ and non-conforming youth and she created programs to support returning citizens and educational services to address voter suppression. Pamela’s work has focused on families of color, the health and wellness of women and girls, multiple school districts and criminal justice reform, intervention supportive services for domestic violence survivors, substance abuse treatment services, services for aging out of foster care youth and with local community policing agencies and courts. Coaching young people through a pipeline to leadership framework appears to be her passion as well. Pamela had an extraordinary opportunity in 2019 to present on a panel discussion on “Transgender Women of Color” at the United Nations in New York.
Pamela retired in 2020, from the position of Deputy Director at the Ruth Ellis Center after serving for 5 ½ years. Her responsibilities included oversight of the day-to-day operations of a nationally recognized organization that focused on the health and wellbeing of LGBTQ homeless and at-risk young people in Detroit/Highland Park of Wayne County, Michigan.
Pamela was elected as the Northern Macomb Michigan NAACP President in February 2021 and served for the first two years in building the foundational strategies in addressing civil rights issues. She currently serves as the Women in the NAACP Standing Committee Chair for the Macomb County Michigan NAACP Branch, and she is a board member of Bell Global Justice Institute.
Pamela’s education includes an M.S. degree in Administration and an M.A. degree in Urban Planning, B.A. degree in Sociology and an A.A.S. in Marketing. Pamela resides in Macomb County, Michigan. Her career has included being credentialed in substance use disorders at the state, national, and international levels.
Tameka Citchen-Spruce
Disability Rights Activist and Independent Filmmaker
On July 2nd, 1985, Tameka Citchen-Spruce was 6 months old, she was involved in a horrific car accident that left her paralyzed from mid-chest down. However, based on her experiences, she has developed a strong passion for disability advocacy and media. It started at 21 years old, as Ms. Wheelchair MI 2006. As Ms. Wheelchair MI, she spoke out about supporting women with disabilities who are being abused. Later she studied Broadcast Television and graduated with a bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University.
Because of the combination of her journalism knowledge, and activism she learned the importance of telling a person's story. Her short film, Justifiable Homicide, has been nominated and won an award and her documentary My Girl Story has been selected for film festivals and now available on Tubi and Amazon Prime.
Besides her film accomplishments, she has over 15 years advocating for communities of color, women and girls with disabilities. Currently, she's the Director of LEAD-IN, a leadership development program for non-profits who want to focus on more disability inclusion of BIPOC communities with disabilities for the Michigan Disability Rights Coalition. And she volunteers for Warriors on Wheels of Metro Detroit working on criminal justice reform for people with disabilities.
She has been selected for wonderful fellowships such as Americorp, Public Allies of Metro Detroit, and Detroit Equity Action Lab at Judge Damon Keith’s Wayne State University Law Center. She was selected to be Disability Delegate at the Congressional Black Caucus Legislative Conference. And she is a proud member of the National Black Disability Coalition.
Sharron Fincher, She/Her/Hers
Access Equity and Inclusion Coordinator, Avalon Healing Center
Sharron is a native Detroiter and graduate of Detroit Public Schools. She attended Wayne State University’s school of social work and has been involved in the community for over 25 years. She has gained a theoretical care, as well as practical competency in case management.
Sharron has worked with marginalized populations including LGBTQ, children with special needs and people of color in her professional life as well as through community service work and activism. Sharron is currently involved in many projects within the community. She is the Access Equity & Inclusion Coordinator at Avalon Healing Center where she works closely with marginalized populations who have experienced sexual assault and trauma. Sharron is also spearheading the new DEI program at Avalon. She sits on the Board of Directors for the Ruth Ellis Center where she is the Board Chairperson.
Sharron is also a member of the Detroit Police Department Chief’s LGBT Advisory Board. In addition to these projects, she occasionally writes for blogs and newspapers throughout metro Detroit, hosts a Podcast called The Cat’s Meow as well as co-hosts Voices Thru Avalon. Sharron is the creator and director for the documentary WoMan. Sharron was recently awarded the 2023 Vanguard Award by the Detroit Choice Awards for her work with the LGBTQ community. In 2023 Sharron was trained by DONA doula to work specifically with the LGBTQ community and survivors of trauma. Sharron has also been trained by Metro Detroit restorative justice network to lead restorative circles.
Tamika Jackson
Reproductive and Black Maternal Health Organizer, Mothering Justice
My journey has been a challenging yet powerful one, rooted in the experiences I’ve faced growing up in the suburbs outside of Detroit. The housing programs provided an escape from the crack epidemic, allowing my mother to give us access to education opportunities in the suburbs. Despite the advantages, I encountered overt racism from peers and covert actions from teachers and administration in white suburban America. Determined not to become a product of their biases, I dove into community service and developed a keen interest in law to address racial disparities in the justice system. Through my pursuits, I learned that what I seek to change must happen on a policy level first.
My life took a turn when your mother's deep mental crisis emerged, leading me to pause my college education, gain custody of my sister, and navigate the challenges of supporting my family during the recession. The housing crisis and its impact on our communities further motivated me to work with Good Jobs Now/Center for Popular Democracy on a housing campaign, advocating against over taxation and creating programs for reparations.
Now, as the Reproductive and Black Maternal Health Organizer with Mothering Justice, I am deeply involved in the fight for equity. My personal experience during a routine medical procedure emphasized the flaws in a healthcare system that doesn't value the lives of women of color and our children. This fueled my commitment to pushing policies that enhance maternal health for Black, Brown, and Indigenous women, emphasizing alternative care options and investing in patient advocacy.
Our voices and experiences are driving the push for expanded access to midwives and doulas, along with funding for birthing centers. My dedication to creating a more inclusive and supportive healthcare system is a testament to my resilience and commitment to making a positive impact. Keep pushing for change, and our efforts will undoubtedly contribute to a more just and equitable society.
Jamie Junior
Disability Rights and Socio-Economic Justice Activist
Jaime Junior is a passionate advocate for Disability Rights, as well as socioeconomic Justice. She was born with Cerebral Palsy and has been navigating life primarily on wheels for the past eight years and uses her lived experience and skills as a certified ADA coordinator to help others live as independently as possible in the community of their choosing.
Jaime has spent most of her life advocating for others and has become a well-known face in spaces designed to ensure human rights, dignity, and cooperation. Her advocacy work is driven by her personal experiences and her belief that everyone, regardless of ability, deserves to have full access to their community, enjoy financial self-sufficiency, and live a self-determined life.
As a proud Black woman with a disability, Jaime uses her social media platforms to share her journey and experiences with others. She uses the hashtags #blackgirlrollin and #&thensum to highlight her identity and perspective as she navigates life's challenges and triumphs.
Jaime is also a member of the Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council, where she helps to create programs and policies that ensure that people with disabilities, as well as their families and friends, have equitable access to the tools they need to thrive and achieve their dreams.
In 2022, Jaime was crowned Ms. Wheelchair Michigan. She used her platform to advocate for equity and greater economic opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Her efforts did not go unnoticed, as she was selected to receive the 2023 Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act Advocacy Award from the State of Michigan, Department of Civil Rights. This accolade honors her dedication to advocating for the rights of people with disabilities and serves as a testament to the impact she has had on her community.