Shayla is a dedicated and strategic leader committed to co-liberation, community, and authenticity. Embracing intersecting identities, she identifies as a disabled and neurodivergent woman. Shayla began community organizing when she was a teenager, and throughout her career, she has focused on community engagement, resource coordination, and capacity building within nonprofit and grassroot organizations. As a first-generation graduate holding a Master of Public Health from the Population and Health Sciences program at the University of Michigan, her professional journey began in social work. Currently, she serves as the Associate Director of Special Projects for Community Impact at United Way for Southeastern Michigan.
Shayla is honored to be the recipient of the Emerging Social Work Leader Award from the National Association of Social Workers, and her contributions in flooding relief and violence prevention have held a lasting impact. As she embarks on the Change Collective journey, her goal is to continue pursuing her passion for crisis response and resilience building on the East Side. She aims to establish a fund that is accessible to neighbors in crisis, further contributing to the well-being of the community.