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The Wakaboomee Program 501(c)3 provides STEAM Education to children in the form of Coding, Mindfulness, Yoga, Music, Chess, Tae Kwon Do, Art, Science, Tutoring and so much more!
Narkie Nartey
CEO & Founder
Since I was a child, I’ve had a passion for helping people. But for much of my life, helping people was limited and expressed rather perfunctorily. It was only when I wrote a children’s book and volunteered to read it weekly to various groups of students at a Title-1 elementary school that I realized how much a green little creature named Wakaboomee had the ability to impact the lives of children. Together with Wakaboomee and a group of incredible individuals who have a real passion for change - The Wakaboomee Program 501(c)3 provides STEAM Education in the form of Coding, Chess, Mindfulness, Art, Spanish, Music, Yoga, and so much more to children across the world.
The Wakaboomee Program provides an engaging curriculum of STEAM educational enrichment while giving life lessons that resonate and inspire greatness.
Experience the magic of the Wakaboomee Program 501(c)3 today. We can't wait to meet you!
Assistant Director
Sage Soyo is 13 years old and is her mother, Narkie's biggest supporter. Appointed as Wakaboomee Assistant Director at the young age of 7, Sage Soyo must adhere to a strict code of conduct and maintain a leadership role within the Wakaboomee Program. She takes meticulous notes and prepares for each Wakaboomee Session in advance ensuring that Wakaboomers stay engaged, learning and having a Wakaboomee FUN time! Sage Soyo loves basketball & playing Minecraft with her friends virtually.
Sage Soyo
Assistant Director
JbDavis
JbDavis or Julie is an exceptional artist who has volunteered her talents and expertise to the Wakaboomee Adventure Program since 2017. Much of her work is created not by any self imposed form or style of painting, but her art embodies the emotion of life. Julie shares art history and her passion for art with Wakaboomers each and every session. Julie's art work is exhibited at Chatham Hill Winery and auctioned at Wakaboomee Fundraising Events.
The Wakaboomee Program Art Instructor
Sowjanya Reddy
Sowjanya Reddy is a Software Developer at Cisco. Sowjanya graduated with a Masters in Computer Networks from North Carolina State University. She is passionate about coding and is thrilled to be the Facilitator for the Wakaboomer GIRLS Who Code Club.
As a Native of NC and a firm believer in the power of Education, Ida is determined to see all children receive STEAM Education regardless of their socioeconomic backgrounds. As the Business Analyst, Ida is responsible for bridging the gap between The Wakaboomee Program and various local organizations using data analytics to assess processes, determine requirements and deliver data-driven recommendations and reports to executives and stakeholders.
Wakaboomer GIRLS Who Code Facilitator
The Wakaboomee Program
Business Analyst
Ida Morton
Dr. Janelle
Ellis-Holloway
Positive Psychologist and Mindfulness Instructor
Dr. Janelle Ellis-Holloway is a Positive Psychology Practitioner and Social Justice Educator. As a former Science teacher, Dr. Ellis-Holloway is passionate about providing youth with the tools to be leaders academically but she also recognizes how important it is to have the tools to emotionally function in a sometimes overwhelming world. Using Positive Psychology, interactive open discussion and role play, Dr. Ellis-Holloway is able to empower Wakaboomers and equip them to face & navigate through the hurdles of life.
Seth Davis
The Wakaboomee Mascot
Seth is 17 years old. He’s a freshman high school student at Panther Creek and he’s the mascot for Wakaboomee. He has been a Wakaboomee supporter since 2017. His interests are music, video games,and computer programming. He plays both piano and guitar. He’s been playing guitar for about 5 years and piano for 2 and a half years. His future goal is to become a successful video game designer and programmer.
Wafa Khalil
Environmental Advocate & Solar Educator
Wafa Khalil is a former science educator at Miami Dade County Public Schools. She has written many energy related curricula, Energy for Sustainability: Solar and other renewable curricula; developed multiple innovative energy programs based on a holistic approach to learning.
Wafa loves sharing her vast knowledge with Wakaboomers in firm belief that by heightening awareness of the environmental problems, especially the ones related to the world energy consumption, Wakaboomers will in turn be committed to being responsible citizens and leaders.
Jessica Steiner
The Wakaboomee Program Yoga Instructor
Allie Bradford Brown
Allie Bradford Brown has a BS in Sociology from Brigham Young University and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from UNC-Chapel Hill. She has four years of experience in nonprofit organizations, including the Durham Literacy Center, Girls on the Run of the Triangle, and YNPN Triangle NC. Allie's academic and professional work has been primarily focused on women's issues, educational equity, and nonprofit effectiveness, including grant writing and management. She is passionate about writing effective Grant Proposals in behalf of The Wakaboomee Program!
The Wakaboomee Program Grant Writer
Jessica Steiner is an enthusiastic Yoga instructor and is so excited to help others experience the benefits of Yoga. Jessica has practiced yoga throughout her entire life. Through beginning yoga training classes three years ago, she became even more passionate about the wonderful benefits yoga can have on your stress levels, flexibility, mood stability, muscle pain, posture, and so much more. She is so excited to share her knowledge with young, adaptive bodies and minds. In her free time, Jessica enjoys spending time in nature through hiking, camping, kayaking, and traveling. She also has a love for music and spreading peace and positivity in the world, which she brings into each lesson of Wakaboomee Yoga!
Cristina Cerezo
The Wakaboomee Program
Virtual Spanish Instructor
Cristina Cerezo is a Spanish teacher and she has tauht Spanish since 2017. Cristina was born in Valencia, Spain. This city is located on the Mediterranean coast and it is the third biggest city in Spain.
Cristina has a Degree in Early Childhood Education - Elementary Teacher from the University of Seville, Spain, and a Master's Degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Valencia, Spain.
Cristina is so very eager to teach Wakaboomers how to speak Spanish fluently by use of an engaging platform for kids of all ages.
The Wakaboomee Program Yoga Instructor
Dawn Price is a 500-hr. Registered Yoga Teacher and certified YogaCoach. As a former K-12 Art teacher and elementary classroom teacher, Dawn is passionate about providing youth and adults with the journey into the experience of yoga. She has learned through personal experience how the practice of yoga can transform your life physically, mentally, and emotionally. Anyone can find value in a yoga practice because it really has nothing to do with your age or how flexible you may or may not be. Using either the Growga curriculum or her own program Yoga for Life , Dawn provides an engaging yoga experience for all ages, whether in-person or online, in group classes or one-on-one coaching.
Dawn Price
Clarke Eaves
Clarke Eaves is a 7th grade English and Social Studies teacher. She is originally from Charlotte, North Carolina and moved to Durham North Carolina to pursue her Masters in English Literature. After obtaining her Masters, Clarke continued to teach-transitioning from high school English to middle school Language Arts. Clarke is very passionate about her craft and loves to help students succeed! She also enjoys poetry analysis, video games, anime, and playing the violin. Clarke is excited to tutor Wakaboomers in English virtually this upcoming school year.
The Wakaboomee Program
English Tutor
Master Adam &
Ms. Mohini
6th Dan Tae Kwon Do Black Belt, Master Adam Sterner and his Head Instructor, 2nd Dan Tae Kwon Do Black Belt, Ms. Mohini Sudhakar. Master Adam is a member of the W.K.U. Hall of Fame and owner of the Sterner’s Tae Kwon Do Academy for the past 15 years. Ms. Mohini has been a student of his for 11 years and instructs hundreds of students daily with in person classes and virtually. Both Master Adam & Ms. Mohini are eager to share their incredible skills with Wakaboomers of all ages!
The Wakaboomee Tae Kwon Do Instructors
Attorney
Kristen Wills
The Wakaboomee Program
Legal Volunteer
Attorney Kristen Wills was born and raised in northeastern North Carolina. Attorney Wills obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in May 2014. Attorney Wills graduated with a Juris Doctor from North Carolina Central University, School of Law in May 2017. Attorney Wills is a member of the North Carolina State Bar, Tenth District Judicial Bar, and the North Carolina Bar Association. In her spare time, Attorney Wills enjoys traveling, cooking, swimming, and trying new foods. She is very excited to volunteer her time to focus on the special issues that affect non-profit organizations such as The Wakaboomee Program.
Valerie Taylor
The Wakaboomee Program
Math Tutor
Valerie Taylor is VERY passionate about teaching mathematics and making it accessible to all learners. Valerie grew up in North Carolina and attended high school in the Chapel Hill area. Upon graduation, she attended UNC-Wilmington for her bachelor’s degree in Math Education. After graduating from UNC-Wilmington, Valerie began working as a High School Math teacher in a school with a diverse population of students. She worked with ESL (English as a Second Language)
students and students with disabilities including ADHD, behavioral issues, and dyslexia. She also
taught honors courses. After teaching High School for three years Valerie went to graduate school! She received her Master’s degree in Mathematics from North Carolina State University. Upon completing her graduate degree, Valerie began teaching Math at Vance Granville Community College. Valerie consistently tutored during her educational journey and discovered that she has a gift of helping others unlock their mathematical abilities. She can't wait to help our Wakaboomers with Math!