Sayida Peprah has a BA in Psychology from Spelman College, and PsyD in Clinical Psychology with a Multicultural Specialization, from the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University. Dr. Sayida’s study and work strongly emphasize multicultural awareness and in an effort to further this, she has participated in international cultural immersion studies. Previously, she has traveled to Ghana, Mexico, Egypt and India, studying mental health approaches, indigenous culture and local spiritual traditions.

Dr. Sayida has a multi-faced career as a clinician, educator and consultant and specializes in multicultural psychology, trauma, suicide prevention and maternal mental health. As a clinical psychologist she has worked in community-based, in-home, psychiatric hospital and correctional settings. She is also an Associate Professor of Psychology for the University of Phoenix facilitating courses in Cultural and Correctional Psychology. Through her non-profit organization Diversity Uplifts, Inc., Dr. Sayida regularly offers cultural competency, mental health and maternal mental health trainings and workshops in the community and throughout the US. In 2014, she was a featured speaker at the United Nations 65thNGO Conference on the topic of Mental Illness, An Invisible Disabilites.

Sahar Pirzada is a Pakistani-American Muslim woman from the Bay Area. Her dedication to serving the Muslim community draws from her extensive experience working as a organizer and educator within community spaces. After graduating from UC Berkeley with a degree in Development Studies, Sahar moved to Singapore where she worked as a Project Coordinator for a UN-funded regional project on promoting gender-equitable interpretations of Islam for the full adoption of CEDAW (pronounced see-dah). Since moving back in 2015, she has continued her activism by challenging Islamophobia as Co-Chair of #VigilantLOVE where she creatively organizes against the mosque-to-prison pipeline. She is also the Programs & Outreach Manager for HEART where she explores the intersections of islamophobia and gender-based violence and supports survivors of sexual violence in the Muslim community. She is currently pursuing her masters of social work at USC in the social change and innovation track. Sahar's work has been featured in Teen Vogue, NPR, KPCC, Fusion's Sex Right Now and the LA Times.

Taquelia Washington has over 15 years of experience working as a School Social Worker. She holds a license in Clinical Social Work (LCSW) as well as a Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPSC). In addition to her direct practice work with her clients, Ms. Washington also provides supervision to graduate level interns and facilitates workshops throughout California geared toward those in the mental health field. Taquelia is an engaging and dynamic speaker who brings all of herself to her individual work with youth as well as her teaching endeavors. Taquelia strives to create a safe space for her students to focus on their own healing, self-growth, and empowerment.