Meet the Team
Who We Are
Shannon Murphy
Founder & CEO
Shannon Murphy, BSEd, MA has been teaching secondary and collegiate level English Writing Composition courses for the last decade. She has dedicated herself to the edification of young adults, and is driven to uplift the voices of young WOC through the art of creative writing. She is responsible for creative management, designing and cultivating the content of the program and allocating resources to manage the program efficiently.
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John Sisounthone
Executive Assistant & Program Manager
John holds a Masters in Business Administration and Program Management Professional Certification. With vast experience in leadership and program management, alongside his B.A. concentration in Organizations and Social Problems, Urban Youth and Communities, he has a passion for developing safe spaces within the community for POC and supervising programs to help them thrive. John utilizes his skills in financial literacy and management to ensure the financial health and sustainability of the organization.
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Jamie Bland, MSW
Mental Health Specialist
Jamie has worked with black and brown youth for over a decade. She is an expert in both group facilitating and individual counseling, prioritizing her client’s mental health. Her philosophy for guided healing includes using creative tools, such as writing, to help participants overcome trauma and insecurity. She assists in program development to ensure all initiatives uplift our community.
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Jayla Dennis
Project Coordinator, H.E.R. Society @ UNCC
Jayla participated in our first H.E.R. cohort, and upon graduating, transferred to our team. Previously she presented a poem in memory of Trayvon Martin at the United Strings of Color Vigil on Juneteenth 2021. When she's not working with WFF, she serves as an editor of a college literary magazine and is a full time student at UNC Charlotte, studying Psychology in hopes of serving the mental health needs of the BIPOC community.
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Gift Uba
Content Writer
Gift is a skilled direct response copywriter and content writer with a focus on crafting compelling, results-driven copy. Through thorough research into target audiences, Gift creates messages that resonate emotionally and inspire action. With expertise in understanding audience needs and pain points, Gift ensures that every piece of content or copy not only engages but also drives conversions, helping brands achieve their goals. She works strategically with WFF, developing compelling blog posts to further promote the importance of our mission.
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Sabrina Yvellez
Grant & Fundraising Assistant
Sabrina is a graduate from Hamilton College where she majored in Theater and minored in Education Studies and Creative Writing. She has interned in NYC with Waterwell Theater on their Education team and with Rattlestick Theater on their Administrative and Production team. She is a writer at heart, and is looking forward to building her playwriting portfolio in the upcoming years. As a Latine artist, Sabrina sincerely believes in the power of storytelling and the impact of intentional community building. When not working, you can find Sabrina baking, birding, or collaging.
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