About Us

Our Team, Co-Chairs & Staff

Dr. Ashley C. Adams (she/her), Co-Chair

Mills College at Northeastern University

Acting Director of Public Policy and Associate Adjunct Professor of Public Policy, Office of the Dean Special Faculty Appointment Student Academic Concerns and Conflict Resolution, Black Faculty and Staff Association Co-Chair, Black Action Forum Member

Dr. Darcelle Lahr (she/her), Co-Chair

Mills College at Northeastern University

Professor of Practice, Elfenworks Lecturer in Leadership & Ethics, Office of the Dean Special Faculty Appointment Antiracism and DEI Committee Chair, Black Faculty and Staff Association Co-Chair, Black Action Forum Member, National Black MBA Association Advisor

Dr. Erika Weissinger (she/her), Co-Chair

U.C. Berkeley and Mills College at Northeastern University

Lecturer, Reparation Generation National Advisory Board & Evaluation Lead, Former postdoctoral fellow at UC Berkeley’s School of Social Welfare, and Board Treasurer for Waterside Workshops, a non-profit providing vocational education and wraparound services for young people

Ife Tayo Walker (she/her), Co-Chair

Mills College at Northeastern University

Director, Grad Programs and Alumnae Engagement Lokey School of Business & Public Policy, Office of the Dean Special Faculty Appointment Campus Culture Committee Chair, Black Faculty and Staff Association Co-Chair, Black Action Forum Member, Black Student Collective Advisor

Alec Edges (she/her), Research Assistant

Mills College at Northeastern University

Graduate Alum, Joint Master of Public Policy and Master of Business Administration, Mills College Lokey School of Business and Public Policy, Research Expertise in African American Historical Preservation Policy, BIPOC business issues, and public transportation systems

Imani N. Karpowich-Smith (she/her), Graphic Designer

Mills College at Northeastern University

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art and Bachelor of Ethnic Studies (People of Color in Film), Mills College, Interdisciplinary Visual Artist and Filmmaker, Black Faculty and Staff Association Co-Chair, Black Action Forum Member

Magda Cooney (she/her), Communications & Technology Coordinator

Mills College at Northeastern University

Master of Management – Marketing D’Amore-McKim School of Business, Mills College at Northeastern University (Spring 2023), Masters in Human Resources – Training and Diversity, HR Associate for Faculty Affairs, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging certified professional