Meet Our Team

At Empowered Citizens, we believe that strong leadership and compassionate service are the foundation of lasting community impact. Our team is made up of dedicated board members and staff who bring diverse expertise, lived experiences, and a shared commitment to empowering youth, families, and communities.
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Our Board of Directors provides vision, accountability, and strategic guidance to ensure our programs remain mission-focused and responsive to community needs. Each board member contributes unique strengths in education, behavioral health, nonprofit leadership, finance, and community engagement.
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Our Staff Team is the heart of Empowered Citizens, working directly with youth and families to provide support, education, prevention, and intervention services. From licensed clinicians and program leaders to administrative staff and peer mentors, every member of our team is committed to creating safe spaces, building resilience, and promoting positive outcomes. Together, our board and staff embody the values of collaboration, integrity, and service—working every day to reduce disparities, strengthen families, and inspire hope.

Board Members

Dr. Malaika M. Edwards, PhD, LCMHC, QS- Board Member

Board President/Chair

Dr. Malaika M. Edwards, PhD, LCMHC, QS

Dr. Johnson, a practitioner-scholar recognized for graduating at the top of her class and earning the award for outstanding dissertation, focuses her research on health disparities, social justice, religion, and acculturation. She developed an award-winning culturally sensitive diagnostic protocol for Somali communities in the Twin Cities to improve provider cultural competency and reduce disparities. In 2024, she served as lead principal investigator for the Communiversity Developed and Tested Toolkit for Opioid Abuse Abatement at North Carolina Central University, a collaboration with Together for Resilient Youth and the North Carolina Collaboratory. She is also the author of “From Refuge to Doctor: A Story of Perseverance and Faith.”

Dr. Yolonda Edgerton, MSW, LCSW, LCAS, CCS- Board Member

Vice President/Vice Chair

Dr. Yolonda Edgerton, MSW, LCSW, LCAS, CCS

Dr. Johnson, a practitioner-scholar recognized for graduating at the top of her class and earning the award for outstanding dissertation, focuses her research on health disparities, social justice, religion, and acculturation. She developed an award-winning culturally sensitive diagnostic protocol for Somali communities in the Twin Cities to improve provider cultural competency and reduce disparities. In 2024, she served as lead principal investigator for the Communiversity Developed and Tested Toolkit for Opioid Abuse Abatement at North Carolina Central University, a collaboration with Together for Resilient Youth and the North Carolina Collaboratory. She is also the author of “From Refuge to Doctor: A Story of Perseverance and Faith.”

Dr. Dasherline Johnson- Board Vice Chair

Board Member

Dr. Dasherline Johnson

Dr. Edgerton s a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (NC, LA, VA, MD), Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist, and Certified Clinical Supervisor with over 15 years of experience in community mental health, training, and managed care. A clinician at heart, she has held executive roles in behavioral health while providing consultation, teaching, training, and supervision. Her passion for professional development has led her to create models that support accreditation, credentialing, billing, and policy practices, ensuring quality care for vulnerable populations. Dr. Edgerton earned her MSW from Fayetteville State University and her doctorate from National University.

Dr. Kenneth Ray Freeman II, DSW, LCSW-
Board Policy Chair

Board Member

Dr. Kenneth Ray Freeman II, DSW, LCSW

Dr. Freeman, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and educator, brings over a decade of experience in direct practice, supervision, and program development. He earned his BSW and MSW from North Carolina Central University and his DSW from Tulane University. His work centers on culturally responsive mental healthcare, with a focus on marginalized communities, such as Black same-gender-loving men. Dr. Freeman serves as lead therapist and clinical supervisor for a multidisciplinary community support team, consults with Legal Aid of North Carolina, and teaches research and evaluation as an adjunct professor at NCCU. His scholarship and workshops explore spirituality, identity, clinician wellness, and social justice, underscoring his commitment to HBCUs and his dedication to empowering communities through education and advocacy.

Juluis Jenkins - Board Member - Fiscal Officer

Compliance Officer

Mr. Julius Jenkins

Mr. Jenkins was born in Halifax, North Carolina, and is a graduate of Central Texas College with an M.S. in Divinity and World Religion. After serving in the U.S. Army, he medically retired and has since dedicated himself to 16 years of recovery and service in numerous roles supporting others. Alongside his ministry and community work, Julius also gained experience in accounting, which has strengthened his ability to manage resources and support organizations effectively. He has a deep passion for helping youth and adults, with a special focus on disadvantaged populations. An interesting fact about Julius is that he is currently writing a book about himself and his family, which is nearing completion.

Staff Members
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Dr. Wendi Watson, PhD, LCSW, LCAS, CCS
Executive Director/Founder

Executive Director/Founder

Dr. Wendi Watson, PhD, LCSW, LCAS, CCS

Dr. Watson is the Founder and Executive Director of Empowered Citizens and a Clinical Lecturer in the Department of Social Work at North Carolina Central University (NCCU). She has 17 years of experience in substance use and mental health, specializing in work with youth and families. A Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist (LCAS), Dr. Watson earned her PhD in Social Work with a specialization in Addiction from Walden University in 2024 and graduated with honors from NCCU in 2017. She now serves as Principal Investigator with the NCCU Opioid Abatement Team, advancing research and community strategies to reduce substance use and related disparities. Her passion for this work is rooted in personal experience and a deep commitment to supporting youth and communities.

Carla Mullins, MSW, LCSWA- Staff - Licensed Clinician

Licensed Clinician

Carla Mullins, MSW, LCSWA

Carla Mullins is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate (LCSWA) who earned her Master of Social Work from North Carolina State University in 2018 and has extensive experience providing individual and group therapy to youth and adults with mental health challenges, intellectual and developmental disabilities(IDD), and substance use disorders. She is passionate about helping others and creates a supportive, collaborative environment where clients feel empowered to pursue growth and healing. Carla integrates evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), and Motivational Interviewing (MI), while drawing on a biopsychosocial, person-centered framework to address the whole person—promoting emotional well-being, strengthening relationships, and improving overall quality of life.

Wilkins Josepsh - Contract Teacher -Staff

Contract Teacher

Wilkins Joseph

Wilkins is an experienced educator and mentor with 18 years of teaching at Sallie B. Howard School of Arts and Science, where he continues to inspire and guide students. He also serves as a contracted teacher with Empowered Citizens’ Alternative Peer Group (APG), where he facilitates the College and Career Readiness Program. This program helps youth explore career pathways, develop academic and professional skills, practice resume writing and interview preparation, and build the confidence needed to pursue higher education or enter the workforce. With a strong background in teaching, leadership, and youth development, Wilkins is committed to creating supportive, structured learning environments that empower adolescents and young adults to achieve academic and personal success.

Transportation

Rufus Wilson

Rufus Wilson's bio will be posted soon. Please check back for additional details.

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