Empowered Citizens
At Empowered Citizens, we believe strong leadership and compassionate service are the foundation of lasting community impact. Our team, board members and staff alike, brings diverse expertise, lived experience, and a shared commitment to empowering youth, families, and communities.
Vision, accountability, and strategic guidance.
Direct support, education, prevention, and intervention.
Our Board of Directors provides vision, accountability, and strategic guidance, ensuring our programs stay mission-focused and responsive to community needs. Board members bring expertise across education, behavioral health, nonprofit leadership, finance, and community engagement.
Our Staff Team is the heart of Empowered Citizens — working directly with youth and families to provide support, education, prevention, and intervention. From licensed clinicians and program leaders to administrative staff and peer mentors, every team member is committed to building resilience, creating safe spaces, and promoting positive outcomes.
Together, our board and staff live out our values of collaboration, integrity, and service, reducing disparities, strengthening families, and inspiring hope every day.
Founder & Board Leadership
Executive Director/Founder
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.
Board President/Chair
Dr. Malaika Edwards holds a Doctorate in Counseling and Counseling Education and is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and researcher. Her work is rooted in relational, trauma-informed practice and guided by a strong commitment to culturally responsive, affirming, and justice-oriented care.
As Co-Owner of Radical Love & Liberation Counseling, PLLC, Dr. Edwards brings extensive clinical experience working with individuals, couples, and families across diverse backgrounds and life circumstances. She specializes in relational therapy, couples and family counseling, trauma-informed care, women’s issues, and cultural responsiveness. As a Qualified Supervisor and Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisor, she is also deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of clinicians.
Board Vice President/Vice Chair
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.
Board Members
Compliance Officer
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.
Fiscal Officer
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.
Outreach Chair
Shoneice is a native of New Bern, North Carolina, a first-gen graduate, and a proud social work professional. After graduating from East Carolina University, in 2011 Shoneice began a career in the field and gained experiences that has led to her current pursuit of a Master of Social work degree at North Carolina Central University. She brings over 15 years of experience supporting individuals,and families across several systems and various populations; including higher education, behavioral health, housing services, family support programs, and survivor advocacy. She currently serves as President of the NCCU Social Work Graduate Student Association and as a Graduate Hall Coordinator; she is dedicated to creating inclusive residential communities that promote leadership, student wellness, and academic success. Her future goals include supporting black and brown families co-occurring with mental illness and substance use disorders Shoneice believes that ‘the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others’- Gandhi
Staff Members
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
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.
Contract Teacher
Mr. Joseph 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 H. Wilson Jr. is the Executive Director and Founder of Second Season of Life, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping athletes successfully navigate life during and after sports. A former multi-sport athlete who competed in both football and baseball, Rufus understands firsthand the challenges athletes face when their identity, purpose, and direction are tested beyond the game.
Professionally, Rufus has built a career in workforce development, business leadership, and entrepreneurship. As the owner of SorTek, LLC, he has developed strategic partnerships and workforce solutions while helping businesses meet critical staffing needs. His experience spans recruiting, leadership development, employability training, and economic opportunity, allowing him to connect people with meaningful careers and lasting success.
A passionate speaker, mentor, and community leader, Rufus is committed to equipping young people with the tools they need to thrive in every season of life. Through Second Season of Life, he leads initiatives focused on mentorship, career readiness, mental wellness, and personal development, ensuring athletes are prepared for success long after the final whistle.
Driven by his Christian faith and a heart for service, Rufus believes every setback can become a setup for purpose. His mission is to inspire others to discover that their greatest impact often begins when one chapter ends and another begins.
.png)
Bilingual Office Assistant
Erica serves as the Bilingual Office Assistant at Empowered Citizens, bringing more than 10 years of experience in human services, program management, and community-based support. Originally from Boston, Massachusetts, Erica has worked with diverse populations throughout her career, strengthening her commitment to supporting individuals, youth, and families from a variety of backgrounds.
Her professional experience includes assisting individuals and families navigating substance use, mental health concerns, and other complex life challenges. Fluent in both English and Spanish, Erica brings strong communication skills, cultural awareness, compassion, and a client-centered approach to her role.
At Empowered Citizens, Erica provides administrative and program support while helping ensure that youth and families receive responsive, respectful, and accessible services. She is committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment where every individual feels valued, heard, supported, and empowered.
