Qasarah Bey Spencer
VCU School of Social Work

Before coming to VCU full-time, Qasarah served as adjunct faculty for the VCU School of Social Work since 2019 and as a field instructor since 2010. She teaches undergraduate and graduate coursework on human behavior and social environment (writing-intensive), social justice, and generalist macro practice. In Fall 2024, Qasarah became program director of the Master of Social Work (MSW) program at the VCU School of Social Work. Starting this academic year, she serves as the Interim Associate Dean of Graduate Academic Affairs. 

A macro practitioner, Qasarah has a unique career experience that highlights her commitment to equity and accountability as well as quality public and private education. As program director for Embrace Richmond, Qasarah coached indigenous community leaders in under-resourced communities using asset-based community development principles. She nurtured partner relationships with area churches, local public agencies, and private organizations in support of initiatives spearheaded by indigenous leaders. As program director for the Micah Association, she cultivated collaborations between faith-community volunteers and Richmond Public Schools. She created the Year-End Snapshot, an outcome evaluation measure for reporting to Richmond Public Schools and the Micah Board, and a volunteer handbook as a guide for new and long-time volunteers. Most recently, Qasarah served as the lower school administrator for Anna Julia Cooper Episcopal School in Richmond. She formerly served full-time as principal of Richmond Prep. The focus for her leadership in this role was developing teacher leaders who are skilled in practices grounded in equity, social and emotional learning, and trauma-informed practices. She also served as the school's director of admissions and assistant principal. 

Qasarah has earned the Bachelor of Social Work degree from Norfolk State University, the Master of Divinity and the Master of Social Work from the School of Theology at Virginia Union University and Virginia Commonwealth University, and the Doctor of Educational Leadership from Virginia Commonwealth University. Her doctoral studies centered on best practices for social and emotional learning programs at the middle school level. She has also completed the Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute's Minority Political Leadership Institute and the Initiatives of Change (IofC) Connecting Communities Fellowship Program where she was immersed in principles of servant-leadership, community leadership, and honest dialogue. 

Dre'mon Miller
CEO, Street Smartz Over Safety

Dre’mon Miller is a Richmond, Virginia native who grew up in some of the city’s most underserved neighborhoods, experiences that shaped his commitment to education, public safety, and youth empowerment. As the middle child of five and the oldest boy, he developed strong leadership skills and the ability to connect with individuals from all backgrounds.

After serving as a correctional officer and later as a police officer with Virginia’s Division of Capitol Police, Dre’mon founded Street Smartz Over Safety to create engaging, community-centered programming that bridges the gap between youth, education, and public safety. As the work expanded, Street Smartz Foundations was established as a 501(c)(3) to scale impact and provide sustainable pathways for leadership, career readiness, and personal growth.

Dre’mon is an uncle, prior mentor with VCU’s African American Alumni Council, a Criminal Justice teacher with Richmond Public Schools, and an adjunct instructor at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College. He is committed to being a steady, reassuring voice, reminding young people and the community that their lives matter and their futures are worth pursuing.

Angela Patton
CEO and Founder, Girls for a Change

Angela Patton is a nationally respected social innovator, filmmaker, and activist committed to preparing Black girls for the world—and preparing the world for Black girls. She is the Founder of Camp Diva Leadership Academy and the CEO of Girls For A Change (GFAC), a nonprofit creating brave, joyful spaces where Black girls are seen, heard, and celebrated.

She is the co-author of Finding Her Voice, a practical guide that equips Black girls to lead with confidence, clarity, and purpose. Angela is also the visionary behind the groundbreaking Date With Dad father-daughter dance program—implemented in communities and correctional facilities—which became the subject of her viral TED Talk and helped ignite a national conversation about healing family bonds.

In 2024, Angela expanded her impact through film as Executive Producer and Co-Director of Daughters, the award-winning documentary that premiered at Sundance, earned both the Festival Favorite and Audience Awards, and is now streaming on Netflix.

Her work has received global recognition, including a Peabody Award, Critics’ Choice Award, BAFTA nomination, and two Emmy nominations. Named a White House Champion of Change under President Obama and honored as a 2024 Remarkable Woman of the Year, Angela continues to champion justice, equity, and transformation—urging institutions not only to listen to Black girls, but to co-create with them. She believes true progress emerges when Black girls lead, decide, and build alongside us.

Angela is lovingly married to Adofo Ka-Re and is a proud mother to their son, Imhotep, and daughter, Asani.

Elijah Lee
High School Student and Community Activist

Elijah Lee is a 17-year-old student, community activist, and ordained minister. For the past seven years, Elijah has been on the front lines organizing annual youth-centered marches, serving as a national public speaker, and working in the legislative arena specific to bills impacting young people. Elijah raised over $15,000 to develop pediatric safe rooms in both North Carolina and Virginia to expand trauma-informed care practices. For this effort, he was named the 2022 Emerging Philanthropic Leader by the Central Virginia Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Elijah is the founder of a nonprofit organization, Hear Our Voices, dedicated to empowering young people with an emphasis on assisting youth in finding their voice and becoming agents of change. For this work, he was named the 2022 Youth Entrepreneur of the Year by the Metropolitan Business League. Elijah is an active lobbyist with the Virginia General Assembly, advocating and testifying for legislation impacting children. In the 2023 General Assembly Session, he introduced six bills, with three getting passed. For his efforts, Elijah was recognized by the Virginia House of Delegates as House Joint Resolution 283.

He serves as a public speaker on the issues of child abuse, racism, oppression, and trauma-informed care. Elijah’s activism led him to be featured on the Marvel Hero Project on Disney+, made two appearances on the Kelly Clarkson Show, and be highlighted in PEOPLE Magazine, and an edition of the Black Panther Comic. Elijah was also named one of the youngest award recipients of Style Weekly’s 40 under 40. In 2024, the Department of Justice awarded Elijah with the National Crime Victims Award: Tomorrow’s Leader, for his many contributions to improve safety for children. In addition, at the age of 10, Elijah became an ordained minister and he continues to serve as a guest preacher in both Virginia and North Carolina. During his sophomore year at Maggie L Walker Governor’s School, elijah served as co-president and he remains committed to his academics as he prepares to enter his senior year next year.

Khalil Houston
Spoken Word Artist

Khalil Houston is a writer, spoken word artist, and entrepreneur from the South Side of Richmond, Virginia. From a young age, Khalil displayed a deep connection to creativity and art, which became his refuge after the tragic loss of his three brothers in a triple homicide. Starting his writing journey at just ten years old, poetry became his lifeline—a powerful tool for processing trauma and finding his voice in a world that often felt overwhelming. Now, with over eight years in the industry, Khalil is passionate about teaching others to harness the power of expression to navigate their own challenges.

Throughout his career, Khalil has reached significant milestones as a performing artist. He has showcased his work at universities across the country, collaborated on EPs, led community workshops, and competed in national poetry competitions, as well as performed in international showcases. Khalil earned his bachelor’s degree in English from Virginia Commonwealth University, with a concentration in Creative Black Literature, further deepening his commitment to storytelling and cultural expression.