Who We Are

HHREC is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization committed to creating healthy communities by improving the overall health and quality of life of Bay Area residents by reducing the use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs and eliminating racism and violence of all kinds. HHREC acts as a fiscal agent for the Alameda County Office of Ethnic Services, The African American Health & Wellness Steering Committee, and the Alameda County Workforce Education and Training Program with Ohlone College.

Download our brochure.

Leadership Team

Talia Benet, (MDiv Student)
Chief Executive Officer

Tbenet@hhrec.org

Reverend Talia Benet is an advocate for economic development within the African American Bay Area community. She is currently the Executive Director of the Health & Human Resource Education Center (HHREC) located in Oakland California. HHREC was founded in 1984 and is funded by Alameda County Behavioral Health and the Mental Health Services Act. HHREC has six community-based programs that are rooted and centered in health and wellness. Reverend Talia Benet is the Senior Pastor of Taylor Chapel CME Church located in Vallejo, California. Taylor Chapel CME Church has served the Vallejo community for over 74 years and Talia credits Bishop Rev. Charley Hames Jr. as her mentor. Talia is the proud daughter of Retired attorney and Navy Vietnam Veteran Mansour Salahudin and the mother of Sparkle Hicks who is currently a college student at Chico State. Talia is engaged to retired Air Force Veteran Michael Solomon, and her hobbies are traveling and reading. Reverend Talia Benet is also the owner of a consulting firm that offers fund development strategy and provides grant writing services.

Michael Githuka
CFO

mgithuka@hhrec.org

Michael Githuka is the Chief Financial Officer of Health and Human Resource Education Center, where he oversees financial strategy, multi‑year budgeting, grants management, and organizational risk. With more than 35 years of experience in corporate accounting, nonprofit and public‑sector finance, Michael leads the organization’s fiscal stewardship, ensuring alignment between mission priorities and sustainable resource allocation.

Michael specializes in complex funding portfolios, including government contracts, philanthropic grants, and multi‑program service budgets. He has a proven track record of strengthening financial systems, improving audit readiness, and building data‑driven decision frameworks that support organizational growth.

Michael is known for building strong relationships with program teams, funders, and community partners, translating financial data into actionable insights that strengthen outcomes for vulnerable populations.

Michael holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Technical Management, Diploma in Advanced Accounting, and Quality Control and Record Management as well as Certification in Medical Billing and Coding. He is committed to advancing financial accountability and mission‑driven impact across the nonprofit sector.

Shanina “Nina” Shumate, M.S.
Community Health Worker/Quality Assurance

sshumate@hhrec.org

Shanina “Nina” Shumate, M.S., a fourth-generation educator from Oakland, emphasizes the importance of building lasting relationships that create opportunities for meaningful connections, strategic growth, and positive change for individuals and organizations. In her role as the Behavioral Health Services Act Campaign Managing Director, she focuses on strengthening existing partnerships at HHREC while developing new collaborations that continue to support and expand the organization’s long-standing impact across Alameda County.

She is currently a PhD candidate at Alliant International University, where her work centers on workforce development and organizational effectiveness. Shanina is also a certified Substance Use Disorder Registered Counselor (SUD-RC) and Certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist (CMPSS), as well as a Tobacco Treatment Specialist, bringing both academic and lived expertise into her work supporting community-based services and behavioral health initiatives.

Allison Agbeniyi, M.S.
Financial Assistant

aagbeniyi@hhrec.org

Allison Agbeniyi is a passionate and committed professional with a strong educational foundation in social work and educational administration. She holds a B.A. in Social Work and an M.S. in College Student Personnel Services. In her current position as a financial assistant, Allison combines her knowledge with practical experience to excel in her role.

As a certified billing and coding specialist, Allison ensures accuracy and compliance in financial processes with her keen attention to detail. Her work as a counselor for substance use disorders and domestic violence showcases her compassion and dedication to supporting others through difficult times.

Allison is recognized for her strategic thinking and her ability to keep the larger goals in mind, aligning her actions with her ethical standards and professional objectives. Her enthusiasm for learning and professional growth makes her a valued member of our team, always seeking to improve her skills and expand her impact.

Staff

James Cook, Certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist
jcook@hhrec.org

Bio

James Cook’s life began with challenges that most people don’t face until much later in life. Losing his mother young and surviving the upheaval of Hurricane Katrina shaped him before he even had a chance to figure out who he wanted to become. In the middle of fear and uncertainty, he learned how to stay calm, protect the people he loved, and keep moving forward even when the world felt unsteady. Those early experiences didn’t just test him, they carved out the strength and compassion he carries today.

When James eventually came to California, he arrived without a perfect plan but with a deep determination to build something better. He worked wherever he needed to, learning how to communicate, manage people, and adapt to constantly changing situations. Beneath the steady presence he offered others, he was navigating his own healing, learning how to create stability while raising his children, and trying to untangle the emotional weight of what he’d lived through. Instead of repeating the same patterns he grew up around, he made a conscious decision to choose growth.

Connecting with HHREC was the moment when his past and future finally met with purpose. He didn’t come looking for rescue, he came looking for direction. What he found was space to breathe, learn, and understand himself more deeply. Through guidance and training, he developed tools that helped him manage the challenges of co‑parenting with more patience, understand trauma without letting it dictate his reactions, and communicate in ways that protected both his peace and his purpose. He began focusing intentionally on the future he wanted for his children and realized that his lived experiences were not burdens, they were wisdom he could use to uplift others.

Today, James supports Veterans and young adults with the same calm steadiness that once helped him survive his own storms. His empathy comes from lived truth. His guidance comes from lessons earned. And his purpose is rooted in the decision he makes every day: to turn everything he has endured into something that helps others stand a little taller.

James’s challenges didn’t break him. They built the man he is now: grounded, resilient, and rising with purpose.

Khantane Jackson, Domestic Violence Counselor
kjackson@hhrec.org

Bio

I am a warrior of love, a healer, and a mentor rooted in connection, truth, and transformation. Born and raised in Oakland, California, I move through this world knowing we are all connected. I don’t just believe in love, I stand for it, protect it, and fight fiercely for it in my community and within myself.

I’ve always had a gift for holding space. People feel safe with me, seen by me, and heard without judgment. I listen deeply because I care deeply. That care is not passive; it’s active, intentional, and grounded in love.
My journey has not been easy. I’ve faced depression, anxiety, and substance use, and I know what it feels like to lose yourself. But I chose to fight my way back. That fight shaped me, strengthened me, and gave me purpose.

Today, I bring both lived experience and training into my work, with certifications in Domestic Violence and Substance Use Disorder. I show up with a trauma-informed lens, a strong heart, and an unshakable commitment to healing.

I am here to remind people of who they are. To walk with them as they reclaim their power, their voice, and their path.

Jordan Johnson, Certified Fitness Instructor & Holistic Nutritionalist
jjohnson@hhrec.org

Bio

Jordan Johnson serves as the Health and Wellness Coordinator at HHREC, where he supports the community through one-on-one case management, event facilitation, and program coordination. He leads initiatives such as Lunch Lift and Fuel Bar, which focus on building strength, promoting healthy habits, and empowering youth through fitness and nutrition education.

Jordan earned his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Morehouse College in 2017 and is currently pursuing degrees in Fire Science and Social Behavioral Sciences at Merritt College, expected in 2026, as he works toward a future career in the fire service. With over 12 years of experience in the fitness industry, he is a certified personal and group trainer and a certified nutrition coach.

He holds certifications as a Community Health Worker, Domestic Violence Counselor, and Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Specialist, as well as a Mandated Reporter, Adult First Aid/CPR/AED provider, and is a licensed Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). Jordan is passionate about serving his community through both health and emergency response, using fitness, education, and leadership to improve overall well-being.

Sara Pham Rosenblatt, Community Health Worker
srosenblatt@hhrec.org

Bio

Sara Pham Rosenblatt has been supporting HHREC as a program specialist through one-on-one case-working, grant writing, and event facilitation/coordination. Sara graduated from UC Berkeley in May 2025 with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Health and a minor in Data Science. She will attend UCLA School of Nursing in Fall 2026 to complete her Master’s Entry Clinical Nursing degree for a future as a Public Health Nurse. Sara holds certifications as a Community Health Worker, Domestic Violence Counselor, Substance Use Disorder Registered Counselor, Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Specialist, Mandated Reporter, as well as Adult First Aid/CPR/AED.

Razon Tramble, Community Health Worker
rtramble@hhrec.org

Bio

A third-generation Bay Area resident, Razon Tramble has a deep-rooted passion for supporting our youth and adult population, especially those who are underserved. Razon Tramble serves as HHREC’s Director of Programs, fueled by a strong desire to help Alameda County residents. She brings a background of coaching, housing, resource navigation and life skills mentoring. She holds several certifications, including Substance Use Disorder, Holistic Nutrition Coaching, and Non Violent Crisis Intervention. In order to reach community members of all ages, it involves creating a safe and supportive space that assists with supporting the needs of the community.

Razon’s strong relationships with a variety of Bay Area organizations and local thought leaders in the community foster partnerships and expanded opportunity. Operating under the umbrella of Alameda County Behavioral Health, these initiatives offer a spectrum of wellness activities, workshops, and invaluable resources. She understands the importance of mental health and the significant impact on the community.

When she isn’t championing community efforts, she can be found immersed in fiber arts, technology or enjoying the outdoors.

IanGathu_CommunityHealthWorker-TA_600x734

Ian Gathu, Community Health Worker/Technical Assistance
igathu@hhrec.org

Sparkle Hicks, CA Substance Use Disorder Registered Counselor
shicks@hhrec.org

Media Team

Amy W., Graphic Designer
amymade@gmail.com

Menelik, Media
Mediabymenelik@gmail.com

Bryan Kring, Webmaster
bryan@kringdesign.com

Board of Directors

Michael Johnson, Board Chair

Dr. Douglas Mucheke Ph.D., Vice Chair and Board Governance Chair

Newport Healthcare

Guy Harris MBA, Board Secretary

United States Army

Nafchi Abdolmohsen, Board Finance Chair

Andrea Miller Andrea Miller, MPA, CPFO, Board Member–Finance Committee

Bio

Andrea Miller is a seasoned public finance executive and Certified Public Finance Officer with more than 20 years of experience strengthening the financial health and operational stability of public agencies across the Bay Area. She has led complex financial operations for cities, utilities, and regional authorities, including the City of Richmond, the Transbay Joint Powers Authority, East Bay Municipal Utility District, and the City of Pinole.

Andrea is widely recognized for her ability to stabilize organizations, produce award-winning financial reports, and guide multimillion-dollar budgets, audits, and capital programs with clarity and integrity. Her leadership has supported major federal funding efforts, strengthened internal controls, and advanced longterm financial planning for diverse public institutions.

She holds a Master of Public Administration from Golden Gate University and is pursuing a Doctor of Business Administration. Andrea is an active member of the Government Finance Officers Association and the California Society of Municipal Finance Officers, and she has served on state and national advisory committees focused on government budgeting and financial reporting.

Andrea brings to HHREC a deep commitment to community well-being, organizational stewardship, and mission-driven leadership.

Cecil Grimes, Board Member

Shannen Morris, Board Member

Director, Workforce Management at Foot Locker

Stephen Owiro, Board Member

Regional Vice President at Foot Locker

Who We Are

Leadership Team