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.
Leadership Team
Talia Benet, Executive Director
Tbenet@hhrec.org
Talia Benet has a passion for working with the Bay Area community and advocating for systems and policies change. Talia has worked in education and the nonprofit sector for over 12 years. She credits her mentor the Rev. Charley Hames, Jr. for teaching her about servant leadership and stewardship. She is President of The Ushers Ministry at Beebe Memorial Cathedral, a historically African American church that has been in the Oakland community for over 90 years. Talia was partially raised in New Orleans and considers herself a “Californian with southern mannerisms.” In her spare time Talia enjoys spending time with her family, mentoring youth, and researching southern Antebellum history. Accomplishments:
Raising a strong independent daughter who is 14 years old and helping over 60 underserved youth get off of court probation, through providing community volunteer opportunities.
Michael Githku, Finance Manager
mgithuka.hhrec@gmail.com
Michael Githku is an exercise physiologist, fitness specialist, and athletics coach. William has a Masters in Exercise Physiology from San Jose State University He is a certified personal trainer through the American College of Sports Medicine and National Strength and Conditioning Association.
He is a Certified Strength Conditioning Specialist and is an Exercise Physiology. He is an expert in strength training, functional fitness, and Metabolic conditioning.
Charrice Williams, Administrative & Operations Manager
cwilliams.hhrec@gmail.com
Charrice Williams is a dedicated and professional Manager experienced with Leadership, Organization, and Business Operations. She held a management position for nearly 10+ years in the corporate sector before moving into the nonprofit field. She has years of extensive decision-making and communication skills. With a background in Sales, Marketing, Accounting, and Operations.
Shanina Shumate, M.S., Program Director/Team Lead
sshumate.hhrec@gmail.com
Building long lasting relationships is essential in developing and enhancing network opportunities, strategic developments and positive change for clients and organization. Shanina Shumate, M.S. is a powerful leader with passion for providing underrepresented, undeserved and faith based communities with information and resources about college exposure, wellness and career advancement. For the past 20 years, Shanina has gone above and beyond for individuals and families she encounters. She ensures that individuals and families know how to navigate the systems in which they are involved, and access the resources to which they are entitled. Shanina is known by her students and colleagues as a hard worker and an inspiration.
Shanina’s educational journey has taken many turns. She earned two Associates of Art degrees from Laney College. She then transferred to San Francisco State University to earn her Bachelor’s of Art degree in Liberal Studies with a minor in History, and continued to earn her Masters of Science degree in Counseling with a specialization in career and emphasis in college counseling. She later earned her Yoga certification and Esthetician license to assist individuals and families to embrace their confidence and take care of their personal and professional wellness.
As the Program Director/Team lead her goal is to continue building HHREC long-term partnerships along with developing new collaborations to further deepen the HHREC legacy that has impacted the Alameda County residents.
Board of Directors
Carla Keener, Board Chair
Carla Keener became First 5 Alameda County’s (First 5’s) director of programs in October 2018. She plans and oversees programs, in addition to collaborating on program and project evaluations. Ms. Keener provides leadership, overall staff supervision, and operational guidance to staff for six programmatic strategies: Early ID, Quality Early Care and Education, Neighborhoods Ready for School, Fatherhood, and Parent and Community Engagement and Training.
Ms. Keener joined First 5 in 2001 and held several other positions before becoming director of programs. From 2011 to 2018, she was a senior program administrator and prior to that, she was a program services administrator. In both positions, Ms. Keener supported the development and implementation of programs that bridged services with Alameda County’s early childhood systems and provided support and training to parents and community providers.
Timothy Batts, J.D, Board Vice Chair
Timothy Batts, J.D , has more than twenty years of experience in the insurance litigation and loss prevention. His primary areas of focus have been complex litigation, outcome analytics and strategic loss prevention. He is currently employed with the Law Offices of Casalina & Disston, located in Oakland, California. After completing his undergraduate studies at Boston University, he obtained his Juris Doctorate from University of North Carolina, at Chapel Hill.
Mr. Batts began his career providing comprehensive loss prevention and claims management services to hospitals, medical facilities, surgical centers and physicians. In addition to his professional responsibilities, Mr. Batts is actively involved in his county’s election process. Serving as a Precinct Inspector from 2010 – 2012, he was instrumental in the implementation of the Ranked Choice Balloting introduced to Alameda County in the 2010 election cycle.
Marshawn Harris, Treasurer
Marshawn Harris is a seasoned multi-line insurance agent specializing in healthcare. After eighteen years in the insurance industry, she opened her agency and focused her practice on Covered CA, Medicare, Small Group and Community Outreach. Her goal is to assist new clients in meeting their insurance goals and support them in maintaining a stable financial foundation.
In addition to being a Certified Covered California Agent, Marshawn works with numerous non-profits. She is President of the Bay Area Fisk Alumni Club, Vice President of ABWA, and serves as an HHREC Board Member. As a Consultant for Health and Human Resource Education Center she worked over 100 community events and coordinated several health fairs. She is also a member of the Program Coordinating Committee with the Housing Authority of the County of Alameda and the Bay Area Anthem Community Advisory Committee.
Marshawn is committed to treating each of her clients with respect and providing them with quality insurance services expressly tailored to them regardless of their economic status. Therefore, as a member of the Covered CA Advisory Committee, she advocates for appropriate cultural outreach and assistance for her clients as well as underinsured communities.
Marshawn holds a BS in Business Administration from Fisk University and a Master’s Degree in Management from the University of San Francisco. She currently resides in the beautiful city of Oakland, CA.
Brendalynn Goodall, Board Member
Brendalynn Goodall is an accomplished administrator with more than 25 years in the field of aging and workforce development.
Brendalynn has expertise in the areas of planning, community organization, program administration, and personnel management. She served from 2001-2011, as the Aging & Adult Services Manager with the City Of Oakland, Department of Human Services, oversaw five programs for seniors and adults with disabilities and provided services to approximately 4,000 older adults annually. As a native of Oakland, Brendalynn earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Master’s Degree in Social Work from two Bay Area institutions. Recently, semi-retired, Brendalynn is exploring all options, where she can utilize her skills and assets to continue to make a difference in her community.
Andrea Slater, Board Member
Andrea Slater has been a community advocate, political consultant since 2000 in CA, she focuses on issues related to inequity and voter engagement.
She is a current faculty member at Laney College, where she teaches Political Science. Andrea was led to the board of HHREC through her own family’s experience with the in-family fostering and adoption of her youngest brother many years ago. This experience has helped shaped her understanding of the needs of former foster youth and transitional services.
Program Managers
Adriene Bennett, Program Manager of 10 x 10 Wellness
abennett.hhrec@gmail.com
Allison Agbeniyi, Program Manager of Black Women’s Media and Wellness Project
Aagbeniyi.hhrec@gmail.com
Ava M. Square, M.A., Program Manager of Community Based Learning and TA
asquare.hhrec@gmail.com
Khantane Jackson, Program Coordinator of Downtown TAY
kjackson.hhrec@gmail.com
Phillip Winnick, Producer of the HHREC Podcast
pwin101@gmail.com
Robert Williams, Program Manager of MHSA – Prop 63 & Special Projects
rwilliams.hhrec@gmail.com
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