About Us

App Core Team

  • Nandita Potturi (she/her)

    PROJECT MANAGER

    I am a soon to be college graduate from UCSC with a molecular biology degree. I enjoy watching tv, cooking, learning about healthcare systems, and freaking out about BTS. I am passionate about the work at BGB and am grateful to be working alongside such an amazing and capable team!

  • Atira Nair (she/her)

    UX LEAD

    I’m in my last year at UC Santa Cruz where I study Cognitive Science and am working as a UX Designer at the Tech4Good Lab. I aim to use design for social good and the community. I love learning about intersectional feminism, cognitive research, and design for social good. In my free time I like to read, paint, and watch horror movies.

  • Pooja Bale (she/her)

    UX DESIGNER

    I’m a graduate of UC Berkeley with a BA in history and a minor in data science. I love reading sci-fi/fantasy books, writing, and growing my record collection. I plan on going to law school in the near future, and I’m passionate about helping bring about positive change in the community.

 
 


  • Founder

    I am the daughter of Geneva and the granddaughter of Loresa. Both of my matriarchs come from rural Mississippi. Their access to schooling was very limited, yet their love and commitment to care has been the foundation for this work. Black Girls Brilliance is an homage to all of our Black women, Black girls and gender-expansive youth. Our organization is committed to the healing of our communities, breaking barriers that are designed to restrict our communities, and ending anti-racist practices that are embedded within our educational institutions.

 

Meet the Team


  • Co-Founder

    I am a writer, poet, cultural worker, mother, and PhD student who is passionate about the lives of Black girls. My work as an international poet began in the township of Thembisa in Johannesburg, South Africa, and has taken me around the world. My leadership role with Black Girls Brilliance is to develop BGB chapters globally with our first international chapter that was launched in 2021 in Cyferskuil, South Africa.

 

Leadership Team

  • Laureen Adams, PhD (she/her)

    CHIEF LEARNING OFFICER

    With over 20 years of experience in education, I remain committed to providing support for Black *girls and women, teachers, and students toward liberatory education. My expertise and research interests include: teacher-student relationships, urban teacher training and resiliency, teacher education, teaching and culture, Black and Brown students, project-based learning, liberatory education, critical race theory, arts education, and care and love. My role with BGB is to lead the development of curriculum and learning for our organization.

  • Bathsheba Harambe (she/her)

    CHIEF OF WELLNESS

    They call me “Sista B”, and I am affectionately known as Ms. Harambe in the our work with Black Girls. I am a Restorative Justice (RJ) wellness practitioner and motivational speaker. I believe in the work of BGB and the positive impact that it has had on the girls who participate in our program. In my spare time, I enjoy traveling and quiet moments at the ocean.

  • Jennifer Williams (she/her)

    Jennifer Williams (she/her)

    BGB LEAD TEACHER

    I am an Afro-Brazilian artist and middle school educator in the Bay Area who is passionate about honoring the brilliance of Black women and girls. My work with Black Girls Brilliance includes community building, healing circles, college, and career exploration. When not leading our girls I can be found listening to music, spending time with family, reading a good book, or doing other activities that bring me joy.

Youth Advisory Council

  • Onalerona Dikhing (she/her)

    I am an artist whose passion is cinematography, acting, drawing, and poetry. I want the world to see the brilliance of Black Girls and know our contributions. I believe that our Black Girls Brilliance (BGB) work will help us end racism, sexism, gender-based violence, and patriarchy.

  • Aniya Kelley (she/her)

    I joined Black Girls Brilliance (BGB) in middle school I am now a high school senior in Oakland, CA. I am passionate about Black History and ending racism! When I am not studying you can find me training for track events, hanging with my family, or listening to music.

  • Atisa d'Abdon (she/her)

    I am a high school student who loves animals, music, writing and acting. I want to help end racism and dismantle the patriarchy. I believe that the work we do at Black Girls Brilliance will do just that.

App Development Team

  • I am a Bay Area native passionate about eating tasty food in safe spaces! I like long walks

    Jesse Wong (he/him)

    DEVELOPMENT PROJECT MANAGER

    I am a Bay Area native passionate about eating tasty food in safe spaces! I like long walks on the beach, semi-colons in my JS code, and learning new things. I stand behind BGB’s mission and feel very appreciative to be working with a group of passionate folks to change the world.

  • Join Our Development Team!

    Contact Us

  • Liz Houle (she/her)

    DEVELOPER

    I am an outdoor enthusiast, lover of live music, and wannabe chef who enjoys coding for a living. I started my life in Maine and have lived many lives in many places, but have finally landed in the Bay. I am grateful to be working with and supporting our awesome folks on the BGB team to help us fulfill our mission.