The People Behind Our Organization
The People Behind Our Organization
Here at Empowered, Inc in Baltimore, MD, we are devoted to encouraging meaningful changes in the community. Get to know our highly qualified team.
Our Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors
Creola Levy, Founder, CEO of Empowered, Inc.
Email: clevy@empoweredinc.org
Ms. Levy is a behavioral health professional with well over 20 years of human service experience. She is also an accomplished health care compliance professional. She started her career with the Chimes Inc., helping individuals with developmental disabilities reach their highest potential, holding positions as a residential technician, house manager, rehabilitation counselor, and an assistant director. She then furthered her career working with the State of Maryland for nine years, holding positions as a developmental disability complaint investigator and a state program surveyor for the Substance Abuse Certification Unit.
Ms. Levy is also held a four-year position as an adjunct faculty for the Community College of Baltimore County in the Continuing Education Department, teaching adults with special needs. She currently works for Turning Point Clinic, holding two positions as the assistant to the president and the regulatory affairs specialist.
Ms. Levy is a licensed professional counselor, and holds a Bachelors of Art in Special Education, a Masters of Arts in Community Counseling, and is currently working on a Masters of Science in Nonprofit Management and Leadership. Ms. Levy has also been a licensed realtor for 11 years, specializing in helping first-time buyers find their American Dream.
Evette Griffin, Board Member and Treasurer of Empowered, Inc.
Email: egriffin@empoweredinc.org
Ms. Griffin is a retired correctional sergeant for the MD Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services with 22 years of dedicated state service. She has more than 22 years of experience in office management, nine years of experience as an MD Special Olympics Coordinator, and four years of experience as an MD Charity Campaign Coordinator.
Ms. Griffin has formerly conducted financial seminars for Financial Information Solutions. The seminars were created for the financial stability of the African American community, so they may pursue financial independence. She is also a former financial journalist, and have had several published financial articles in b magazine.
Paulette Levy, Board Member and Secretary of Empowered, Inc.
Email: plevy@empoweredinc.org
Ms. Levy is a retired healthcare professional with a Master of Science as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Medical Surgical Nursing and a certification as an Orthopedic Nurse Care Manager. She is also experienced as a nurse educator for staff development and nurse surveyor for assistive living complaint investigations for the state of MD.
Ms. Levy presently owns and operates RayPaul Travel, and is a certified travel associate, accredited cruise counselor, group tour specialist, and Caribbean destination specialist.
Janene Levy-Still, FNP-BC, Board Member and Health Care Coordinator of Empowered, Inc.
Email: jlevystill@empoweredinc.org
Ms. Levy-Still is currently a certified nurse practitioner at The Baltimore County Detention Center in Towson, MD. She obtained her Master’s Degree in Nursing, with the concentration of Family Nurse Practitioner from Bowie State University in May 2014.
Prior to becoming a nurse practitioner, she was an ICU/CCU nurse for 15 years at Sinai Hospital. She obtained her Associate’s Degree in Nursing from Howard Community College in 1999, and her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from Bowie State University in 2003.
Prior to becoming an RN, she obtained her LPN certificate in 1998 from Howard Community College, and worked in the neonatal intensive care unit, pediatric intensive care unit, and pediatric units at Sinai Hospital for one year.
Prior to becoming an LPN, she obtained her Geriatric Nursing Assistant Certificate in 1990 and Emergency Medical Technician Certificate in 1994, both from Baltimore City Community College. Ms Levy-Still has worked as a geriatric nursing assistant, home health aide, hospice home health aide, physical therapy aide, patient care associate, and critical care technician. She is board-certified by The American Nurse’s Credentialing Center.
Joan McKenzie, Board Member
Email: jmckenzie@empoweredinc.org
Ms. McKenzie holds a Bachelors of Art in Social Work and Bachelors of Art in Human Growth and Development. She is an experienced administrator, compliance officer, and quality assurance officer for developmental disabilities at Total Quality. She is also an experienced therapeutic and community counselor at Baltimore City Jail for Gaudenzia, as well as an addictions counselor at Turning Point and Tuerk House in Baltimore City.
Also, she is a certified personal trainer and former body builder. She works with all ages in Pilates, spin, yoga, step, and kickboxing. She also holds an Associate Degree in fashion merchandizing and has worked as a print model.
Virgiel Hatcher, Board Member
Email: vhatcher@empoweredinc.org
Ms. Hatcher is an 18-year veteran with the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. She holds the position of supervisor in central booking.
Ms. Hatcher is a certified state trainer. She is a mentor to staff as well as a life coach for peers. She has worked on several committees to improve morale. She has also worked on several community fundraisers for the good of the community.
Shirley Boone, Board Member
Email: sboone@empoweredinc.org
Ms. Boone holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management and a minor in Entrepreneurship. She is an experienced accounts receivable specialist/manager for Inova Health Systems, and billing manager for the emergency and wound care departments of Good Samaritan Hospital.
Ms. Boone volunteers for the National Alliance for Mental Illness to provide education and tools to families living with mental illness, facilitating peer-to-peer and virtual voices workshops. Her involvement helps individuals realize that they are not alone, and helps stomp out stigmas through community and advocacy programs. She is currently pursuing a Masters in organizational management.
Stephanie Poplar-Best, Board Member
Email: spoplarbest@empoweredinc.org
Ms. Poplar-Best empowers nonprofits by providing technical assistance in nonprofit start-up, fundraising, cause-related marketing, social enterprise, and business development, helping entities maintain their good standing status with the state and the Internal Revenue Service.
She has helped well over 2,500 organizations obtain 501 C-3 status, maintain compliance with the state and the IRS, and get assistance with capacity building. Her networking and public speaking skills have landed her a job on radio more than nine years ago, where she empowers several nonprofit organizations and its constituents weekly on Spirit 1400, a nonprofit radio broadcast.
Ms. Poplar-Best holds a Master of Arts in Legal, Ethical, and Historical Studies and a Bachelor of Arts in Government and Public Policy, both from the University of Baltimore, and an Associate of Arts in General Studies.
She works closely with other entities and jointly with her husband in their not-for-profit organization called Kevin Cares Foundation, Inc., a 501 C-3 not-for-profit organization that creates opportunities for disadvantaged youth and families.
Lynette James-Howlett, Board Member, Parliamentarian for Empowered, Inc.
Email: ljameshowlett@empoweredinc.org
Ms. James-Howlett holds a Bachelor of Arts in Government and Public Policy from the University of Baltimore, and an Associate of Arts in Human Services. She is currently working on a Master’s in Public Administration.
She has held positions as an activity coordinator, community outreach caseworker, and addictions counselor. She is a writer, a speaker, and a certified Zumba instructor.
