THE HOMEGIRL INDUSTRY TEAM
BOARD of DIRECTORS
Sallie Higgins grew up in Clanton, has a BA from Auburn University in Fine Arts. and an AA in Real Estate Property Management from West Los Angeles Community College. After living in Los Angeles as a property developer she returned to her hometown, with an idea to create a wonderful hub of hope for deserving Alabama women. Knowing this mission would take the whole village, she began asking the advise of locals who worked in fields helping at-risk members in the community. She found many 'villagers' who passionately wanted to help raise this 'child' while being reminded that Clanton folks are very apprised of whether you are from here, or not. She was often qualified by others by being introduced, in so many words like this, "She's been out in California for a long time . . . but she’s a homegirl." Thus, Homegirl Industry began. Homegirl is about a homegirl coming home in order to enable other women of Alabama to have a safe, serene, supportive, and nurturing environment, so they may find their wings.
Sallie Juliet Higgins, CABRE
Founder/Executive Director
Founder/Executive Director
Born in Foley, Alabama, Ralph Hendrix, is a Sociology graduate from Birmingham Southern College and received criminal justice sentencing training at Yale Law School. For over fifty years he has faithfully served in case management and in other ways all across the state of Alabama, relating to mental health, addiction, criminal justice, and successful re-entry. He’s worked with the UAB Department of Psychiatry, the Alabama (TASC) Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities, and the Jefferson County Community Corrections Program for the 10th Judicial District. Additionally, he has initiated and worked on research and grant projects and designed protocols for and with organizations all over the country. Some of these organizations include the RAND corporation, the (DUF) Drug Use Forecasting Project National Institute of Justice, the Breaking the Cycle for the Office of National Drug Policy Institute, the Auricular Acupuncture Research project, the Department of Public Psychiatry and the (CDC) National Center for Disease Control, to name just a few. His ongoing work with the Alabama Board of Pardon and Paroles includes Identifying residential housing, jobs, and educational advancement. Ralph has the background, heart, and moral fortitude to put together an effective program for at-risk members of the Chilton County community. He strongly believes that providing stable housing is the most important game changer for all types of recovery.
Ralph Hendrix
Board President, Sober Living Director
Board President, Sober Living Director
Dr. Benita Hughes Cahalane, grew up in Marbury, Alabama. She is a highly accomplished educator, trainer and leader with expertise in special education, curriculum development, and program management. She acquired her Bachelor and Master degrees from Auburn University and her Ph.D. from (UAT) the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. She worked as an Associate Professor with the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at Mississippi State University, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in special education. She developed and implemented curriculum for teacher preparation programs and supervised student teachers and research projects with the Regional Specialist of the Alabama State Department of Education, providing technical assistance and consultation to schools and coordinated professional development workshops for educators. As a teacher for students with mild disabilities at Clanton Elementary School, she supported and taught students and developed individualized education plans. She was the director of a multi-agency grant at Mississippi State University, where she managed grant funding and resources and coordinated interagency. Dr. Cahalane also co-wrote research based curricula for (DARE) Drug Abuse Resistance Education (America). Promoting positive police-juvenile relations, her training of police officers took her all over the United States and abroad.
Dr. Benita Cahalane, PhD
Board Vice President
Board Vice President
U.S. Navy Police veteran, Tamera Hinton, holds a certification in Business Consulting, a degree in Criminal Justice, a degree in Business, & a Life & Health Insurance producer license. She extends her professionalism & enthusiasm for excellence from her military service into her entrepreneurship. Tamera lives in Clanton, AL with her husband & three children & co-owns Peach City Benefits & Insurance Agency. She is also co-founder of Reset GED Prep, a non-profit GED Prep course offering FREE GED Prep classes. Tamera is passionate about helping others manifest their dreams into reality & her alliance with Homegirl includes providing GED educational services to Homegirl beneficiaries. Additionally, Tamera shares her military opportunities.
Tamera Hinton
Board Director, GED Director
Board Director, GED Director
Born & raised in Clanton, Sheila Speaks has been a leading proponent of physical fitness for her entire life. She coached women's sports for many years & is a physical education instructor at the Clanton Elementary School. She is a graduate of UAT & proud mom. Her son Taylor is also a graduate of UAT. He majored in Business & is now serving his country abroad as a Navy IT specialist.
Sheila Speaks
Board Director, Physical Fitness Coach
Board Director, Physical Fitness Coach
SEASONAL CONTRIBUTORS
Sherry Young O'Toole is a Chilton County native & graduate of Jemison High School. Living in Jacksonville & other cities in Florida for many years, Sherry had an extensive career as a traveling nurse working for both the Alabama & Florida Prison Systems. She returned to Jemison in 2014 & opened Homeland Assisted Living & is currently the administrator & owner. With much experience organizing creative volunteer programs within her health industry, she will coordinate citizens to volunteer service hours on behalf of Homegirl & also, she will manage our beneficiaries volunteerism with other organizations, as giving back to the Chilton County community is a Homegirl Industry program initiative.
Sherry Young O'Toole, RN
Volunteer Coordinator
Volunteer Coordinator
Dr. Myriam Savage is a registered drama therapist & board-certified trainer. Her alma maters include Lesley University, Cal State University LA, Princeton University & The Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre, NYC. She has developed drama & expressive therapy programs in acute inpatient units for children & adults for several years & facilitated help to the following, neuro-diverse populations, homeless women, adolescents in residential rehabilitation & children in educational settings. Serving as education chair for the NADTA (North American Drama Therapy Association) she devised the Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU) Initiative to positively impact Black diaspora inclusion & education within drama/expressive therapy fields. She is creating a program plan with Alabama's 14 HBCU's & Homegirl Industry.
Dr. Myriam Savage, PH.D.,RDT/BCT
Drama and Visual Arts Therapy Coach
Drama and Visual Arts Therapy Coach
Born in southwest Louisiana, Carolyn’Shelton's Afro Creole heritage includes coming from a long line of amazing chefs. Her mother Angelina, was a particularly dominant force influencing her lifelong love of both cooking & helping others. Traveling around the world also influenced Carolyn’s desire to bond with others through food. Learning of other cultures through their cuisine inspired her to spend her spare time helping children in her community while becoming a Creole cookbook author. Working with The Prostart Culinary Program, she combined learning cooking skills with motivating at-risk youth to set goals to improve their lives. Through her specialized type of mentoring, she has a remarkable gift for empowering youth with the fundamental tools for getting along in the workforce, as well as making better life choices. Carolyn is bringing her cooking & social mentoring skills to Homegirl.
Carolyn Shelton, Etiquette Instructor & Cookbook Author
Etiquette & Culinary Coach
Etiquette & Culinary Coach
Christina Karis is a phenomenally versatile actress, often unrecognizable from one role to the next. Known most recently for her work on the 2021 season of Law & Order: Organized Crime, The Walking Dead: World Beyond, & Queen of the South, her resume includes much more. Christina splits her time between Atlanta, New York and Los Angeles, with frequent visits to Clanton to see her family. Spending much of her childhood growing up in the care of her grandmother in Clanton, Christina is looking forward to contributing to the Homegirl Drama Therapy program & giving back to her Clanton community by supporting young women who, not unlike her, had an unstable beginning. Helping homegirls find themselves & their true passion through theatrical expression is her goal.
Christina Karis, Film and Television Actress
Drama Therapy Coach
Drama Therapy Coach
Madalyn Morris's life purpose has been to empower women. As a childbirth educator, she started a free Childbirth education program for low-income women at what used to be The Los Angeles Free Clinic which became The Saban Free Clinic in Los Angeles. She worked at Cedars Sinai Medical Center as a Childbirth Educator assisting thousands of couples. As a Doula, she continues to help women transition into motherhood. A lifelong Master Athlete, she does CrossFit & Olympic Weightlifting. As a personal trainer, she specializes in pre & postnatal fitness. A Certified Life Coach, Madalyn has helped many women realign with their values & gifts so they can discover what matters most to them. Her goal is to help our homegirls find their purpose so they may live their best lives.
Madalyn Morris, ICCE, CD (DONA), CLEC, CMT
ICEA Certified Childbirth Educator
Fitness & Life Coach
ICEA Certified Childbirth Educator
Fitness & Life Coach
