Let's Talk About the House — LIVE

Keyana J. Payne is an Associate Attorney at Hoogendoorn & Talbot LLP, where she focuses on estate planning, trust and estate administration, and probate matters. She guides clients through wills, trusts, and powers of attorney with clarity and care, and also prepares gift, estate, and fiduciary income tax returns.  Keyana earned her J.D. from Marquette University Law School and her B.A. in Political Science, magna cum laude, from Northern Illinois University. Her experience spans estate planning and wealth management, including administering trusts for high-net-worth clients at Northern Trust.  An active member of the Chicago Estate Planning Council and Cook County Bar Association, she serves as Diversity Chair and Secretary, respectively, and was named an Emerging Leader by the Chicago Estate Planning Council. Keyana is recognized for her thoughtful, client-centered approach and her commitment to diversity and helping families plan confidently for the future.

Astin Hayes is an award-winning serial entrepreneur and marketer known for her contagious energy and passion for innovation. A graduate of the University of Miami and DePaul University, her career includes roles with VIBE Magazine, Clear Channel Media & Entertainment, and Rémy Cointreau.  In 2017, Astin launched TipOff Games, a digital publishing company behind TipOff—the popular word-guessing game celebrating culture and community—which has repeatedly reached the #4 spot in the App Store’s word game category. In 2023, she became Co-Founder and CMO of InHeirit, a digital estate planning platform revolutionizing legacy management.  Astin is a proud member of Lightship Capital and 1871, championing greater representation for Black women in tech. Her accolades include the Chicago Culture Award, Chicago Defender Woman of Excellence, and UNCF Mastermind Award. A devoted Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. member, she enjoys travel, fitness, baking, and cheering for her Miami Hurricanes.

Andrea Clark is an attorney, ordained minister and therapist who is passionate about the holistic well-being of all people, especially those in marginalized communities. Andrea is the Deputy Chief Executive Officer for Postpartum Support International (PSI), an international nonprofit that provides education, training and support services for women and families experiencing maternal mental health issues. Immediately prior to joining PSI, Andrea worked as Staff Chaplain for Women’s Health at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago where she cared for the spiritual and emotional needs of families experiencing pregnancy and infant loss and illness, birthing, and pregnancy complications.  Andrea’s personal experiences with pregnancy loss and postpartum depression have shaped her work and desire to better understand the connections between faith and maternal mental health. Andrea is currently a PhD Student in Religion and Psychology at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary at Northwestern University. Her research will focus on how African American women perceived support from clergy during and following early pregnancy loss.

Christina Lynch currently serves as the Director of Legal and Ethics Officer for the Cook County Assessor’s Office in Chicago. She focuses the scope of her work on complex commercial valuation issues, property tax incentives, affordable housing, exempt and omitted properties, and FOIA matters. Christina also acts as commander in chief over her three-kid brigade, ages 19, 16 and 9, in her spare time.

ZenFrankie is a Vegan Chef, Meditation Teacher, Herbalist, Multi Instrumentalist, and Mycologist who began prepping and cooking vegan food and studying sound out of desire to heal himself of Crohns disease. He has researched many ailments and diseases and began cooking Vegan foods for the past 14 years. Zen Frankie is founder of Zen Vegan Life — a vegan and alkaline food and tea & catering company that specializes in goods that assist with raising ones vibration and supports families with special diets. Zen Vegan Life is soy-free, gluten free, meat-free, and cruelty-free foods. Also, Zen Frankie is a Reiki Master Teacher, Musician, Sound Healer, and Botanist; he utilizes universal life force energy as he prepares his foods and does ambisonic sound healing experiences throughout the world. 

Teresa Chandler is the Community Outreach Strategist at the Assessor's Office. She demonstrates history of working in the government administration industry. Skilled in Nonprofit Organizations, Event Planning, Customer Service, Government, and Public Speaking. Strong community and social services professional with a Bachelor's degree focused in Criminal Justice and Corrections from Northeastern Illinois University.

Born on Chicago’s West Side, Tawana Watts has dedicated her life to service, faith, and community empowerment. After enduring the heartbreaking losses of her son, Brein “BJ” Metts, and her sister, Aaliyah “Byrd” Lambert, Tawana turned her pain into purpose by founding BèBè’s Ark, a nonprofit supporting children who have lost a parent. She also serves as a housing advocate with the Chicago Fair Housing Alliance and organizes block club events and the Global Leadership Summit Next Generation. A devoted member of City Light International Church, Tawana’s work inspires hope, healing, and resilience across Chicago communities.

Ti’asha Oakes is a Clinical Therapist at Nave Wellness Center. She specializes in supporting clients navigating depression, anxiety, trauma, identity challenges, procrastination, and boundary-setting. Ti’asha is deeply committed to empowering high-functioning Black women who are balancing the weight of personal and professional expectations. Her warm, collaborative, and solution-focused approach helps clients reconnect with themselves and cultivate lives that feel aligned, intentional, and fulfilling. She integrates mindfulness, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution-Focused Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to meet clients where they are and support lasting growth. Ti’asha holds a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Governors State University.

Veronica Barnes is the founder and CEO of Mindset2Money, an organization dedicated to closing the economic gap and promoting economic mobility through financial education and empowerment. Guided by the belief that financial literacy is a cornerstone of freedom, Mindset2Money takes a holistic approach that combines mindset development, income generation strategies, and practical money management skills to help individuals build lasting stability and independence.  Veronica’s professional journey spans finance, project management, and human resources, with experience at Caterpillar, GE, Honeywell, and Google. She graduated summa cum laude from North Carolina A&T State University with a degree in Finance and earned her MBA from Vanderbilt University, focusing on Human Organization & Performance and General Management.  Driven by purpose and collaboration, Veronica is passionate about creating spaces where people feel supported, confident, and inspired to reach their full potential. She’s also an avid traveler, marathon runner, and lifelong learner.

For over 20 years, Tamiko has been a powerful advocate and voice for those often overlooked—leaders, educators, students of color, individuals experiencing homelessness, and the mission-driven professionals working tirelessly behind the scenes. Her work across education, nonprofit, and human services sectors has centered on one core belief: when people feel seen, valued, and empowered, GREATNESS follows.  As a former educator, author, coach, program leader, motivational speaker, and advisor to organizational leaders, Tamiko has led initiatives that consistently boost morale, improved communication, strengthened leadership pipelines, and built connected, resilient teams.   Now, as Founder and CEO of Let Go—Be Great, she brings this same passion and proven “people-centered” strategy to mission-driven leaders, teams, and organizations ensuring that those who lead and serve are equipped, inspired, and supported to do their best work ON purpose! Tamiko holds degrees in Psychology and Sociology from Oxford College and Emory University, a Master's in Education and Social Policy from Northwestern University and School Leadership from American College of Education.

Mariam Jabbie, LCMHCA, is a Clinical Therapist at Nave Wellness Center. She specializes in supporting children, teens and adults in exploring their identities, healing their inner child, setting healthy boundaries, and navigating trauma, grief, anxiety, depression, and life transitions. Her therapeutic approach is integrative and client-centered, drawing from Relational-Cultural Theory, Narrative Therapy, Mindfulness, and Play Therapy to support emotional connection through creativity and expression. Mariam holds a master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a certificate in Marriage & Family Counseling from North Carolina A & T State University, and she is currently earning a Ph.D in Counseling Education and Supervision at Adler University.

Alaina Harris, LPC, is a Clinical Therapist at Nave Wellness Center. She specializes in supporting clients navigating spiritual journeys, identity development, guilt/shame, grief, trauma, disordered eating, substance use, anxiety, depression, and child & adolescent issues. She employs an integrative approach to therapy, drawing from psychodynamic, Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), the Transtheoretical Model, and expressive art therapy including sandtray to tailor treatment to each client’s unique needs and goals. She is passionate about helping clients process experiences that may have crippled their ability to live and walk in the light they deserve. Alaina holds a master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a trauma certificate from Wheaton College.

Dr. Tasleem Jamila Firdausee is an interdisciplinary scholar, multidisciplinary artist, and holistic health coach whose work centers faith, healing, and Black excellence as pathways to personal and collective resilience. Her research and creative practice explore the intersections of spirituality, religion, art, gender, race, and culture, grounding contemporary conversations in sacred traditions and community wisdom. A scholar of world religions and cultures with a Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Studies, she focuses on Black women’s healing, Sufism, and the African Diaspora.  As CEO of My Soul Speaks Institute, she curates courses, retreats, and experiences that uplift individuals and strengthen community through Islamic, Black Southern, and African-rooted perspectives. She also leads the Art As Sacred Initiative, highlighting creativity as a spiritual tool for balance and transformation. A keynote speaker, performer, and author of three books, Dr. Tasleem brings two decades of global storytelling that nurtures the soul and inspires collective uplift.

Founder of Blondena's HEIRS

Evin Marie is a passionate arts advocate and accomplished fundraising development leader with over 14 years of experience supporting organizations across the nonprofit, arts, education, and community sectors. As Founder and Principal of The Maekeen Room, she has guided organizations with budgets ranging from $25,000 to $5 million, leading successful annual giving, major gift, and capital campaign initiatives. Her work blends creativity and strategy—building donor relationships, crafting compelling cases for support, and fostering sustainable growth for arts and mission-driven institutions. With a background spanning theater direction, development strategy, and organizational leadership, Evin brings both heart and expertise to advancing the transformative power of the arts in communities.