WETATI ACADEMY - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Associate Director, Nyumburu Cultural Center University of Maryland College Park, Godmother
- Scholarship & Awards
Anne Reese Carswell came to Nyumburu Cultural Center, University of Maryland, College Park as an undergraduate student worker over 45 years ago. Hence, Ms. Carswell retains a historical past with the Cultural Center and all affiliates on and off-campus organizations. As the youngest of ten children from then segregated south, Ms. Carswell learned early the value of education and helping others. She earned both her undergraduate in Bachelor of Science in Family and Community Development; and Master Degree of Arts Human Resource Management from University of Maryland College Park.
Ms. Carswell in her capacity as Associate Director of the Nyumburu Cultural Center has functioned as the Center's Program Developer and Program Coordinator. Her leadership has amassed decades worth of loyal and committed alumni who return to their Nyumburu roots throughout her 37 years of campus and community service. Ms. Carswell is a tremendous resource for all students matriculating to the campus, particularly minority students. It is her Program Development ability and commitment to serving others that earned her the position of Program Director with WETATi. She continually works to ensure the well-being of students, and is advisor to several student organizations, including the WETATi Next Generation UMD Chapter. Because of her contribution and dedication, the WETATi Scholarship was renamed in her honor (WETATi- Anne Reese Carswell Scholarship).
Job Titles:
- Artist
- Video Media Coordinator and Editor
Chuckwunonso Angel Dureke is a multi-disciplinary visual artist and award-winning filmmaker. As a director, producer, director, and writer with over 9+ years of experience in strategic storytelling, production management, consulting, social media management, and concept creation, Chuckwunonso specializes in creating new worlds that examine old truths. She earned a Bachelors of Science in Mass Communications from Towson University and a Masters of Fine Arts from Howard University in Film. Experience ranging from concept creation through execution; Chuckwunonso is a forward thinker who brings a broad perspective to brand and narrative development creation.
Destiny Dureke, is currently a visual communication Design and Marketing student at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), in NYC; with a focus on digital branding and art direction, while minoring in creative entrepreneurship.
Destiny Dureke is an entrepreneurial Art Director and Stylist, a two-time Gucci Changemaker Finalist, and her collective brand is "Princess Destiny", (PrincessDestiny.com)
Destiny is also, the WETATi Branding & Marketing Strategist, and WETATi's Middle School Entrepreneurship Instructor and class facilitator.
Joanna is WETATi's Chief Administrative Associate & Project Coordinator. She has shown and continues to show her commitment and dedication to the purpose and vision of WETATi. Joanna manages the administrative work for WETATi. She plans and organizes the projects that are needed to be completed to ensure the success of the organizations' business.
In August 2021, Joanna received the 2021 WETATi Above and Beyond Recognition during WETATi's Annual National Entrepreneurship Convention and Scholarship and Awards Gala for her passion, commitment, and dedication towards work. Joanna understands the vision and mission of WETATi and does her best to make "the impossible become possible" as one of a true WETATian.
Joanna Chambers has a BA in Science, and Family Science from University of Maryland, College Park. Joanna is a well-traveled military wife. As a military wife she worked as a volunteer with Elementary School students. She volunteered as a tutor, worked in school events, fundraised money for the school, and much more. Joanna passionately loves working with students to help them grow successfully. she lived in Alaska for four years, where she worked as a Kindergarten Teacher Assistant and an After-School Program Mentor, before moving back to Maryland.
With Joanna's background in education and working with young students, she contributes to the WETATi Academy program by helping students during the sessions and helps the program run as smoothly as possible to achieve the best learning experiences for each student. Joanna is very hard working, committed, dependable, trustworthy, honest, and dedicated to everything she does. Most importantly, Joanna is a mother of two adorable children.