Chaka Felder-McEntire received a BS in Business Administration from Buffalo State University in 2000. She received dual Master Degrees in School Organizational Communication and Development (2002) and Counseling and Human Services (2003) from Canisius College in Buffalo, New York. She has served as a 2003 Fellow in the Kellogg Leadership for Community Change and is a graduate of the 2005 United Way of Eastern Fairfield County’s Project Blueprint (a board governance training program). She is currently completing her Intermediate Administrative Certification (092) at Sacred Heart University.
Chaka was born and raised in Harlem, New York. Chaka is the wife of Steven, mother to Drew, sister of Jebron, Ronald, Fatima, and Derek Felder and the daughter of Lovell Jackson of New York City. She is a very active member of Minisink Townhouse in Harlem, New York and hold’s an active role in their teen organization, The Phoenix Sorority, as Financial Advisor.
In June 2000, Chaka co-founded the Omega Queens Mentoring Program based in Buffalo, New York. To date over 50 young girls have participated in the program. All have graduated from high school and attend various colleges and universities.
In 2003, Felder was recruited by the State of Connecticut’s Technical High School System and is currently the School Counseling Coordinator for Eli Whitney Technical High School. “Working for the CTTHS has brought me great joy. I have been able to help over 300 students and their parents prepare for life and beyond. I love it because it is my purpose. This is what I was designed to do!” says Felder.
December 2004, Felder founded Higher Heights Youth Empowerment Programs, Inc. a 501(c)(3) community-based organization whose mission is to change the lives of under-represented college bound students and empower, encourage, and equip them to obtain a post-secondary education. Since its founding HHYEP has provided services to over 225 high school students throughout the State of Connecticut. Each year they have had 100% graduation rate, 100% college acceptance rate, and 98% parent involvement rate.
Chaka has demonstrated and advocates a strong commitment to youth development. Her current and past affiliations include:
· Member of Varick Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church in New Haven
· Design of the New Booker T. Washington Academy, Committee Member
· The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Student Awareness Tour (NY)
· Member of the American School Counselors Association
· Diamond Life Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and member of New Haven Alumnae Chapter
· Greater Bridgeport Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Program, Board of Directors