Board of Directors
NCCWJ is committed to building a Board of Directors that reflects the communities we serve. Our board brings together leaders with diverse professional backgrounds and lived experiences to advance our mission across North Carolina.
Founding Directors
Jenny Teague, Organizational Leadership
Jenny Teague (she/her) is a co-founder of NCCWJ, an Indigenous educator, and advocate with more than 20 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, public policy, and expanding access to higher education. She is also the founder of the North Carolina Coalition of Native Voters, where she advances civic engagement and advocacy on behalf of Indigenous communities. Teague holds a Master of Arts in Education, a Master of School Administration, and is pursuing a Doctor of Education in Organizational Learning and Leadership at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Jamie Locklear, Victim Advocacy
Jamie Locklear (she/her) is a co-founder of NCCWJ, an Indigenous advocate, and victim services professional with more than 15 years of experience in domestic violence prevention, sexual assault response, and criminal justice across nonprofit and public sectors. She serves the U.S. Marine Corps as a Sexual Assault Subject Matter Expert and continues to advance her expertise through the National Organization for Victim Advocacy. Locklear holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke and is pursuing a Master of Arts in Sociology at Fayetteville State University.
Kizzy Thompson, Public Health
Kizzy Thompson (she/her) is a founding director of NCCWJ, a clinical researcher and public health professional with experience in health equity, clinical research, and community-based healthcare. Her work focuses on advancing equitable access to care, improving health outcomes, and developing evidence-based programs that serve women, families, and underserved communities. Thompson holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, a Bachelor of Arts in Therapeutic Recreation from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, and is pursuing a Master of Science in Clinical Research at Campbell University.
Dr. Clejetter Cousins, Communications
Dr. Clejetter Cousins (she/her) joined NCCWJ in 2021 and is a journalism educator, researcher, and former award-winning broadcast and print journalist with more than 20 years of experience in journalism, media, and higher education. She serves on the faculty at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, where she teaches broadcast journalism and mass communication while conducting research on racial stereotyping in the media. Dr. Cousins is a 2022 Fellow of the Lillian Lodge Kopenhaver Center for the Advancement of Women in Communication at Florida International University. She holds a Ph.D. in Mass Communication from Regent University, along with graduate and undergraduate degrees from East Carolina University.
Stephanie Hammond, Education
Stephanie Hammond (she/her) is a founding director of NCCWJ, an educator, and educational leader with experience in culturally responsive literacy, English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction, and advancing the success of immigrant and multilingual students in higher education. Her work focuses on promoting inclusive teaching practices and expanding equitable educational opportunities for diverse learners. Hammond holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and English Education, a Master of Arts in Education, a Master of School Administration, and an Education Specialist degree, and is a doctoral candidate in Educational Leadership at Wingate University.
Teresa Patterson, Community Engagement
Teresa Patterson (she/her) is a founding director of NCCWJ, an educator, and community leader with more than 30 years of experience in education, leadership, and community engagement. After retiring from North Carolina public education, she continues to teach high school English in South Carolina while serving her community through faith-based leadership and advocacy. Patterson serves as Director of Christian Education at Little Marsh Chapel AME Zion Church in St. Pauls, North Carolina, and as Superintendent of the Laurinburg District Buds of Promise Department, leading initiatives that support children, youth, families, and communities. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from North Carolina Central University, a Master’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, and a Certificate in Biblical Studies from Carolina Bible College.