Shawanda Beale, Ed.D.
Dr. Shawanda Beale joined Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated in 2002. She is a member of the Jazzy Jersey Shore Chapter and serves as our Eastern Region Membership Chair. Dr. Beale has served in many leadership positions across all levels of our beloved organization, including National Membership Committee Member, Regional New Mother Task Force Chair, Regional Nominating Committee Chair, Regional Time and Place Committee Chair, two-term Chapter President, and Chapter Treasurer.
Professionally, Dr. Beale oversees federal and state grant programs, and leads a diverse team immersed in data analysis and quality improvement. She also devotes time to serve in her community. Dr. Beale serves as the Chair of the Zoning Board of Adjustment and as a Board Trustee for the Affordable Housing Alliance. In addition, she has had the honor of receiving the Girl Scouts Woman of Distinction Award and Inspire Life Community Builder Award.
Dr. Beale is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and she is the Chartering Chapter President of Jersey Shore (NJ) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated. Volunteering allows Dr. Beale opportunities to create strong bonds with like-minded women and focus on programs that have a positive impact in the lives of others, especially youth.
Most importantly, Dr. Beale is a loving wife and mother. She is passionate about setting an example for her children and instilling in them, you will only possess what you are willing to pursue. She is a pioneer and will leave a proud legacy for her children. Dr. Beale’s motto is, “Keep your heels, head, and standards high.” ~Coco Chanel
Sabra S. Pacheco
Registered Parliamentarian
Sabra S. Pacheco is a dedicated parliamentarian with a passion for structure, effective governance, and helping organizations run at their best. Since earning her Registered Parliamentarian (RP) credential in 2019, she has designed and led customized workshops for a wide range of audiences—including fraternity and sorority groups, university senate councils, and nonprofit boards. Her sessions cover everything from motions and meeting procedures to nominations, voting, and debate protocol, always with a focus on making the parliamentary process practical and engaging—helping teams not just follow the rules, but use them to govern with clarity and purpose.
Sabra brings both warmth and precision to her leadership roles. She currently serves as Vice President of the New York Association of Parliamentarians (NYAP) and of the Parliamentarians of Westchester NY, and hopes to step into the role of NYAP President in June. As a Life Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Sabra often reminds groups that sisterhood does not require silence or uniformity—there is room for thoughtful debate and differing opinions, even in the most affirming spaces.
Sabra serves on the Board of Directors of her New York City co-op and is a proud captain of a Bronx-based running group that promotes wellness and community engagement. She holds a BA in Journalism from Delaware State University and an MA in Speech and Interpersonal Communication from New York University, and she is actively pursuing the highest credential available to professional parliamentarians.
Her work reflects a belief that when meetings are well-run, communities thrive.
Yohon Tatum
Legendary Father Tisci | Advocate | Cultural Curator | Community Builder
Yohon Tatum, known and respected across ballroom as Legendary Father Tisci, is a force of vision, purpose, and transformation. With roots deeply planted in the rich soil of ballroom culture, Yohon brings more than performance to the runway—he brings a legacy of advocacy, artistry, and unwavering commitment to his community.
As Legendary Father of the House of Tisci, Yohon carries on a tradition of resilience and reinvention that stretches back to ballroom’s earliest trailblazers—figures like William Dorsey Swann and Crystal LaBeija, who carved out spaces for Black and queer existence when none were offered. In that same spirit, Yohon has used his platform not only to lead but to uplift: mentoring new generations, creating affirming spaces, and fiercely protecting the cultural integrity of ballroom.
Beyond the runway, Yohon is a dedicated community advocate through his work at The Center, where he channels his lived experience into initiatives that directly support LGBTQIA+ individuals—particularly Black and brown queer and trans people. From co-creating Visions of Pride: Paris is Still Burning, a landmark ballroom-centered art exhibition, to organizing the World AIDS Day Ball at Le Bain—the first of its kind at the iconic venue—Yohon merges culture with impact.
His projects consistently fuse celebration with support. Whether it's hosting clothing drives for Trans Day of Visibility in partnership with the Brooklyn G.H.O.S.T. Project, or ensuring community members know how to access free HIV testing, mental health counseling, and economic empowerment programs, Yohon uses every platform to make space for healing, expression, and transformation.
At the heart of Yohon’s mission is a belief that ballroom is more than performance—it is resistance, brilliance, and survival. He stands as a testament to what happens when cultural legacy and community care walk hand-in-hand. And as ballroom continues to reach new heights, Yohon Tatum ensures it rises with purpose, pride, and power.