Meet the Team

She is particularly passionate about decreasing racial/ethnic health disparities and achieving health equity among all people. After seeing an immense need, she wanted to create and participate in spaces where this was being addressed intentionally. In addition to her work with QCCB, she has private practice, Harmony Nutrition & Lactation, LLC which is primarily dedicated to the nutritional health of families of color as well. Through both organizations, Rachel offers an array of family-centered nutrition and lactation services from preconception through preschool including nutritional counseling, breastfeeding education, office-based and in-home lactation consultations, group nutrition classes, group breastfeeding classes, cooking and grocery shopping classes and more! Rachel also provides professional training and presentations and has spoken locally, nationally and internationally for many groups and organizations on a variety of topics addressing adult and pediatric nutrition, lactation, and disparities in health. She also helped create and was the Program Director for the first two cohorts of the Lactation Consultant Training Program at Johnson C Smith University, the first Pathway 2 training program implemented at a historically black college/university in an effort to help diversify the field of lactation.

Rachel is committed to life-long learning and providing excellent quality of care. She continues to review current recommendations and guidelines for patient care, feels her roles are highly rewarding and loves being able to motivate and assist individuals and families in improving their overall health and well-being.

RACHEL M. DEAN, MPH, RDN, LDN, IBCLC, RLC

Executive Director, Dietitian and Lactation Consultant, Founder

From a young age, Rachel Dean (Maiden: Davis) has always had a strong desire to serve others which was further instilled in her through a family that believed in the importance of maintaining the health and wellbeing of both oneself and others. Her remarkable passion for nutrition began after recognizing and becoming saddened by the fact that many individuals were suffering from ailments that likely could have been prevented.

Rachel received a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutritional Sciences from the Pennsylvania State University. She began her career over 10 years ago providing maternal and pediatric nutrition counseling through several government programs and Medical Nutrition Therapy to patients in hospital and outpatient clinical settings. Further curiosity in preventative measures for optimal health sparked her interest in learning more about lactation and the periods of infancy and young childhood. Rachel returned to school in 2012 and earned a Master’s in Public Health from the Department of Maternal and Child Health at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, where she also completed her lactation training through the Carolina Global Breastfeeding Institute. She continued to provide nutrition and feeding education and support services on a local and regional level. Rachel began to feel that although the experiences she gained were extremely valuable, there were still gaps in service and many families in the community that still needed support.

LUGENIA (“GENIA”) GRIDER, LCCE, CBS

Doula, Lactation and Perinatal Health Educator, Founder

Genia is a Lamaze Certified Perinatal Educator, DONA-trained Birth Doula, Certified Breastfeeding Specialist, AABC-trained Birthing Assistant with more than 18 years of experience in the private and public sectors training, educating and empowering women, families and medical professionals. She specializes in integrating a holistic care approach and evidence-based medical practices, specifically in the area of maternal child health. She is living her mission and purpose to bring optimal health and transformative healing to women through motherhood.

Grider’s areas of concentration include preconception health, pregnancy, childbirth practices, postpartum care, early parenting, breastfeeding and women’s sexual health. She seamlessly interacts across lines of difference including race, ethnicity, affectional-orientation and socioeconomic levels.

Her passion for her work comes from experiencing firsthand both positive and negative childbirth outcomes. She draws on these personal experiences, her intuitive nature and medical knowledge when connecting with people. Her philosophy of unconventional and unique use of evidence based methods and techniques has resulted in women’s restored sexual health, mothers regained confidence and continued spiritual growth for her clients.

TAHYSHA (“TY”) MCCLAIN MA, IBCLC, RLC

Lactation Consultant, Founder

TaHysha McClain is a Lactation Consultant with a master’s in health and wellness from Union Institute and University in Cincinnati, Ohio. She works with the tiniest of patients in the neonatal intensive care unit as well as local underserved and underprivileged communities to help both groups overcome adversities and some of the most difficult situations in life involving maternal health.

She is very passionate about giving mothers proper education and tools that will promote healthy lifestyles and foster a great experience of a successful breastfeeding journey. In addition to her work with QCCB, she works at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital where she is able to assist NICU babies and their mothers in developing breastfeeding skills. She also hosts monthly QCCB cafes in Union County and serves with other initiatives to provide education and support for the community at large.

Currently, TaHysha holds the position of Program Director for the Lactation Consultant Training Program at Johnson C. Smith University. She was honored by Atrium Health in 2018 to receive the Teammate of the Year award. TaHysha believes that everyone deserves opportunities to receive optimal healthcare and every mother that desires to breastfeed should have access to support and education.

DAINA HUNTLEY, MPH, CHES

Lactation and Health Educator, Founder

Daina developed a passion for public health and breastfeeding advocacy during her time at UNC Greensboro where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in public health education. She later completed UNC Charlotte’s graduate certificate program in community health and became a Certified Health Education Specialist with hopes of creating and managing health programs that support and normalize breastfeeding.

Daina received her Master of Public Health degree from Liberty University with a nutrition concentration. In addition to her work with QCCB, she is an active member of the United States Breastfeeding Committee. Daina is dedicated to creating opportunities for breastfeeding education, advocacy, normalcy, and support in order to improve health outcomes across the country.

LACTATION CONSULTANTS

  • Rachel M Dean, MPH, RDN, LDN, IBCLC, RLC - Lead

  • Mokeela Brown, MS, IBCLC, RLC

  • Gabriela Francisco, MSM, IBCLC, RLC

  • Natisha Simms, BS, IBCLC, RLC

  • Tahysha("TY") McClain MA, IBCLC, RLC

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

  • Trena Williams, RN, MN

  • Karen Darlington Phelps, Esq.

  • Martha Cooper Hudson, MA

  • Ashley Carmenia, DHSc, MPH

ADVISORY COUNCIL

  • Natasha R. Grant Dean, M.Ed.

  • Robyn L. Lowery, PhD, LCMHCA, CCTP

  • Rebecca Ruhlen, PhD, IBCLC, RLC

FINANCE & STRATEGIC PLANNING

  • Timothy Deron Dean, MES

  • Regina Knox, MPH, MCHES

  • Trena Williams, RN, MN

  • Martha Cooper Hudson, MA

  • Ashley Carmenia, MPH

  • Gabriela Francisco, MSM, IBCLC, RLC

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

  • Karen Darlington Phelps, Esq.

  • Natasha R. Grant Dean, M.Ed.

  • Robyn L. Lowery, PhD, LCMHCA, CCTP

  • Rebecca Ruhlen, PhD, IBCLC, RLC

DADDY B.E.A.N.S. MENTORING PROGRAM

  • Timothy Deron Dean, MES

  • Brandon Diggs Williams, LCSW

  • Alhamisi Simms

  • David Bell, PhT

  • Anwar Muhammad