Meet Our Board | inspirempowernm

Brejette Emery

CoFounder & Executive Director of

InspirEmpower New Mexico

Brejette N. Terry-Emery is a strategic affirmation life advisor, a four-time Amazon bestselling author, professional development trainer, and a motivational speaker. She is currently playing a supporting leadership role for the nonprofits EMI Youth Diversion program and its Americorps VISTAS for the last two years, Women in Leadership (WIL) more recently, and the company Tazz Landscape and Trash removal since 2016. She is the Co-CEO of the for-profit business G.UR.L. Get Ur Life Coaching, Consulting, and Training as well as the Founder of Empowerment with Bre a Women’s Ministry which aims to inspire women stuck in the space of being called and aware but now what?

She also plays the role of the co-founder and executive director of the nonprofit InspirEmpower New Mexico since 2016, and formerly Executive Directed its local Dress for Success Albuquerque, an affiliate of the worldwide Dress for Success organization for six years. She sits on several professional boards ranging from education to re entry and recovery. Prior to this role, Brejette served the community and its youth for eight years, providing case management, guidance, mentoring, and career pathways for Albuquerque’s at-risk youth and their families.

Brejette holds a Bachelor of Science in Family Studies/Human Development and Family Relations, with a minor in Africana Studies from the University of New Mexico. Brejette is passionate about walking in her innate God-given purpose, and most importantly, raising her amazingly bright son.

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS

Chair

Chrishawna Nickols

Some of the most important and valuable phenomena in life are relationships and time. As a committed and dedicated wife of 15 years, mother of 5 beautifully gifted and talented children, and friend to some of the most imperfectly perfect humans on the planet, I am completely comfortable with communicating on various platforms. I obtained my Bachelor’s of Arts focusing in educational psychology, special education, communications, and language literacy and socialcultural studies. I became a special education teacher and working on my Masters in Special Education. In 2022 I became coauthor of The Choice That Changed Your Life Narrative. And in 2023 I became an entrepreneur of a multi billion dollar industry. I have mentored over hundreds of students through Black Student Union BSU’s and various families, especially women, and children over the course of my career. I look forward in working with you in the future, let’s build for future generations.

Treasuer

Scott Foster

Scott D Foster is a jack of all trades including his current employment as an Estimator and Sales Associate at Tazz Landscape and Trash Removal. He is a proud graduate of Del Norte High School and CNM formerly TVI, where he was inspired to pursue an Associate’s Degree with a career in Education and as a middle school and high school sports coach. An encounter with his 7th grade teacher and seeing how well she inspired the children to get their work done empowered him to follow in her footsteps for education and later pick up coaching. Scott D Foster is well known in his community for his love for God, coaching, and his church All Nations Church Albuquerque, were he sits on the executive board. He is also known to be extremely caring and helpful to all who cross his path.

Secretary

Brittaney Pleasant

Brittaney Pleasant is a devoted wife, mother of four amazing children and ordained minister who is passionate about helping women elevate their health and wellness God’s way! Her experience and expertise as a Nurse, Certified Master Herbalist and Certified Master Life Coach gives her a thorough understanding of the body and how to use God’s natural resources as well as the Word of God to help people transform in mind, body, and spirit. Brittaney is known for her compassionate and empathetic personality and her passion for helping others use their past challenges and experiences as stepping stones to catapult them into their God-given destinies.

BOARD MEMBERS

Board Member

Trenton Walton

Trenton Walton (Tazz) is currently the Owner of Tazz Landscape and Trash Removal of 9 years. A proud graduate of Lowndes High School in Valdosta, Georgia and after completing a couple of years at ITT Technical Institute, he was inspired to pursue a career in landscaping. Trenton, also known as Tazz, began entrepreneurship at the early age of 8 while working with his grandmother selling produce as part of the family business. Years Later he decided to further his entrepreneurship in landscaping as a way out of the corporate stronghold and to build generational wealth. Trenton is well known as a family man, as well as for his travel adventures and most importantly his heart for his employees, community both locally and his childhood community in both Georgia and Florida.

Board Member

Tommy Dupree

Tommy Dupree is a hard working foreman for a million dollar specialty construction company Southwest Liner Systems and dedicated to his family and faith. He volunteers his time at Macedonia missionary Baptist Church and emerge church in order to fulfill his mission to spread the Good News.

This is where he found inspiration to lead and be a positive example, influence, and role model in the community. He leads with power, passion, and strength encouraging those around home to do their best at whatever it is that moves them and stay the course.

Board Member

Stacy Burleson

Stacy Burleson is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Women In Leadership New Mexico Inc, a nonprofit for women and men impacted by the criminal justice system directly or indirectly. Stacy is the former secretary of The Mexico Black Mental Health Coalition and the former co-chair of the New Mexico Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Commission. Stacy is a mental health first aid instructor and certified peer support worker. One of Stacy's passions is working with the homeless, she understands from her own experience how hard it is to recover from homelessness and is a leader in the community when working with the homeless and giving back to an underserved population. Stacy is a returning citizen and is dedicating her life to working with returning citizens. I lost my son the first day I was sent to prison. It broke my heart, and my spirit was darkened. And then 8 months later, I lost my mother. I couldn't fathom how I would survive another day. It was through the heartache and pain that I found my purpose. I didn't want any other mother or daughter to feel as helpless as I had because of incarceration. That's when I knew Women In Leadership was needed. This collaboration with the Department of Corrections has given me and other women returning back into society the best opportunity and chances to be successful in their reentry back into the free world.

Board Member

Beverly Gaines

A compassionate and dedicated public servant who has tirelessly dedicated more than 20 years to the service and well-being of others. From her time as an Executive Administrator through her roles as educator, community coordinator,
organizer, and Deputy Director for the now New Mexico MLK Jr. Commission she works fiercely to ensure that the community is served in an excellent manner.

Beverly is the proud founder of Inner Beauty Summit and VIBE (Victory in Black Empowerment) which has successfully launched four summits for both middle school girls and boys through the Office of African American Affairs. (OAAA)
where she has brought organizations together as one to ensure that young African American youth and those that identify as African American have an opportunity to be educated through workshops, activities, mentorship and the
arts. She has worked for the State of New Mexico for 15 years in various capacities.

Beverly earned her associate and bachelor’s degree from the University of Phoenix. She serves on several boards and continues to participate in a myriad of other community endeavors statewide and nationally. She has two wonderful young adult children Brianna and DJ that she adores.