About
Our Mission is to expand our network while growing and supporting the community of organizations we partner with, creating tactical solutions to everyday operations. We do this through a unique network of partners with expertise in various fields and industries. Collectively our network has over 35 years of experience working for both the local and federal government, public and private funders, arts and cultural organizations, entrepreneurs and small businesses, and nonprofits.
OUR VISION
Taylor-Phillips & Associates Consulting’s (TPAC) overall vision is to connect experienced people to businesses and government opportunities. To be more specific, we envision creating long-lasting relationships and opportunities for accomplished and experienced individuals to expand their network and exposure through a series of consulting opportunities.
Meet the Founders
Jamila Taylor, Principal
Jamila, a District of Columbia resident, has a diverse background in business operations, fundraising, and project management. With over 20 years of experience, she founded Taylor-Phillips Associates Consulting (TPAC) a government and private sector consulting firm which supports non-profits in expanding their resources through business development and helps corporate and government partners solve complex problems.
Prior to starting TPAC Jamila worked with National Center for Children and Families as the Associate Director of Development and Institutional Advancement. Her instinct for helping non-profit organizations leverage their genius allowed her to lead and launch two multi-million-dollar unrestricted revenue projects Heart and Soul Catering and The Institute for Mastery and Integration.
Jamila served as the Operations and Development Manager for Walker’s Legacy & Foundation, which fed her passion for supporting entrepreneurs and startups. At Walker’s Legacy/Foundation she curated the funding to launch foundation programming focused on supporting single mothers, young girls, and returning citizens with entrepreneurship training, education, and startup funding.
She is an alumnus of Howard University and studied for a Masters in Business Administration at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She is a Northern California native who planted roots in Washington, DC over 20 years ago.
Specialties: Business Management and Operations, Fundraising/Development, Project Management, Strategic Planning, and Professional Event Planning/Coordination
Chereese Phillips, PhD, COO
Dr. Phillips is currently the Director of Data Advocacy at Casey Family Programs, the largest non-profit dedicated to child welfare issues in the United States. She has several years of experience designing, advising, and supporting research and evaluation projects at the local, state and federal level in support of promoting the health and well-being of vulnerable children and families. Most recently she was a specialist at the United States Administration for Children, Youth and Families, with a portfolio consisting of contracts and grants which sought to build evidence in the child welfare and substance use disorders space.
In addition to her research experience, she was the Special Initiatives and Diversity Officer for the Allegheny County Office of Children, Youth and Families (CYF). In the role of Diversity Officer, she drove out change and improvements in practices, standards, and agency wide policies related to race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation. Ms. Phillips played a critical role in influencing and shaping the operations of the 138 agencies that were contracted for services with CYF. Dr. Phillips served on Human Subjects Review Boards and as a Federal Child and Family Services Reviewer.
Dr. Phillips gained additional practice experience while employed at the Children’s Bureau, DHS- Children’s Administration, the College Success Foundation, YMCA, and Seattle Public Schools. Ms. Phillips received her PhD from the University of Pittsburgh and her MSW and BA in sociology, from the University of Washington. She has been a member of several boards and oversight committees.
Partners
Amena D. Johnson, Ed
Dr. Johnson is a naitive Virginian. She has a deep commitment to social justice, diversity and inclusion, advocacy, and educational equity that began in her hometown of Appomattox, VA. This commitment extends today through her volunteerism with Appomattox for Equality.
Dr. Johnson specializes in training, facilitation and curriculum development. She has an extensive range of experience as a non-profit, social services leader, and higher education student affairs professional. She has engaged communities in dialogue and learning around: urban bias, intersectionality, the intergenerational workplace, LGBTQ topics, and diversity and inclusion in educational and nonprofit organizations.
Dr. Johnson is currently the Assistant Director of the LGBTQ Resource Center at Georgetown University. In this role she provides programming, training, and workshops on equity, inclusion, and belonging centered on LGBTQ issues. She also serves as the LGBTQ Community Liaison for Montgomery County, MD. In this role she identifies the assets, needs, issues, and concerns of county residents. In this role, Dr. Johnson is also responsible for creating and facilitating the LGBTQ Advisory Group.
Dr. Johnson is the former Assistant Director at George Mason University’s LGBTQ Resource Center. Where she also served as the Interim Director of Diversity, Inclusion and Multicultural Education from 2015 – 2016. Prior to George Mason she was Director of Programs at Supporting and Mentoring Youth Advocates and Leaders (SMYAL) a youth center for LGBTQ youth ages 13-21. As well as, Community Initiatives Associate at the Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network (GLSEN).
Dr. Johnson received a BFA in Drama Therapy from Longwood University. She received an MS in Organizational Leadership and Ed.D in Higher Education Leadership from Wilmington University.
Adriana Sanchez - Solis
Adriana Sanchez-Solis is the Policy and Education Program Manager for the Office of Equity and Inclusion at the Allegheny County Department of Human Services. She has worked with immigrant and refugee communities in Allegheny County since 2015. In her current role, Adriana facilitates ongoing efforts to develop and implement a Racial Equity strategic plan within the Office of Developmental Supports which includes overseeing and advising on the implementation of the Theory of Change by presenting data on disparities, fostering dialogue, and developing policy and procedures. She represents, facilitates, and advocates for partnerships with service providers and stakeholders with the goal of providing equitable and inclusive services to the immigrant and international communities of Allegheny County. In addition, she provides support to advance equity throughout DHS through consulting on language access and developing standards and policies to support it; providing training on cultural humility and local immigrant communities; coordinating with stakeholders to address emerging health needs within the immigrant community and convening the Latino Subcommittee of the Immigrants and Internationals Advisory Board.
Previously, Adriana worked in literacy support for refugees at the English Language Center in Boise, Idaho. She developed and taught pre-literacy courses for Somali-Bantu refugees and taught entry-level English and Integration into US Society courses. Through the Idaho Community Action Network and in
her role as academic advisor at Washington State University and the University of Idaho, Adriana helped organize and advocate for migrant farm workers rights and progressive social change.
Adriana was born in Costa Rica and migrated to the United States in 1997. She holds graduate degrees in Foreign Languages and Cultures and American Studies from Washington State University and is fluent in Spanish.