Ashaki McClain is a compassionate accomplice and advocate who establishes meaningful connections that inspire people to be themselves fully. She most recently served as Deputy Director with A Just Harvest, a nonprofit fighting poverty and food apartheid in Chicago. Born into a legacy with an entrepreneurial spirit, she has worked as a business consultant and teaching artist, developed youth programs for several Chicago Public School high schools, and launched her after-school program focused on arts and academics at Shoesmith Elementary School. Witnessing its transformative impact on students’ learning experience, she went into youth advocacy and has designed and directed multiple programs in arts activism, leadership development, and the healing arts. Understanding that access is essential for healing-centered work, she has served as Program Director for Teen Girls Programs and Community Engagement (Family Matters), Program Director and Interim Executive Director providing technological access and education to under-resourced communities (Comp-u-dopt) and Program Director utilizing music and theater to educate about tools, develop skills, and heal trauma (Harmony Hope and Healing/Stillpoint Theater Company). A mother of four and doula to many, she is a dancer who continues to learn and teach the healing arts, including various styles of yoga. Ashaki earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Florida A&M University.