Malikah Adu-Niasse is a graduate of Cleveland State University and Full Sail University in Winter Park, FL. She has studied the art of film production and film theory with a concentration in youth wellness and mental health. Malikah is the founder and owner of Camp Journey Learning Centers, working with urban youth on character building, community scouting, agricultural awareness, financial competency, and self preservation. She is a trained Scout master for the Cub and Troop Scout curriculum, Coach of Team F.R.E.E. financial advisors, and the author of the Y-Films curriculum. In addition to serving on LUCK’s board, Malikah is on the board of Organic Connects.
Elizabeth Biddick, PATH Intl Certified Instructor. Born and raised in Ardmore, OK, Liz has been a horse lover from the start—riding the grocery store pony every chance she got. Liz played basketball in high school and went with her team to the State tournament. After high school she attended University of Dallas, graduating with a BA in Spanish but her love of horses was a calling, so she took a year off to travel and work on horse farms in Australia. Upon returning to the U.S., Liz began her education as a riding instructor in Ft. Worth, TX, and completed the British Horse Society instructor training. Since then, she has taught therapeutic riding and typical lessons. It’s no surprise that Liz is passionate about horses, especially her own, and that she considers horsemanship a life-long learning experience as she continues to take lessons and ride in clinics. When she’s not on horseback or in the arena teaching, Liz is hiking in the mountains or reading.
Andrea Gale, CMSD Teacher, teaches English and Journalism at James Ford Rhodes College and Career Academy. She loves horses, yoga, and reading great books. She is in her 36th year as an educator. Discovering LUCK has allowed her to offer a unique extra-curricular opportunity to her students. She is looking forward to watching horses benefit kids whenever they meet.
Laura Hammel, MBA, MA, PhD, “Watching a rider and horse interact is pure magic.” Laura has been privileged to see the benefits of riding on many people in her life and has gotten to know awesome equestrians who don’t laugh at her when she occasionally puts on spurs. Laura’s favorite barn chore is cleaning stalls. A Clevelander by birth, Laura has a PhD in urban education from Cleveland State University. By day she works at Case Western Reserve University, loves to read, has a passion for LUCK, and advocates for positive change any chance she gets.
Emily Kelley After earning her Pre-Veterinary Equine Sciences degree from The Ohio State University, Emily spent a year in Lexington, KY immersed in the Thoroughbred racing industry. Upon returning to Ohio, a sales career and family happened with the horses remaining as a hobby. Emily found herself in a full-time corporate client-facing role with three grade school children at home all day every day! It wasn’t sustainable and during that time Emily’s true calling and passion for horses came to the forefront. “When I finally remembered what horses bring into my own life it was like a reawakening and I knew that it was finally time to take all I have learned during my life and career and use it to help others.“
Vanessa Jones-Washington, PhD, LPCC-S: A former police officer for the city of Youngstown, Dr. Washington specializes her practice in urban youth dealing with trauma.
Leon Washington, PhD, Pastor: Retired U.S. Army Special Forces Ranger, former DEA, and physician’s assistant. Currently an outreach minister to urban youth.
Board Member Emeritus
Elisabeth Geisse, MA, LUCK Co-founder
