Cirecie West-Olatunji, Ph.D.
CEO of CRESTSProgram, Founder of CRESTS-Liberate
Cirecie West-Olatunji, Ph.D. began her shift away from conventional, Eurocentric research methodologies in 2011, beginning with a funded educational research conference held at a research-intensive university and later in articles written in peer-reviewed journals and professional magazines. Since then, Dr. West-Olatunji has delivered numerous keynote addresses and research papers on the topic of emancipatory research. Her model has been utilized in training educational administrators, graduate students, government officials, mental health professionals, teachers, and community workers at the national and global levels.
Cirecie A. West-Olatunji is a past president of the American Counseling Association (ACA) and the Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development (AMCD). In addition, she has served as editor-in-chief of the Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development (JMCD). Nationally, Dr. West-Olatunji has initiated several clinical research projects that focus on culture-centered community collaborations designed to address issues rooted in systemic oppression, such as transgenerational trauma and traumatic stress.
Cirecie West-Olatunji has conducted commissioned research under the auspices of the National Science Foundation, ACA Foundation, Kellogg Foundation, federal Witness Assistance Program, Spencer Foundation, American Educational Research Association, and African American Success Foundation. Her publications include two co-authored books, numerous book chapters, and over 60 articles in peer-reviewed journals. In addition to national presentations, Dr. West-Olatunji has delivered research papers in Eastern and Western Europe, the Pacific Rim, Africa, and the Americas. Additionally, she provided consultation in a PBS initiative to create a children's television show focusing on diversity through KCET-TV in Los Angeles, CA ("Puzzle Place"). Dr. West-Olatunji has also provided consultation to the Center for American Education in Singapore and the Buraku Liberation Organization in Japan to enhance their early childhood and counseling initiatives. In 2018, Dr. Cirecie West-Olatunji was recognized as an ACA Fellow.
Constance West, Ph. D.
Co-Founder
Dr. Constance West is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with 20+ years of professional experience. Her specialties include: Disaster Mental Health, Health Clinical Psychology (primarily, related to HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases), and Juvenile Forensic Psychology. More specifically, Dr. West has considerable experience in the following areas: stress and coping with acute and chronic stressors (such as, natural disasters, chronic and/or infectious diseases) and the promotion of equity (with respect to race and ethnicity) across medical, mental health, juvenile court, and educational settings.
Over the course of Dr. West’s professional career, she has worked in government, medical, mental health, court, research, and educational settings, including: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) , Atlanta Veterans Administration Medical Center (Atlanta VAMC), the Fulton County Juvenile Court (FCJC), the Grady Infectious Disease Program (Grady IDP), and the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). Currently, Dr. West operates a private practice (Sankofa Services, LLC; located in Stone Mountain, Georgia).
Ashlei Petion
Graduate Assistant
Ashlei Petion, M.A., LAPC, NCC is a third-year doctoral student in the Counselor Education and Practice program at Georgia State University. Ashlei’s professional interests include multiculturalism & social justice, African American women, counseling couples and families, generational trauma and healing, as well as group work. Ashlei is a current National Board for Certified Counselors Doctoral Minority Fellow, Chi Sigma Iota Leadership Intern, Southern Association for Counselor Education and Supervision Emerging Leader, and serves as Editorial Assistant for the Journal for Counselor Leadership and Advocacy.
Jonae Bond
Graphic & Web Designer
Jonae Bond is a 23-year-old professional brand designer, content creator, social media manager, and web designer. She was born and raised in Toronto, Canada. Jonae specializes in social media management, marketing, content creation, website development, and branding.
Jonae graduated Summa Cum Laude from Xavier University of Louisiana with an Honors degree in Mass Communication. She manages the CRESTS website and develops branding and marketing content.