.png)
Julius BOATWRIGHT, MSW, LSW
Founder Emeritus | he/him
Julius is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with the State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors. He obtained his Master of Social Work degree with a Certificate in Human Services Management from the University of Pittsburgh. Mr. Boatwright earned a bachelor's degree in communication from Pitt as well. Julius also completed a Trauma-Informed Community Practice Program with Duquesne University through their Department of Psychology and Rita McGinley Clinic.
He's a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200) through the international credentialing body, The Yoga Alliance. Lastly, Julius completed a 1-year professional development program for nonprofit executives with Leadership Pittsburgh and the California-based Rockwood Leadership Institute.
Courtney Abegunde, MA
Managing Director | she/her
A community mental health educator and advocate, Courtney’s leadership is grounded in both lived experience and practice. As Managing Director, she oversees Steel Smiling’s flagship programs—Steel Healing, Beams to Bridges, and Wellspring—and has played a central role in strengthening program frameworks, expanding support networks, and centering community-driven healing.
She holds a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh and an M.A. in Psychology from Chatham University. Courtney’s work has been widely recognized, including honors as a Distinguished Alumna of Chatham University’s Graduate Psychology Program (2025), an Inaugural Global Citizens Fellow with the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh (2024), and a Courier’s Fab 40 Under 40 (2025). She also brings valuable governance and facilitation experience through nonprofit board service and culturally grounded trainings that deepen community wellbeing.
Her appointment builds on nearly a decade of partnership between Steel Smiling and Neighborhood Allies, beginning with fiscal sponsorship in 2019 and evolving into the Organization-in-Residence model in 2021. Together, this partnership has supported Steel Smiling’s growth, operational strength, and expanding impact across Allegheny County.
Robin M. SHEFFEY, MS, CCTP
Program Manager of Wellness Services | she/her
As the Program Manager of Beams to Bridges, Robin will
As the Program Manager of Wellness Services at Steel Smiling, Robin is responsible for providing clinical support to the Black Mental Health Fund, co-facilitating the Beams to Bridges Program, conducting referral intakes, providing check-ins to community members and providing group and individual non formal mental health support.
She brings over twenty years of experience in the mental health field, where she has provided Drug and Alcohol counseling and program management for a Maternal Addiction Program Youth Homeless Shelter. Robin is also the Sole Proprietor of 4 Wellness , an organization that provides consulting services, training to organizations on mental wellness, psychoeducational classes to the community on Mental Health as well as conflict resolution to individuals and groups.
Robin obtained an undergraduate degree from Duquesne University in Political Science and holds a Micro-Master in Substance Abuse and Trauma Informed Care. She also has a Masters of Science in Professional Counseling from Carlow University and is a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional.
Shawn Edward Thomas
Program Manager of Steel Healing
As Program Manager of Steel Healing, Shawn leads the Steel Healing Program, which includes the Black Mental Health Fund, Peer Support, and Wellness Navigation Services.
Shawn is a seasoned leader with two decades of experience in social services, specializing in the development and implementation of programs that empower youth and families. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Cheyney University, a Master of Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh, and a Master’s in Christian Ministry from Oral Roberts University.
Throughout his career, Shawn has demonstrated exceptional leadership in strategic planning, budgeting, and program development. He has led initiatives that improved educational and behavioral outcomes for thousands of students across the Pittsburgh region. His ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders—including board members, school administrators, and community organizations—has been instrumental in creating lasting impact.
His strengths also include advocacy, grant writing, and fundraising, where he has secured vital resources to advance nonprofit missions. Shawn’s passion for serving marginalized communities is evident in his hands-on, people-centered approach—ensuring that every program he leads is effective, mission-aligned, and deeply rooted in service.
With a strong commitment to advancing the well-being of children through personalized education and mental health support, Shawn is driven to empower youth and uplift the individuals and organizations who serve them.
Outside of work, Shawn is a devoted husband to Alicha, his wife of six years, and proud father to their vibrant three-year-old daughter, Sarai Renee. He enjoys lifting weights, traveling, and cheering on scholastic, collegiate, and professional sports teams.
Cheyenne Campbell
Program Coordinator | she/her
Cheyenne is a Steel Smiling Program Coordinator. In this position, she leverages her own lived experiences, her healing journey and passion and commitment to Healing Justice to support peers and community; while also supporting Steel Smiling’s existing programs like Beams to Bridges.
Cheyenne was born and raised on the East Side of Pittsburgh and has worked with numerous organizations around the city of Pittsburgh as a mentor, facilitator and program manager. Her past experience includes delivering workshops around violence prevention, equity and inclusion, and empowerment. Truly a Jack of All Trades, Cheyenne is a rest advocate, storyteller, teaching artist, birth worker and village caretaker.
Cheyenne attended California University of PA, where she majored in middle level education, and is a proud alumnus of Pittsburgh Public Schools. She sits on the Advisory Board for the Pittsburgh Guidance Foundation, where she shares her expertise around Adverse Childhood Experiences. She also recently graduated from a 200Hr Anti-Racist Raja Yoga Teacher Training through YogaRootsOnLocation and looks forward to offering those skills to the community through Steel Smiling.
Meleak Potter
Program Coordinator
Meleak Potter is a Steel Smiling Program Coordinator. In this role, he draws on his personal experiences and commitment to community empowerment to support peers and strengthen Steel Smiling’s initiatives.
Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Meleak is a real estate investor, entrepreneur, and published poet with over 12 years of spoken word artistry. He holds a degree in Psychology with a minor in Business from the University of South Carolina. As the owner of a title company and the founder of Realty Thinking, a nonprofit focused on real estate education and financial wellness, he is committed to uplifting his community.
Meleak's rich tapestry of experiences uniquely positions him to excel as a Peer Support Fellow. His journey through entrepreneurship has equipped him with valuable insights into resilience, problem-solving, and the importance of mental wellness in achieving success. His background in spoken word poetry allows him to connect deeply with others, using storytelling as a tool for healing and expression.
In addition to his peer support work, Meleak is an experienced keynote speaker on entrepreneurship, where he shares his insights and inspires others to pursue their goals. By combining his knowledge of mental health, community engagement, and personal growth, Meleak is dedicated to creating a supportive environment that fosters healing and empowerment within the community.
Jamilah Lahijuddin
Program Coordinator | she/her
Jamilah is the Program Coordinator for Steel Smiling. In this role, she supports the development and implementation of the Black Mental Health Ecosystem asset map project. In this role, she’ll be connecting directly with community members and organizations to identify resources, gather stories, and coordinate events that build awareness and trust. She will also play a key role in storytelling and coordination for Steel Smiling’s 10-Year Anniversary and core programs, Steel Healing and Beams to Bridges.Jamilah is a local leader with over 15 years of experience, recognized for creating innovative, community focused solutions that evolve into systemic and sustainable programming. Originally from California and a child of advocates, she carries forward a legacy of advocacy, resilience, and people centered change.
Her work has spanned workforce development, equitable housing access, nonprofit capacity building, and community consensus organizing. She has designed interconnected tracks that blend training, creative expression, and mentorship, advanced housing stability during the Pandemic and beyond and supported schools and nonprofits in adapting to community needs. Her skills in strategic planning, operational design, and collaborative leadership allow her to build programs that empower individuals while shifting long term outcomes for families and neighborhoods.
Driven by her commitment to equity and healing, Jamilah continues to innovate at the intersection of systems, culture, and people ensuring that her work not only addresses urgent needs but also strengthens the foundations for generational change. Her strengths lie in program design, operational strategy, community engagement, and building cross sector collaborations that center equity and amplify community voices. By weaving together structure and creativity, Jamilah develops systems that not only address immediate needs but also shift long term outcomes for youth, families, and neighborhoods. Jamilah is driven to contribute to innovative solutions that empower communities toward opportunity and self-determination.
