About Us

Narkie NarteyCEO & Founder

Ever since Narkie was a child, she has had a passion for helping others. But for much of her life, helping others felt limited and expressed rather perfunctorily. It was only when Narkie wrote a children’s book and volunteered to read it weekly to various groups of students at a local Title-1 elementary school that she realized how much a green little creature named Wakaboomee had the ability to impact the lives of children. The Wakaboomee Program is a collaboration of individuals and organizations who have incredible hearts and passions for creating real change in our communities by providing Coding, Chess, Mindfulness, Art, Spanish, Music, Yoga, Zumba, Tutoring, and Science sessions to children wherever they are!
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Narkie is President Elect of RTP Rotary and active in various organizations that are dedicated to helping underserved populations.
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Sage SoyoAssistant Director

Sage Soyo is 13 years old and is her mother, Narkie’s biggest supporter. Appointed as Wakaboomee Assistant Director at the young age of 7, Sage Soyo must adhere to a strict code of conduct and maintain a leadership role within the Wakaboomee Program. She takes meticulous notes and prepares for each Wakaboomee Session in advance ensuring that Wakaboomers stay engaged, learning, and having a Wakaboomee FUN time! Sage Soyo loves basketball & playing Minecraft with her friends virtually.

JbDavis Art Instructor

JbDavis or Julie is an exceptional artist who has volunteered her talents and expertise to the Wakaboomee Adventure Program since 2017. Much of her work is created not by any self-imposed form or style of painting, but her art embodies the emotion of life. Julie shares art history and her passion for art with Wakaboomers each and every session. Julie’s artwork is exhibited at Chatham Hill Winery and auctioned at Wakaboomee Fundraising Events.

Click here for JBDavis Art

Ida Morton Business Analyst

As a Native of NC and a firm believer in the power of Education, Ida is determined to see all children receive STEAM Education regardless of their socioeconomic backgrounds.  As the Business Analyst, Ida is responsible for bridging the gap between The Wakaboomee Program and various local organizations using data analytics to assess processes, determine requirements, and deliver data-driven recommendations and reports to executives and stakeholders.

Dr. Janelle Ellis-HollowayPositive Psychologist and Mindfulness Instructor

Dr. Ellis-Holloway is a Positive Psychology Practitioner certified in Mindfulness and Meditation; a Doctor of Philosophy, and a Social Justice Educator specializing in Educational Leadership and Cultural Studies. As a former Science teacher, Dr. Ellis-Holloway is passionate about providing youth with the tools to be leaders academically but she also recognizes how important it is to have the tools to emotionally function in a sometimes overwhelming world. Using Positive Psychology, interactive open discussion, and role play, Dr. Ellis-Holloway is able to empower Wakaboomers and equip them to face & navigate through the hurdles of life via a bi-weekly virtual platform called Wakaboomee Mindfulness.

Seth Davis Mascot

Seth is 17 years old. He’s a freshman high school student at Panther Creek and he’s the mascot for Wakaboomee. He has been a Wakaboomee supporter since 2017. His interests are music, video games, and computer programming. He plays both piano and guitar. He’s been playing guitar for about 5 years and piano for 2 and half years. His future goal is to become a successful video game designer and programmer.

Wafa KhalilEnvironmental Advocate & Solar Educator

​Wafa Khalil is a former science educator at Miami Dade County Public Schools. She has written many energy-related curricula, including Energy for Sustainability: Solar and other renewable curricula; developed multiple innovative energy programs based on a holistic approach to learning.
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Wafa loves sharing her vast knowledge with Wakaboomers in the firm belief that by heightening awareness of the environmental problems, especially the ones related to world energy consumption, Wakaboomers will in turn be committed to being responsible citizens and leaders.

Jessica Steiner Yoga Instructor

Jessica Steiner is an enthusiastic Yoga instructor and isso excited to help others experience the benefits of Yoga.  Jessica has practiced yoga throughout her entire life. Through beginning yoga training classes three years ago, she became even more passionate about the wonderful benefits yoga can have on your stress levels, flexibility, mood stability, muscle pain, posture, and so much more. She is so excited to share her knowledge with young, adaptive bodies and minds. In her free time, Jessica enjoys spending time in nature through hiking, camping, kayaking, and traveling. She also has a love for music and spreading peace and positivity in the world, which she brings into each lesson of Wakaboomee Yoga!

Master Adam and Ms. Mohini Tae Kwon Do Instructors

6th Dan Tae Kwon Do Black Belt, Master Adam Sterner, and his Head Instructor, 2nd Dan Tae Kwon Do Black Belt, Ms. Mohini Sudhakar. Master Adam is a member of the W.K.U. Hall of Fame and owner of the Sterner’s Tae Kwon Do Academy for the past 15 years. Ms. Mohini has been a student of his for 11 years and instructs hundreds of students daily with in-person classes and virtually. Both Master Adam & Ms. Mohini are eager to share their incredible skills with Wakaboomers of all ages!

Attorney Kristen Wills Legal Volunteer

Attorney Kristen Wills was born and raised in northeastern North Carolina. Attorney Wills obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in May 2014. Attorney Wills graduated with a Juris Doctor from North Carolina Central University, School of Law in May 2017.   Attorney Wills is a member of the North Carolina State Bar, Tenth District Judicial Bar, and the North Carolina Bar Association. In her spare time, Attorney Wills enjoys traveling, cooking, swimming, and trying new foods.  She is very excited to volunteer her time to focus on the special issues that affect non-profit organizations such as The Wakaboomee Program.

Scott Renk Art Instructor

Scott Renk is an urban sketcher, award-winning animator/filmmaker/artist, and teacher of at-risk students. His animation and artwork have been shown and recognized throughout the world. He is self taught in the world of animation, and has received numerous awards including best film at various national film festivals. Scott is currently leading a monthly Urban Drawing group for adults at CAM Raleigh, moderating figure drawing sessions at Artspace, and has led recent drawing workshops for the North Carolina Museum of Art, Activate 14 AIA North Carolina Summer series, and the 2015, 2016, and 2017 National AIA Conventions.