WETATi Academy Team
Ambassador Dr. Margaret Dureke
WETATi Academy Founder, President & Executive Director, Workforce Development & Entrepreneurship Instructor
Ambassador Dr. Margaret Dureke
WETATi Academy Founder, President & Executive Director, Workforce Development & Entrepreneurship Instructor
Ambassador Dr. Margaret Dureke is a recipient of one of the highest civilian honors in America, the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award; The Major League Soccer (MLS), 2023 All-Star Hometown Hero; and an Honorary Doctorate Degree of Philosophy in Entrepreneurship and Business Administration, 2022. She is also a recipient of the Maryland Daily Record Top 100 Women 2023. Dr. Margaret Dureke is the Founder, President, and Executive Director of an economic empowerment educational nonprofit organization called WETATi Academy located at and in partnership with Nyumburu Cultural Center, University of Maryland, College Park. She is also the founder and managing principal of MargaretSpeaks. Dr. Dureke is a renowned international “moxie motivational speaker” --Washington Post, and known as a “How-to-and entrepreneurship Guru” for her expertise and natural ability to empower her clients through her MargaretSpeaks, Inc. platform.
Ambassador Dr. Dureke received her B.A. degree with honors from Howard University and a Juris Doctorate degree in law from American University, Washington College of Law, Washington, DC. She is serial entrepreneur, publisher, and bestselling author of several personal and business development books such as “How to Succeed Against All Odds”, “The Power of Consistency”, “7 Drivers for Success”, “Think, Believe, Act and Grow Rich”, “I Am: The Power of Self Awareness”, “11 Keys to Finding The Seed of Opportunity in Any Adversity”, and many more.
For over 30 years Dr. Dureke has been training, empowering, coaching, mentoring and inspiring corporations, government agencies, business leaders, community leaders, diplomatic corps, students, and the public about the importance of believing in themselves to achieve their respective impossibilities in any area of their lives. Her passion is to teach others how to turn adversities or disadvantages into achievements.
Amongst Dr. Dureke's other notable achievements and awards are:- Maryland The Daily Record Top 100 Women 2023
- National League Soccer All-Star Hometown Hero 2023
- Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award 2022
- Honorary Doctorate Degree of Philosophy in Entrepreneurship and Business Administration 2022
- Appointed Goodwill Ambassador to the Republic of The Gambia in recognition of her philanthropic and humanitarian work in Gambia and around the world 2016
- Recipient of the United States Army MacArthur Woman of Excellence Award
- Ambassador Dr. Margaret Dureke and WETATi Academy were awarded the Maryland Governor’s Citation in honor of National Women’s Small Business Month, October 2017. The Citation recognized: “The amazing work that you do and for the significant impact you are making to Maryland’s economy and the community you serve” 2017
- MEA-Heart & Soul Magazine Woman of Power Award 2018
- A Fellow at the Venture Philanthropy Partners-DC, Ready to Work Nonprofit Capacity Building 2019-2023
- A Fellow at the Catalog Philanthropy (Spur Local) 2023-2027
- Senior Vice President in marketing in the Direct Sales industry 2006-2011
- Presenter and Speaker at the 58th Anniversary, Montgomery Bus Boycott honoring Rosa Parks, alongside Dr. Bernice King 2017
Dr. Dureke has been happily married to her husband and best friend John Dureke for more than 37 years, and together they have three beautiful and talented daughters: Chidinma, Chukwunonso, and Destiny.
- Email:Margaret@WETATi.com
Dr. Anne Reese Carswell
Associate Director, Nyumburu Cultural Center University of Maryland College Park, Godmother of WETATi Academy
Dr. Anne Reese Carswell
Associate Director, Nyumburu Cultural Center University of Maryland College Park, Godmother of WETATi Academy
Anne Reese Carswell came to Nyumburu Cultural Center, University of Maryland, College Park as an undergraduate student worker over 45 years ago. Hence, Ms. Carswell retains a historical past with the Cultural Center and all affiliates on and off-campus organizations. As the youngest of ten children from then segregated south, Ms. Carswell learned early the value of education and helping others. She earned both her undergraduate in Bachelor of Science in Family and Community Development; and Master Degree of Arts Human Resource Management from University of Maryland College Park.
Ms. Carswell in her capacity as Associate Director of the Nyumburu Cultural Center has functioned as the Center’s Program Developer and Program Coordinator. Her leadership has amassed decades worth of loyal and committed alumni who return to their Nyumburu roots throughout her 37 years of campus and community service. Ms. Carswell is a tremendous resource for all students matriculating to the campus, particularly minority students. It is her Program Development ability and commitment to serving others that earned her the position of Program Director with WETATi. She continually works to ensure the well-being of students, and is advisor to several student organizations, including the WETATi Next Generation UMD Chapter. Because of her contribution and dedication, the WETATi Scholarship was renamed in her honor (WETATi- Anne Reese Carswell Scholarship).
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE| 1977 University of Maryland College Park, MD
MASTER OF ARTS| 2007 University of Maryland College Park, MD
- Email:info@wetatiacademy.org
Joanna Chambers
Chief Operating Officer
Joanna Chambers
Chief Operating Officer
Joanna is WETATi’s Chief Administrative Associate & Project Coordinator. She has shown and continues to show her commitment and dedication to the purpose and vision of WETATi. Joanna manages the administrative work for WETATi. She plans and organizes the projects that are needed to be completed to ensure the success of the organizations’ business.
In August 2021, Joanna received the 2021 WETATi Above and Beyond Recognition during WETATi’s Annual National Entrepreneurship Convention and Scholarship and Awards Gala for her passion, commitment, and dedication towards work. Joanna understands the vision and mission of WETATi and does her best to make “the impossible become possible” as one of a true WETATian.
Joanna Chambers has a BA in Science, and Family Science from University of Maryland, College Park. Joanna is a well-traveled military wife. As a military wife she worked as a volunteer with Elementary School students. She volunteered as a tutor, worked in school events, fundraised money for the school, and much more. Joanna passionately loves working with students to help them grow successfully. she lived in Alaska for four years, where she worked as a Kindergarten Teacher Assistant and an After-School Program Mentor, before moving back to Maryland.
With Joanna’s background in education and working with young students, she contributes to the WETATi Academy program by helping students during the sessions and helps the program run as smoothly as possible to achieve the best learning experiences for each student. Joanna is very hard working, committed, dependable, trustworthy, honest, and dedicated to everything she does. Most importantly, Joanna is a mother of two adorable children.
Bachelor’s in science l Family Science, 2009 University of Maryland, College Park
- Email:joanna@wetati.org
Destiny Dureke
Art Director
Destiny Dureke
Art Director
Destiny Dureke, is currently a visual communication Design and Marketing student at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), in NYC; with a focus on digital branding and art direction, while minoring in creative entrepreneurship.
Destiny Dureke is an entrepreneurial Art Director and Stylist, a two-time Gucci Changemaker Finalist, and her collective brand is “Princess Destiny”, (PrincessDestiny.com)
Destiny is also, the WETATi Branding & Marketing Strategist, and WETATi’s Middle School Entrepreneurship Instructor and class facilitator.
Rhea Cabardo
Director of Philanthropy and Community Outreach
Rhea Cabardo
Director of Philanthropy and Community Outreach
Born in Bellevue, NE, the home of the US Strategic Air Command, Rhea Cabardo was raised in an Air Force family, fostering adaptability and resilience through life's diverse landscapes. She traversed 10 states and 3 countries before settling in Bellevue, WA, carrying with her a rich tapestry of experiences.
Rhea's academic journey began with a pursuit of Neuroscience at the University of Omaha, NE, laying a foundation of analytical thinking and scientific inquiry. Transitioning her passion, she later graduated with a Bachelor's in Business Marketing from the University of Phoenix, honing her skills for the corporate arena.
Currently serving as a Brand Manager at ActOne Group and a member of the WETATi Academy family, Rhea exemplifies versatility and innovation. Rhea is WETATi Academy’s Director of Philanthropy and Community Outreach. In 2015, she founded Rhea Direct, assuming roles as Owner and Chief Inspiration Officer. Here, she fueled her passion for aiding small businesses, leaving an indelible mark through innovative marketing strategies. 2024 Rhea is a recipient of the WETATi Academy Achieving The impossible Empowered Woman award.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Rhea is deeply entrenched in community service as a youth leader and teacher for the Children's Worship Service. Through her unwavering commitment to empowering individuals to discover their purpose and achieve daily triumphs, Rhea Cabardo shines as a beacon of inspiration in both her professional and personal realms.
Chuckwunonso Angel Dureke
Photo/Video Media Coordinator and Editor
Chuckwunonso Angel Dureke
Photo/Video Media Coordinator and Editor
Chuckwunonso Angel Dureke is a multi-disciplinary visual artist and award-winning filmmaker. As a director, producer, director, and writer with over 9+ years of experience in strategic storytelling, production management, consulting, social media management, and concept creation, Chuckwunonso specializes in creating new worlds that examine old truths. She earned a Bachelors of Science in Mass Communications from Towson University and a Masters of Fine Arts from Howard University in Film. Experience ranging from concept creation through execution; Chuckwunonso is a forward thinker who brings a broad perspective to brand and narrative development creation.
Chuckwunonso founded Dureke Productions LLC, an award winning multimedia production company and creative agency, that creates high quality conscious concepts. Dureke Productions has successfully produced several bodies of work, led by Chuckwunonso. Amongst her bodies of work include, Alemanji 2023 Pavillon Afriques Cannes Film Festival official selection, Prince George’s County African American Museum & Cultural Center- Lincoln Vista Oral History Documentary, online sensation TITLES Season One now streaming on Tony Gaskins YouTube channel, Plantain & Proverbs which was selected for Amazon's 1st All Voice's Film Festival and premiered on Amazon Prime Video, Bride Price the Inaugural 1st place $30,000 shorts Pitch Competition Winner for the Annapolis Film Festival and RSF Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival 2020 selection,The Black Code Project and more.
In 2017, NkemLife, her 1st generation lifestyle blog she runs with her old sister Chidinma Dureke, was featured in the Washington Post for aiming to bring a bit of Africa, and some flavor, to D.C. Dureke has also worked as a social media correspondent with BET for Sundance 2018. In addition, Ms. Dureke was selected as a Magnolia Pictures Fellow for the 2019 Cannes Film Festival, Howard University The Blackhouse Foundation Fellow and a 2021 Black Future Filmmaker Cohort One sponsored by Meta and SEEN.