Naeemah Staggs | Chief Community Educator

Summer Update!

Thu, 31 Jul 2025 18:20:52 -0700

I hope this message finds you well and enjoying a joyful, restful summer. Dropping in to share updates and milestones that have brought both reflection and celebration over the past few months...

PERSONALLY, I'm thrilled to share that I’ve officially entered the dissertation phase of my doctoral program! My research will explore student perceptions of equity and inclusion in online learning, a topic close to my heart and deeply relevant to today’s educational landscape. I was also recently inducted into the historic and impactful organization, Jack and Jill of America, Inc. I look forward to serving and supporting other African-American families as we develop the next generation of leaders.

ALL ABOUT LITTLE MISS A

Big changes are on the horizon for our star-in-the-making! Little Miss A celebrated her 5th-grade promotion. From violin, chorus, morning announcements, and safety patrol, to cheer, dance, musical theater, and Girl Scouts, she had a jam-packed year. All while maintaining straight A’s! With elementary school officially behind us, she's heading to our county’s magnet arts middle school, where she’ll focus on theater. She’s also bridging from Junior to Cadette in Girl Scouts and has made the bittersweet decision to leave competitive cheer to pursue her love for performance dance. She was invited to join her dance school's performance company, and we couldn’t be prouder!

PROFESSIONALLY, I had the incredible honor...Read More

Happy 2025!

Sun, 09 Feb 2025 08:30:05 -0800

Whew, 2025 is already showing out huh?

Please protect your peace and try and focus on things that bring you joy! Here's some of what has been going on with me.

PERSONALLY, I was honored to be spotlighted in Voyage Baltimore; my interview is here. I officially began my dissertation credits last month and can't wait to share my research plans with you in the Spring. Mr. Drummer Boy and I are preparing for Little Miss A's inevitable transition to middle school. She passed her theater and dance auditions for the middle school magnet program, made the honor roll, and had a successful winter concert, where she played violin and sang in the choir. Cheer season has begun, and Girl Scout cookie sales are underway.

PROFESSIONALLY, I continue to be blessed with many opportunities to educate professionals and lay people on everything from mental health to child welfare to suicide prevention. Although I offer these services professionally, I am passionate about educating communities about how to help each other heal. Click the testimonial below to learn more about these services.

PASSIONATELY, the soft launch of PNK's new book, Triple Threat, during Howard University's Homecoming FamFest was a success! We had a great time sharing about...Read More

Fall is here and apples are in the air!

Sun, 13 Oct 2024 17:50:59 -0700

Hey friends,

My spring and summer was a blast and went by way too fast, but now my favorite season is here! I know most people go gaga over all things pumpkin, but my fav Fall treats are apples...apple cider, apple crisp, apple butter, apple EVERYTHING!

PERSONALLY...school is going well, and after passing my comprehensive exams this month, I am officially a doctoral candidate! Little Miss A began 5th grade last month. In April, we surprised her with a Disney cruise for her 10th birthday, and over the summer, we enjoyed a Mommy/Daughter trip to Savannah with her besties and their moms.

PROFESSIONALLY...I continue to be blessed with many opportunities to educate professionals and lay people on everything from mental health to child welfare to suicide prevention. Although I offer these services professionally, I am passionate about educating communities about how to help each other heal. Click the testimonial below to learn more about these services.

PASSIONATELY... PNK was signed with a new publishing home, and I am excited to share the reveal of the cover of my next children's book! Click...Read More

one year later...

Wed, 27 Dec 2023 18:21:45 -0800

I can’t believe a whole year has gone by since my last update! My bad y’all…geesh, so much to share!

PERSONALLY...I applied, was accepted, enrolled, and completed my first year of a doctoral program! Yep, I decided to return to school and am expecting to receive my Ed.D. (Doctor of Education) in 2026. Mr. DrummerBoy launched his company, Boots & Drums Handyman Services, and we celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary with an amazing trip to Paisley Park! Little Miss A successfully completed 3rd and started 4th grade as an honors student and musician (advanced violin). She also became a Girl Scout Junior and moved up a level on her cheer squad :) Oh, and she is still selling Girl Scout Cookies through January 14th - place your order for shipping or local delivery here.

PROFESSIONALLY...I joined the Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County (CFAAC) Board of Trustees. This is my first Board position, and I am enjoying being a part of such awesome change in my home community. I became a Certified Mental Health Coach, and at work, I joined a team that provides training and consultation to child welfare and mental health professionals, working together to support children and families receiving cognitive behavioral therapy. I continued to provide training for CASA and MHFA and spoke at several events, including the Mental Health First Aid Instructor Summit in Los Angeles. Most recently, I facilitated my first teen Mental Health First Aid course for 11th graders at a local high school.

PASSIONATELY...Little Miss A and I have attended numerous vendor events, selling all of our I Am Femspiration™ products, including our children's book Dear Daughter. We also added I Am Femspiration™ girls' t-shirts, and for the holiday season, Little Miss A created...Read More

This is what Summers are made of!

Fri, 05 Aug 2022 09:21:59 -0700

Little Miss A and I just got back from a week in Jamaica for a Mommy & Me retreat. She was super excited for her first trip out of the country and was looking forward to experiencing it with other girls her age. We did not previously know any of the other Mother/Daughter pairs who came from various parts of the country, so this was going to be an adventure for us all!

We stayed in Montego Bay at Boca del Rio, a gorgeous villa 10-bedrooom villa that instantly became our home away from home. The villa house staff took great care of us, including home-cooked meals that accommodated the girls’ picky palates.

Our outdoor adventures took us all around the island. In Ocho Rios, we visited a water park where we took a sky lift, zip lined, went bobsledding and enjoyed the infinity pool. We also went bamboo rafting where the moms got limestone massages while the girls frolicked in the river. Back in MoBay, we spent the day at Doctor’s Cave beach where we boarded a glass bottom boat and went snorkeling above the coral reef. So many new experiences and so much fun!

My favorite part of our trip by far was the sisterhood. From our spa day to our sister circles and a spontaneous slumber party for the girls. The opportunity to relish in the amazing bond that only sisterhood can bring is what made this trip so special for Little Miss A and I. The Mommy & Me Self-Care Retreat is definitely one for the books! The next Mommy & Me Self-Care Retreat registration is open now, click Read More

Is it Summer already?

Fri, 05 Aug 2022 09:21:43 -0700

PERSONALLY

Little Miss A finished 2nd grade on the Honor Roll and with multiple accolades from her teachers! She has also wrapped this Summer’s first camp experience with Annapolis Musical Theater which culminated in a hilarious production of the School of Rock. She is signed up for several more camps this Summer so we’re looking forward to all that’s in store for her before starting 3rd grade in the Fall.

In June, Mr. DummerBoy and I celebrated 8 years of marriage with a weekend getaway to Atlantic City and in the spirit of Summer, I decided to gift my locs with the color of purple. Everywhere I go, I am complimented on my new hair color which is almost always then followed up by “Go Ravens!” and I’m reminded that we now live in the Baltimore metro area. To be clear, my hair color choice has ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with football :-/

PROFESSIONALLY

May (Foster Care and Mental Health Awareness Month) and June (Family Reunification Month) were busy months!

In May, I was elated to celebrate CASA’s 20th Anniversary of advocating for children in foster care. I can hardly believe that I have had the pleasure of working with them since the beginning. I also collaborated with several organizations such as Diasporic Healing LLC and the National Council for Negro Women to talk about mental health.

In June, I gave my first keynote speech for the Prince George’s County Circuit Court’s Annual Family...Read More

Quick 2022 Update

Thu, 03 Mar 2022 06:17:12 -0800

Here's a quick update on what's been happening with me personally, professionally and passionately...

PERSONALLY

Since last Summer, the Staggs have been in a whirlwind of change. We bought a new house and moved to a new county! House hunting during the pandemic was no joke, but we endured and are now comfortably settled in to our new house :)

Thank you to all who helped Little Miss A with her very first Girl Scout Cookie sale! She competed in her very first cheer competition in December and again last month.

PROFESSIONALLY

Work is going well. I developed a signature training series on trauma and became a Standards for Excellence Licensed Consultant. I have also been pretty busy with Mental Heath First Aid training as the demand continues to skyrocket. Let me know if you or anyone you know would be interested in learning more about any of these.

I also launched a new one hour workshop on how to enhance participant engagement for virtual training sessions. Let me know if this is osmething you are interested...Read More

Stop and Smell the (May) Flowers

Fri, 14 May 2021 12:40:16 -0700

This month is Mental Health Awareness Month. What better time to stop and smell the flowers!

Be sure to follow me on social media as I share tips about ending stigma, recognizing signs and symptoms, intervention and self-care. After 4 years of being a Mental Health First Aid Instructor, I am proud to share that I am now a National Trainer and will begin certifying MHFA instructors next month. If you are interested in becoming a MHFA instructor, sign up here.

May is also National Foster Care Month. Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) changed my life! My experience as a CASA volunteer almost 20 years ago was the springboard for my child welfare career. The ability of everyday heroes to make a positive impact on the lives of children in foster care still amazes me to this day. I have had the pleasure of working with various child welfare programs throughout the country and CASA/Prince George's County stands out as a leader in their commitment and dedication to ensuring the safety, permanency and well-being of our most vulnerable children. I am honored to be a part of this organization and ask that you join me in supporting them as they continue to do great work on behalf of the children and youth of Prince George's County. Please consider donating any amount here .

We are getting closer and closer to the launch of PNK's first...Read More

The Invisible Impact of Me Too

Thu, 01 Apr 2021 07:00:11 -0700

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and the increase in news reports about allegations of sexual improprieties in Hollywood, the Hill and beyond has both angered and saddened me at times. But it’s been the victim blaming, shaming and questioning by my own family and friends that has triggered several revelations about my own experience of being sexually assaulted as a child. If you are interested in reading more, check out my post here.

If you would rather be spared the heartache of yet another story of sexual abuse, I totally understand. However, I do encourage you to take action and learn how you can prevent and respond to child sexual abuse by downloading my free eBook here.

Happy Spring...I'm Back!

Sun, 21 Mar 2021 12:16:49 -0700

Spring is a time for renewal and in this past year, my purpose has been completely renewed. I am so grateful to have found my sweet spot at the intersection of my personal, professional and passionate life. I hope that you will join me on this new journey as I share what fuels my purpose via my new blog and newsletter!

Last month, I had the pleasure of facilitating an Online Safety for Children and Youth training for CASA/Prince George’s County. They are now gearing up for Spring training. If you are interested in learning more about becoming a CASA or helping us in our mission, please let me know. CASA is a national program, to learn more about the program in your community, visit National CASA.

Also in February, I taught 6 Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) classes for the Prince George’s County Department of Social Services and Joe’s Movement Emporium. This month, I have more classes scheduled with PGDSS, Macedonia Baptist Church, the University of South Carolina and the United Nations. I offer this course for both adults and adults working with youth. If you or someone you know is interested in bringing this course to your company/organization/school/church/group, please reach out to me via email at hello@naeemahstaggs.com . PASSIONATELY

As I mentioned in the last newsletter PNK Productions, the company I’ve formed with my childhood besties, is counting down to the launch of our first children’s book. The official launch will be this Summer and in preparation we will be hosting monthly live chats for audiences to get to know us. Our first one was last month and went really well. Be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook to stay in the loop. Click the pic below to RSVP for this...Read More