Natasha White,
President/Founder
Natasha White is the heart and visionary behind Broken Crayons Can Still Color. A formerly incarcerated survivor of solitary confinement. Her life’s journey—from incarceration, addiction, and domestic violence to becoming a nationally recognized leader in justice reform—is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit.
After her release, Natasha threw herself into transformative advocacy, becoming a campaign leader in the Close Rikers Movement and playing key roles in landmark decarceration efforts such as bail reform, fair and timely parole, and the Less is More Campaign. During the height of the pandemic, she joined the HALT SOLITARY campaign and helped secure historic legislation in New York State in 2021 to limit the use of solitary confinement.
Seeking a fresh start, Natasha relocated to Virginia, where she quickly became Coordinator for the Virginia Coalition on Solitary Confinement. She now leads the Solitary No More VA and Torture Free MD campaigns, engaging lawmakers, communities, students, and impacted families in the push to end inhumane prison practices. Her advocacy expanded further when she was appointed state representative for Unlock the Box in both Virginia and Maryland as the Director of Community Engagement for Interfaith Action for Human Rights. In 2022, she was the Citizen of the Year Award recipient by the National Association of Social Workers.
But Natasha’s leadership doesn’t stop with policy work. Broken Crayons Can Still Color was born from her own personal pain and healing. After surviving the emotional and psychological toll of abuse, addiction, and incarceration, Natasha rebuilt her life from a domestic violence shelter with nothing but determination and a dream. Her mission became clear: to create a refuge for families in crisis—particularly those impacted by incarceration and trauma—who often have nowhere to turn.
With fierce commitment, Natasha turned that vision into reality. Broken Crayons Can Still Color now provides trauma-informed care, healing spaces, and support for directly impacted individuals navigating the aftermath of incarceration, addiction and abuse. Through partnerships with service providers and a dedicated team of volunteers, Natasha ensures that every person who walks through their doors is reminded of their worth, strength, and ability to heal.
In 2023, Natasha further cemented her leadership by graduating from Columbia University’s Center for Justice Women Transcending Leadership Institute.
Through every effort—whether legislative or personal—Natasha’s life and work reflect the powerful belief at the core of the organization: no matter how broken we may feel, we all still have the power to create beauty, healing, and change. Broken crayons can still color.
Jennifer Dalton, Vice President
Jennifer Dalton, the Founder and Director of the Virginia Justice Alliance, is a dedicated advocate for human rights and social justice. As the Chairwoman of the Abolish Slavery VA coalition, she leads efforts to combat modern-day slavery. With a background in legal studies and a passion for dismantling systemic injustices, Jennifer has been instrumental in shaping policies that promote equality and protect the vulnerable.
Her commitment to creating a more just society extends beyond the legal realm, as she actively engages with communities to raise awareness and foster collaboration. Jennifer’s leadership in the Virginia Justice Alliance has propelled the organization in the fight against injustice, advocating for fair and equitable treatment for all. Through her tireless efforts, she strives to leave a lasting impact on the pursuit of a world free from exploitation and inequality.
Bernadette White, Treasurer
Bernadette is an experienced CEO with a multifaceted background in finance, community outreach, education, and government programs. With a passion for making a difference in the lives of others, she dedicated her expertise to leading the children’s program for incarcerated women, demonstrating unwavering commitment to improving the futures of these families. Bernadette’s skill set includes a deep understanding of merchant cash advance, hard money loans, credit restoration, grants, and program coordination. Her proven track record of success in both leadership and community engagement speaks volumes about her dedication and ability to create positive change. Through her work, Bernadette has not only transformed the lives of the incarcerated women she serves but has also inspired those around her to make a lasting impact on the community.
Alex Creamer, Secretary
Alexandra is a dedicated professional with a strong academic background and a passion for social justice. Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Criminology, and a Criminal Justice certificate, along with a Master’s degree in Forensic and Legal Psychology, Alexandra possesses a deep understanding of the complexities of the criminal justice system. Since May 2022, she has collaborated closely with the VA Coalition on Solitary Confinement and Interfaith Action for Human Rights (IAHR), a nonprofit advocating against punitive practices in corrections systems. In her role as Communications Coordinator at IAHR, Alexandra has demonstrated her expertise in researching, analyzing, and disseminating critical data related to mass incarceration, racial biases, and solitary confinement. Furthermore, she extends her impact beyond the nonprofit sector by working as a DE&I and Wellbeing Intern at Charles River Laboratories, where she manages various initiatives related to mental health support, diversity, and employee wellbeing. Alexandra’s diverse skill set, coupled with her genuine passion for helping others, positions her as a valuable asset in her mission to support reentry, domestic violence survivors, and individuals struggling with addiction through her work with Broken Crayons Can Still Color. Her dedication and expertise will undoubtedly contribute significantly to the organization’s success.
Naquasia Pollard, Board Member
Naquasia Pollard is an advocate, activist and direct service provider. She was incarcerated for 15 years in a Women’s Correctional Facility at the age of 19. After being released in 2017, she worked at the Ladies of Hope Ministries where she utilized her BA in Sociology, earned in prison, to support women impacted by incarceration. A self-motivated, dynamic professional with a diverse background in direct services and people-centered advocacy for systems change. Motivated leader with strong organizational and leadership skills, as well as extensive professional experience in social justice advocacy and client-centered crisis management strategies. Directly impacted by the criminal justice system and deeply committed to transforming it into a more just and equitable system for women and girls as the Executive Director and Founder of Pure Legacee. A non profit dedicated to providing a haven of healing for females ages 16-24 who have experienced trauma as a direct result of the criminal justice system and/or aging out of foster care and facing homelessness.
Alex Bailey, Board Member
Alexandra Bailey, the Senior Campaign Strategist at The Sentencing Project, is a dedicated advocate for criminal justice reform. With a background in organizing and political change theory from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, Bailey supports state and local advocates challenging the nation’s life sentencing laws. Her priorities encompass ending life without parole, capping maximum penalties at 20 years, promoting “second look” provisions, and fostering a culture shift away from excessive punishments towards restorative approaches to public safety. Before her role at The Sentencing Project, Bailey served as a Campaign Strategist and National Organizing Specialist for the ACLU and coordinated the Women’s March in Chicago. Her impactful campaigns include securing voting rights for unhoused citizens, ending 287g ICE agreements, and passing the Equal Rights Amendment in Illinois. Additionally, Bailey contributes as an Advisory Commissioner in Washington DC’s Ward 2, showcasing her commitment to social justice and advocacy.
Zahyria Temple, Board Member
Zahyria Temple is the Executive Director and Office Manager for the Ethlyn R. Strong School of Social Work at Norfolk State University. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a minor in Special Education from Old Dominion University (2018) and a Master of Social Work from Norfolk State University (2021).
Zahyria brings a dynamic background in social work, administration, and community engagement, having previously served as a Project Manager for the Hampton Roads Community Empowerment Alliance. Her professional and personal passions intersect in advocating for social justice, reform, and the empowerment of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Zahyria is also deeply committed to integrating holistic wellness into social services by bridging the practices of herbalism and social work. She believes in the power of community healing and is honored to support the mission of Broken Crayons Can Still Color as a member of the advisory board.