Meet the Team
Urgent 365, Inc is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 2016 by three Philadelphia creatives. The team works to push communities of color forward through programming and resource distribution centered around community, healing, education and empowerment.
Jasmine "Mizz Jasz" Hawkins
President
Jasmine “Mizz Jasz” Hawkins is an educator, writer, and community organizer serving as president and co-founder of the non-profit Urgent 365 Inc, an organization derived from her poetry chapbook Urgent Conversations: Race, Reality, and Responsibility. With a decade of experience as an inner-city high school teacher, education, empowerment, and faith are intertwined in every thread of Jasmine’s work. She uses writing-centered programming to help Black youth and young adults unpack and uproot unhealthy habits, narratives, and mindsets in order to reach their God-given potential. Recognized for her art-based community endeavors, Jasmine is the recipient of the 2020 Bartol Foundation Micro-Grant and the Leeway Foundation 2020 Art and Change Grant. Her writing is featured in Mogul Millennial and The Dreamer’s Anthology, and a 40-day devotional is forthcoming.
Evangeline Berube
Board of Directors Member
Evangeline was born and raised in Pittsburgh before calling Philadelphia her home in 2011. Over the course of her ten years in Philadelphia, Evangeline has dedicated herself to community advocacy with her work at a neighborhood high school as a special education teacher and leader. Through her community partnerships and volunteering, she’s supported initiatives for neighborhood food pantries in order to feed over 500 families in the Nicetown-Tioga area of Philadelphia.
Ghynecee Temple
Executive Assistant
Dr. Ghynecee Temple is a licensed and practicing psychologist within the Philadelphia community. She has been in the field since 2013 and has extensive experience working with individuals, organizations, and communities. She is particularly passionate about helping others recognize and cultivate the tools they possess to overcome adversity and live a healthier life. Dr. Temple has translated this passion of service to others through her professional activities, personal projects, and as a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Dr. Temple is continuously looking for creative avenues to bring her passion for wellbeing to others and has launched her own YouTube channel “Dr Ghynny From The Block,” to discuss mental health and other topics pertaining to well-being. She utilizes therapy, consultation, teaching, and outreach as her tools to help others.
Karen Hawkins
Lead Volunteer
Karen M. Hawkins is a retired accountant and manager who worked for the government for almost 41 years. She has been volunteering and serving others and the community her entire career in various roles including a classroom instructor, children’s ministry leader, and Sunday school teacher. Karen is currently a worship leader, deaconess, community activist, and President of the Philadelphia Chapter of AIM-IRS. She exemplifies the standard of “iron sharpens iron” and treating others as you want to be treated.
Janet Waema
Board Chair
Janet Waema is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated and a VCU graduate with a bachelor's degree in Community Health. Having worked in the community development field for the past 10 years, she's partnered with various organizations such as the NAACP, the National Baptist Convention Health Outreach and Prevention Education Initiative, and the National Urban League just to name a few. She has played an instrumental role in providing effective change and healthy lifestyle development to at-risk communities through work with the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, the office of the Illinois Secretary of State, Jess White and the Chicago Health Department.
Evangeline Berube
Board Secretary
Evangeline was born and raised in Pittsburgh before calling Philadelphia her home in 2011. Over the course of her ten years in Philadelphia, Evangeline has dedicated herself to community advocacy with her work at a neighborhood high school as a special education teacher and leader. Through her community partnerships and volunteering, she’s supported initiatives for neighborhood food pantries in order to feed over 500 families in the Nicetown-Tioga area of Philadelphia.
Juan Reyes
Board Member
A recent transplant from Chicago, Juan calls Philadelphia home since 2022. Growing up Hispanic in Wisconsin, Juan had to learn to navigate the work and education world on his own. He is a first generation college student with an unbridled passion for uplifting and developing Black and Brown youth to become future leaders. Juan has worked with the A Better Chance Program, Upward Bound and Junior Achievement. With over 15 years of banking experience, Juan is poised to assist in helping bridge the equity gaps for underserved communities.
