Shakila Stewart
Founder / CEO
Shakila Stewart is an Executive Leadership Coach, keynote speaker, bestselling author, and the Founder and Executive Director of Chin Up! You Got This!™, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to helping girls, women, and families build confidence, leadership, and purpose.
For more than 15 years, Shakila has partnered with schools, nonprofit organizations, corporations, and correctional education programs to equip individuals with the confidence and leadership skills needed to thrive in school, the workplace, and life. Under her leadership, Chin Up! You Got This!™ has empowered more than 8,000 women, girls, and families through mentoring, leadership development, workshops, and coaching. Today, the organization’s digital confidence curriculum, Pathway to Empowerment™, is available through correctional education programs in facilities across all 50 states, expanding access to life-changing confidence and leadership education nationwide.
A first-generation college graduate, Shakila earned a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Studies from Northern Illinois University, where she studied storytelling, directing, and performance. After training at the John Robert Powers School of Modeling and Acting, she began her career as a nationally recognized commercial print model before discovering her true calling as a Musical Theatre Director and Arts Educator in Chicago Public Schools.
While teaching, Shakila recognized that many young people were not held back by a lack of ability—they were held back by a lack of confidence and a limited belief in their own potential. Determined to change that, she created The SCREAM Project, encouraging students to find their voice and advocate for themselves. In 2015, she founded the Walk This Way Movement, a leadership initiative built on the belief that leadership is a legacy—equipping women to lead with confidence while mentoring and investing in the next generation of leaders.
In 2017, Shakila relocated from Chicago to Los Angeles to expand her impact nationally. That vision became Chin Up! You Got This!™, an organization founded on one simple belief: confidence is not a personality trait—it is a skill that can be taught, practiced, and strengthened.
Today, Shakila continues to partner with schools, nonprofit organizations, corporations, and community leaders to help individuals discover their worth, develop the confidence to lead, and create lasting change in their families, workplaces, and communities.
Her work has been featured on ABC’s Windy City Live, The Steve Harvey Show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, and Black Enterprise. She has been recognized as a Woman of Impact by the City of Long Beach and was featured on the cover of Women of Impact Magazine.
Chin Up. Shoulders Back. Happy Face. You Got This!™
Tanasia Hairl
Board Member / President
Tanasia Stewart is a dedicated wife, mother of three, and a seasoned professional in the Medicaid field. With a decade of experience at Centene, she has been instrumental in providing essential services to foster children. Beyond her professional endeavors, Tanasia is a passionate entrepreneur and community leader.
As the founder of HumbleBee&Co., she aims to inspire and uplift individuals through her business. Tanasia is also the driving force behind the prayer group she started called Prayer Confetti, a quarterly prayer group that brings together women in her community for spiritual connection and support.
DaNietra Hall
Board Member / Treasure
DaNietra Hall is a multifaceted creative director, event curator, wealth cultivator, and entrepreneur. As the host of two empowering podcasts, Prosperity of PINK and PINK SocieTea, she creates spaces for conversations centered on purpose, empowerment, and prosperity.
A proud wife and mother of two, DaNietra thrives in curating experiences and platforms that inspire growth and connection, blending her expertise in business, creativity, and wealth building.
Kristen Kain
Board Member / Secretary
Kristen Kain is a loving daughter of God, wife and mother. She has educated and encouraged children for over 20+ years. Her dedication to the next generation, problem solving and team building has led her into many entrepreneurial endeavors but most importantly to powerful wins for building the next generation through several companies and programs. Kristen has trained and professionally worked in the performing arts for years and has a heart full of excitement to pass on her experience and knowledge.