Our Team

STAFF

Michael comes to Tree House Books with over 20 years of leadership and social justice and activism work. Most recently Michael was the Executive Director for Yes! And… Collaborative Arts, a youth arts empowerment organization he helped found in 1999. After years working in the arts and youth development sector, Michael started with Tree House Books in 2019. He has his Master’s in Organizational Development and his BA in Education. Michael brings a passion for social justice, youth leadership, collaboration, and community development - utilizing the strengths of the community.

Michael remembers reading the Chronicles of Narnia with his mom and sister before bedtime when he was young.

Tang Wilson, our Managing Director of Programs, has been a part of our team as a Teaching Artist with our Equity Pods and an advisor to the Youth Leaders Fellowship. Tang is a community organizer in Philadelphia, by way of South Carolina. They prioritize wellness and healing for Black and Brown people by organizing for and being a member of free market models like the Germantown Supply Hub. Tang is a student of abolitionist practices and the radical tradition and hopes to curate spaces for community aid and mentorship of Black youth.

Tang’s favourite book at the moment is The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

Emma was a volunteer with Tree House Books before joining the staff in 2017. She also manages the Giving Library and volunteer scheduling. A graduate of Oberlin College with a degree in sociology, and utilizing a social change lens of community activism, Emma brings to us a wealth of experience working in community and educational settings throughout New Jersey, Ohio, and Philadelphia.

Emma’s favourite book is Beloved by Toni Morrison

Cameron is a native of Philadelphia attending Temple University and studying business management. He is a natural-born leader and plans to set an excellent example for the youth in his community. Cameron brings the drive and willingness to engage with the children and families of our communities to make a change.

Favorite childhood book: Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson 

Shakira King is an activist, educator, archivist, and West Philadelphian Native.

She has been an organizer for the last 11 years with organizations like Black Lives Matter Philly, and Sankofa Community Empowerment. Her organizing focus is on youth, LBGTQIA issues, education disparities, and mass incarceration. The bulk of her career experience has been in education settings including organizations like The Future Project, Freedom School, and Nonamebooks

Shakira hopes that by doing this work she can aid in the liberation of all Black people and create equity and spaces for the most marginalized of us.

Her favorite book is "Sassafrass, Cypress, and Indigo" by Ntozake Shange

Omi is a first-generation American of Nigerian and South African descent.

With their administrative and organisational skills from their previous positions and having lived in several states and countries, she brings a diverse approach and thought process to all settings. Outside of work, Omi enjoys herself by reading, crocheting, cooking and exploring different facets of creativity and art modalities. 

As a child, she remembers sharing the series of books Junie B Jones by Barbara Park with her sibling. They were her favourite books.

As a lifelong learner, artist and entrepreneur, she has dedicated herself to the empowerment and holistic development of children everywhere through art, music, and entrepreneurship.

Deirdre is very family oriented and works to support families throughout Philadelphia; battling the injustices of poverty and underserved schools.

In her free time, she likes to read with her kids. One of their favorite books is Don't Push the Button, by Bill Cotter.

VOLUNTEERS

We are thankful to the hundreds of volunteers that give their time to support our organization, and the children and families in our community.