Providing training, counseling and consulting through the lens of equity and empowerment
ABOUT OUR CEO
Sylvia Austin-Hollins, M.Ed, NCC, PSC
Certified Counselor-Consultant-Trainer | Instructor
Sylvia is a Nationally Certified, Professional Counselor with over a decade of experience at both the K-12 and University levels. She also received her certification as a Consultant from Harvard University's College of Continuing Studies. She holds a Masters of Arts in Education and School Counseling from the University of Alabama. Within the same program, Sylvia is currently completing her second year of Doctoral work in counselor education and supervision. Her concentration of research, teaching and advocacy includes: counseling individuals and families from minority populations, racial justice, advocacy, and equipping school counselors to engage in anti-racist practices.
Celebrated as an exciting, empathetic, energetic communicator, Sylvia has extensive experience as an equity and racial justice trainer providing seminars, workshops, and professional development for educators, school counselors and their leaders all over the country. As a DEI strategist and racial equity consultant, she has created and facilitated equity conversations and audits for individuals and organizations.
Sylvia's greatest fulfillment comes from embracing every opportunity to change the narrative of blackness through the many memorable adventures she takes with her husband of 16 years, Scotty, along with their four children, Champ, Jonathan, Olivia, and Austin.
THE "AHA" DREAM TEAM
At Austin-Hollins and Associates, LLC (AHA😊), we truly believe that to do anything well, it takes a team approach. A village. A tribe.
With our collective experience, vision, passion and expertise, we equip and empower individuals, communities, institutions, and agencies to meet the needs of all communities, with a special focus on black and brown families and the communities in which they reside.
DR. GWENDOLYN DEES-HUGHLEY
SCOTTY HOLLINS,
EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP
NON-PROFIT GOVERNANCE
EQUITY PROCESS AND PROCEDURES
RESEARCH
EXPERTISE
Dr. Dees-Hughley has over 30 years of experience leading non-profit organizations. She obtained a Ph.D in Interdisciplinary Studies and Ethical and Creative Leadership.
After serving as a professor and division chair at Miles College for over 12 years, Dr. Dees-Hughley consults and contributes to the growth of minority Ph.D holders by serving as a Research and Dissertation coach through her firm, The Life Coach, LLC.
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
CHARACTER EDUCATION
PROGRAM ANALYSIS
MARKETING
EXPERTISE
Mr. Hollins is an expert in assessing gaps and building effective school-based character education programs, leading and governing non-profit organizations and building lasting community partnerships for college athletic programs, non-profits, community businesses, k-12 schools, and higher education institutions.
Mr. Hollins is the founder/CEO of Blueprint Tuscaloosa and currently serves as the character education director for the Tuscaloosa City Schools Athletics. He has served as an athletic chaplain/life coach for over 20 years and for the last 12 years, has served in this role at the University of Alabama primarily with the football, basketball, and gymnastics teams.
DR. GERALD AUSTIN, SR.
ORGANIZATIONAL ASSESSMENT
GOVERNMENT ACQUISITIONS
NON-/FOR-PROFIT CAPACITY BUILDING
LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE
EXPERTISE
Dr. Gerald Austin is the Founder and CEO of Mega International, a business consulting firm established more than 10 years ago, however, Dr. Austin’s experience spans more than 30 years. Mega International is a “one-stop-shop” for business resources and community revitalization. Its focus is to revitalize urban and rural communities by resourcing Small Businesses, NonProfits, Universities and Faith-based organizations by increasing their capacity to realize their vision for their communities.