Meet our Team
Dr. Zipporah Levi-Shackleford, PBSF
Founder, Behavior & Education Consultant
Dr. Zipporah Levi-Shackleford, Founder and Behavior & Education Consultant at Creative Approach Development Center in Richmond, VA, passionately advocates for disability rights and mental health awareness. With firsthand experience as a parent of children with disabilities and as someone facing both physical and mental health challenges, she is committed to ensuring equitable access to resources and opportunities for individuals with disabilities and mental illness, particularly those from BIPOC and LGBT communities.
Dr. Levi-Shackleford specializes in assisting individuals and families in overcoming obstacles to achieve independence while providing comprehensive training to professionals to create inclusive spaces and resources for marginalized groups. With a Doctorate in Education and certifications in Positive Behavior Supports (PBS), Disability Leadership, and Autism Spectrum Disorders, she is a leading expert in promoting diversity and inclusivity in disabilities and mental health communities. Through her advocacy work, including speaking engagements and training sessions nationwide, Dr. Levi-Shackleford shares her insights and educates professionals on creating equitable environments for all individuals.
Makahla Jackson
Community Engagement Manager, Educator
Makahla Jackson serves as the Community Engagement Manager at the Creative Approach Development Center. She is a seasoned writer, disability advocate, and public speaker with extensive expertise in neurodiversity and the intersection of race and disabilities. With over five years of experience in social media management, Makahla oversees all of CADC’s programs, coordinating community events and fostering relationships with organizations to promote accessible spaces for individuals with diverse needs.
As a Black, disabled woman, she centers her activism and writing around the intersections of race and disability. She utilizes her lived experiences to drive change in disability rights and advocate for individuals with multi-marginalized identities. Makahla is actively engaged in various disability and diversity advocacy groups, leveraging her expertise to champion community inclusivity and equity.