Team Leaders & Key Members

Dr. Raja was born in the city of Chicago in 1981. At 13 years old, Dr. Raja took his first algebra class. Within 2 months of taking algebra, Dr. Raja realized that he was failing. He could not earn anything above a “F” in his math class and started to give up hope and felt math and school was not for him. Dr. Raja’s mother became his mentor and teacher, using a method Dr. Raja eventually used throughout his 20- year career as a teacher, principal, and while in continuation school and juvenile halls from East Oakland to North Sacramento, CA. As a teacher, Dr. Raja has uplifted thousands of students from a history of failure in algebra to success. His students’ stories of success were featured in the documentary, “Beating the Odds.” Dr. Raja’s instructional model, CREATE, was also captured in his book, Create Success: Unlocking the Potential of Urban Youth, published by ASCD. The CREATE pedagogy was shared through the book with over 100,000 educators across the world. Dr. Raja’s instructional approach was also highlighted as a solution to the dropout crisis in the award-winning documentary, “Pushouts,” featuring Dr. Victor Rios. As a result of his success and impact as an educator, Dr. Raja was named, out of 300,000 teachers, by the California Department of Education, (CDE) as 2011 California State Teacher of the Year. Currently, Dr. Raja is the President of Miracle University and is currently on a mission to end the dropout crisis in every city in America. Dr. Raja, recently presented a TEDx talk: “Solving the Dropout Epidemic: America’s Costliest Crisis” in Atlanta, GA. The transformation of hundreds of potential high school dropouts into scholars through the Miracle University approach was also captured in the “Solving the Inequality” Documentary on the CREATE Academy. Miracle University has also been - “Featured in NBC, ABC, CBS, Fox News, Yahoo Finance as a blueprint for solving the dropout crisis. Dr. Raja is married to Tamara-Eugene Raja.

Tamara was born in Sacramento, CA. An alumni of Grant Union High School, she served as a Theater Production educator under the GHS Arts Academy and the Pacerette Dance instructor/choreographer for over 10 years.. She received a Bachelor’s Degree of Liberal Arts from Grambling State University earning a background in dance and theater with the Orchesis Dance Company. She has worked as a morning show radio producer and performed in stage Productions with Celebration Arts Dance and Theater and served as a dancer and choreographer for Images Theater Company in the Sacramento region. Her goal is to enhance students’ knowledge and skill level in Performance Arts Theater, and allow them to utilize their God-given creativity through education and life skill.

Known as the “People’s Bishop,” Bishop Lovelace is the Founding Pastor at the Center of Praise Church Ministries in Sacramento, CA. He is described as an apostolic strategist, communicator, teacher, thinker, and progressive leader. Bishop Lovelace serves as a mentor and friend among multitudes of pastors, trans- denominationally. The merging of his spiritual journey and that of social science has served to facilitate an approach that reaches and embraces the disenfranchised, the poor, the youth, the elderly, the marginalized, and people of all communities. He is held in high esteem regionally and globally for his character, integrity, and life-transforming teachings. Reared in Sacramento, CA, Bishop Lovelace is a protégé of Pastor Willie P. Cooke of the Shiloh Baptist Church and the District Elder Robert Holman, Sr., Christ Temple Apostolic Church. He planted the Center of Praise Ministries 33 years ago. His educational accomplishments include an Associate in Arts Degree, American River College; Bachelor of Arts in Social Work, Oral Roberts University; Master of Arts in Social Work, University of Oklahoma; Master of Arts in Practical Theology (High Honors), Oral Roberts University; and a Doctor of Ministry, Talbot School of Theology (Biola University). He earned his Ph.D. in Intercultural Studies at the Cook School of Intercultural Studies, Biola University (2021). He is an inductee of the prestigious Martin Luther King Jr. International Board of Preachers and Collegium Scholars at Morehouse College (2012). In 2019 the bishop was presented with the Key to the City of Rancho Cordova for his partnering and leadership, contributing to the development of the innovative Rancho Cordova Youth Center. He is the author of several journal articles and the well-received book, Set it Up: Developing Leaders for Healthy Churches. He has served as the North American editor for the Great Commission Research Journal, an academic journal devoted to research and scholarly thinking on the perspective of church growth. He also is an adjunct professor at Talbot School of Theology, where he leads the African American Ministry doctoral program. He is a senior fellow with the American Leadership Forum, the CEO of the Lovelace Leadership Connection organization, and a certified church consultant with the Society for Church Consulting. Bishop Lovelace serves on the Oral Roberts University School of Social Work Advisory Board and the Dignity Health Community Advisory Board.

Ramona is the President of Benito Juarez Association (BJA) in North Sacramento. Benito Juarez Association is the 1st Spanish-speaking association in Sacramento to support community members and foster awareness. BJA conducts outreach, recruiting over 200 members, and gathering and monitoring data to identify community needs. They organize community public forums and workshops on tenant's rights, clean air issues, and city neighborhood services. BJA trains and empowers community leaders, facilitates legal workshops, and provides community advocacy support. This advocacy organization collaborates with school districts to provide educational workshops for parents to support Spanish-speaking families. BJA actively engages and educates communities on important issues such as labor exploitation and human trafficking. This association works closely with local, state, and federal agencies and in establishing relationships with stakeholders throughout CA. BJA collaborates with government agencies, law enforcement, service providers, immigration attorneys, and elected officials. Ramona is a seasoned Agency Director and executive Leader with over 20 years of experience providing executive-level community advocacy at the local and state levels. She has extensive experience in all aspects of organizational leadership and policy creation including staff management, constituent relationships, budgeting, campaign management, and policy development support. Ramona continually exceeds expectations by building valuable relationships and works well with people at all levels of an organization including stakeholders, legislators, management, team members, agency staff, and constituents.

Established in 2021, IIE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering immigrants and refugees through a holistic array of services focused on education, wellness, employment, cultural enrichment, and civic engagement. Our comprehensive programs and linguistically appropriate care are designed to aid the integration and wellbeing of recent immigrants rebuilding their lives in the Sacramento region.

II&E is uniquely positioned to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate services to newly arrived immigrants and refugees in the Sacramento area. Our organization has a proven track record of providing comprehensive services tailored to this population's specific needs, including education, language courses, health and well-being programs, driving education, and translation services. One of the key factors that set us apart from other organizations is our deep understanding of the unique challenges that immigrants and refugees face when resettling in the United States. We recognize that language barriers, cultural differences, and a lack of familiarity with the American educational and healthcare systems can be major sources of stress and anxiety for newly arrived individuals and families. By providing linguistically and culturally appropriate services, we can help to alleviate some of this stress and provide the support needed for successful adaptation and integration into American society. Our team of experienced professionals is highly trained in working with diverse populations and understands the nuances of providing culturally sensitive care. We have a deep respect for the cultures and traditions of our clients and are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where they feel comfortable seeking out the support and resources they need. Overall, II&E is the most appropriate organization to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate services to newly arrived immigrants and refugees in the Sacramento area. Our comprehensive range of services, deep understanding of the unique challenges facing this population, and commitment to cultural sensitivity.

Rashid has a Law degree from Kabul University. He is also the co-author of Securing Afghanistan’s Future and Assessment of Afghanistan’s Environment.

Lewis is an up in coming motivational speaker who is growing in influence and believes that his greatest source of pride besides the many lives he has impacted, is his family. He resides in Sacramento, California, with his wife Shontey and their five children, Journee, Joe’l, Jeremiah, Jameliah, J’Asher. The couple has been happily married for 9 years. Before speaking, Lewis worked in the non-profit sector with youth and young adults in after school, community based, and nationally recognized programs for over 13 years. In 2021, Lewis discovered he had a true gift to inspire and motivate young people through sharing his life story of resilience and hope. He decided to leave behind his thriving career and embark on a mission to impact people’s lives through his speaking journey. Though Lewis impacts many, he holds his family dear and considers his top priority. When he’s not traveling and delivering speeches, he dedicates his undivided attention to his children, his wife and serving his local community. Lewis firmly believes that being a husband and a father are his two most important roles and responsibilities in life. One of the main goals that Lewis has when speaking is to give all people of all ages the keys that they’ll need to unlock the best version of themselves that they can be.

Kevin is a Project Manager of Workforce Development for the City of Sacramento. He is a community outreach & strategic partnerships analyst. Kevin Daniel has worked as a Vice President, Programs & Operations at Greater Sacramento Urban League, which is a Membership Organizations company with an estimated 15 employees; and founded in 1968. They are part of the Operations team within the Operations Department and their management level is VP-Level. Kevin is currently based in Sacramento, United States. 

Carmen is a Miracle alumni student who experienced success after being in Dr. Raja’s algebra class despite years of struggle in school. Today, Carmen is a Regents' and Chancellor's Scholar at University of California, Berkeley. She is also a California Senate Fellow and works for the California State Senate. Carmen has served as a Congressional Intern for the Office of Congresswoman, Doris Matsui. Carmen has to answer phones, run errands, research legislation for the Member and legislative staff. She attends hearings and briefings, and answers constituent letters on various issues before the House. Carmen has also served as a Public Policy Intern for the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles. She lobbied for bills connected to the Latinx and Undocumented community in the state of California. Carmen had to read and write bill analysis, all while conducting multiple research for legislative bills. She also had to provide assistance in research projects, special bill reports, and special departmental problems.

Paragi Patel is the CEO of Meditab Software, and Mike Patel is the Owner & Chairman at Meditab Software. Meditab Software, Inc. is a leading software solutions company founded in 1998 by Mike Patel. The company is headquartered in Sacramento, California. Meditab provides an integrated and certified electronic health record system that allows healthcare professionals to efficiently manage their practice and patient care. Industry: Health Care Technology Product, Services and Operations: Meditab offers a range of products and services including Electronic Health Records (EHR), Practice Management (PM), and Medical Billing services. Their flagship product, Intelligent Medical Software (IMS), is an award-winning EHR platform that provides solutions for charting, billing, scheduling, and more. Funding Details: As a privately held company, funding details are not publicly disclosed. Acquisitions: Information not available. Awards and Achievements: Meditab has received several awards and recognitions for its innovative solutions, including being named as one of the Top 20 EHR Software Companies by Medical Economics. Mike has a robust skill set that includes Software Development, Customer Service, Java, Agile Methodologies, Leadership and more.

Dr. Callahan is a Professor at the University of San Francisco, with a joint appointment from the USF School of Management and the USF School of Nursing and Health Professions.

Callahan is Co-Director of the USF Master of Public Health Program in Sacramento and the Director of the Health Services Administration concentration in the Master of Public Administration in the School of Management. His health and human services consulting contracts have been in the states of California, Washington, and Louisiana. He has also served for three years as the Faculty Representative to the USF Board of Trustees, 2012-2015, Director for the Change the World from Here lecture series at USF, 2012-2013, and Chaired the Department of Public and Nonprofit Administration for three years. Callahan’s research, consulting, publications, and teaching focuses on leadership behaviors and strategy practices that are effective in complex, demanding and dynamic environments in the public and nonprofit sectors. Callahan was elected as a Fellow for the National Academy of Public Administration Standing Committee on Intergovernmental and Federal Systems in 2017.

He is the current Editor in Chief of the International Journal of Public Leadership, a peer-reviewed journal. published by Emerald Press, United Kingdom. He was a visiting researcher at Oxford University, 2016 and was appointed the Visiting Scholar 2017-2018 for the Center for California Studies at the California State University, Sacramento. His recent publications include editing and writing chapters in the book, Public Health Leadership: Addressing Population Health and Social Determinants (2017) and a chapter scheduled for publication in the book Financial Sustainability and Intergenerational Equity in Local Governments (2018). Dr. Callahan was awarded Graduate Program Teacher of the Year, 2013, in the USF School of Management. At the University of Southern California, School of Policy, was voted by the Graduate Student Association as the Teacher of the Year in both 2010 and 2007. He received the 2010 Newland award for Outstanding Educator, Sacramento Chapter and the 2011 Scoville Award for Outstanding Educator, Los Angeles Chapter of American Society of Public Administration.

Starting in 2000 Callahan has been Co-Director of the Sierra Health Foundation Leadership Program. Dr. Callahan and Kenneth W. Kizer, MD, Director of IPHI at University of California Davis Health Center are also the lead consultants for the Milbank Memorial Fund for state legislators and executive staff from over 20 states. Callahan has designed, delivered, and directed leadership programs internationally, nationally, state-wide, including:

• National Conference of State Legislatures
• The California State Association of Counties
• California State Leadership Institute
• Southern California Association of Governments
• University of Southern California’s Executive Master of Leadership degree
• Programs in Aguascalientes, Mexico and Istanbul, Turkey

Dr. Callahan co-authored a national award-winning article, receiving the Brownlow award for best article from Public Administration Review. He has been published in journals such as Public Management Review, Public Manager, Government Finance Officers Review, The National Civic Review, and Journal of Jesuit Business Education. He was Executive Producer and Assistant Director of the documentary Solving the Inequality. He received a Fulbright Specialist Program grant in 2011 for lectures on public institutions at Aydin University in Istanbul, Turkey. He received his undergraduate degree from Georgetown University, with a master degree and a doctorate degree from the University of Southern California, as well as having trained in judo at Tenri University in Japan.