Mission of Community Advisory Council

Zakiya Courtney is a retired educator, cultural and spiritual activist, vegan chef (Vegan Soul), avid gardener, herbal apprentice, doula and education consultant. She has received many local and national awards and accolades for her work but she considers her best work is her family. She has been married to Tony Courtney for 46 years, mother of an extended blended family of 15, grandmother of 52 and great grandmother of 25+.

Zakiya’s journey as a birthworker began as her grass-roots sisterhood organization (SISTERS) started researching and obtaining information about natural birth and birth control.  They supported each other in pre and post-natal care, labor and delivery, infant care, postpartum home support and natural birth control methods.  She has served as a labor coach (doula) for numerous women including over 20 births in her family. Many of her grandchildren were born into her hands.  Doctors and nurses have been amazed at the peacefulness of her assisted deliveries. 

Her quest in education began as a parent at Urban Day School where she ultimately became the Executive Director. 

She served as Executive Director of Parents for School Choice-An advocacy group responsible for the organization of parents supporting the expansion of the voucher program for eligible parents.   These efforts became models across the country. Courtney has given presentations all over the country including a meeting with President Bush at the White House to discuss school choice.  She was also a founding board member of a national education advocacy organization- BAEO (Black Alliance for Educational Options).

Considered an expert on Kwanzaa, Zakiya and her family have celebrated Kwanzaa for over 45 years.  She has organized the largest Kwanzaa celebrations in Milwaukee’s history including 2,500 at North Division High School and 4,000 at the Milwaukee Public Museum.  She has conducted numerous Kwanzaa presentations throughout Milwaukee. She has appeared on all Milwaukee television stations, major and community newspapers; and radio interviews about education and culture.


Zakiya worked as School Designer and Development Director at Marquette University with Dr. Howard Fuller for 7 years.  She also taught classes at MATC for students on academic suspension. 

She is a graduate of Alverno College-double degree in Professional Communication/Business Management, Master’s degree in Educational Leadership at Cardinal Stritch University (CSU) and completed her doctoral studies at CSU in Leadership, Learning and Service.

Zakiya concluded her professional career in education at Catapult Learning serving in various positions including Regional Director, Sales Director, Director of Community Relations for seven years.

Some of her mottos are:
“Obstacles are what you see when you take your eyes off the prize.”
“It’s better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.”
“Do not allow someone’s negative perception of you become your reality”