About Cupcake Princess

LaShawn English was elected Region 1 Director in December of 2022 by the members in the first direct ballot election in the UAW. English started out as a member of United Association Building Trades Local 370 where she obtained her journeyman’s card as a pipefitter. After hiring in at Stellantis Sterling Stamping Plant, she became active in UAW Local 1264. From 2001 to 2004, English served on the Election Committee. Following that she ran for Recording Secretary and served three terms in that position, then would go onto serve three terms as President of UAW Local 1264. During her 22 years of service, she has held several positions including being appointed to the Women’s Committee for three years. English was elected Skilled Trades Delegate for over a decade as well as serving on the Skilled Trades Council. Still wanting to do more, she became a national negotiator from 2015-2019 for Stellantis. In February of 2024, English was appointed Director of the International UAW Women’s Department by President Shawn Fain. Under her direction, the department mobilizes women to be activists in their workplaces and the legislative halls. As a proud mother of her one son, she understands the importance of building structures, in the union and legislatively, to support working families.

 Born and educated in Detroit, Dr. Catrina successfully earned degrees in business, childcare, theology and non-profit leadership from Madonna University, Impact Bible Institute, Wayne State University and Destiny Christian University.  She has 23 years of experience in entrepreneurship and 23 years in marriage. Her skills and expertise as an Evangelist, Deaconess, life coach, philanthropist, brand ambassador and personal stylist has inspired many.  Motivational speaking, dancing, acting, and modeling only broaden and enhance her gifts of creativity.   Dr. Catrina is the owner of Cole’s Castle Learning Center of Performing Arts, THRONE Boutique (home of the “One Woman Fashion Show and Auction”) and the founder of Non- Profit Organization-Royalty. Her mentor program called Q.U.E.E.N.S. which stands for Qualified, Unique, Educated, Encouraging, and Nurturing Sisters has been a blessing to teens and women across the world. These businesses and organizations are used to educate, build, strengthen and empower   people of all ages from all walks of life.  She was honored by Ms. Oprah Winfrey as a Community Hero in 2010 for her generous heart and scholarships given to kids in need and the founder of Proms for Mom’s. In 2016, she was inspired to share her story and released her self-help book, “Busy Woman 2 Businesswoman”, providing basic instructions to strategize new business ventures. In 2021, she released her second book “Living and Loving Life without Regrets.” Dr. Catrina focuses on inspiring others to be the best that they can be starting at home as a supportive wife for 22 years and loving mother to her son and entrepreneurial family. Dr. Catrina recently received A Spirit of Detroit Award for her work in styling the entire cast of the Jackie Wilson TV Series.  She has a humble heart and giving spirit that connects and embraces the lives and dreams of people wherever she goes.

 Halima Mohiuddin is the founder of Leadership Think Tanks Inc. She is a respected higher education visionary. She has also been a professional development coach and a leadership capacity-building expert to numerous S&P 500 corporate giants like P&G, Nestle, etc. She has also served on the Executive Development teams hired by several government entities and global institutions like The World Bank and The Commonwealth. Some of her many specializations are in Finance, MIS, Healthcare Management, Process Engineering, and Innovation. She is passionately invested in transforming the global education landscape. With over 20 years of experience in the corporate and education sectors, she has a proven track record of transforming educational institutions, building leadership capacity, and driving innovation encompassing all stakeholders 

Jacinda Cason serves as the State Organizing Manager for Black Voters Matter, a prominent organization dedicated to Black enfranchisement. In this capacity, she cultivates and sustains collaborations with statewide partners. In her role she helps Black led organizations with comprehensive capacity-building support, voter mobilization strategies, guidance on establishing 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, sponsorships and mutual aid.

Ms. Cason possesses a distinguished background in community activism, event coordination, voter mobilization efforts, and advocating for the expansion of Black political influence. She is demonstrably committed to meticulously integrating Black communities into the political spheres of their respective localities. A transformative experience during her teenage years, when societal constraints silenced her voice as a young mother, instilled within her a resolute vow to become a powerful advocate for Black people.

Ms. Cason has lived in seven states, and she finds immense joy in spending time with her seven grandchildren. Furthermore, she ardently embraces self-

expression through dance, particularly when it involves Chicago house music and her signature tambourine.

 Kellie Sain is a seasoned leader with over 26 years of experience in Head Start programs, nonprofit organizations, and community advocacy. A Grand Canyon University graduate with a master’s in leadership, Kellie has held pivotal roles in early childhood education, including Assistant Education Manager at New St. Paul and Education Specialist at Southwest Counseling Solutions. She also served as Strategic Partnership Manager at Starfish Family Services, where she mentored staff and developed impactful community partnerships.

As CEO and founder of M.A.S. Early Childhood Educational Services, Kellie provides childcare, leadership training, and consulting for early childhood programs. She is also the visionary behind The Konnector Personal Management Services, where she leads public relations efforts and manages events such as 100 Men in Suits, 100 Women in Heels, and the Krave Honor Awards. Kellie’s influence extends through her advisory work with Beautiful Machine Magazine and leadership in political campaigns and publicist support for speakers, authors, and creatives across the U.S.

 Layla Taha is a dedicated public health advocate and community organizer rooted in Detroit. She holds a Master of Public Health with a concentration in Health Policy from Columbia University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan. Growing up in a working-class, single-parent household, Layla developed a deep commitment to environmental justice and the well-being of underserved communities.  

Layla has experience as a health policy analyst, specializing in Medicare reimbursement and nursing home quality. She later transitioned into grassroots organizing, leading key initiatives around voting rights, reproductive freedom, and community empowerment. As Program Director for Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib’s Youth Civic Engagement Fellowship, she trained young leaders to engage in social justice advocacy in Michigan’s 12th Congressional District.

Motivated by her community’s experience with environmental hazards, asthma, and economic inequities, Layla has prioritized affordable healthcare, living wages, and clean air and water in her work and campaigns. She ran for Michigan’s 25th House District on a platform centered on universal health care, housing justice, and people-first policy.

 Lavonia Perryman of Detroit, MI, is an award-winning journalist, media strategist, and activist with over 50 years of service to her community. Her story of resilience is featured in Fearless Women Rock, an Amazon bestseller that chronicles her journey from tragedy to triumph.

Lavonia is the host of The Lavonia Perryman Show on WJZZ Radio and leads a Detroit-based media communications firm. Her legendary client list includes Nelson Mandela, Denzel Washington, Dr. Dorothy Height, Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, and Rev. Jesse Jackson. A political powerhouse, she served as Deputy Communications Director for President Bill Clinton, worked on President Obama's Michigan transition team, and chaired Michigan Women for Hillary. She now serves on the Michigan Democratic State Central Committee and leads the Metro Congress of Black Women.

A Wayne State and Central State graduate, Lavonia is finalizing a communications degree at Howard University. She was the first African American female basketball coach in the Michigan Archdiocese and the first woman inducted into the American Basketball Hall of Fame. Her honors include a TV Emmy, Ms. Black Michigan, and Detroit Media Women of the Year.

 Lynda S. Jackson is a committed labor leader and social justice advocate whose career with Chrysler began in 2010. With a passion for education and strong leadership, she has been elected for the past eight years and is currently serving her second term as Recording Secretary of UAW Local 7.

In 2020, Lynda was selected as a Local Union Discussion Leader (LUDL) for UAW Region 1, a prestigious fellowship that positioned her to teach at several international conferences through the UAW Education Department, as well as programs with the University of Michigan and Wayne State University.

Beyond education, Lynda actively champions justice and equity. At the 2025 Michigan Democratic Convention, she was elected as one of the Executive Vice Chairs of the 13th Congressional District. She also serves as Financial Secretary of the Region 1 Women’s Council and as Women’s Chair for Region 7 of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU).

Lynda lives by the belief that “a woman with a voice is by definition a strong woman, but a woman who knows how to use her voice is a powerful one.” Her unwavering commitment to leadership, advocacy, and empowerment continues to inspire all those around her.

 The Honorable Mary Waters is a respected public servant, advocate, and trailblazer with a long-standing commitment to equity, economic justice, and community empowerment. She made history as the first African American woman to serve as Michigan’s House Minority Floor Leader and currently serves as Detroit City Councilwoman At-Large. Known for her bold leadership and deep community roots, Mary has championed policies that uplift working families, expand access to education, and protect civil rights. Her unwavering dedication continues to inspire and impact lives across Detroit and beyond.

Najanava Harvey-Quinn is a lifelong Detroiter, cultural strategist, political organizer—and proud daughter of two former Black Panthers. She was raised in the heart of Detroit, where radical hope and deep injustice shaped her fire for change. As one of the city’s first Black women to own a cannabis dispensary, she’s led national efforts to free those incarcerated for cannabis offenses and continues to advocate for women’s justice across industries. Najanava is also the founder of ORI Reel Entertainment, where she uses film, art, and events to bring people together and build new cultural power. Her mission is simple: to help girls and women learn, lead, and laugh together while creating the future we all deserve.

 Shantonya Scott, MBA is a Michigan Realtor and lifestyle designer passionate about helping families create the life they envision through homeownership. With a Master of Business Administration in Strategic Management, she combines business expertise with a heart for service to make the home buying and selling process seamless and rewarding. Guided by her “people over profits” philosophy, she advocates for her clients with care, integrity, and knowledge, making the home buying and selling journey stress-free and memorable. A lover of home décor and design, she enjoys helping clients see the full potential of their spaces and believes every home is a blessing and a foundation for building legacy. 

Born and raised in Detroit, Shawnte Mosby is a dynamic leader, a fierce advocate for women, and a dedicated public servant. As a proud mother of three adult children, she understands firsthand the resilience it takes to navigate life’s challenges—especially in a city as tough and vibrant as the Motor City. These experiences ignited her passion for uplifting women, guiding them through adversity, and helping them reclaim their power.
From an early age, Shawnte knew that true leadership meant leading by example. Through her deep-rooted involvement in church and community initiatives, she became a beacon of hope for young women, inspiring them to redefine their futures and chase their ambitions with confidence. She built a thriving career as a real estate broker, helping families achieve the dream of homeownership. Yet, her calling didn’t stop there.
With an unshakable commitment to public service, Shawnte stepped into the political arena, determined to be a voice for those who needed it most. She began her career in government as a District Director in the Michigan Senate before taking on a leadership role in a county youth council dedicated to empowering the next generation. Her influence continues to grow, and she was recently sworn in as a precinct delegate in Northwest Detroit—another step in her mission to effect real change.
Shawnte Mosby is a woman of vision, faith, and action. Whether in real estate, community leadership, or public service, she remains steadfast in her mission: to uplift, inspire, and transform lives with the resources and opportunities God has placed in her.

Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Whitney  is a passionate advocate for youth empowerment and mental wellness. As the current Miss Northern International Ms. Michigan, and the owner and director of The Dream Quest , Whitney uses her personal journey to inspire and uplift others. Having struggled with self-esteem and depression throughout her life, she found healing and hope through the world of pageantry.

After witnessing the transformative impact of pageantry on her daughter, Whitney decided to enter her first pageant at the age of 35 an experience that reignited her confidence and purpose. Realizing that every girl and woman deserves to feel like a queen, she launched Crowned with Purpose, a national platform designed to promote self-worth, confidence, and inner strength.

Crowned with Purpose now partners with local businesses to host empowerment workshops and confidence-building pageants, ensuring girls from all walks of life can experience the life-changing power of pageantry.