First Year with IHF:

2024

Focus Areas:

Tenets Initiative

Education:

PhD, Community Psychology (12/2024) National-Louis University
M.A., Public Policy, National-Louis University
B.S., Business Management, National-Louis University

FaKelia Guyton (she/her/hers) is a Community Psychologist who is passionate about human flourishing which grounds her perspective about humanity expanding beyond happiness but examines the individual’s overall well-being in the context of their community. She grounds her perspective in human flourishing on a local and global level, and she seeks to increase the capacity of organizations to understand the “invisible” interlocking systems of oppression that can impede individuals’ well-being in the context of their community.

FaKelia brings to IHF 21 years of experience as an early childhood educator, facilitator/presenter, program manager/administrator, and community engagement specialist supporting young children and families. FaKelia is passionate about advancing social justice and systems change within early learning and other systems that serve young children and families. Prior to joining Irving Harris Foundation, she served as Director of the DuPage Early Childhood Collaboration where she focused on Collective Impact strategies that engaged cross-sector partners with the goal of increasing child care capacity across DuPage County, IL. She has worked with RISE Center for Liberation in Early Childhood, an anti-racist organization focused on eradicating racism in early childhood. She supported the organization in evaluation planning and program development.

In her personal life, she is an adventurer who loves learning more about her African Ancestry (Sierra Leone-Mende tribe), she craves international travel and sets intention to build heart-moving community in other cultures and is a passionate thrift shopper.