Meet the Facilitators

Oriel Romano Celestin (Founder), M.S., LPC, NCC

Oriel Romano Celestin holds a B.S. in childhood Education from SUNY Fredonia and a M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Loyola University New Orleans. Oriel is a Licensed Professional Counselor (License #7927), and National Certified Counselor (NCC #1230883). Oriel has worked as both a teacher and counselor with clients and students in upstate New York, New York City, and New Orleans. In addition, Oriel is engaged in ongoing work with Loyola University New Orleans and TransSpire, LLC where she co-facilitates racial identity process groups for Loyola Graduate Counseling Students. As a 2018 NBCC Minority Fellowship Program-Youth, Master’s Mental Health Fellow, Oriel started her research in multicultural competency, particularly racial identity development and multicultural training for counseling students and educators, which has been presented at conferences throughout the United States. Oriel is committed to continuing to use her multidisciplinary background and creativity to partner with educational and mental health stakeholders and organizations to find solutions to the impact of systematic oppression, power, and privilege within the fields of mental health and education.

Semonné Pierre (Co-Founder), M.S., LPC-S, NCC

Semonné A. Pierre holds a B.S in Psychology from The University of New Orleans and a M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Loyola University New Orleans. Semonné is a Licensed Professional Counselor (License #6926), and a National Certified Counselor (NCC #829786). Semonné has experience in private practice (A&P Counseling and Consulting, LCC), academia (Admissions and Clinical Coordinator in the Department of Counseling at Loyola University), and Mental Health Rehabilitation providing community based services to children, adolescents, young adults, and their families. Semonné is a member of the Louisiana Counseling Association and has served in multiple roles. Semonné is passionate about empowering stakeholders of youth (administrators, parents, families, micro/macro communities) to invest in themselves to best support the interest of the youth – our future.

Danielle McAllister (Co-Founder), M.A., LPC

Danielle E. McAllister holds a B.S in Educational Psychology from Alcorn State University and M.A in Counseling from Xavier University of Louisiana. Danielle is a Licensed Professional Counselor (License #5551). For over a decade Danielle has worked in schools (K-12) and in the private practice setting ( Hearts In Mind Counseling Services). Danielle takes pride in providing mentorship within the community by working with Non-Profit Organizations such as the PLEASE foundation, Sideline Pass, Son of a Saint, and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated. Danielle is eager to engage with school leaders, families, and community members to build intentional, inclusive, and supportive educational environments for its youth.