top of page
team-resurrection-logo-with-name.png

About us

Want to Contact Us?
​

Our Leadership Team

founder.png

OUR FOUNDER

Team Resurrection Inc. was founded in 2007 by Mary (Malika) McCall.

 

A product of the Foster Care system from the ages of 3-18, Malika found herself emotionally lost when she turned 18 and aged out of the agency. She was alone, without money, schooling, connections, and other basic needs. 

 

"I was so confused, angry and most of all hurt," says Malika

 

Over the years that followed, she experienced homelessness, periods of unemployment and even minor run ins with the law. One day, while working at the airport as a package handler, a co-worker commented on her physical strength. He suggested that she apply herself towards getting a trade in the construction field. Malika took his advice and a few years later, formed her own painting company named: Giving It A Woman's Touch Painting & Janitorial Service. Acquiring steady contracts brought in a stable income. But wanting to give back, today she uses her business as an apprenticeship for young people and adults looking to be trained in a similar field.

 

Team Resurrection Inc. began as Community Outreach Program geared toward helping the ex-offender community and aging out youth, move out of the foster care system and into a healthy environment that supports their transition into adulthood.


Since the initial inception of Team Resurrection Inc., programs and services have been added to better serve a wider population.

 

"I struggled so long and worked really hard to become a productive citizen, but I remember many times how I wanted to give up. I want Team Resurrection Inc. to be there as a lifeline for those experiencing those same feelings and hardships."

                                                                     —Malika McCall

Mary (Malika) McCall

Founder of TRI

Our Executive Board

terrance-bankston.jpg

Terrance L. Bankston

Acting Chair

Terrance L. Bankston is a political activist, Environmental Justice advocate, and hip-hop artist from Newark, New Jersey. He is known for his community organizing work and for holding various governmental and non-profit roles, including his current position at Friends of the Earth.

​

Professional Career and Advocacy: At Friends of the Earth, Bankston is the Ports Campaign Manager for the Oceans and Vessels Program, where his work focuses on reducing air pollution from port and freight activity in the Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, and Northwest regions. He has been involved with environmental and climate resilience work throughout New Jersey. He is a former member of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's Environmental Justice Advisory Council, and he represents New Jersey on the New York-New Jersey Harbor & Estuary Program Management Committee. In 2021 and 2022, he co-led a campaign with Clean Water Action to successfully oppose a proposed Amazon air cargo facility in Newark.

​

Public Service: From 2006 to 2013, he held several positions in Newark, including Director of Constituent Affairs and Director of the Newark Youth One-Stop Career Center, where he helped the agency become the #1 youth program in the state. Bankston has been a candidate for Newark City Council, including in 2014, 2018, and 2022, and previously worked as a political operative for Cory Booker during Booker's time as Mayor of Newark.

​

Community and Youth Development: He is the founder of Parent University in New Jersey, an initiative to empower parents of students in public schools, and of the entertainment and personal development company Taking The Plunge.

​

Hip-Hop Career and Recognition: Under the stage name "SKtheGENERAL" or "GetSKRILLA," Bankston is a pioneer in fusing hip-hop with Jersey club beats, and his tracks often reflect his Newark roots. He is the founder of the "Hip Hop Press Conference in Jersey," which aims to bridge the gap between government and the hip-hop community. In 2008, Ebony magazine named him one of its "Top 30 Leaders Under 30" in the USA.

​

Education: Master of Arts in Administrative Sciences, Fairleigh Dickinson University; Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Government, Bloomfield College.

​

As Acting Chair of the Team Resurrection Inc. Executive Board, Terrance brings his years of leadership in community organizing, youth development and public service to help guide the organization's mission of strengthening Newark families and communities.

OUR ACTING CHAIR

jaime-velez.jpg

Jaime Velez Jr.

Co-Chair

Jaime Velez Jr. was raised and educated in the Township of Irvington, New Jersey, where he developed a strong connection to the community that continues to shape his lifelong commitment to service. He is a 1999 graduate of Irvington Alternative High School.

​

Following high school, Jaime answered the call to serve his country by joining the United States Army in 1999. He honorably served three years on active duty, gaining valuable experience in discipline, leadership, teamwork, accountability, and service.

​

In January 2004, Jaime continued his commitment to serving others by joining the Irvington Police Department. Throughout his career, he has dedicated more than two decades to serving the Township of Irvington and has risen through the ranks to the position of Captain.

​

During his years in law enforcement, Jaime has taken great pride in serving and building relationships within the community. His dedication to public service has been recognized through numerous accolades, most notably being named the recipient of the 2016 Essex County PBA Conference Police Officer of the Year Award. He is also a recipient of the Christian Love Church Community Service Award, recognizing his commitment to making a positive difference in the community.

​

Jaime's personal journey, military service, and extensive law-enforcement experience have given him a unique perspective on the challenges facing individuals, families, and communities. He understands the importance of accountability, mentorship, opportunity, and most importantly the power of having people and organizations willing to help individuals change the direction of their lives.

​

As a Board Member of Team Resurrection Inc., Jaime is committed to supporting the organization's mission of strengthening communities through re-entry services, youth outreach, mentorship, and community based programs. He is particularly passionate about helping individuals returning home after incarceration successfully transition back into society by connecting them with guidance, resources, positive support systems, and opportunities for a productive future.

​

Jaime also believes strongly in investing in young people and providing them with positive role models, guidance, and opportunities before they encounter circumstances that can negatively impact their futures. Through Team Resurrection Inc., he hopes to empower youth, support families, and create stronger and safer communities.

​

For Jaime, service is more than a career, it is a lifelong commitment. From serving his country in the United States Army to serving his hometown as a member of the Irvington Police Department, his journey has been defined by a dedication to helping others. As a Board Member of Team Resurrection Inc., Jaime looks forward to continuing that commitment by helping individuals rebuild their lives, empowering the next generation, and contributing to meaningful and lasting change within the community.

OUR CO-CHAIR

image000000-1.jpg

Shynell McCall

Treasurer

Officer Shynell McCall is an outstanding member of the Irvington Police Department, for the past 13 years. As a native of Newark, New Jersey, Shynell was inspired from a young age to join in the police force after witnessing two officers beating a suspect that they had just arrested, simply out of spite for having to run and catch him. Shynell was just a child at the time but she vowed to become a police officer that would be different and able to reshape officers’ minds and bring true justice to the people they vowed to serve.  

​

Shynell's biggest inspiration was her mother, who encouraged her to take the test straight out of high school, so that she can become a protector of the people and of the law rather than using the uniform to break the law as she witnessed when she was a child. That incident is forever etched in her mind and it keeps her focused on why healing the community is so important.

 

In 2019 Shynell was promoted to Police Sergeant, a position that has charged her with more authority and a greater desire to demonstrate compassion to all she comes in contact with, whether it be fellow officers or individuals on the street.

 

Sergeant McCall understands that with great power comes great responsibility, in which she takes very seriously and justly.

​

Shynell has been doing outreach since the tender age of 12, she often says “if not me then who?”

 

Shynell’s mission is to recruit and encourage young men of color to get involved in law enforcement and become the change they want to see. Through her dedication and outreach she has coordinated and facilitated many of our community partnerships and safety meetings, she has developed many neighborhood watch programs and regularly goes in the field with us to feed and clothe the homeless. She always leaves a positive impact with all she meets, by encouraging and engaging positive interactions with law enforcement.  

 

Officer McCall has a strong and gentle spirit of caring and sharing for all. We are honored to have her be a part of Team Resurrection Inc.'s executive team.

OUR TREASURER

mary-anne-wiktorowicz.jpg

BOARD MEMBER

Mary Anne Wiktorowicz has been a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) since 1973, devoting more than five decades to caring for others. A dear friend of Team Resurrection Inc. for many years, she has supported the organization financially and is always ready to step in and help wherever she is needed. As a member of the Executive Board, Mary Anne brings a lifetime of compassion, service and commitment to the people and communities Team Resurrection serves.

Mary Anne Wiktorowicz

Board Member

Meet Our Team

IMG_0588(1).jpg

DIRECTOR OF RE-ENTRY

Kenneth Wilson's story is one of resilience and hope. After serving 32 years in East Jersey State Prison, he returned home without the necessary resources to reintegrate into society. However, with the help of Team Resurrection Inc., Kenneth was able to get back on his feet and give back to his community. His expertise in conflict resolution has been invaluable to the organization, and he now serves as the Executive Director of Team Resurrection Inc. Re-Entry Services. Through his leadership, the organization has developed programs focused on victim support, job readiness, housing assistance, and professional attire. Kenneth's impact in the re-entry world is undeniable, and we are grateful to have him on our team.

Kenneth Wilson

Director of Re-Entry

IMG_20240816_100632~2.jpg

REENTRY SPECIALIST

Linda Humphries supports the residents in Team Resurrection's reentry housing program. She handles intake, orientation and case files, and helps residents with the applications, forms and paperwork that come with coming home. She brings a calm, trauma-informed approach to every conversation.

​

Before joining Team Resurrection in 2025, Linda spent more than a decade as a Senior Editor at Aspen Publishers (formerly Prentice Hall Law & Business) in New York, managing legal publications. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Allegheny College, is a Certified Legal Administrative Assistant, and is a certified Microsoft Word Expert.

Linda Humphries

Reentry Specialist

1000004041_edited.png

OUTREACH SPECIALIST

Zara Rood serves as Team Resurrection's Outreach Specialist and as personal assistant to our Founder and Executive Director, Malika McCall. She helps in every part of the organization, from reaching out to the community to keeping daily operations running smoothly. Zara wears many hats, and she wears each one with a pleasant demeanor and a positive attitude. She is a true pleasure to work with, and we are grateful to have her on our team.

Zara Rood

Outreach Specialist

Rebecca Mohr headshot_edited.png

GRANT MANAGER

Rebecca "Becca" Mohr is a Licensed Social Worker whose work focuses on criminal legal reform, social justice and human rights. She manages grants and strategic projects for mission-driven nonprofits and serves as Project & Grants Manager for the Returning Citizens Support Group. Becca earned her Master of Social Work from Monmouth University, where she received the MSW Social Justice Award, and graduated summa cum laude with her Bachelor of Social Work. She was a community organizer for the New Jersey Working Summit 2025 and Executive Author of its Juneteenth 2025 policy report.

Rebecca Mohr

Grant Manager

Screen Shot 2020-12-21 at 9.26.10 PM.png

ALUMNI & VOLUNTEER

MaJeedah R. is a proud member of the Team Resurrection Inc. alumni family who now gives back as a dedicated volunteer. With more than 13 years of experience as an Executive Assistant, she brings strong organizational skills to everything she does, from scheduling and correspondence to helping plan our programs and events. She has held positions with other non-profit organizations and owns her own Professional Makeup Artist business.

​

MaJeedah earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Virginia State University, where she served as head library assistant and tutored many of her peers in literacy. She is a warm, welcoming presence for new members of our community, and we are so honored to have her as part of the Team Resurrection Inc. family.

MaJeedah R.

Alumni & Volunteer

bottom of page