Who We Are

Our Team

Brittany K. Barnett

FOUNDER & PRESIDENT

Brittany K. Barnett is an attorney, author, and entrepreneur who thrives at the intersection of hope, justice, and freedom. As the daughter of a formerly incarcerated mother, Brittany knows first-hand the impact of mass incarceration is far reaching, devastating families and entire communities. Inspired by her own difficult experience as the daughter of an incarcerated mother, Brittany founded GEM to empower women in prison and their daughters to break the cycle of incarceration and lead successful lives with vision and purpose.  

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She is also the founder of Manifest Freedom, a social enterprise devoted to demonstrating the world-changing impact justice-impacted entrepreneurs can have when they have access to capital and resources. Brittany is also the co-founder of the Buried Alive Project, which fights to free people buried alive under outdated federal drug laws. As corporate attorney working pro-bono, she won freedom for numerous people serving fundamental death sentences for federal drug offenses — including seven clients who received executive clemency from President Barack Obama.

Brittany’s book A Knock at Midnight: A Story of Hope, Justice, and Freedom, was released to critical acclaim and selected as an NAACP Image Award nominee and Los Angeles Times Book Prize Finalist. She is a graduate of SMU’s Dedman School of Law and holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting.

Angelica Zaragoza

Senior Program Director

Angelica Zaragoza is GEM’s Program Director and directly supports planning, outreach and coordination for GEM’s programs and activities. Angelica first joined GEM with her daughter in August 2015 as a participant in the Pearl Program.

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Upon her 2016 release from prison, Angelica tirelessly volunteered countless hours to GEM and made it her mission to give back what was freely given to her. Angelica believes in the power and beauty of the mother-daughter bond and knows from first-hand experience that by building such a bond can break the cycle of incarceration.  Angelica is committed to share to story of experience, strength and hope and to show by example the power of second of chances. 

Angelica earned her certification as a Peer Recovery Coach which certifies her to provide peer support for women throughout their life in recovery.  Prior to GEM, she was employed by Nexus Recovery Center, a drug and alcohol recovery center offering services to women and adolescent girls.  

Angelica may be contacted at angelica@girlsembracingmothers.org

Alicia Amandla

Senior Director of Impact, Equity, and Inclusion

Alicia Amandla is GEM’s Senior Director of Impact, Equity, and Inclusion and is collaborative in working with the Board, President, and staff on planning, developing, and executing GEM’s impact strategy and initiatives, including the national expansion of GEM’s programs and partners.
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After several successful years learning the ins and outs of the legal profession, Alicia felt strongly about connecting her experiences to deeper, more meaningful work. She relocated to Dallas, TX, and quickly became well acquainted with its non-profit and philanthropic community. It was here that she ultimately met Brittany K. Barnett (GEM Founder). The two were kindred spirits, and through their connection, Alicia found an opportunity to marry her corporate expertise with her growing desire to give back.

Alicia became heavily involved as a GEM volunteer in 2014. She transitioned out of corporate and began serving as primary support to Brittany K. Barnett. Soon after, she also began serving as the Special Projects Director for Girls Embracing Mothers. Simultaneously, she supported the Buried Alive Project (Brittany K. Barnett, Co-Founder) in the same capacity as the Special Projects Director.

Alicia’s passion to advocate for justice-involved individuals stems from personal experiences, and she is dedicated to championing for those adversely affected by the criminal justice system. She has an unwavering commitment to advocating for justice, equity, and opportunity for all.

Alicia may be contacted at  alicia@girlsembracingmothers.org

Evelyn Fulbright

Senior Program Director

Evelyn Fulbright serves as one of GEM’s Senior Program Directors and directly supports planning, outreach and facilitating GEM’s programs and activities. Evelyn’s daughter, Brittany K. Barnett, is the founder of GEM and it is their personal experience that introduced them to the justice system and the impact of mass incarceration, specifically in the context of women in prison and their children. Evelyn knows from first-hand the importance of programs such as GEM.
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After serving the community as a nurse for over 33 years, Evelyn recently retired from nursing. She served as a nurse for over 5 years at Homeward Bound, a Dallas nonprofit offering complete substance abuse treatment, comprehensive residential, and outpatient programs. Prior to Homeward Bound, Evelyn worked with Resolana, a program of Volunteers of America Texas, that provides gender-specific programming to women, beginning inside the Dallas County Jail and continuing through re-entry into the community.

Evelyn is dedicated to sharing her story to help others. She wants women and girls who are impacted by the justice system to know that the cycle can be broken and the bonds between mothers and daughters can flourish – after all, she and her daughters are living proof.

Board of Directors

Brittany K. Barnett

Board Chair

Jaya Davis, Ph.D.

Board Member
university of texas – arlington

Angel Brown-Reveles

BOARD MEMBER
Brown reveles law group pllc

Juanita DeLoach, Ph.D.

board member
Barnes & Thornburg llp

Jesse Ihde

board member
trade last