GREATNESS UNLEASHED staff
Founder & Executive Director
Rashidi Shobowale-Benson
Black Owned. / Vet Owned
Born and raised in Kalamazoo, MI I attended KPS schools and graduated from Loy Norrix High School in 1997. Post graduation, I entered the U.S. Navy where I spent 20 years and retired in 2017 at the rank of Logistics Specialist Chief Petty Officer. Spending most of my career living in Virginia Beach, VA while stationed on various Norfolk based submarines, I found myself surrounded by multiple Historical Black College and Universities. Virgina Union, Hampton University, Virginia State, Virginia University of Lyncheburg, and my alma mater Norfolk State University. I am the proud father of twin boys Rashidi and Rashod, and Husband to Dr. Shea-Lin Shobowale-Benson a two-time HBCU graduate (Virginia Union undergraduate and Fayetteville State University graduate degree)
Hobbies: Family time, Golf, Weightlifting, Travel, Cigars, and Serving the Community.
Great Reads: Any book written by Walter Mosley.
Affiliations: Proud Member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. / Member of the Kalamazoo Metro Chapter of the NAACP / Member of Galilee Missionary Baptist Church / Development Committee Chair for Face Off Theater Company
Fun Fact: I am a published children’s book author. “Our Words Have Power” ISBN: 978-1667830858
Director of Education & Planning
Dr. Shea-Lin Shobowale-Benson is originally from Sharon, Pennsylvania. She majored in psychology and received both her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees from HBCUs;
Virginia Union University and Fayetteville State University, respectively. After defending her dissertation, Adequacy and Parenting Middle-School-Aged Children: A Qualitative Review.
In December 2021, she obtained her Doctorate of Philosophy in Psychology from Capella University. Her research seeks to contribute to the field by filling the gap in professional knowledge and by adding to the literature centered on understanding the role that adequacy plays in parenting. While attending Capella University, she was inducted in the National Society of Leadership and Success. She believes that education is all about timing, so take your time. Currently, Dr. Shea practices as a trauma-focused cognitive behavioral psychologist.
Dr. Shobowale-Benson is married to Rashidi Shobowale-Benson. Her husband is a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated. He is also the founder and CEO of Greatness
Unleashed. They are the proud parents of fraternal twin sons, Rashidi and Rashod.
Hobbies: Family Outings, Theatre Arts, Exercising and Strength Building, Traveling
Great Reads: The Ditchdigger’s Daughters by Yvonne S. Thorton, M. D. (A book that inspired me to become a doctor)
Affiliations: Galilee Missionary Baptist Church (Praise Team)/Metro Chapter of the NAACP/Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated
Fun Fact: I am a playwright, and my work has been performed in three different states (Ohio, North Carolina, and Michigan)
Marketing Director
I am Trenel Tatum. Born in Saginaw, MI, and raised in Battle Creek, MI. I attended Battle Creek High School where I was in the Top 10 of my 2005 Graduating Class. I then attended Western Michigan University. I am the Co-Owner & CEO of 131 Collective Studios a Multimedia Hub in the city of Battle Creek. I am also the owner of Life & Purpose Studios, and Tr3ykeyz Productions. I work as the Music & Performing Arts Director for New Life Baptist Ministries.
Hobbies: Long Drives, Traveling, Cars, and music.
Affiliations: Proud Member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. / Member of New Life Baptist Ministries in Saginaw Michigan
Fun Fact: I've driven school buses & charter buses.