Wake County is excited to celebrate Black History Month by highlighting Black excellence in our community and among our staff.
Throughout the month of February, we'll be sharing personal profiles of Wake County leaders who truly embody what it means to honor diversity, inclusion and equity in service.
Today's Celebrating Black Excellence profile features Diana Powell, organizer, mentor, advocate and owner and executive director of Justice Served NC.
Additional profiles will be added throughout the month, so be sure to check back often for more insights on Black excellence in our community.
Diana Powell
Diana Haywood Powell is a native of Raleigh North Carolina. Graduated from Millbrook Sr. High school as the Senior class Vice President. She furthered her education at School of Arts with a associates degree in photography. Powell worked in the criminal justice system ten years as a Correctional Lieutenant with the Department of Corrections at NC Correctional Institution for women.
Through a period of four years, she developed programs as need to meet the nutritional needs of the low income/minority families; where they served the community with a good distribution program every Wednesday. She served with particular focus on specified segments of this population, such as youth who are going through the criminal justice system and preventing individuals from being entangled in that same system.
Diana says that makes her get up in the morning is knowing she can make a difference in someone’s life to prevent them from remaining in the criminal justice system. Motivation and passion are key factors to her personal and professional life. Her motto is: “It’s not a moment, it’s a movement.”
On July 2016, she organized a movement within the Southeast Raleigh community where she was heavily involved in a gang truce between the Crips, Bloods, Folks, 52 and 74 Hoovers.
Powell is the owner and Executive Director of Justice Served NC, sits on the board of A. Philip Randolph Institute of Raleigh as Chaplin, the organizer of Bring Back the Village Empowering Our Community program (meets on Monday nights), a mentor of the after school program SafeSpace (developed during COVID-19), a community court advocate, statewide outreach coordinator for Second Chance Alliance, and a certified ex-offender employment specialist.
Q & A – Getting to Know You
What does Black excellence mean to you?
To me, it’s making a statement of who we are, in America, locally, with our families, and in our community. Not only that, it is an example for our future generations to come.
What would you tell your 15-year-old self?
Set that goal, Diana! Reach for the stars. Be all that you can be, no matter what the barriers are, just keep striving. Don’t let the troubles of the world discourage you. Stand on the shoulders of those that have come before you. In addition, continue to learn, it’s a life journey. Always tap into who God is in us.
What was the last song you heard and/or book you read?
Book: A Piece of Cake – Cupcake Brown
Song: God has been good to me – Lady Harmony
What is a quote that resonates with you?
“It’s not a moment, it’s a movement.” – my motto
What are you most proud of?
My work within our community; helping people getting their records sponged and their driver license restored.
How can folks get connected?
919-594-9076 mobile
919-307-4416 office
Email: daplaw1963@gmail.com
Office Address :
202 N. Tarboro St.
Raleigh NC 27610
Monday–Friday, 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
