ShaKeitha Tatum, Vice President of Agency Relations
ShaKeitha Tatum has worked at United Way of Central Alabama (UWCA) for more than nine years in multiple management roles. Her experience in various departments has given her an extensive grasp of UWCA’s programs and partner agencies.
She served as Director of United Way’s 2-1-1 Information & Referral Line, successfully leading her team through the COVID-19 pandemic as well as through the call center’s accreditation process. Tatum is also credited with conceptualizing the J. Mason Davis Leadership Society, which brings together African American changemakers through a shared affinity for philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Most recently, she has served as Director of Agency Relations and Allocations, successfully onboarding nine partner agencies from Chilton County and serving as the primary point of contact for 79 partners agencies in all.
Tatum attended Miles College before earning her bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and she holds a master’s degree in social work from the University of Alabama. She lives a service-oriented lifestyle as an active member of groups such as her sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc., Kiwanis Club of Vulcan and Junior League of Birmingham. She resides in Birmingham with her husband and two children.
Regarding her new position as Vice President of Agency Relations, Tatum said, “I am thrilled to take on this new role at UWCA. I strive to abide by UWCA’s core values — putting people first, serving the community, doing the right thing and being collaborative — in my professional and personal life; and I cannot wait to find new and innovative ways to implement them in order to better serve our partner agencies and the counties they are in.”
ShaKeitha Tatum has worked at United Way of Central Alabama (UWCA) for more than nine years in multiple management roles. Her experience in various departments has given her an extensive grasp of UWCA’s programs and partner agencies.
She served as Director of United Way’s 2-1-1 Information & Referral Line, successfully leading her team through the COVID-19 pandemic as well as through the call center’s accreditation process. Tatum is also credited with conceptualizing the J. Mason Davis Leadership Society, which brings together African American changemakers through a shared affinity for philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Most recently, she has served as Director of Agency Relations and Allocations, successfully onboarding nine partner agencies from Chilton County and serving as the primary point of contact for 79 partners agencies in all.
Tatum attended Miles College before earning her bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and she holds a master’s degree in social work from the University of Alabama. She lives a service-oriented lifestyle as an active member of groups such as her sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc., Kiwanis Club of Vulcan and Junior League of Birmingham. She resides in Birmingham with her husband and two children.
Regarding her new position as Vice President of Agency Relations, Tatum said, “I am thrilled to take on this new role at UWCA. I strive to abide by UWCA’s core values — putting people first, serving the community, doing the right thing and being collaborative — in my professional and personal life; and I cannot wait to find new and innovative ways to implement them in order to better serve our partner agencies and the counties they are in.”
Lawrencia Richardson, Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Recruiting
Lawrencia T. Richardson, MBA, BSN, BS, RN, MAS, joined United Way of Central Alabama two years ago and is excited to be stepping into this newly created role. She has served as Quality Manager in UWCA’s Ryan White Part B program and as a co-chair of the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Council. With more than 10 years of experience in ethics, compliance, healthcare, quality assurance and process improvement, she is passionate about DEI in building a more inclusive and equitable workplace and community.
Richardson holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of West Alabama, a Bachelor of Commerce and Business Administration degree from The University of Alabama, and she is a registered nurse in the state of Alabama. She is a member of Psi Upsilon Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., has been married for 17 years and has three daughters.
Commenting on her new position, Richardson said, “In my new role, I hope to create a more equitable, diverse and inclusive work environment for all our employees and promote a culture of belonging and respect. I also plan to use my experience in recruitment to hire and retain a more diverse workforce of passionate, qualified candidates.”
Lawrencia T. Richardson, MBA, BSN, BS, RN, MAS, joined United Way of Central Alabama two years ago and is excited to be stepping into this newly created role. She has served as Quality Manager in UWCA’s Ryan White Part B program and as a co-chair of the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Council. With more than 10 years of experience in ethics, compliance, healthcare, quality assurance and process improvement, she is passionate about DEI in building a more inclusive and equitable workplace and community.
Richardson holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of West Alabama, a Bachelor of Commerce and Business Administration degree from The University of Alabama, and she is a registered nurse in the state of Alabama. She is a member of Psi Upsilon Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., has been married for 17 years and has three daughters.
Commenting on her new position, Richardson said, “In my new role, I hope to create a more equitable, diverse and inclusive work environment for all our employees and promote a culture of belonging and respect. I also plan to use my experience in recruitment to hire and retain a more diverse workforce of passionate, qualified candidates.”
Rachael Upton, Director of Volunteer Engagement
Rachael Upton is a Georgia native who has lived in Birmingham since 2014. Prior to her promotion, Rachael worked on UWCA’s campaign team. She is an active volunteer, Rotarian, member of UWCA’s DEI Council, and vice president of the board at South City Theatre. Upton will graduate with a master’s degree in Nonprofit Administration in June, which she started 15 years after earning her undergraduate degree in Theatre Arts. She was recently nominated as a presidential member of the National Society for Leadership & Success as well as Nu Lambda Mu, the honor society for Nonprofit Management, Philanthropy and Social Entrepreneurship/Enterprise. She is also a 2023 WE Lead Fellow.
When not working or volunteering, Upton and her wife enjoy traveling. She also enjoys hiking, reading and collecting vinyl records. Most of all, she likes to spend time with her family and friends, pledging to be a lifelong helper in honor of her mother.
In her new role, Upton said she looks forward to growing current relationships and building new ones, broadening the reach of UWCA’s volunteer work. She strongly believes in helping those in need and wants to ensure that all parts of the community are included in opportunities to serve and be served.
Rachael Upton is a Georgia native who has lived in Birmingham since 2014. Prior to her promotion, Rachael worked on UWCA’s campaign team. She is an active volunteer, Rotarian, member of UWCA’s DEI Council, and vice president of the board at South City Theatre. Upton will graduate with a master’s degree in Nonprofit Administration in June, which she started 15 years after earning her undergraduate degree in Theatre Arts. She was recently nominated as a presidential member of the National Society for Leadership & Success as well as Nu Lambda Mu, the honor society for Nonprofit Management, Philanthropy and Social Entrepreneurship/Enterprise. She is also a 2023 WE Lead Fellow.
When not working or volunteering, Upton and her wife enjoy traveling. She also enjoys hiking, reading and collecting vinyl records. Most of all, she likes to spend time with her family and friends, pledging to be a lifelong helper in honor of her mother.
In her new role, Upton said she looks forward to growing current relationships and building new ones, broadening the reach of UWCA’s volunteer work. She strongly believes in helping those in need and wants to ensure that all parts of the community are included in opportunities to serve and be served.
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About United Way of Central Alabama: United Way of Central Alabama serves Jefferson, Shelby, Walker, Blount, St. Clair and Chilton counties by providing solutions for the most critical needs in the community. Through our partner agencies and community initiatives, we improve lives and community conditions by building and mobilizing resources. United Way fights for the health, education and financial stability of every person in every community. For more information, visit www.uwca.org.