our team

Kalyanna Williams

Founder & Executive Director

Hailing from the Windy City, founder and director of Dear Diary, Kalyanna (Yanna) Williams commits herself to being the voice for Black girls and Black womanhood throughout the nation. She holds an Animal Sciences (BS) and a Dairy Science (MS) from Tuskegee University and University of Wisconsin-Madison, respectfully. Yanna created Dear Diary to be a brave space for Black girls and women and those who are and/or want to be allies. Yanna understands the difficulty of navigating the world as a Black girl and a Black woman and uses mentoring and life coaching to build up the confidence, self esteem, academic achievement, family engagement, and overall success of all youth. Yanna has further committed herself to dismantling the school-to-prison pipeline and creating a fair and just juvenile restorative system. This commitment remains at the forefront of the work that Yanna leads and directs in Dear Diary.

Mesha Garner

Director of Finance

A dedicated professional, Mesha serves as the Director of Finance and Sustainability for Dear Diary while working full-time as a Director of Student Financial Aid at a midwestern regional university. She holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from Illinois State University. Mesha is devoted to creating access for Black girls in spaces by challenging systems and structures that historically marginalize Black girls. While her purpose keeps her busy, Mesha finds joy in nature; she tries to find time to visit trails to walk, hike, or bike ride.

Krystal Tucker

Director of Programming and Events

Krystal is the mastermind executor behind Dear Diary’s excellent programs. As our expert on all things branding and planning, Krystal is committed to creating programming that uplifts Black girls. Growing up in Racine, WI and work experience with non-profit organizations, she has proven success in working in different communities and groups to embrace and empower Black people. In Krystal’s free time, she is most likely spending time with her family watching her son play basketball, serving in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., creating on the cricut, dining with girlfriends or traveling.

Kayasia Blake

Program Coordinator

Growing up in Madison, Kayasia has strong ties to the community. She has an extensive background in restorative justice and youth empowerment. Her experience includes but isn’t limited to circle facilitation, supervision, and community service efforts. Kayasia is passionate about uplifting and building leadership skills in young people, especially young Black girls. 

Diamond Pikulyk

Program Coordinator

Originally from the suburbs of Chicago, Diamond is a first-generation graduate from Edgewood College in Madison, Wi. She double majored in Psychology and Criminal Justice while juggling being a college basketball player. Her passion for making a difference in youth’s lives and serving others is evident through both her work both on campus and in the community. Being a part of Dear Diary allows her to continue to make a positive impact and help Black girls reach their potential. In her free time, Diamond enjoys traveling, hanging out with friends and playing basketball. She is working toward the completion of her Master of Science in Organizational Leadership and Change program.