regional Ambassadors

The Color of Excellence®’s Regional Ambassadors (formerly Regional Advisors) are appointed by the Founder & CEO to act as representatives and advisors for their assigned region. Regional Ambassadors have several responsibilities, including leading their region; participating in member recruitment and retention; developing and hosting networking events; promoting all COE programming and events; and attending all scheduled meetings.

Regional Ambassadors work to best serve the interest of COE® members, create and host events, suggest programming, and provide support for members of their assigned region.  Regional Ambassadors can be either a COE® Jr. Advocate or Advocate as long as they are in good standing with COE®.

Regional Ambassadors maintain their role for a 2-year team unless otherwise extended.  They must complete and maintain their responsibilities with excellence during their term.

  • Regional Ambassadors - West

    Kareem Aref is a lifetime advocate. Before coming to the practice of law, Kareem was active in national movements around education, criminal justice, and social justice reforms. Kareem joined the legal field as a civil rights and municipal law attorney with what was then Cota Cole and Huber LLP. He then joined the ranks of the San Bernardino County District Attorney's office.

    As a Deputy District Attorney, Kareem handled all types of felony cases in addition to serving as a specialized Auto theft prosecutor. Kareem currently works as Trial Counsel for Strategic Legal Practices APC working on plaintiff-side consumer protection cases. He has prepared and conducted innumerable cases for trial, hearings, and depositions in various areas of law and has successfully tried numerous jury trials to verdict.

    He currently is the Managing Attorney/Owner Shield Law APC.

    In addition to practicing law, Kareem is the President-Elect of the Western San Bernardino County Bar Association, an active member of the American Bar Association, a founding member of the League of Egyptian American Professionals, and just completed a term with the National Conference of Bar Examiners' Content Scope Committee reimagining the new bar exam. Kareem is also a law school mock trial coach.

    Kareem is excited to be a part of the Color of Excellence® and continue his life dedication to justice.

    In addition to being a Regional Ambassador, Kareem is also the co-chair of COE’s Social Activism & Outreach Committee.

    COE Awards & Honors

    Jr. Advocate of the Year, Recipient (MY2022)

    Member Speaker of the Year, Recipient (MY2022)

    Career Consortium III Member Speaker of the Year, Recipient (MY2023)

  • Regional Ambassador - New England

    Shaneequa Parker, ESQ MPA, MSW, CDE, is the Director of Compliance & Training of an NYC-based nonprofit organization. She has more than 15 years of experience in social service and nonprofit management. Shaneequa obtained her Juris Doctor from CUNY School of Law, Master of Public Administration from John Jay College, and Master of Social Work from Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College. She is a Certified Diversity Executive/ Professional. Shaneequa is passionate about building networks and connections for tomorrow's leaders.

    COE Awards & Honors

    Interview & Recruitment Panel, Member (MY2022)

    Authentically COE Award, Recipient (MY2021)

    Moderator of the Year, Recipient (MY2022)

    Article of the Year, Recipient (MY2023)

    Jr. Advocate of the Year, Recipient (MY2023)

    Meaningful Mentorship Pod of the Year, Recipient (MY2023)

    Top Membership Hours, Recipient (MY2023)

  • Regional Advisor - Mid-Atlantic

Former Regional Advisors

  • Jazmyn T. - Regional Advisor - Southwest (MY2021)

  • Mitchell E. - Regional Advisor - New England (MY2021)

  • Serguel A. - Regional Advisor -Mid-Atlantic (MY2021)