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Denetria D. Moore – Founder / Executive Director

Denetria or “Mrs. Dee Dee” as she is affectionately known as to the girls, is the founder and Executive Director of Girl Talk, Inc. She is the wife of Kenny Moore, the mother of a beautiful daughter, Tailynn and son, Zion, who is in Heaven. She is a native of Memphis, TN and a 2007 graduate of the University of Tennessee with a B. A. in Sociology. Denetria founded GIRL TALK in the living room of her East Knoxville apartment in 2006.

With a burden to prevent teens from making the same mistakes she herself made as a young woman, Denetria began mentoring girls and within a short time GIRL TALK was born. Becoming a single mother at 19, Denetria’s theory is that “if I can teach girls to love themselves and not seek validation from a guy, I can prevent her from going down the road that I went down.”

Her vision for the organization is to see young women excel beyond their dreams and to increase the self-worth of young ladies so that they can reach their full potential in life and be the best that they can be.

Chania Arnold – 9th and 10th Life Prep Program Coordinator

Chania was born in Chattanooga, TN. Although she has resided in Knoxville, TN for many years, Chattanooga is known as her home. She graduated from Hardin Valley Academy in 2018, while serving as Knox County’s student representative on the Disparities of Educational Outcomes Task Force. She continues her academic journey at Johnson University where she studies Psychology and Bible Theology concentrating on Business Entrepreneurship. She is a current member of Johnson University’s Urban Alliance initiative.

Chania was involved in the Girl Talk 1:1 mentoring program for 7 years before graduating in 2018. In addition to currently being the 9th and 10th Life Prep Academy Coordinator, she is also a 1:1 mentor. She has a heart for serving and being the light of hope to others. She believes that her meaning of life is surrounded around giving back. She takes pride in the connections and relationships that she’s built within the Girl Talk family.

She is also the mother to her daughter, Royalty. She runs her daughter’s small lip gloss business, Royalty’s Lip Cosmetics. Additionally, in her free time, she enjoys visiting museums with her daughter, trying new restaurants, hiking, and traveling.

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Daisha Arnold – Admin & Office Coordinator

Daisha is a native of Chattanooga, TN but has called Knoxville home for many years. She graduated from Middle Tennessee State University in 2017 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a double minor in Criminology and Mental Health Issues.

Daisha has a true heart for Girl Talk because she lived the impact of the mission. Daisha was one of the founding girls of the organization. Daisha joined the Girl Talk Team in May 2023 with hopes of giving back what she was given in her youth. In her leisure time, she enjoys traveling, reading, writing, and spending time with family and close friends. She is the published author of 21 Days of The Clay Sealing: From Brokenness to Wholeness. Her passion is encouraging the overlooked that there is a purpose beyond their trials and mistakes.

Maya Badgett – 1:1 Mentoring & Signature Events Program Coordinator

Maya was born and raised in Knoxville, TN. She graduated with an Associates of Applied Science in Human Services from Pellissippi State Community College. Maya has always had a heart for people, particularly one that believes in the act of empowering and uplifting young girls. While Maya is new to the Girl Talk staff, she’s not new to Girl Talk and is very familiar with the work of the organization! Maya attended a Desire To Inspire event 2 years ago, fell in love with the mission of Girl Talk and has been a committed 1:1 mentor ever since. Her motto is to “grow through what you go through” and then use your growth and knowledge to invest in others.

Maya is very family oriented. She enjoys spending time with her daughter, Milani, crafting, shopping and working out. She’s adventurous, outgoing, likes a challenge, and loves a good laugh. 

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Lauren Cox – Development Director

Lauren is a Knoxville native. She graduated from Middle Tennessee State University in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science. For the last seventeen years, Lauren has spent her career working in local government parks & recreation. She is experienced with developing staff, grant writing, budgeting, master planning, and developing policies and procedures for organizations.

Lauren joined the Girl Talk family in January 2024 and is honored to have the opportunity to pour into the girls of Knoxville, TN by assisting in the funding and implementation of the vision for Girl Talk, Inc.

Lauren enjoys numerous outdoor activities including hiking, camping, and fishing. She spends her free time with her husband, Joshua, and her precocious ten-year-old, Mason, playing in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. The three of them can be found rowing down the Clinch River in their three-man raft “Bluebell” or in a theatre watching whatever play Mason has committed himself to. Lauren and her family have two loyal pups, Huckleberry Hound and Tippet.

Korrie Dulaney – School & Site-Based Outreach Coordinator

Korrie is originally from Kingsport, TN.  She moved to Knoxville in 2017 to attend the University of Tennessee.  During this time, she began working with a non-profit providing after school care for children.  With a background in Childrens’ Worship and Ministry, her love for children and non-profit work continued to grow.  As a result, Korrie joined the Girl Talk team in August 2022 in hopes of impacting even more Knoxville youths.  Although she is relatively new to the team, her passion for empowering young girls makes her the perfect fit for Girl Talk.

Korrie spends her free time enjoying embroidering, watching documentaries, and spending time with her two cats, Dusty and Pharaoh.

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Hannah Gillespie – Program Logistics Coordinator

Hannah Gillespie was born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee. Hannah graduated from the University of Tennessee Knoxville in 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in entrepreneurship.
After discovering Girl Talk and falling in love with the mission, she joined the team in May 2023. Hannah looks forward to learning from her position and developing lasting relationships with the team and girls. Hannah enjoys reading, journaling, traveling, and spending time with her family and friends in her free time.

Dacia Humphrey – Middle School 1:1 Mentoring Coordinator

Dacia is a Knoxville native who joined the Girl Talk family in January 2024. She graduated from Pellissippi State Community College with an Associate’s Degree in Elementary Education and Child Development. Her passion is to support the development of children and to see them grow up well. She desires to support and encourage young people so they know that someone is in their corner and cheering them on. She believes that everyone’s story is important and full of purpose. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, especially the bible, spending time with her family, baking, and traveling.
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Tailynn Moore – Program Assistant

Tailynn is a Knoxville native and Farragut High School graduate. Tailynn has been a part of Girl Talk since she was 9 years old and participated in the 1:1 Mentoring and the Girl Talk Life Prep Academy programs. In 2020, Tailynn joined the Girl Talk, Inc. staff team as a part-time Program Assistant. Tailynn is a Sophomore at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She is considering a degree in Psychology or Social Work. Tailynn’s favorite things about Girl Talk are the fun trips and the relationships she’s established with the other girls.

Shaneeka Relford – 11th and 12th life Prep Program Coordinator

Shaneeka was born and raised in Knoxville, TN. She attended Pellissippi State Community College for Elementary Education. She was among the first group of teenage girls to become a part of Girl Talk when it first began. This helped ignite a deep passion for serving and mentoring the youth in Knoxville during her 10 years in ministry. She enjoys laughing and bringing smiles to those around her, through punny and corny jokes. Her favorite quote is, “If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude”, by Maya Angelou. She believes that during hard situations, focus on the things that you have control of or have the ability to change. If you are unable to change it, change your outlook on it.

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Denetria D. Moore- Founder / Executive Director

Denetria or “Mrs. Dee Dee” as she is affectionately known as to the girls, is the founder and Executive Director of Girl Talk, Inc. She is the wife of Kenny Moore, the mother of a beautiful daughter, Tailynn and son, Zion, who is in Heaven. She is a native of Memphis, TN and a 2007 graduate of the University of Tennessee with a B. A. in Sociology. Denetria founded GIRL TALK in the living room of her East Knoxville apartment in 2006.

With a burden to prevent teens from making the same mistakes she herself made as a young woman, Denetria began mentoring girls and within a short time GIRL TALK was born. Becoming a single mother at 19, Denetria’s theory is that “if I can teach girls to love themselves and not seek validation from a guy, I can prevent her from going down the road that I went down.”

Her vision for the organization is to see young women excel beyond their dreams and to increase the self-worth of young ladies so that they can reach their full potential in life and be the best that they can be.

Email

Chania Arnold- 9th and 10th Life Prep Program Coordinator

Chania was initially born in Chattanooga, TN. Although she has resided in Knoxville, TN for many years, Chattanooga is known as her home. She graduated from Hardin Valley Academy in 2018, while serving as Knox County’s student representative on the Disparities of Educational Outcomes Task Force. She continues her academic journey at Johnson University where she studies Psychology and Bible Theology concentrating on Business Entrepreneurship. She is a current member of Johnson University’s Urban Alliance initiative.

Chania was involved in the Girl Talk 1:1 mentoring program for 7 years before graduating in 2018. In addition to currently being the 9th and 10th Life Prep Academy Coordinator, she is also a 1:1 mentor. She has a heart for serving and being the light of hope to others. She believes that her meaning of life is surrounded around giving back. She takes pride in the connections and relationships that she’s built within the Girl Talk family.

She is also the mother to her daughter, Royalty. She runs her daughter’s small lip gloss business, Royalty’s Lip Cosmetics. Additionally, in her free time, she enjoys visiting museums with her daughter, trying new restaurants, hiking, and traveling.

Email

Daisha Arnold – Admin & Office Coordinator

Daisha is a native of Chattanooga, TN but has called Knoxville home for many years. She graduated from Middle Tennessee State University in 2017 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a double minor in Criminology and Mental Health Issues.

Daisha has a true heart for Girl Talk because she lived the impact of the mission. Daisha was one of the founding girls of the organization. Daisha joined the Girl Talk Team in May 2023 with hopes of giving back what she was given in her youth. In her leisure time, she enjoys traveling, reading, writing, and spending time with family and close friends. She is the published author of 21 Days of The Clay Sealing: From Brokenness to Wholeness. Her passion is encouraging the overlooked that there is a purpose beyond their trials and mistakes.

Email

Maya Brown- 1:1 Mentoring & Signature Events Program Coordinator

Maya was born and raised in Knoxville, TN. She graduated with an Associates of Applied Science in Human Services from Pellissippi State Community College. Maya has always had a heart for people, particularly one that believes in the act of empowering and uplifting young girls. While Maya is new to the Girl Talk staff, she’s not new to Girl Talk and is very familiar with the work of the organization! Maya attended a Desire To Inspire event 2 years ago, fell in love with the mission of Girl Talk and has been a committed 1:1 mentor ever since. Her motto is to “grow through what you go through” and then use your growth and knowledge to invest in others.

Maya is very family oriented. She enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter Tyson and Milani, crafting, shopping and working out. She’s adventurous, outgoing, likes a challenge, and loves a good laugh. 

Email

Lauren Cox – Development Director

Lauren is a Knoxville native. She graduated from Middle Tennessee State University in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science. For the last seventeen years, Lauren has spent her career working in local government parks & recreation. She is experienced with developing staff, grant writing, budgeting, master planning, and developing policies and procedures for organizations.

Lauren joined the Girl Talk family in January 2024 and is honored to have the opportunity to pour into the girls of Knoxville, TN by assisting in the funding and implementation of the vision for Girl Talk, Inc.

Lauren enjoys numerous outdoor activities including hiking, camping, and fishing. She spends her free time with her husband, Joshua, and her precocious ten-year-old, Mason, playing in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. The three of them can be found rowing down the Clinch River in their three-man raft “Bluebell” or in a theatre watching whatever play Mason has committed himself to. Lauren and her family have two loyal pups, Huckleberry Hound and Tippet.

Email

Korrie Dulaney- School & Site Based Outreach Coordinator

Korrie is originally from Kingsport, TN.  She moved to Knoxville in 2017 to attend the University of Tennessee.  During this time, she began working with a non-profit providing after school care for children.  With a background in Childrens’ Worship and Ministry, her love for children and non-profit work continued to grow.  As a result, Korrie joined the Girl Talk team in August 2022 in hopes of impacting even more Knoxville youths.  Although she is relatively new to the team, her passion for empowering young girls makes her the perfect fit for Girl Talk.

Korrie spends her free time enjoying embroidering, watching documentaries, and spending time with her two cats, Dusty and Pharaoh.

Email

Hannah Gillespie – Program Logistics Coordinator

Hannah Gillespie was born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee. Hannah graduated from the University of Tennessee Knoxville in 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in entrepreneurship.
After discovering Girl Talk and falling in love with the mission, she joined the team in May 2023. Hannah looks forward to learning from her position and developing lasting relationships with the team and girls. Hannah enjoys reading, journaling, traveling, and spending time with her family and friends in her free time.
Email

Dacia Humphrey – Middle School 1:1 Mentoring Coordinator

Dacia is a Knoxville native who joined the Girl Talk family in January 2024. She graduated from Pellissippi State Community College with an Associate’s Degree in Elementary Education and Child Development. Her passion is to support the development of children and to see them grow up well. She desires to support and encourage young people so they know that someone is in their corner and cheering them on. She believes that everyone’s story is important and full of purpose. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, especially the bible, spending time with her family, baking, and traveling.
Email

Tailynn Moore- Program Assistant

Tailynn is a Knoxville native and Farragut High School graduate. Tailynn has been a part of Girl Talk since she was 9 years old and participated in the 1:1 Mentoring and the Girl Talk Life Prep Academy programs. In 2020, Tailynn joined the Girl Talk, Inc. staff team as a part-time Program Assistant. Tailynn is a Sophomore at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She is considering a degree in Psychology or Social Work. Tailynn’s favorite things about Girl Talk are the fun trips and the relationships she’s established with the other girls.

Email

Shaneeka Relford- 11th and 12th Life Prep Program Coordinator

Shaneeka was born and raised in Knoxville, TN. She attended Pellissippi State Community College for Elementary Education. She was among the first group of teenage girls to become a part of Girl Talk when it first began. This helped ignite a deep passion for serving and mentoring the youth in Knoxville during her 10 years in ministry. She enjoys laughing and bringing smiles to those around her, through punny and corny jokes. Her favorite quote is, “If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude”, by Maya Angelou. She believes that during hard situations, focus on the things that you have control of or have the ability to change. If you are unable to change it, change your outlook on it.

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Board of Directors

Victoria Ange, The Village Exchange

Brenda Arndt, SouthEast Bank

Miriam Boney, Slyman Real Estate

Kelli DeRieux, The Beauty MRKT

Louise Frazier, Blue Ridge Realty, Inc. – 2024 Board Chair

Brooke Greene – Immediate Past Chair, Bush Bros.

Hyatt Holbrook, Blue Ridge Realty – Treasurer

Robert Loggins, Bush Bros.

LaKenya Middlebrook, City of Knoxville

Jill Neace, Coulter & Justice, P.C.

Dr. Craig Pickett, Jr., UT Hospital – 2024 Chair-Elect

Star Starks, City of Knoxville

Jennifer Swanson, Radio Systems Corp.