Dr. Temeka S. Bailey is a licensed clinical social worker with over 20 years of experience in clinical practice. Her expertise centers on trauma-informed care across school, hospital, and community-based settings. She is a certified administrator through the Maryland State Department of Education and a Board-Approved Social Work Supervisor. Dr. Bailey currently serves as the Director of Social Work Education at the Center for Restorative Change, a program within the University of Maryland School of Social Work. She also holds the position of Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Maryland and is a certified Mental Health First Aid instructor for both youth and adults.

A proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Dr. Bailey is also a published author, having written two impactful children’s books—Locs Like Mine and The Telling Secret—along with several short stories. Her writing explores themes that are deeply personal and socially significant, particularly self-esteem and sexual abuse. Both books aim to empower young people by giving them a voice and serve as tools to foster healthy dialogue between children and their caregivers. Each story concludes with additional resources to support deeper conversations on these important topics. Dr. Bailey is currently developing a continuation of the series inspired by Locs Like Mine and The Telling Secret.

Dr. Bailey earned her Bachelor of Social Work from Bowie State University, followed by a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Maryland. She completed her PhD at Morgan State University, where her research focused on systemic trauma and racial disparities in urban K–12 education.

Reading and writing have been lifelong passions for Dr. Bailey. She enjoys a broad range of literature, from autobiographies and self-help books to what she affectionately calls “pleasure-indulgent reads,” written by her favorite fiction authors who bring joy and reflection to her leisure time. She believes that books offer powerful opportunities for connection, healing, and insight, and she views writing as a meaningful tool to inspire and reach others.

In addition to her professional work and literary pursuits, Dr. Bailey leads an active lifestyle. In 2016, she completed her first full marathon (26.2 miles) and later discovered a love for triathlons—learning to swim at the age of 38. She finds the disciplines of swimming, biking, and running to be therapeutic outlets, much like reading and writing. Whether spending time with family, serving others, or training for her next race, Dr. Bailey remains deeply committed to personal growth, community empowerment, and healing through education and storytelling.