Our Mission

Diana Lyles is the Founder of Neighbors Advocating for Tenant Empowerment (NATE), Inc., where she is committed to educating tenants, advancing fair housing, strengthening communities, and ensuring residents have a meaningful voice in matters affecting their housing.

A longtime resident of Howard County, Maryland, Diana brings more than two decades of experience in public service, labor leadership, advocacy, and community engagement. She began her involvement with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) in 2005, initially training to become a union steward. She later went on to hold elected leadership positions, including Vice President of AFSCME Local 422 and Executive Board positions within AFSCME. She was also elected by her fellow union members to serve on an AFSCME collective bargaining team representing State of Maryland employees. Today, Diana remains a member of AFSCME Retiree Chapter 1.

Diana's passion for tenant advocacy is deeply rooted in lived experience. While working for the State of Maryland at Clifton T. Perkins Hospital Center – SETT Unit, she sustained serious injuries and was ultimately retired under Accidental Disability Retirement.

Following her injury, what began as a request for a basic reasonable accommodation—an accessible parking space—became an approximately 15-year struggle for resolution. Diana sought assistance from numerous local and state agencies, including the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights. Despite years of complaints and advocacy, the issue remained unresolved. Howard County Police documented through official records that the parking configuration did not comply with applicable accessibility requirements.

That experience became one of the driving forces behind the creation of NATE. Diana realized that if someone with years of experience advocating for workers and navigating government systems could struggle to obtain a basic accommodation, many other tenants could be facing similar challenges without knowing where to turn.

Rather than allowing her experience to discourage her, Diana turned it into purpose.

She founded NATE to help tenants understand their rights and responsibilities, develop their voices as advocates, participate meaningfully in decisions affecting their housing, and have access to education and community resources.

Diana's years in labor leadership taught her that the people most affected by policies should have a voice at the table.

Today, that same principle guides her work with NATE as she collaborates with residents, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, elected officials, housing stakeholders, and community partners to promote housing stability and stronger communities.

Her vision for NATE is rooted in a simple belief: when tenants are educated, informed, and empowered, they are better equipped to advocate not only for themselves, but for their families, neighbors, and communities.

"Knowing your rights is only the beginning. People also need a voice at the table."

— Diana Lyles

Taneeka Richardson, MPH, serves as Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of Neighbors Advocating for Tenant Empowerment (NATE), Inc., bringing more than a decade of experience at the intersection of affordable housing, public health, housing mobility, economic opportunity, policy analysis, and community advocacy.

Taneeka brings to NATE a particularly valuable combination of professional expertise and lived experience within housing systems. Her background provides her with an understanding not only of housing policies and programs, but also on how those systems directly affect individuals and families seeking safe, stable, and affordable housing. Her perspective will strengthen NATE’s work to educate tenants, address housing barriers, advocate for stronger protections, and elevate the voices of renters throughout Maryland.

As a Policy Analyst with the Maryland Center on Economic Policy, Taneeka has contributed to research, policy and legislative analysis and advocacy centered around recommendations involving housing, healthcare access, Maryland’s budget, economic opportunity, and the financial well-being of Maryland families. 

She holds a Master's in Public Health from the University of Maryland, College Park and is a current Doctoral student at George Washington University pursuing a Doctorate in Public Health Policy. She is a long time resident of Howard County and a mother of 6 children. In her spare time, she enjoys binge watching Netflix while eating Maryland blue crabs. 

Rashida Muhammad, DrPH, MHS, serves as the Vice Chairwoman of N.A.T.E. (Neighbors Advocating for Tenant Empowerment). A longtime Howard County resident of more than 30 years and a renter in Columbia, Maryland, Dr. Muhammad brings both professional expertise and lived community experience to her leadership role within the organization.

Dr. Muhammad is a dedicated public health leader, researcher, educator, and community advocate with extensive experience in public health, health policy, research, program development, and community engagement. Her work reflects a strong commitment to advancing health equity, strengthening communities, and addressing the social conditions that directly affect the health and well-being of individuals and families.

In her role with N.A.T.E., Dr. Muhammad helps provide strategic leadership and guidance as the organization works to educate, empower, and advocate for tenants throughout Howard County and beyond. She brings an important public-health perspective to housing advocacy, recognizing that safe, stable, affordable, and accessible housing is closely connected to physical health, mental well-being, family stability, and overall quality of life.

Dr. Muhammad is particularly passionate about ensuring that underserved and vulnerable populations have access to information, resources, and meaningful opportunities to participate in decisions that affect their homes and communities.

Her experience in research and policy strengthens N.A.T.E.’s ability to examine housing issues thoughtfully, identify community needs, and support solutions that promote fairness, stability, and long-term community well-being.

As a longtime resident of Howard County, Dr. Muhammad has witnessed the growth and changes within the community over several decades. Her connection to the county, combined with her experience as a renter, gives her a valuable perspective on the challenges facing tenants and families seeking safe and affordable housing.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Dr. Muhammad is committed to community education, collaboration, and empowering residents to become informed advocates for themselves and their neighbors. She supports N.A.T.E.’s mission to protect tenant rights, promote housing stability, strengthen resident voices, and build healthier, more resilient communities.

Her leadership, knowledge, compassion, and commitment to public service provide N.A.T.E. with a strong voice in the areas of health equity, housing policy, community engagement, and tenant empowerment as the organization continues to expand its impact throughout Howard County and surrounding communities.

 Tremese Newsome-Palmore serves as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Treasurer of N.A.T.E. (Neighbors Advocating for Tenant Empowerment). A former Financial Analyst for the United States Government, Tremese brings extensive professional experience in financial management, budgeting, compliance, financial analysis, accountability, and strategic planning to the organization.

In her leadership role with N.A.T.E., Tremese is responsible for helping safeguard the organization’s financial integrity and ensuring that its resources are managed responsibly, transparently, and in support of its charitable mission. She assists with budgeting, financial planning, recordkeeping, fiscal oversight, and the development of sustainable financial practices designed to support N.A.T.E.’s continued growth.

Tremese understands that strong financial stewardship is essential to building a successful and trusted nonprofit organization. Her experience helps N.A.T.E. maintain sound financial practices while preparing for future programs, community initiatives, grants, partnerships, and other opportunities that can expand the organization’s impact.

Beyond her financial responsibilities, Tremese is committed to N.A.T.E.’s mission of empowering tenants, strengthening communities, promoting housing stability, and ensuring that residents have access to information, resources, education, and meaningful advocacy.

Her professionalism, attention to detail, commitment to accountability, and dedication to responsible stewardship provide N.A.T.E. with a strong financial foundation as the organization continues working to serve tenants, families, seniors, individuals with disabilities, and communities throughout Howard County and beyond.

Melissa Askew serves as a Board Director for Neighbors Advocating for Tenant Empowerment (NATE), Inc. She is committed to advancing tenant rights, supporting affordable housing, and empowering individuals and families to advocate for safe, stable, and dignified living conditions.

Melissa is also preparing to support NATE’s developing Veterans Division as its liaison. She is expanding her knowledge of veterans’ housing needs, available resources, and community-based support systems so that she can effectively assist with the division’s future outreach and advocacy efforts.

Melissa brings compassion, dedication, and a strong commitment to community service to NATE’s leadership team. She believes that everyone—regardless of income, disability, veteran status, or life circumstances—deserves to be treated with dignity and have access to a safe and affordable place to call home.