The Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire – Savannah, Ga.’s leading organization dedicated to helping citizens proactively manage conflict and creating a more conflict-resilient community – recently welcomed Andre Essue as a Youth Team Member and Gwendalina McClain-Digby as a Lead Peer Mediation Instructor. In their new positions, Essue and McClain-Digby are advancing The Mediation Center’s proactive approach to conflict resolution and community building and are part of the nonprofit organization’s new Youth Initiatives Team.

“Andre and Gwendolina bring a wealth of professional experience and compassionate leadership to their new roles at The Mediation Center, helping us continue to build resiliency, resolve conflict and provide trauma-informed care throughout the region,” said The Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire Executive Director Jill Cardenas. “We are thrilled to welcome these impressive youth advocates to our team.” 

As a Youth Team Member, Essue creates and conducts training sessions focused on resolving conflict and building resilient schools. He also facilitates restorative conferences to promote constructive dialogue and healing and supports The Mediation Center’s efforts to build restorative infrastructure across schools, courts and community networks. 

Prior to joining The Mediation Center, Essue taught special education and provided student support services in California. The co-founder of Multicultural Family Hub and co-host of the Kitchen Table Conversations podcast, he also supports men and fathers of color as a wellness coach and group facilitator. Essue earned an M.A. in Human Service Management from McDaniel College and holds certifications as a trauma-informed educator, restorative conference facilitator and trauma-sensitive yoga instructor. Originally from Atlanta, he currently resides in Savannah. 

As The Mediation Center’s Lead Peer Mediation Instructor, McClain-Digby coordinates, plans and teaches peer mediation training at local elementary, middle and high schools and also leads restorative conferences. Before joining The Mediation Center, she enjoyed a 20-year career as an educator, teaching in public and private K–12 schools in Maryland, Illinois and California.

McClain-Digby earned a master’s in Multicultural Education from San Francisco State University and is a certified reading instructor. She is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., attends St. Philip AME Church and serves as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer. She was recognized as The Mediation Center’s Youth Volunteer of the Year in 2025 and recently relocated to Savannah from Bowie, Md.

“The leads have come together to form the Youth Initiatives Team,” said Sherlisa Praylo, Director of Youth Initiatives at The Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire. “I’m truly excited about the amazing positive impact we will create together.”