Zina obtained her graduate degree from the Howard University School of Social Work in 2021, focusing on the intersections of social work and criminal justice. Prior to her graduate studies, she earned her bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Florida A&M University and completed a certification in Forensic Social Work from the National Organization of Forensic Social Work.

During her undergraduate program, Zina interned at the Leon County Public Defender’s Office Juvenile Justice Division, where she provided case management aimed at reducing the risk of clients reentering the judicial system.

Before joining SJP, Zina spent four years as a Social Worker with the Maryland Office of the Public Defender’s Parental Defense Team, where she took a holistic approach to Child in Need of Assistance cases, serving as a clinical expert for parents' legal teams. Additionally, she engaged in out-of-court advocacy and policy initiatives to promote systemic change within the child welfare system. Zina has also delivered community-based intervention and psychotherapy services to residents in the District of Columbia. Recently, she became an Adjunct Professor at Trinity Washington University, teaching an introductory course in social work to students.

Zina is a clinical social worker licensed to practice in the District of Columbia and Maryland. Zina can be reached at: zcharles@sjpdc.org.