Founder and Principal Consultant
Mildred Black Hooks, MBA, SHRM-SCP, SPHR
Mildred Black Hooks is the Founder of People Optimum Consulting, LLC, and an award-winning organizational culture expert. She began her career in HR leadership 20+ years ago as an HR leader for Target Stores. A trusted advisor to the C-suite, she has lead HR operations in large organizations, developed workforce training programs, facilitated strategic initiatives, and managed major organizational changes. Mildred’s career path includes a consistent track record of helping organizations strengthen their people, systems, and structures to realize outstanding results. She has broad HR experience, including employee relations, policy, compliance, employer branding, change management, operations, talent acquisition, culture transformation, labor law, digital transformation, workforce development, leadership coaching, workforce and leadership engagement.
Mildred is a national speaker, best-selling author, and certified senior HR professional. She engages in close collaboration with clients, aligning her expertise with clients’ objectives to ensure the best experience possible. As a client, you can expect Mildred to partner with you before, during and after the engagement to ensure exceptional outcomes.
Our Team

Kiara Braggs
Administrative Coordinator
Tuscaloosa, AL
Kiara Braggs is a highly skilled administrative professional with more than 10 years of professional experience in healthcare, higher education, and human resources. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Human Resources.
Kivetta Peoples
Web & Graphic Designer
Tuscaloosa, AL
Kivetta Peoples is a veteran of the United States Air Force with a Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design from Full Sail University, where she received award-winning recognition in Graphic Web Design. Kivetta specializes in social media marketing, graphics, web design. She is passionate about helping organizations bring their visions to life.

Anna Szabo
Marketing Consultant
Atlanta, GA
Anna Szabo, JD, MBA, is an award-winning marketing expert who, in the last 11 years, has helped 22 companies across 13 industries drive bottom-line results.
Anna is passionate about bringing out the best in people. Her marketing campaigns focus on using genuine video, real-life images, heart-focused content, and an omnichannel approach in order to reach large audiences.

Hakim Wilson
Videographer & Photographer
Atlanta, GA
Hakim Wilson is a results-oriented creative professional with more than 10 years of combined experience in photography and videography, in the areas of media production for entertainment, advertising, and events. Hakim acquired his vast experience working as a camera operator and assistant to the film director on visual productions. Hakim specializes in the invaluable art of storytelling through artistic and technical decisions with lighting, film stock, shot selection, and camera operations.