Alaine Jolicoeur
She/Her/Hers
Alaine Jolicoeur is a Public Policy fellow at Chief for Changes. The co-chair of the Education & Advocacy committee on the Baltimore City LGBTQ Commission. She is one of the EDL coaches of the Brave Education Community. Also, a proud Alumna of the Teach For America 2016 Baltimore corps. Alaine is a former speaker at previous Brave Education Summit such as the Boston Summit of 2017, and the Milwaukee Summit of 2018. Upon her appointment on the Commission, she began tackling the issues and recognized the lack of LGBTQ policy at Baltimore City Public Schools a district of 79, 297 students immediately. Last spring she collaborated with an elected official at the Baltimore City Council to pass the first-ever city council resolution affirming the protection of transgender and gender non-binary students. Moreover, she led a successful advocacy campaign and enlisted organizing support of allies such the Baltimoreans for Educational Equity (BEE), the Baltimore office of LGBTQ Affaires, GLSEN Maryland, the ACLU, the Baltimore Teachers Union, the Baltimore Transgender Alliance into a movement. The policy implementation was to protect transgender and gender-non binary students explicitly. The Board of Commissioners unanimously passed the policy at Baltimore City Public Schools. Furthermore, Alaine collaborated with a member of the city council to introduce legislation to require business in Baltimore City to make single-stall restrooms gender-neutral. The bill passed successfully, and Baltimore became the third city after Philadelphia and Washington D.C. to enact similar progressive and inclusive legislation. Alaine is committed to continuing to bringing the LGBTQ policy to the forefront of education policy reform.

Dana (Doc) Martens
Designer, Creative Technologist, Speculative Futurist Director, UX Designer
Teach For America
They/Them/Theirs
Dana Martens is a designer, creative technologist, writer, maker, teacher, life-long student and geek working to educate and empower communities to embrace the potential of emerging technologies for social impact. They currently work as a UX Designer at Teach for America by day and an Adjunct Professor at Parsons School of Design by night, designing educational initiatives and consulting on the role of technology-led design for social impact entrepreneurship. In their spare time they organize the Speculative Futures NYC Meetup and sit on the Design Futures Initiative Advisory Board, join fellowships, hackathons, and conferences in design/emerging tech, and publish SciFly, a weekly newsletter curating speculative design, art, and technology events in NYC. Dana has a playful, curious, and whimsical mind that draws from art, design, science fiction and policy to imagine more sustainable and equitable futures for all. "The future is already here, now let's distribute it."   www.danamartens.tech

Joy Okoro
Executive Director, Teach For America Greater New Orleans
She/Her/Hers
Prior to serving as the Executive Director, Joy led as an integral member of the TFA regional leadership team holding multiple positions—most recently Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer. Since she began her work at TFA, Joy has spearheaded major strategic initiatives that have more than tripled the number of corps members who identify as people of color. She has also transformed our approach to leadership, culture, and connection to Teach For America's mission of among the teaching corps. Joy also dedicates her time to serving the Greater New Orleans community by promoting leadership opportunities for young adults. She is active with the Young Leadership Council where she currently serves as a member of the board of directors and was the Vice President of Projects as well as Gala Chair in 2015. Originally from New York City, Joy kicked off her career working at Madison Square Garden at the Garden of Dreams Foundation. Shortly thereafter, she continued with her service orientation and pivoted to the education sector as a Teach For America Greater New Orleans corps member. She taught pre-GED mathematics and special education and served as a founding fifth grade math teacher. Joy is a proud member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. and a graduate of the 2014 class of NORLI (New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute). She is often described as strategically creative and lives for the moments when we surprise ourselves with what we accomplish. Joy holds a Bachelor of Science in Tourism & Hospitality Management with a focus on Special Event Design & Management from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA.

Tim'm West
He/Him/His
Tim'm West is a pioneering author, poet, educator, and Hip Hop artist who can be best described as a Renaissance man, leveraging a broad and diverse set of skills and interests to advocate for marginalized communities. Since 2014, he has served as Senior Managing Director for Teach For America's LGBTQ+ Community Initiative, which advances safer and more supportive classrooms for students and their educators. Since returning to his hometown of Cincinnati in 2017, Tim'm has served his community as a CPS Strategic Planning and Engagement Committee member, a Wordplay Board member, and member of the Chase Elementary LSDMC, among other points of engagement. Tim’m taught at both secondary and post-secondary institutions, including Oakland School for the Arts, Cesar Chavez in Washington, DC, Humboldt State University, and Houston Community College. Prior to TFA Tim’m served as Director of Youth Services at Center on Halsted, Chicago’s LGBTQ center and the largest in the Midwest. A graduate of Duke, The New School, and Stanford universities, In 2018 Tim'm released his definitive music anthology, Prodigal Son, which captures 20 years of Hip Hop soul music across 6 solo projects.

Olivia Giorlandino
She/Her/Hers
Olivia Giorlandino is a recent graduate of Northeastern University where she studied Communication, Graphic Design, and Business Administration. Through Northeastern’s Experiential Learning program, Olivia used her course work to navigate internships in educational technology, public relations, corporate social responsibility, and corporate government relations. She enjoys studying how communication impacts social interactions and structures, and she has focused much of her research on gendered communication practices in this realm. She has presented her work at the Eastern Communication Association’s Undergraduate Conference twice, including in 2018 when she received a Top Paper award for her research. She believes that the collaboration between private enterprises, government agencies, and non-profit organizations has the potential to radically improve social conditions in our communities, and she thrives in being a part of that positive change.

Jenie Michael
She/Her/Hers
Jenie Michael graduated from Northeastern University in May 2019 with a degree in Communication Studies, along with minors in Global Social Entrepreneurship and Women’s/Gender/Sexuality Studies. During her time at Northeastern, Jenie completed three co-operative learning experiences, working in nonprofit development, nonprofit outreach, and corporate social responsibility. She is a member of the National Communication Studies Honors Society ΛΠΗ, a recipient of the Woodnick Quality of Life Award, as well as a two-time recipient of the Communications Research Award. She is most interested in the ways communication and language shape societies, and is eager to find ways to harness the power of communication to change society for the better. Above all, she is most motivated by her desire and ability to affect positive change in communities small and large, and by the vision of an equitable society in which all individuals have the opportunity and tools necessary to achieve their fullest potential.

Jotina Buck
She/Her/Hers
An Educator by life’s calling, Jotina Buck has over 10 years of experience & education as a spiritual teacher, minister, thought leader, Soul alchemist and healer. She has served as a teacher and now school counselor at KIPP Prime College Prep Academy for 7 years and currently serves on Teach For America’s Houston’s Prism Board as one of its proud non-alum leaders. The Amazon Best-Selling Author of Change Your Language, Change Your Life, Jotina has been featured in several publications including Huffington Post, Houston Chronicle, Humble Observer, Essence, Fox, CNN, KPRC, iHeart Radio, and other global platforms. She received her Bachelors of Science in Psychology & Child Development at Houston Baptist University and a Masters in Professional Counseling at Houston Graduate School of Theology. A complete soul child who believes in love as her religion, she is a rebel with a cause, and an advocate for social justice & human equity. As important as anything, Jotina is the proud mother of an intelligent high schooler, Lauryn. For booking and more details on her books visit www.jotinabuck.com.

Jared Fox
He/Him/His
For over 15 years, Jared Fox has been driven by the conviction that all students deserve to hear their stories in the classroom and write their place in the world. This belief has taken him from his hometown of Cleveland, to college outside of Chicago, to the hallways of New Orleans, and to the streets of New York City. Jared is a doctoral student in educational leadership at Harvard Graduate School of Education. Prior to beginning this journey, he was the Associate Director of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ) Equity with the NYC Department of Education. He was the first person to hold this position and carved his place at the intersection of LGBTQ rights and K-12 education. A recognized leader in systemic change for large, urban school districts, Jared’s work has been covered by national and international publications, including Huffington Post, NBC, ABC, Refinery 29, Out Magazine, and El Pais. He has been honored as activist of the year from the Human Rights Campaign and an FDNY Hero of the Year. He’s a vegetarian who hates mushrooms and once Donald Trump Jr. tweeted that he was a social justice warrior!

Danitra Wesley

She/Her/Hers

As a Black woman from rural Georgia and a first-generation college student, Danitra was driven to use her strengths to serve historically underserved communities. After directing a non-profit academic summer camp in Boston, Danitra joined Teach for America in greater New Orleans ('13). She taught 7th grade English Language Arts at KIPP McDonogh 15 Middle School for the Creative Arts while serving as a part of Teach for America’s cohort for culturally responsive pedagogy, Teach4Liberation. Following that role, she served as an Impact Manager with City Year New Orleans, where she managed and coached three teams of school-based AmeriCorps members on leadership development and K-12 instruction. Currently, she serves as the New Orleans-based Program Director for High Resolves, managing partnerships with schools, camps, and youth organizations to teach leadership and citizenship skills to youth and educators across the Southeastern United States.

Kevin Lewis

He/Him/His
Kevin has a desire to help young people better understand their own identities and how they can see themselves as social change agents inside and outside of their communities. While in college, Kevin developed a passion for building spaces of community and learning across difference through cultural and social justice education. His dedication to facilitating and teaching social justice and global competency concepts led him to serve in various roles where he was responsible for creating and facilitating workshops and programs.

After receiving his Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies from Bowling Green State University, he went on to attend Indiana University Bloomington to earn his Master of Science in Higher Education & Student Affairs. Following his studies, he joined “The O” at Tulane University in New Orleans, LA as the Senior Program Coordinator. Much of his work included supporting students of color and LGBTQI+ students through student organization advising, creating and implementing social justice workshops that illuminated the issues facing marginalized students and people in society, and other program efforts that bridged the Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Office for Gender and Sexual Diversity. Currently, he serves as the Program Manager for High Resolves, facilitating workshops for schools and youth organizations that teach leadership and citizenship skills to young people in order to help them impact social change in their communities.

Jasmine Fournier, MS

She/Her/Hers

Jasmine Fournier, MS, is a program manager at Tulane University in Pediatrics/Adolescent Medicine. She graduated with honors from the University of Pennsylvania and has a Master’s degree in Microbiology and Immunology from Tulane University. She is part of the Adolescent Medicine Trials Network for HIV/AIDS (ATN) CARES Project that is being conducted in New Orleans and Los Angeles. She leads the intervention team in New Orleans. Prior to working at Tulane, she worked for the City of New Orleans Health Department in the Office of Health Policy and AIDS funding. She is currently pursuing a graduate degree in Epidemiology at Tulane.

Manuel Ocasio, PhD

He/Him/His

Dr. Ocasio received his Ph.D. in Epidemiology and is the Director of Behavioral Research and Community Engagement in the Adolescent Medicine Section at the Tulane University School of Medicine. He is part of the senior investigative team of the Adolescent Medicine Trials Network for HIV/AIDS Interventions (ATN) CARES Project that is being conducted in New Orleans and Los Angeles. His research is primarily focused on HIV prevention in sexual and gender minority youth.

Lucy Blumberg

She/Her/They/Them

Lucy joined IWES in September 2018 with a longstanding interest in how communities whose health is often ignored or actively compromised by the state disseminate their own health information and services. Before IWES she worked in New Orleans for two years as Case Management Triage for a community-based HIV service provider and then as a union organizer. She strives to live by bell hooks' words: "the practice of love is the most powerful antidote to the politics of domination."

Gabrielle "Gabby" Freels

She/Her/Hers

Gabrielle joined the IWES team in 2006 as a participant of the Media Advocates for Prevention (MAP) program. During her time at IWES, Gabrielle has held various roles in the organization and is now the Implementation Manager for the Global Early Adolescent Study (GEAS) program. At IWES she has gained immense knowledge and experience through new roles and responsibilities, providing administrative support, event coordination, and curriculum facilitation. In 2014, she received her Bachelor's degree in Business and Urban Studies from the University of New Orleans. As a New Orleans native, her cumulative experience and passion has translated into her dedication and commitment to providing quality health education, positive youth development and empowerment to local youth.

Ileana Ortiz

She/Her/They/Them

Ileana was born and raised in Miami, FL as the child of Cuban refugees and attended college in Pensacola, FL. In college, she fell in love with New Orleans during a trip and knew it was only a matter of time before she'd move to the city. She enrolled as an AmeriCorps member at Project Homecoming and was a Worksite Manager from 2014-2015. She also served as an AmeriCorps Fellow at the Orleans Public Defenders office where she was a Client Advocate/Spanish Interpreter. For over 3 years, she's been a Navigator at EdNavigator, and helps parents (primarily Latinx parents who are Limited English Proficiency) navigate the educational system. She is on the Innocence Project New Orleans' Board of Directors as well as the Board of Directors for Forum for Equality. Since Aug 2018, she also serves as an advisor to Mayor LaToya Cantrell as a commissioner on the Human Relations Advisory Committee.

Raymond Allmon
He/Him/His
Director, Alabama & Louisiana Impact [LEE]
Curator and Writer [www.UrbanEdBR.com]

Raymond is best known as Kris and Kaleb’s dad. 

Most recently, he served as an Education Advocacy Fellow at the 50 State Campaign for Achievement Now in Washington, D.C. He has garnered wide acclaim for his prior service as the Managing City Director and National Organizing Coach at Stand for Children, where he helped parents across the nation find their voice and act to ensure their children graduated high school prepared for college and life. 

Raymond earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations, Speech Communication and Political Science; a Master’s Degree in Public Administration; and completed coursework for his Ph.D. in Human Resources and Leadership Development from Louisiana State University.  He is a bold voice, fearless and a bit crazy… and he truly believes that liberation comes through education. His passion is fueled by the realization that our current system has not been set up to educate young humans, especially those with melanin poppin, in a way that allows them to live liberated lives.

Twitter + IG = @urbaned

Jonathan Loveall

He/Him/His

Assistant Principal, Jackson Elementary School

Jonathan Loveall is a resident of Clinton, Louisiana, where he serves as an elder of Clinton Presbyterian Church. Since 2015, he has served as assistant principal at Jackson Elementary School in East Feliciana Parish. With more than a decade as a public school teacher and administrator, he knows the real life impact of the policy decisions on students. As a researcher, he knows how to make and evaluate policy that works for folks that too often have been left out. He works tirelessly to make sure that Louisiana lawmakers keep the promises they have made to our children and families. Jonathan is committed to fulfilling our state's constitutional promise to provide public schools that are humane, just, and designed to promote excellence.

Ivy Sokol

They/Them/Theirs

Ivy is a PhD candidate at UC Santa Cruz focusing on how schools shape norms around gender and sexuality. They are interested in the role educational institutions can play in the movement for queer liberation. Prior to starting their PhD, they worked as a high school English teacher in New Orleans, where they also coached girls' soccer. When not teaching or researching, Ivy loves to dance, be in water, and make crafts with friends.

Kezia Gilyard

They/Them/Theirs

Kezia Gilyard is a nonbinary educator and facilitator with a decade of experience in diversity, equity, and advocacy. Their work with LGBTQIA+ youth has been featured in various publications during their tenure in south Florida. Recently, they were the recipient of the Bishop SF Makalani Mahee Transgender Equality Award for their work in transgender and nonbinary communities. The focus of their work centers on the experiences of those at the intersections of race, orientation, gender, and class. Kezia has facilitated professional development courses for school districts and universities locally and nationally and consulted with organizations dedicated to developing leadership among youth. Between hosting community events and connecting under-served populations with the resources necessary for them to thrive, they enjoy reading about Black liberation and spending time with their favorite people Jasmin and Janijah.

Laura Danna, LCSW, BACS

She/Her/Hers

Laura Danna is a licensed clinical social worker at Mercy Family Center and the Project Director of Project Fleur-de-lis, a school-based mental health program. She is a faculty member of the New Orleans Trauma-Informed Schools Learning Collaborative and is working under the grant funded by the National Institute of Justice. She received her master’s degree from the University of Texas in Austin and is a certified trainer in NASP PREPaRE’s School Crisis Prevention and Intervention model and in Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools.  

a.t. furuya
They/Them/Theirs

a.t. furuya is a queer trans and nonbinary Asian person. They are the Youth Programs Manager at GLSEN and have been working with youth for 18 years. Their personal and professional work and growth is centered in Transformative Justice. Prior to joining GLSEN, they served LGBTQ youth in San Diego providing direct service support, GSA collaborations and building, training for educators and classified staff, and support for families of transgender youth. They love strategy and capacity building, their spouse, and their bunny Mina.

Kali Pauling

She/Her/Hers

Laura Venegas

They/Them/Theirs

Kathleen Whelan

They/Them/Theirs