We are a collection of Southern organizations and scholars seeking an equitable and people-first response to economic recovery in a post-pandemic South.
POLICY ENTREPRENEURS PROGRAM
This program is hosted by Genny Castillo, SEAP’s Deputy Director, and Emily Roberts, SEAP’s Engagement Coordinator. With the selection of 30 participants or organizations for each session, the program is committed to strengthening their impact in policy creation and advocacy. Additionally, the program features guest speakers and specialized programming designed to further enhance participants’ roles in the sphere of policy-making, ensuring they are well-equipped to contribute to more enlightened, effective, and empathetic governance and organizational policies.
Arielle Williams
Arielle is a 26 year-old native of Memphis, TN with a long-standing passion for humanities and social justice. A graduate of White Station High School and Tennessee State University, the latter as the valedictorian of the college of public service, she has tailored her education towards not only learning about how systems of inequality function but the multitude of ways in which to remedy them. She strives to use her growing experience as a Policy Advisor and her participation in the SEAP program to polish her policy analysis skills and become more versed in the practice of seeing policy adopted and implemented.
Caylee Taylor
As the Operations Manager at Fair Count, Caylee supports programmatic and organizing efforts across the organization, while also handling day-to-day operations. Originally from Columbia, SC, she moved to Atlanta, GA in 2021 after graduating from Clemson University to pursue a Master of Public Administration at Georgia State University. Caylee’s passion for public policy centers around fighting to uphold the pillars of democracy, as well as advocating for social, racial, and economic justice. She firmly believes that civic education, and education more broadly, is a key tool to achieving these outcomes. Outside of work, she enjoys crafting new recipes, curling up with a book, and exploring the city on long walks.
Claire Brindley
Claire Brindley is a Research & Data Analyst at the Center for Community Research and Evaluation in Memphis, TN. She leads work on improving maternal and infant health outcomes in rural Delta counties, conducting extensive community-based participatory research with local mothers and health workers. Claire has more than ten years of experience as a qualitative researcher focused on health and homelessness program evaluation. She is also versed in quantitative methods, focusing on statistical modeling and geospatial analysis. Her research interests also include quantifying dimensions of social determinants of health and spatial distributions of health outcomes. She received both her BA and Master of Public Policy from the University of Chicago.
Cortney King
Cortney King is a dedicated Education Equity Organizer at SOWEGA Rising, committed to advocating for fair and inclusive educational opportunities. She holds an M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education from Georgia Southwestern State University and a B.S. in Early Childhood Education from Albany State University. With over 20 years of experience in public education, Cortney has successfully led curriculum development, implemented strategies to address systemic challenges, and played a pivotal role in the leadership and management of schools across Southwest Georgia. Her passion for education has taken her beyond the classroom—and across the world. She had the incredible opportunity to teach abroad in the United Arab Emirates, working with the Abu Dhabi Education Council to teach English as a second language to Arabic-speaking 5th-grade girls. This experience deepened her understanding of global education systems and reinforced her commitment to student-centered learning. Recently, Cortney has expanded her impact into the nonprofit sector, where she works at the community level to build strategic partnerships for lasting educational equity. Through her role at SOWEGA Rising, she continues to drive meaningful change, ensuring that all students—regardless of background—have access to high-quality education.
Daniel Novoa
Daniel Novoa is a public health professional with a strong background in health education and community advocacy. Originally from El Salvador, he holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Public Health, with a focus on Health Behavior and Community Health Education, both from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Daniel currently serves as the Safe Communities Navigator and Family Advocate at the Hispanic and Immigrant Center of Alabama (¡HICA!), while also playing an active role in ¡HICA’s! Civic Engagement Committee. His position concentrates on domestic violence prevention and victim advocacy. With over five years of experience, Daniel is committed to empowering marginalized communities, advocating for systemic change, and promoting health and wellness within policy and advocacy efforts across Alabama.
Desmund Singleton
Desmund Singleton is a dedicated and detail-oriented aspiring dental professional with a strong background in public health research, community outreach, and event coordination. A graduate of Morehouse College with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, he has cultivated a passion for addressing healthcare disparities, particularly in underserved communities, through research, education, and civic engagement.
During his time as a Research Scholar at Northwestern University’s IPHAM HBCU Research Scholars Program, Desmund conducted research on public health disparities, focusing on access to oral healthcare in rural communities. His work analyzed the impact of socioeconomic factors on oral health outcomes and contributed to developing evidence-based solutions to improve healthcare access.
As the Oral Health Program Coordinator for SOWEGA RISING, Desmund leads initiatives to promote oral health awareness and education. His commitment to community engagement is evident through his work organizing public health events, partnering with dental professionals to provide free screenings, and delivering engaging oral health education sessions through his initiative, “Dental Tips with Desmund,” at Dougherty County Head Start Centers.
Emily Magyar
With a background in sustainability leadership, marketing management, and project coordination, Emily Magyar, MSL, is dedicated to helping businesses transition toward more sustainable and ethical operations. She blends strategic communication with a deep understanding of environmental responsibility, making sustainability both practical and profitable. Whether crafting compelling narratives, implementing waste-reduction initiatives, or advocating for systemic change, Emily excels at bridging the gap between vision and execution. She believes that sustainability is not just an option—it’s a necessity for long-term success.
Gina Azito Thompson
Gina Azito Thompson is a policy analyst at the Southern Poverty Law Center. Azito Thompson’s work centers on creating asset-based policy solutions that eliminate poverty and promote social justice, with a specific focus on communities of color in the Deep South. Azito Thompson’s research explores the intersections of income security policies and the criminalization of poverty. Azito Thompson aims to educate and assist communities dismantle structural barriers to opportunity, particularly for Black communities, as well as people with disabilities.
Azito Thompson is passionate about leveraging mixed-methods data to advocate for equitable policies that help people and families reach their goals and dreams. Azito Thompson holds a Master’s in Public Policy from Michigan State University and a B.A. in Political Science from North Carolina Central University.
Glenda Perryman
A community leader, consultant, and activist with 25 years of experience as Founder and CEO. She holds multiple certificates and degrees in business administration, nursing, grant writing, and disaster management. With training in community organizing and youth leadership, she has written and received grants from various funders, including the American Red Cross and United Way. She organized and trained over 100 volunteers, served over 450 clients, built homes for six families, repaired twelve houses, and established K-12 tutoring programs in Benndale. Additionally, she launched the George County Emergency Food Pantry, aiding over 1,500 families after Hurricane Katrina. Since 2004, she has focused on advocacy for children and families through social change and justice. A 2013 Windcall Fellowship alumna, a 2018 ACLU of Mississippi board member.
Hayley Cormican
Hayley Cormican joined the Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families team as Health Policy Associate in January 2024. Prior to her time at AACF, Hayley worked in the Public Affairs department at the Arkansas Public Employees’ Retirement System.
Hayley has bachelor’s degrees in English and art from Lyon College in her hometown of Batesville, Arkansas. After obtaining her bachelor’s degrees, Hayley attended the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service and earned a Master of Public Service degree as well as a Communications in Public Service graduate certificate. Hayley spent her time at the Clinton School as a graduate student researcher with a variety of organizations including the Brandon House Cultural and Performing Arts Center, Heifer USA, and Home for Healing. Her work with these organizations focused on qualitative data collection, strategic communications, and organizational capacity building.
Hayley lives in Little Rock with her husband, Royce, and their four dogs, Sonny, Sully, Rusty, and Bogey.
Julio Bermudez Clotter
Julio Bermudez Clotter, born in Honduras and raised in New Orleans, is a passionate community leader with a proven track record of success in youth development, nonprofit management, and cultural preservation. As the Founder of Raíces Nuevas, a community organization dedicated to supporting Garifuna youth throughout the South, Julio is committed to empowering the next generation through cultural enrichment programs and recreational activities.
With a strong background in community outreach and program development, Julio has a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities facing young people in New Orleans. Julio is a thought leader in the community engagement space and served on numerous advisory boards of schools and city organizations. Prior to founding Raices Nuevas, Julio was a Building and Facilities Manager at Son of a Saint. Julio is a dedicated advocate for social justice and is committed to creating a more equitable and inclusive future for all. Julio plans to develop opportunities for Garifuna youth across the entire planet. Julio is a avid researcher, researching his own Garifuna history.
Kaila Pouncy
Kaila Pouncy currently serves as the Program and Policy Manager for RestoreHER US.America. A Georgia native and University of Alabama graduate, she lives in her purpose through a commitment to changing the harmful stigmas that fuel the mass incarceration crisis and fostering healthy communities by advocating for restorative justice practices throughout the South. Kaila has gained experience through fellowships and internships with several highly esteemed social action organizations and has been referenced by a number of media outlets for her service, as well as contributing to several award-winning publications as a writer and poet. She enjoys staying active, trying new foods or skills, and spending time with her support system.
Kendall Short
Kendall Short is a Strategist with Future Currents, where she facilitates spaces for progressive movement leaders, organizations, and networks to collaborate as they extend the time horizon for their strategic plans and prepare for future social, political, and cultural conditions. Previously, Kendall worked as a Program Manager on the Campaigns and Partnerships team at Groundwork Collaborative, advancing narrative change campaigns focused on public investment and tax fairness. She interned for the Iranian and Kurdish Women’s Rights Organization in London, U.K. during her undergraduate studies, conducting research and organizing events to support their mission of helping women and girls facing gender-based violence in the Middle East and Northern Africa. Kendall holds a Bachelor of Science in Justice Studies and Humanitarian Affairs from James Madison University.
Kerrissa Vaughn
Kerrissa Vaughn is the Timebank and Membership organizer and a founding collective organizer for MAMA (Metro Atlanta Mutual Aid) Fund, a social justice organization that centers communities facing intersectional oppression. As part of the collective, she helps to redistribute community-funded mutual aid and co-facilitates Offers and Needs Markets, guided community exercises that lead to skills sharing. She is a freelance writer and editor and a homeschool mom of over 15 years. Kerrissa is also part of urban agriculture and environmental justice groups and has worked to understand the housing challenges of under-resourced persons. Her passions are narrative listening and writing, research, resource-sharing, strategizing, and creating engaging educational experiences.
Kirsten Cook
Kirsten Cook is a racial equity practitioner with experience and education in the fields of city planning, social science, and data and research. For the last seven years, Kirsten Cook has worked at the Partnership for Southern Equity, where she currently serves as Research & Analytics Director. In this role, she provides data analysis and research support for the organization’s issue area portfolios, which focus on equitable development, energy equity, health equity, and economic inclusion. Kirsten has a master’s degree in City and Regional Planning from Georgia Tech and a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Wheaton College. Outside of PSE, she has worked in local government as a County Planner and in non-profit planning organizations in both Atlanta and Chicago.
Kylee Crook
Kylee is a dedicated community organizer with experience in program coordination, community engagement and collective based models of leadership. Originally from Washington State, she attended college in North Carolina, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology/Anthropology and Psychology. During her time at Guilford College, she participated in the Bonner Scholars Program, contributing over 1,000 hours of community service throughout her undergraduate tenure. Throughout her career, she has maintained a commitment to service, addressing food access and gaps in mental healthcare at the grassroots level. Kylee is interested in understanding how policy influences access and the material conditions that affect overall well-being. During her free time, she enjoys writing, reading and hiking along the beautiful, expansive landscape of North Carolina.
LaToya Caesar-Crawford, MSEd, MSEdL
LaToya C. Crawford is a strategic leader with over 20 years of experience in government relations, education, nonprofit leadership, and economic mobility. As Chief of Staff at Barber-Scotia College, she drives institutional strategy, policy development, and community engagement. Previously, as Government Relations Manager for the City of Greensboro, she helped secure $11 million for climate justice efforts, reinforcing the intersection of environmental policy and economic equity. She is also the Founder & Executive Director of The New Dream Project, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering women and girls of color through social and economic networks. Passionate about public policy, racial and economic justice, and institutional change, LaToya leverages her expertise to create pathways for sustainable growth, advocacy, and impact in underserved communities.
Mariana Ortiz-Padilla
Mariana Ortiz-Padilla is an experienced and passionate disability policy and rights advocate. She currently works as an early education research and policy analyst for the state of Georgia. Mariana also saw the need for culturally centered aid and founded and is the executive director of the Latinx Disability Association. Through these roles she has been able to be part of vital advocacy efforts to increase equity and the standard of living for disabled individuals. Mariana graduated from Georgia State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology with a minor in Spanish and a Masters in Public Administration with a non-profit concentration.
Maxene Small
Maxene Small is a resident of the great state of South Carolina. She has worked in the disaster recovery field since 2016, and is currently a Senior Disaster Assistance Associate with St. Bernard Project, an organization that works to help communities recover faster after natural disasters. Maxene graduated St. John’s University with a BS in Criminal Justice. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and a mother of two.
Nicholas Presley
Nicholas Presley is a passionate public health advocate from Webb, Mississippi. He earned a double major in Sociology and Biology from Tougaloo College and a Master of Public Health in Health Policy from Tulane University.
Nicholas focuses on Sexual and Reproductive Health, rural health, LGBTQIA+ health, African American health, food inequities, and education. He works to bridge the gap between policy, research, and real-world impact.
As a Teen Educator with Delta Health Alliance, he empowers youth through health education. He has also served as a youth facilitator for the Aspen Young Leaders Fellowship and a research assistant for Partners for Advancing Health Equity.
Committed to health equity, Nicholas strives to create a future where access to healthcare, education, and nutrition is not determined by zip code or socioeconomic status.
Paige Mitchell
Paige Mitchell, a Clarkston, Georgia native, is a dedicated advocate for affordable housing, economic development, creative place-making, and equitable community planning. Currently serving as Program Associate at the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, she develops and implements strategic initiatives addressing critical housing needs while fostering valuable partnerships across the region. Previously, as Project Coordinator at Invest Atlanta, Paige spearheaded numerous real estate projects, anti-displacement programs, and creative industry initiatives that strengthened local communities. She holds a B.A. in Public Policy with a concentration in Planning and Economic Development from Georgia State University’s prestigious Andrew Young School of Public Policy.
Rachel Shelton
Rachel is the Engagement Specialist for the Western North Carolina Early Childhood Coalition. WNC ECC is a group of early childhood-focused organizations, child care teachers, parents of young children, and advocates collaborating on policy advocacy to improve access to early childhood education in western NC. Rachel is a former public school teacher and parent of two children. She started in this work as a volunteer parent advocate after facing her own struggles with finding affordable, accessible child care. Rachel has spent most of her life in the mountains of North Carolina. She cares deeply about child care access and family well-being, especially in rural areas.
Rori Eddie Herbison
Rori Eddie Herbison joined Together for Hope in 2023 as its Director of Programs & Partnerships for the Delta Region. A non-profit practitioner with over 15 years of experience, Herbison served at Delta Arts Alliance (Cleveland, MS) for nearly a decade as the organization’s longest-tenured Executive Director. She also spearheaded the launch of a Los Angeles-based nonprofit, Holliday’s Helping Hands Foundation. Herbison continues to be connected with HHH and its worthy efforts working with disenfranchised populations as they transition from homelessness to interim housing with the ultimate goal of permanent housing solutions.
She has directed her consultancy firm since 2008. She has been entrusted by a diverse cross-section of clients including the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, the Mississippi Arts Commission, Oxford Film Festival, Greenville Arts Council and other regional academic institutions and hospital organizations.
Originally born and raised in Cornwall, New York, Herbison first moved south to attend Delta State University and acquire her master’s degree while working in sports information from 1999 – 2001. Her connection to the South was instantaneous and her unbridled adoration for the land and its people has only grown deeper and wider in 25 years.
Sarai Serrano
Sarai Serrano is a passionate advocate for health equity and community empowerment, working statewide to bridge health access for the Latino community in North Carolina. A native of Mexico, Sarai grew up in a rural area and an immigrant family, which shaped their deep commitment to serving underserved populations. With over a decade of experience as a Spanish medical interpreter, medical assistant, and community health worker, Sarai has been instrumental in connecting individuals to vital healthcare resources. As the NC Medicaid Expansion Program Manager for Hispanic Federation, Sarai focuses on improving health literacy, expanding access to care, and advocating for equitable healthcare solutions. They have successfully organized health fairs, developed statewide programs, and built strong community partnerships. Their leadership continues to strengthen healthcare access and empower Latino communities across North Carolina.
Saskiya Fagan
As a first-generation American, Saskiya’s worldview was shaped by the knowledge that her grandmother left her home in Morgan Forest, Jamaica, with her children and a vision that freedom was possible. The byproduct of that generational journey was a deep understanding of the pursuit of freedom and a belief that creating the vision we know is aligned with our purpose is world-changing. As a marketing and community engagement professional, Fagan uses the visual art of storytelling with the intention of creating tangible and inclusive shifts related to social conditions, significantly impacting marginalized communities at a time when it is gravely needed. Saskiya started as a community organizer, working with and volunteering for several organizations in Tallahassee. She serves on the Innocence Project of Florida team as the Public Engagement Manager responsible for the project’s communications, branding, and community outreach. She also serves on the board of the Florida Restorative Justice Association and the Big Bend AFTER Reentry Coalition.
Shun Tucker-Allen
Shun Tucker-Allen, a native of Atlanta, GA., is a dedicated community driven advocate. Drawing from her deep-rooted faith and extensive experience, she has developed an organizing approach that blends faith-based strategies with a strong passion for empowering others. Her work is especially centered on serving rural and underserved communities, where she focuses on building lasting relationships and creating sustainable change by working alongside communities to craft and implement intentional strategies to empower them to advocate for the change that they want to see.
Shun is a graduate of Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Georgia, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, with a minor in Religious Studies. She also holds a Master’s degree in Public Safety, specializing in Emergency Management.
Tonya Jameson
Tonya Jameson is the Director of Civic Advancement for Leading on Opportunity. Previously she provided consultation and campaign management services to elected officials, community leaders and rising political stars seeking to make Charlotte a better place to live, work and raise a family.
She managed winning campaigns for Mayor Vi Lyles, District Attorney Spencer Merriweather, State representatives Brandon Lofton and Becky Carney, City Council members Larken Egleston and mayor pro temp Julie Eiselt and school board chair Elyse Dashew.
Tonya began her career in Charlotte as a reporter and columnist for the Charlotte Observer, and later worked as online editor for Radio One Charlotte. Tonya earned her Master’s in Communications from the University of Maryland and her Bachelor’s in Communications from the University of Alabama.
Victoria Palacio Carr
Victoria Palacio Carr is a dedicated nonprofit leader, project manager, and strategist committed to advancing social justice and racial equity. Throughout her career, she has focused on addressing systemic challenges that disproportionately impact low-income communities, particularly in the areas of health, justice, and housing.
She currently holds the position of Deputy Director of State Strategy at the Legal Action Center (LAC), where she convenes the No Health = No Justice Initiative, bringing together nonprofit leaders nationwide to drive health and justice policy reforms. Her expertise in coalition-building and nonprofit strategy development plays a key role in advancing the Initiative’s work.
Victoria is originally from Los Angeles, California. She holds a BA in Sociology from California State University, Long Beach, and a MPP from American University. She is also a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM). Victoria is deeply committed to equity and justice both professionally and personally.
Vanessa Miot
With a passion for equitable access to green spaces, I bring a background in community engagement, program coordination, and advocacy at the intersection of environmental justice and public policy. My journey into this work was unconventional. The disparities I observed in park quality sparked a curiosity that evolved into a calling for park equity and community-centered environmental advocacy. After relocating to Atlanta, I transitioned into nonprofit and civic engagement work, where I’ve built collaborative relationships with community groups, local government, and nonprofit partners. I currently support grassroots initiatives and manage educational programming that advances environmental stewardship and equitable access to public spaces. I hope to deepen my understanding of policy development, compliance, and advocacy strategy to better serve communities and influence systems-level change in the public realm.
Walker Harrison
I am a graduate of Appalachian State University’s Sustainable Agriculture program living in Greenville, SC. I serve as the Conservation Agriculture Manager for the Foundation for Community Impact and Health Equity, a non-profit providing historically underserved farmers with equipment, training, and resources to implement conservation agriculture and agribusiness practices. I believe that the sustained success of the south’s farmers and rural communities will be ensured by forward-thinking, ecologically sound agricultural policies.
When I’m not working with farmers, I can be found walking the dog with my wife, Emily, mountain biking, and hoping that this will be the year that the Carolina Panthers turn it around.