Stephanie Guilloud

Stephanie Guilloud brings close to three decades of organizing experience and leadership in Southern movement and global justice work. From 2008-2022, Stephanie served as the Co-Director at Project South and in 2023 repositioned as a Senior Strategist in Movement Organizing work. She works on regional organizing projects including the Southern Movement Assembly, a grassroots governance strategy that has initiated shared campaigns, rapid response to crises, and mutual aid organizing work across the region over the last fourteen years. She sits on the steering committee of the Southern Power Fund and is a board member of Taproot Earth.  Stephanie is a published writer, co-created the Organizers' History site related to the 1999 actions to shut down the World Trade Organization, and edited Project South's People's Movement Assembly Organizing Handbook.

Briana Perry 

Briana Perry is a Black Southern feminist from Memphis, TN. She graduated from Vanderbilt University with her B.A. in Sociology and Women’s and Gender Studies in 2013. While an undergraduate, Briana developed a passion for Black feminism and community organizing, with a focus on reproductive justice. Before obtaining her master’s degree, Briana taught English, science, and social studies for two years in her hometown. While teaching, she was also involved in local organizing efforts around reproductive health, sexual assault awareness, and racial justice. Briana went on to attend Peabody College at Vanderbilt University and completed her Master of Education in Learning, Diversity, and Urban Studies in 2016. She continued organizing around gender and racial justice issues, and she worked closely with the Nashville Feminist Collective and the Margaret Cuninggim Women’s Center at Vanderbilt. Briana is currently the Executive Director at Healthy and Free Tennessee, a statewide reproductive justice organization that works at the intersections of reproductive justice and abolition. She is also a co-founder and former coordinating committee member of the Official Black Lives Matter Memphis Chapter and a former advisory committee member with the National Bailout Collective, the group that supports the Black Mama's Bailout. Briana is a trained birth doula, community mediator, transformative justice facilitator, Circle keeper, and an emerging writer.  

Kayla Gore 

Kayla Gore is a nonprofit executive and community leader with over a decade of experience in organizational development, community engagement, and equity-focused programming. She is the Founder of My Sistah’s House, a Memphis-based organization providing housing stabilization, supportive services, and advocacy for historically marginalized communities. 

Kayla has successfully led initiatives supported by national foundations and corporate partners, managing cross-sector collaborations and resource mobilization efforts that strengthen community resilience. Her work emphasizes sustainable systems, leadership development, and measurable impact, particularly across the Southern United States. Kayla brings a strategic, solutions-oriented approach to advancing inclusive and community-driven outcomes.

Lauren Williams Batiste 

Lauren Williams Batiste is the Executive Director of In Our Names Network, a national network of organizations, campaigns, and individuals committed to ending police violence against Black women, girls, trans, and gender-nonconforming people. Lauren brings a deep-rooted commitment to Black feminist organizing, ending police violence and gender based violence in schools.

She grounds her leadership in the lived experiences of Black women, girls, and queer communities, centering care, resistance, and resilience. Her vision is shaped by abolitionist values, healing justice, and the transformative potential of grassroots organizing —always moving from the margins toward collective liberation. She leads with political clarity, deep listening, and an unwavering belief in the healing power of joy and creativity.

Driven by her commitment to survivor- led leadership, In Our Names Network has expanded its national and local impact, strengthened rapid response and advocacy efforts, and launched transformative, survivor-led campaigns that center the voices and leadership of Black women, girls, trans, and gender non-conforming people impacted by police violence. Lauren's work uplifts liberatory practices that create community-rooted safety and care infrastructures for Black femmes, queer, and trans people, building toward a world where safety does not rely on surveillance or punishment, but on connection, dignity, and collective power.

Dr. Michalyn Easter-Thomas

Dr. Michalyn Easter-Thomas is a native of Memphis, TN and a cultured innovator and visionary connecting community, education, and equity. She proudly serves as an Assistant Professor of Education at LeMoyne-Owen College, Memphis’ only historically Black college and university (HBCU), where she is committed to preparing future educators through culturally responsive, community-rooted, and equity-driven teaching practices.

A lifelong educator and advocate for youth, Dr. Easter-Thomas has held positions in classroom teaching, instructional coaching, and nonprofit leadership. Her dedication to improving opportunities for students and their families led her to successfully run for public office, where she has served on the Memphis City Council since 2020. Her dual experience in public education and public service fuels her mission to center young people in policy, practice, and purpose.

Dr. Easter-Thomas holds a Doctorate of Education from Vanderbilt University and continues to support schools and organizations nationally in building student-centered, equity-focused strategies that advance educational opportunity and community engagement.

Outside of her work, Michalyn enjoys traveling and exploring with her family. She is the proud parent to her son, Darren “Tripp” Thomas III.

Rev. E. Regis Bunch 

Rev. E. Regis Bunch is the Senior Pastor of Fifth Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Cleveland, Ohio, where he leads at the intersection of spiritual formation and social survival. A prophetic voice for community governance, Rev. Bunch is currently spearheading a multi-million-dollar affordable housing initiative and a Children’s Defense Fund Freedom School to combat systemic poverty and the school-to-prison pipeline in the Harvard community. His ministry operates on the "Theology of Resistance," transforming the church from a passive sanctuary into an active "War Room" for tenant organizing, economic justice, and neighborhood stabilization.

Lonnell Matthews, Jr.

The Honorable Lonnell Matthews, Jr. is a history-making leader who transforms systems from within. At 27, he became the youngest African American elected to Nashville's Metro Council, then shattered barriers again in 2018 as Davidson County's first African American Juvenile Court Clerk—a position he earned again in 2022.

Through his co-founding of the My Brother's Keeper Nashville Partnership, Lonnell extends the Obama Foundation's mission to elevate Black and Brown boys right here in Music City. When he's not reshaping justice or mentoring the next generation, he's behind the DJ Booth, proving that authentic leadership meets people where they are.

Lonnell and his wife Johari are raising two extraordinary children, Ari (11) and Pilar (9), who remind him daily that the future he's building is deeply personal.

Delishia Danielle Porterfield

Delishia Danielle Porterfield is a mother, educator, social justice warrior, and battle-tested legislator dedicated to public service and advocacy. A lifelong Tennessean, she was raised by her grandmother in Memphis, where she witnessed firsthand the injustices faced by communities of color—challenges worsened by underfunded schools, limited healthcare, addiction, and lack of resources.

Her journey began at Howard University in Washington, D.C., before she transferred to Tennessee State University, earning a Bachelor's in Africana Studies and a Master’s in Education focused on Mild to Moderate Disabilities. After nearly a decade serving students with disabilities in public education, Delishia transitioned into public service.

In 2019, she was elected District 29 Councilwoman for Metro Nashville and Davidson County, winning a special election by just 25 votes. Four years later, she was elected to serve the city more broadly as a Councilmember At-Large. She currently serves as President Pro Tem of the Metro Council and as a member of the Audit Committee. Her leadership includes two years as Chair of the Budget and Finance Committee, where she oversaw the city’s $3.8 billion budget; Chair of the Education Committee; Vice Chair of both the Budget and Finance and Public Health and Safety Committees; and immediate past Chair of the Minority Caucus.

Delishia is a trainer with Local Progress’ Collaborative Governance Academy, where she equips local elected officials across the U.S. with tools for power building and co-governance. She also co-chaired the Dare to Reimagine initiative, served as Tennessee State Co-Chair for Senator Bernie Sanders’ 2020 Presidential campaign, and currently co-chairs the Black Caucus for Local Progress.

A proud mother, Delishia enjoys spending time with her daughter, a recent Metro Nashville Public Schools graduate and current college freshman. Together, they travel, dine out, and enjoy life in Nashville with their rescue cat, Violet.

Trey French

Trey French is a Middle TN native, community organizer, licensed therapist, and Executive Director of The Tennessee Recovery Foundation. 

Trey has focused extensively on working with justice-involved clients, developing targeted programs that address the unique challenges they face while providing advocacy for those clients within the legal system. Trey’s work as a community organizer through Black Nashville Assembly is focused on healing justice work and community safety. 

Denzel Caldwell 

Born, raised, and organizing in Nashville, Denzel Caldwell is an organizer, economist, popular educator, and self- defense instructor dedicated to transforming the lives of Black folks in Nashville. Inspired by Vietnam War era Dr. King, he chose to study economics while at Morehouse College and graduated as an honors student, magna cum laude, with a Bachelors of Arts. In 2018, he graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Masters in Economics, then returning home to focus on community organizing. 

Since then, he has played a key role in building several local grassroots organizations, including the Black Nashville Assembly (BNA), a local People's Movement Assembly dedicated to building independent political power for Black people in Nashville, and Middle Tennessee Black Gun Club (MTBGC), which seeks to resurrect the Black Arms Tradition and be a source of education for Black Middle Tennessean communities in self defense. Locally, he serves as an organizer with the BNA, as well as the Sergeant at Arms for MTBGC. 

For 4 years, he has also been on the Education team at Highlander Research and Education Center, based in New Market, TN, leading workshops and projects to build solidarity economies throughout the US South.

Rahim Buford

Rahim Buford is a Tennessee-based justice-impacted leader, organizer, and founder of Unheard Voices Outreach and co-founder of the Bridges to Freedom Movement. After 26 years of incarceration, he earned a 4.0 from American Baptist College and now advances healing-centered policy change, family empowerment, and leadership by currently and formerly incarcerated people. His work focuses on transforming the criminal legal system through lived experience, narrative power, and community-driven solutions.

Phyllis D.K. Hildreth, J.D

Phyllis D.K. Hildreth, J.D. is a seasoned educator, advocate, artist, and public curator who now seeks to serve Metro Youth though realizing their vision of the  Office of Youth Safety (OYS).  She has served as Chief of Staff at American Baptist College and Academic Director of the Institute for Conflict Management at Lipscomb University. She also served on Nashville’s Community Oversight Board and Human Relations Commission, and she worked as Chief Counsel for Administration for the Maryland Office of the Public Defender, as Deputy Secretary for the Maryland Department of Juvenile Justice, and as the first Managing Director of the Baltimore Juvenile Justice Center.

Hildreth earned her undergraduate degree in Biology from Harvard University, law degree from the University of Maryland, a Master of Arts in Conflict Management from Lipscomb University, and her continuing studies in parenting from two grown children and assorted grand-pets. She loves reading, laughing, and hanging outdoors with family and friends.

Travis Claybrooks 

Travis Claybrooks is Founder and CEO of Raphah Institute, advancing community safety by restoring access to housing, healthcare, education, economic opportunity, and social connection.

A former police officer and United States Army veteran, he leads restorative justice and economic mobility initiatives that transform systems of harm into ecosystems of healing. He holds a Master of Divinity from Liberty University and is completing a Doctorate in Strategic

Leadership.

Natt Offiah

Natt Offiah is a Community Organizer, Facilitator, and Trainer rooted in Jackson, Mississippi, with more than a decade of experience building people centered movements across the Deep South. Guided by a commitment to equity, collective power, and community-led solutions, Natt specializes in helping organizations and everyday residents transform local challenges into coordinated action.

Known for their ability to translate complex issues into practical strategies, Natt has supported campaigns focused on participatory democracy, public safety reform, electoral and ballot initiatives, youth development, and strengthening grassroots infrastructure. Their facilitation style is grounded in popular education, political education, relationship-building, and creating accessible spaces where all voices can contribute to long-term change and everyone is an

expert of their own experience.

As a trainer and facilitator, Natt designs and leads workshops on organizing, basebuilding, leadership development, narrative strategy, community change, diversity, equity and inclusion, power building and community accountability. He has worked with coalitions, neighborhood groups, and statewide networks to build organizing skills that last beyond any single campaign. His approach blends data-driven planning with the lived experiences of communities most

impacted by policy decisions.

Raised in the tradition of Southern organizing, Natt is dedicated to cultivating emerging leaders and making civic engagement feel relevant, empowering, and possible for everyone. Whether

developing a region wide engagement strategy, guiding a team through conflict, or training residents to participate in local government; he brings clarity, creativity, and a deep belief in

people’s ability to reshape their own communities.

Natt continues to anchor their work in Jackson, supporting initiatives that strengthen participatory democracy, build collective resilience, and move Mississippi toward a more just

Future.

Dr. Sekou Franklin 

Dr. Sekou Franklin is the Executive Director of the John Lewis Center for Social Justice at Fisk University. Prior to joining Fisk, he spent 22 years as a Professor of Political Science in the Department of Political and Global Affairs at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU). He is also an adjunct professor at Belmont University College of Law.  He has worked with numerous organizations including the Tennessee Advisory Committee to the U.S. Civil Rights Commission; Community Oversight Now; Tennessee State Conference of the NAACP; and grassroots groups working on legislative redistricting, voter restoration for justice-impacted persons, green jobs, labor rights, and wrongful convictions. He has worked on election protection initiatives and provided expert reports for voting rights litigation in Tennessee, North Carolina, and Louisiana. He has a passion for strategic nonviolent resistance. From 2018-2022, he facilitated national training sessions on Black women and nonviolent resistance for the James Lawson Institute. He also serves as a trainer for the Strategic Nonviolence Academy. 

Wendi A. Moore-O’Neal 

Wendi A. Moore-O’Neal is from a beloved community of Organizers. Her teachers include her parents, Marilyn Norton and John O’Neal; Suzanne Pharr and Beverly Guy-Sheftall. She is rooted in the sounds of the SNCC Freedom Singers, Sweet Honey in the Rock (under the direction of Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon), Ysaye Maria Barnwell, Elise Witt, and Linda Paris Bailey. The sounds of these masterful Women has sustained her through 30 years of movement life. She is a former Co-director and an active member of Southerners On New Ground. Wendi has led a monthly community sing where she was born and raised, in New Orleans since 2016. She is also the  cCo-directored of an award winning documentary about the impact of christian fundamentalism on her life, This Little Light (thislittlelightfilm.com)

Hiram Rivera 

Hiram Rivera is an organizer and popular educator with 20 years’ experience. His introduction to movement work came through the campaigns to free political prisoners, the Puerto Rican independence movement and the New Afrikan liberation struggle. Professionally he’s served as a lead organizer on national campaigns and has worked on local education, juvenile justice, and criminal justice campaigns as a coordinator in Brown University’s Annenberg Institute for School Reform (Urban Youth Collaborative) in New York City, and executive director of the Philadelphia Student Union. He currently serves as an organizing trainer with the School Of Unity & Liberation (SOUL) in Oakland, the Organizing Center in Philadelphia, and co-founder of the George Jackson Organizing School. Hiram is a regular contributor on Black Liberation Media and co-founder of the organization Black Men Build. 

Originally from New Haven, CT, he is a graffiti writer, father of two, and currently resides in Philadelphia, PA,

Emery Wright

Emery Wright, a native of Atlanta, is a long-time educator, organizer, and organizational leader dedicated to building on the continuum of the Black Radical Traditions of the U.S. South, the global diaspora, and African social movements. As Executive Director of Project South, Emery guides the organization to implement its movement building mission through local, regional and global work. Joining Project South in 2004, Emery was part of a successful leadership transition in 2008 and served as Co-Director, working on national and regional organizing projects including the U.S. Social Forum and the Southern Movement Assembly. Having founded a Black youth organization called the Nia Project in the late 1990s, Emery developed the current youth programs at Project South including co-founding the Septima Clark Community Power Institute in 2008 and the Youth Speak Truth Radio program in 2005. Committed to connecting across frontlines and playing a strong movement leadership role in multiple spaces, Emery serves as a representative on the Pan-African social movement steering committee, Afrikki, and on the board of the Guild, in addition to cultivating partnerships with Southern and Black-led organizations around the country.

Rev. Kelli X

Kelli X is the Pastor of The Village Church, an African centered Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) congregation in Madison, TN and the Director of Racial Justice Ministries at Scarritt Bennett Center. Rev. X grew up on the South Side of Chicago and attended Tennessee State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 2002.  Rev. X became an active member of The Village Church in 1999, as it was the first community of faith shefaith, she encountered that celebrateds its African heritage while loving Jesus and actively answering God’s call to fight for justice for all of God’s creation. 

After nearly a decade of working with children and families living with mental illness and maneuvering the foster care system, Rev. X stepped deeper in her call to ministry by attending Vanderbilt University Divinity School where she earned a Master of Divinity in 2012.  Moved by Psalm 150 and Romans 12:1, Rev. X has dedicated her life and inspires her congregation to live lives of worship of God and service to the world.  Rev. Kelli X is committed to speaking truth to power and coalition building.  She has partnered throughout her ministry with organizations such as Nashville Organized for Action and Hope (NOAH), Planned Parenthood, Moral Movement Tennessee, Southern Christian Coalition, Protect Our Care, New Leaders Council (recruitment co-chair), Fellowship of Disciples Clergywomen (Treasurer), Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in TN (Regional Board Second Vice-Moderator) to seek justice for all God’s children.    

In 2019, Rev. X began her exploration of a long-seated interest in chaplaincy which culminated in being a member of Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s inaugural cohort of chaplain residents.  Rev. X combines her commitment to justice with her gifts of chaplaincy as the Director of Racial Justice Ministries at Scarritt Bennett Center. Rev. X creates a bravecreates brave space for people and organizations to cultivate tools to dismantle the system of white supremacy in the world, the Church, and themselves.

Rev. X has been happily married to Rico X for over 23 years. Together they share two amazing children, Kijani and Asatira.

Britney Whaley

Britney Whaley is a visionary leader, political strategist and coach with 15+ years of experience managing high-impact teams across government and progressive organizations. She has developed a keen ability to cultivate and develop movement leaders, design programs that fill gaps across the progressive ecosystem, and coalesce leaders around bold progressive ideas. She is currently the Southeast Regional Director for the Working Families Party where she builds governing power that centers BIPoC and working-class communities. At her core is an unwavering commitment to racial and economic justice rooted in her Black working-class upbringing and deep love for her people.

Britney earned a B.A. in Political Science from Howard University and a MPP from Georgia Mason University.

Dawn Harrington

Dawn Harrington is the Executive Director of Free Hearts and we hold the operations of the International Network of Formerly Incarcerated Women. She is also the Special Projects Manager for the National Council for Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls. During her incarceration, Ms. Harrington was disturbed by the impact of incarceration on families, especially women and children, and she was inspired to make a difference upon her release. Dawn Harrington does local, state, national and international abolitionist work led by women and girls.

Jordan Johnson

Jordan Johnson is a multifaceted creative storyteller, producer, and editor with a background in marketing and communications from Tennessee State University and Georgetown University. He’s been there with SMC since 2023. After launching his visual arts journey in 2017 with the YouTube series Good Stories, Jordan partnered with the Be Nimble Foundation to produce a short documentary, Why We Pardi. Now based in Nashville by way of Indianapolis, he operates as a full time freelancer under Evervine Visuals, where he has captured high-profile projects for Revolt World, the National Museum of African American Music, and legendary artist George Clinton. From Nashville Fashion Week to collaborations with NBA star Baron Davis, Jordan continues to blend cinematic vision with community-driven narratives. Connect with him on Instagram and Threads @sonofthelights or evervinevisuals@gmail.com