"The first thing that must be understood about how Movement Scientists show up in political battlefields is that we are connectors, first-responders, and pioneers of innovative methods within the field of data science and design. We connect people to essential statistics, resources, writings, databases, impact statements, etc. We are on the frontlines of debate. Here, we are armed with the data points necessary to refute problematic ideology, support community voices, demonstrate root causes, and hold authority figures accountable."
--Jessica Bellamy
Our Team
Our team is made up of staff members, Board members, and Accountability Council members. We are proud of the fact that our team is made up of grassroots organizers, activists, equity-centered data specialists, new economy advocates, and people most impacted by systemic issues in our base city of Louisville, KY.
Staff members who engage in research and data collection maintain the following certifications:
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Human Subjects Research certification from the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI Program)
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Responsible Conduct of Research certification from CITI Program
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Financial Conflict of Interest certification from the National Institutes of Health (NHI)
Our Staff
Josh Poe
He/him/his
Co-Principal Investigator
Urban Planner, Geographer, Research Analyst, & Community Organizer.
Jessica Bellamy
She/her/hers
Co-Principal Investigator
Information Designer, Research Analyst, & Community Organizer
Our Board
Dawn is an attorney who has dedicated her career to fighting for civil rights. She was one of the five Louisville, KY lawyers who fought for marriage equality leading up to the supreme court case victory of Obergefell v. Hodges on June 26, 2015.
She/her/hers
Dawn Elliott, Esq.
Reggie is a seasoned grassroots activist who is a part of the Louisville Civil Rights and Black Labor Movement. He was an organizer with the Black Workers Coalition and Justice Resource Center in Louisville. He is a lifelong resident of the Shawnee neighborhood and retired from Ford Motor Company.
He/him/his
Reggie Roberts
Sherlena is a connector and watchdog in Louisville’s Black community on social media. She is a contracted paralegal with The Law Office of Dawn R. Elliott, PLLC, and lives in the Shawnee neighborhood.
She/her/hers
Sherlena Watkins
Emily is a product manager at a cooperatively owned and controlled agricultural lending company called Farm Credit Mid-America. She leads with emotional intelligence, cares deeply about people, and supports projects that have the potential to help others.
She/her/hers
Emily Coleman
SCZ (pronounced “seize”) is an educator, scholar, and multidisciplinary artist and Co-founder of Rhythm Science Sound. They are part of the leadership team for the Latinx Leadership and College Experience Camp and a member of the Abolition Collective. Past collaborations include: University of California Irvine, Macalester College, Bluegrass Community and Technical College, Kentucky College of Art + Design, University of Louisville, WYFY School and community groups like Girls Rock Louisville, Louisville Free Public Library and more.
They/them/theirs
SCZ Zarantonello
Our Accountability Council
Shemaeka is a 39 year-old who experienced housing injustices firsthand. She’s the founder of an organization called Broken Hearted Homes, which focuses on eviction prevention and slumlord elimination in greater Louisville and surrounding areas. She is on her way to becoming a one-stop location for housing needs.
She/her/hers
Shemaeka Shaw
McKenzie Eskridge is a Louisville native living studying to become a school librarian. Some things that make her happy are reading in comfy chairs, riding her bike, non-hierarchical belief systems, and practicing yoga. She is an ally in Louisville housing justice organizing.
She/her/hers
McKenzie Eskridge
Woody is a brother, husband, and father who has been directly impacted by housing injustice.
He/him/his
Woody Pryor
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Shannon is a dynamic leader with a strong commitment to helping organizations and individuals excel. She works as a professional mediator at RESOLVE: Restorative Practices in Louisville, KY. She has been directly impacted by implicit bias and employment injustice.
She/her/hers
Shannon Floyd
Chad is a community organizer. He is the coordinator at Books & Breakfast Louisville. Books & Breakfast Louisville is a monthly space held to discuss social issues affecting the Black community in a unique way. He has also been directly impacted by housing injustice.
He/Him/His
Chad Golden
Lisa is the founder and CEO of Lewis Home Health Aide Agency. She is also a former Beecher Terrace resident and a housing justice advocate.
She/her/hers
Paulisa Lewis
Whitney Major--formally know as Whitney Whitehead--is the eldest of seven and a mother of three. She currently is one semester away of receiving her B.A. in Sociology, at Simmons College of Kentucky. She is a cosmetologist but currently works at Greater Louisville Youth for Christ (GLYC). GLYC work with youth 11-19 years-old. Whitney is GLYC's Build Facilitator and Program Director. Because she is a former Beecher Terrace Resident and has experienced trauma due to racism and our country’s policies she looks forward to serving on this RCRC's Accountability Council.
She/her/hers