Dawn Elliott, Esq.

She/her/hers

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.

Reggie Roberts

He/him/his

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.

Sherlena Watkins

She/her/hers

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.

Emily Coleman

She/her/hers

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.

SCZ Zarantonello

They/them/theirs

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.

Shannon Floyd

Community Researcher

She/her/hers

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 a Masters in Social Work and is passionate about fighting against implicit bias, discriminatory practices, and inequities in employment and labor. As a Community Researcher at the Root Cause Research Center, she is working on a project that addresses an issue within the Racial Wealth Gap.  

Woody Pryor

Community Researcher

He/him/his

Woody is a loving brother, husband, and father of three beautiful sons.  His family is the joy of his life. He is passionate about economic justice and is currently exploring alternative solutions that can be implemented in the Black Community. As a Community Researcher at the Root Cause Research Center, he is working on a project that addresses an issue within the Racial Wealth Gap. 

Whitney Major

Community Researcher

She/her/Mrs

Whitney Major--formally know as Whitney Whitehead--is the eldest of seven and a mother of three. She recently received her B.A. in Sociology, at Simmons College of Kentucky. She is a scholar and a cosmetologist. She currently works at Simmons assisting faculty and staff with digital learning. As a Community Researcher at the Root Cause Research Center, she is working on a project that addresses an issue within the Racial Wealth Gap.  

Shemaeka Shaw

Community Researcher

She/her/hers

Shemaeka is the founder of an organization called Broken Hearted Homes, which is a renters' association that 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 is also a founding member of the Louisville Eviction Lab. 

Katrice Gill

Community Researcher

She/her/hers

Katrice is a fierce advocate and a powerhouse outreach coordinator. She is also a founding member of the Louisville Eviction Lab at the Root Cause Research Center. Katrice studied Theatre Arts at JCTC and was trained in community organizing by Black Lives Matter Louisville and Broken Hearted Homes. As a former resident of Beecher Terrace, she is very passionate about housing justice and the right to remain in one’s community.

Marlesha Woods

Community Researcher

She/her/Mrs

Marlesha is a dedicated visual arts educator, an active professional member of the National Art Education Association, as well as, an accomplished mixed media artist. Her work reaches beyond cultural and societal barriers, and her practice centers art as an essential component of public health and wellness. She graduated cum laude from Sullivan College of Technology and Design and studied Sociology at Indiana University where she holds a B.G.S.  As a Community Researcher at the Root Cause Research Center, she is working on a project that addresses an issue within the Racial Wealth Gap.

Mitzi "Missy" Wilson

Community Researcher

She/her/hers

Missy is very passionate about juvenile justice, ending incarceration, and housing justice. Missy studied at JCTC and was trained in community organizing by Black Lives Matter Louisville. She supports her community through advocacy work and mutual aid. Through the BLML mutual aid program she’s able to nourish others who may not have access to a home-cooked meal. As a Community Researcher at the Root Cause Research Center, she is working on a project that addresses an issue within the Racial Wealth Gap.