Here are our leaders working to build a more resilient, equitable, and peaceful Alabama.

  • Madison Naves

    COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

    Madison Naves is the Communications Manager/Storyteller for The Greater-Birmingham Alliance to stop Pollution. She is a graduate of The University of Alabama and a native to Birmingham, Alabama. She has family that has been directly impacted by the inhumane pollution affecting North Birmingham’s neighborhoods and has joined GASP to use her skills to advance solutions and advocacy.

    Madison majored in Communications with a concentration in News Media. She has a background in Journalism, poetry, podcasting, social media management, and broadcasting.

    While attending The University of Alabama, she served as a writer for the university’s student-run newspaper, The Crimson White. There, she found a deep interest in exposing local social issues through creative storytelling. Her experience in journalism and interning with nonprofit organizations has allowed her to publish multiple articles promoting diversity, inclusion, and acceptance with the goal of sparking social change.

    Madison’s mission is to help ensure often marginalized and overlooked communities have their voices heard and to find solutions to issues that can improve the lives of generations to come.

  • Rev. Sandra Y. Ledyard, LCSW

    SOCIAL WORKER

    After my mother’s passing in 2023 the barriers, frustration, and challenges my family experienced throughout the course of her Dementia journey: from health care disparities, lack of awareness and understanding, barriers to access and use of care, quality of care, and lack of support, resulted in me embarking on a mission I never anticipated. In 2024 I started researching and educating myself about the disease of Dementia—the various types of Dementias, their symptoms, the impact on both patients and caregivers, and became an advocate for increasing Alzheimer’s and Dementia awareness and promoting understanding in the African American community, among faith leaders, and in faith communities throughout Montgomery.

    My family’s experience revealed significant gaps in health care and the quality of care available. Research studies indicate that racial and ethnic disparities in health and health care, such as those observed during the pandemic, extend to dementia care. I would like to see a more fair and equitable health care system and the dismantling of social, economic, and environmental factors that perpetuate disadvantages.

    Three top issues I’m working on:

    1. Prioritizing the health care needs of historically underinvested marginalized communities in Montgomery as reflected in the population statistics of Alabama.

    2. Educating the public about Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias utilizing culturally appropriate education, training, and support materials, and improving care for populations disproportionally affected by Alzheimer’s Disease and related Dementias and ensure timely and accurate diagnosis.

    3. Building a healthcare workforce with skills to provide high quality healthcare, reduce workforce shortages, and improve caregiver training.

  • Liliana Peinder

    SPANISH TRANSLATOR | EDUCATOR | ADVOCATE FOR DEMOCRACY & EQUITY

    Liliana Peinder is a first-generation UAH graduate, working-class Chicana, entrepreneur, and mother committed to fairness, opportunity, and a democracy that works for all. She helped shape Alabama’s Teachers Bill of Rights, supported early-career educators, and fought for workforce policies that remove barriers for women. In 2024, Liliana led her write-in campaign, giving voters a choice and challenging the lack of options on the ballot. Liliana works through policy advocacy, grassroots organizing, and community partnerships. She collaborates with local leaders, educators, and activists to push for policies that protect educators, strengthen communities, and expand political representation.

    Her Vision: Education reform that prioritizes and supports students, teachers, and families. Policies that protect human rights, expand opportunities and create economic mobility. Leadership that values inclusion, resilience, and the power of community. One superpower she brings to this group is her Resourcefulness, figuring it out no matter the challenge.

    Three top issues I’m working on:

    1. Building Relationships and Propelling Movements.

    2. Expanding Representation & Political Engagement.

    3. Championing Educational Equity & Safety.

  • Barbara Jackson

    HUMAN SERVICES & OUTREACH COORDINATOR

    A native of Birmingham holds two master’s degrees in criminal justice and public administration from Walden University. She is the former Director of International and Scholar Services at The University of Southern Mississippi. There she was instrumental in providing guidance in the field of International Education for over eighteen years. She is currently the Human Services and Outreach Coordinator for the Oaks of Justice. At Oaks, she works to relieve hardships for families impacted by incarceration.  She works hard to advocate for the containment of relationships between family and their incarcerated loved ones. She is the current Grassroots Organizer for the Greater-Birmingham Alliance to Stop Pollution (GASP) where she is instrumental in the efforts to help all Alabamians have healthy and clean air.

    God has gifted her with the purpose of helping others. Her gifts are evident through her service to others. Her purpose is seen as she works to dismantle broken systems.  She works within the community with multiple organizations to advocate change at the local, state, and federal levels. In her spare time, she enjoys baking and creating meals for her family.

  • Whit Sides

    STORYTELLER | UNION MEMBER | HEALTH POLICY ADVOCATE

    Whit Sides is a storyteller, a fourth-generation union member, and a health policy advocate who will soon also be expanding into workers’ rights advocacy. With five years of experience at Alabama Arise, Whit sees her job as a mirror – she not only listens to stories, she also helps those who share their stories with her understand the power of advocacy and harnesses the power of those stories to effect positive change. Through the stories she reflects, she provides storytellers in Alabama with a platform to educate others on key issues in the state and how we can fix them. She is an avid reader, enjoys live music, and loves to be in nature, especially the beautiful trees we have right here in Alabama. One superpower Whit brings to this group is her ability to connect with people during any situation. As long as folks are willing to share their stories, she is honored to be the one who gets to listen and share it with the world.

    Three top issues I’m working on:

    1. Defending Medicaid for the nearly 1 million Alabamians who need it to stay healthy.

    2. Organizing a union with my colleagues at work.

    3. Participating in mutual aid groups in my neighborhood, where we focus on not just making sure folks have their everyday needs met, but also helping families (often refugees) set up their new homes once they join our community.

Our Alumni

Karen’s superpower is being an optimist.

 

Rev. Karen Shuford, Co-chair

Montgomery, AL

Top Issues

  1. Finding non-partisan spaces to offer voters and potential voters education on voting rights as they change or may have potential to change

  2. Finding resources for safe summer programs in rural areas

  3. Getting the audience of religious leaders to understand that "this is not about religion, it's about relationships"

Bio

In 2010 while conducting a counseling session with a soon to be released inmate, Rev. Karen Shuford was made aware of a serious need among returning citizens. That need was detailed planning and life skills services. Hence was born Julia’s Closet, a complete aftercare program for returning female citizens, which would provide job search assistance, transportation and housing referrals as well as health care, and legal referrals. Julia’s Closet currently operates in 3 counties and has a non-recidivism rate of 91%.

Rev. Shuford was ordained as a minister under the CME Church by Bishop Teresa Jefferson-Snorton in 2015. She has served as the pastor of Wesley Chapel CME Church in Century Florida since 2016. The church holds weekly prayer and worship services, offers voters education, feeds the hungry, provides tutoring, a clothing closet, homeless care-kits and much more. Rev. Shuford is married to Deacon Christopher Shuford where they reside in Montgomery, AL. Together they have 5 children and 3 grandchildren.

Natilee’s superpower is radical vulnerability.

Natilee McGruder Kyle, Co-chair

Huntsville, AL

Top Issues

  1. Grassroots leadership development that paves the way for radical change at the local and regional levels

  2. Building community-based food systems that sustain and heal people while creating economic opportunity

  3. Meditation and boundary setting skills to grow more resilient communities

Bio

Natilee McGruder Kyle's family legacy in Alabama is a guiding light and inspiration to the work that she does today. Her grandfather, Rev. Robert McGruder was a union organizer and associate minister at Old Ship A.M.E. Zion who supported the call for the leadership of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Montgomery. These acts were a continuation of the resistance and celebration which has flowed through the red dirt of Alabama since the Alibamu, Muskogee Creek, Cherokee, Koasati, Chikasaw, Choctaw and Biloxi peoples among others, stewarded this land. Natilee has been blessed to find her own path, through her consulting firm Growing Green, creating social change through collaboration with diverse national and local organizations. Her work is centered in the areas of racial equity, executive coaching, communication and conflict resolution. She takes pride in utilizing a strategic planning approach that is grounded in speaking truth to power and centered in community. Natilee lives in Huntsville and is also a temporary resident of Mexico.

  • Ada Berry (she/her)

    FOUNDER, FEMALES FOR CHRIST MINISTRIES

    Troy, AL

    Three top issues I’m working on:
    1. Using biblical principles to help heal and be delivered from trauma /wounds.

    2. Assisting females in finding their gifting and recognizing their importance in this world.

    3. Organizing and starting the Wiregrass Black Chamber of Commerce of which I am the Chair, we cover 8 counties.

    One superpower I bring to this group is my belief that all things are possible.

    Learn More: Ada is the founder of Females for Christ Ministries, (1996) a ministry that deals with broken/hurting females. She is also an ordained Evangelist (non-denominational).

    She was born in the city of Troy, AL on March 20, 1959, in her grandparents home which is still standing. She traveled quite a bit and returned home in 2005. She is the fourth of seven children with 2 older brothers and 2 younger ones, one older sister and one younger; "I am smack dab in the middle."

    At the age of 63, she completed her BA degree. She is an entrepreneur that was instrumental in organizing and starting the Wiregrass Black Chamber of Commerce. Their mission is to build, support and promote economic development and growth for our businesses, non-profits, churches and communities in the wiregrass area.

    She is also a third-generation seamstress by way of gifting (owner of Tailored 2 Fit).

    Her passions are ministry, (serving others) sewing (creating her own styles), and justice (seeking justice in an unjust world).

  • Patrick Darrington (he/him)

    JOURNALIST, AL.COM & LIBRARY DIRECTOR, MOUNT VERNON PUBLIC LIBRARY

    Mobile, AL

    Three top issues I’m working on:
    1.Reporting on Alabama issues, specifically, the Alabama prison system.

    2. Calling out and examining forms of “copaganda” i.e. the the use of propaganda by state security forces to minimize and normalize their use of violence and media’s amplification of this propaganda.

    3. Becoming a better librarian to assist my local community.

    One superpower I bring to this group is asking uncomfortable questions.

  • Tafeni L. English-Relf (she/her)

    DIRECTOR, SPLC ALABAMA STATE OFFICE

    Huntsville, AL

    Three top issues I’m working on:
    – Civic Engagement
    – Economic Justice
    – Leadership Development

    One superpower I bring to this group is my willingness to learn, ability to connect others to resources and a deep commitment and passion to help Alabama transform.

    Learn More: Tafeni English-Relf is the director of the Southern Poverty Law Center’s Alabama state office. A native of Alabama, she builds partnerships with local communities to advance the SPLC’s mission to dismantle white supremacy, strengthen intersectional movements and advance the human rights of all people.

    She has a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Troy University, where she also earned a master’s degree in counseling and psychology.

  • Adam Keller (he/him)

    ORGANIZER, ALABAMA ARISE

    Athens, AL

    Three top issues I’m working on:
    1. Growing the coalition of everyday people fighting poverty at the state policy level in Alabama.

    2. Strengthening the labor movement in North Alabama and across the South.

    3. Sustaining and expanding labor media that can amplify the voices of the working class in the American South.

    One superpower I bring to this group is my firm conviction that a better world is not only possible, but necessary, and that an interracial, working class mass movement is how we win it.

    Learn More: A lifelong Southerner, Adam has spent more than a decade as an activist and organizer in north Alabama and has been involved in a variety of campaigns and organizations fighting for a better Alabama for all. Adam is a former high school history teacher and spent more than five years representing educators in Huntsville. He is a union stagehand with IATSE 900 and is proud to volunteer for his local as political coordinator and as a delegate to the North Alabama Labor Council.

    Adam is also co-host and co-producer of The Valley Labor Report, a grassroots media project that produces Alabama's only union talk radio show and podcast. Recently, Adam joined Alabama Arise as their Northeast Alabama Organizer and is excited to work together with justice-minded folks for the positive change we need and deserve.

  • Michele McCrary (she/her)

    OPERATIONS DIRECTOR, REPRESENTWOMEN

    Huntsville, AL

    Three top issues I’m working on:
    1. Grassroots leadership developing community healing spaces

    2. Commitment to social justice community organizing

    3. Raising awareness and understanding in creating race and gender parity

    One superpower I bring to this group is creating a safe space in which other people's ideas and feelings can be heard.

    Learn More: Michele McCrary was born and still calls Huntsville, AL home. With over a decade of experience in banking and operations, Michele boldly decided to leave her corporate banking career behind to pursue her commitment to social justice.

    Michele most recently completed a transformative fellowship with Leadership for Democracy and Social Justice at the CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies, further enriching her understanding of the critical issues at the intersection of race and gender.

    Michele is an avid music and movie enthusiast. She dedicates her free time to positively impacting her community through volunteer work, embodying her dedication to creating a more equitable world.

  • Yawah Awolowo (she/her)

    Cuba, AL

    Three top issues I’m working on:
    – Sustainable Farm to Table
    – Rural Development
    – Environmental/Health Justice

    One superpower I bring to this group is my ability to communicate with the earth and plants.

  • Furlesia Bell (she/her)

    Montgomery, AL

    Three top issues I’m working on:
    – Non Violence
    – Family Advocacy
    – Youth Initiatives

    One superpower I bring to this group is the ability to unite others.

    Learn More: In October 2014, Furlesia suffered the tragic loss of her brother as a result of gun violence. It was during that time that she realized the need for others who had suffered similar tragedies to connect and form support systems. She started the organization Triple J Initiative, a 501c3 whose mission is to empower and grow the community through advocacy, education, outreach, and family building events. Triple J Initiative strives to meet the needs of the entire family.

    Furlesia is a licensed and ordained Minister. She has a degree in Legal Studies and Criminal Justice. She’s received numerous awards and recognition for community service; however, she credits every achievement to her faith in God and His favor over her life. She is married to Joe Bell. They have three children and six grandchildren.

    Furlesia and her husband largely fund Triple J Initiative with their own money. They are in need of support: a building to house their growing organization and partnerships to help further their cause. To support and learn more, please follow their Facebook page, and to reach out directly, please do so via: triplejinitiative2@gmail.com.

  • Torrica Blackful (she/her)

    Calera, AL

    Three top issues I’m working on:
     – Leadership (Business) Development
    – Young Adult Incentives
    – Gender Inequality

    One superpower I bring to this group is the ability to shape-shift to fit into every situation.

  • E’licia L. Chaverest (she/her)

    Huntsville, AL

    Three top issues I’m working on:
    – Women in Agriculture
    – Leadership Development
    – Educating and Empowering Underserved Communities

    One superpower I bring to this group is I am a communicator and listener.

    Learn More: E’licia’s work at Alabama A&M University’s Small Farms Research Center (AAMU SFRC) supports farmers across Alabama, especially limited-resourced and socially disadvantaged farmers and landowners. AAMU SFRC curates programs focused on sharing resources, creating learning opportunities, and providing research support to small farm and community development leaders. For example, their Produce Safety Alliance Growers Program is designed to teach farmers about research-based practical skills on good agricultural practices through a series of seven workshops. If you are a farmer in Alabama interested in connecting with AAMU SFRC, please feel free to reach out to E'licia L. Chaverest, Assistant Director AAMU SFRC at elicia.chaverest@aamu.edu. If you are otherwise interested in supporting their incredible work and hearing success stories, you can follow Small Farms Research Center-AAMU on Facebook and @Smallfarms1996 on Instagram.

  • Ana Delia (she/her)

    Cullman, AL

    Three top issues I’m working on:
    – Building the resolve to vote
    – Demystifying Alabama for new residents
    – #AbolishICE & Pathway to citizenship for all

    One superpower I bring to this group is that I can interpret simultaneously most anything from English to Spanish.

  • LaTisha (Tish) Gotell Faulks (she/her)

    Montgomery, AL

    Three top issues I’m working on:
    – Voting rights
    – Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (education, economic, criminal legal context)
    – Faith in public life

    One superpower I bring to this group is my desire to train the next generation.

  • Celida “Celi” Soto Garcia (she/her/ella)

    Birmingham, AL

    Three top issues I’m working on
    – Untaxing groceries
    – Health equity in schools
    – Social, Environmental and Reproductive Justice

    One superpower I bring to this group is cultivating inter-cultural awareness

  • Michael Harris (he/ him)

    Montgomery, AL

    Three top issues I’m working on:
    – Security for Elderly community
    – Mentorship program
    – Stop the violence

    One superpower I bring to this group is the ability to listen and work with others.

  • Monica Denise Riley (she/her)

    Troy, AL

    Three top issues I’m working on:
    – Civic Engagement
    – Voting Rights
    – Reproductive Rights

    One superpower I bring to this group is an eagerness and willingness to learn.

  • Essence Rudolph (she/her)

    Mobile, AL

    Three top issues I’m working on:
    – Agricultural sustainability
    – Self sufficiency
    – Survival skills

    One superpower I bring to the group is my ability to analyze and solve most problems in a manner that all parties are satisfied.

  • Chris Shuford (he/him)

    Montgomery, AL

    Three top issues I’m working on:
    – Elderly security
    – Educational resources
    – Serve underprivileged children

    One superpower I bring to this group is innovative problem solving and tech support.

  • Khadidah Stone (she/her)

    Montgomery, AL

    Three top issues I’m working on:
    – Voter Engagement Outreach
    – Redistricting
    – Reproductive Justice

    One superpower I bring to this group is creativity! I love thinking outside the box to find solutions!

  • Whitney Washington (she/her)

    Madison, AL

    Three top issues I’m working on:
     – Medicaid expansion
    – Eliminating grocery tax
    – Criminal justice reform

    One superpower I bring to this group is passion for creating a more equitable Alabama.