Our Community Ambassadors

LaShawnda Crowe Storm is an artist, activist, community builder, and occasional urban farmer. Her creative practice centers on using art as a vehicle for dialogue, social change, and healing. Through her work, she addresses challenging topics like racial and gender violence, exploring forgotten histories and neglected contemporary realities. LaShawnda’s art acts as a "film negative," bringing to light the unseen and giving voice to the silenced.

Drawing inspiration from craft, folklore, and indigenous African spiritual practices, LaShawnda weaves mixed media elements with community-based, interactive components. She gives equal importance to both the final artwork and the process of its creation, providing space for communities to engage in difficult conversations.

Believing in the power of art to create change, LaShawnda emphasizes that transformation happens one project, one idea, one step at a time. By exposing the hidden negatives of the past and present, she invites viewers to see the world through a new lens, challenging them to take action in building a more just and healed future for all. Her work stands as a testament to the profound impact art can have.

Okara Imani, a professional in her role as the Community Leadership & Equitable Initiatives Associate at CICF, is a versatile artist known for her vocal prowess and compelling writing. Her training began in classical music, but her influences are diverse, spanning R&B, blues, funk, jazz, alternative, and rock. With a lifelong passion for writing prose, poetry, and melodies, she has graced the stages of esteemed hometown venues, including The Chatterbox, The Hi-Fi, Square Cat Vinyl, The Cabaret, The Jazz Kitchen, and The Vogue. Her unique perspective is shaped by her extensive reading, Black and queer experiences, and her identity as a woman. She channels this blend of influences into her writing, performances, and teaching, enriching the human experience she shares with her audience.

Growing up in an artistically expressive household, Okara was inspired by her father, a singer/songwriter, and a diverse musical palette curated by her parents. Her academic journey took her from playing trombone to pursuing a bachelor's degree in music with a vocal concentration, where she excelled in technical courses, vocal coaching, opera ensembles, and regional classical vocal competitions. The jazz department became her unofficial home, offering opportunities to collaborate with fellow composers and participate in professional gigs.

As an artist, Okara's mission centers on continuous self-discovery, fostering empathy, and expanding perspectives. Her authentic and open expression resonates with her audience, whether performing her original music or engaging in organization programs. Over the past year, she has garnered recognition and secured bookings at various city venues, showcasing her talents as a singer/songwriter and poet. Each poem she shares is a reflection of her introspection, connecting deeply with her audience and fulfilling her lifelong calling.

Sarah Jené is a Mississippi-born, Indy-raised multidisciplinary artist and content creator who uses her art to spread joy and celebrate Black culture. Her creative work, including fashion and visual art, highlights and embraces the beauty of the Black experience and interpersonal relationships within her community.

Sarah is the founder of Thee Black Card, a brand born out of a love for Black culture and inspired by iconic publications like JET magazine and vintage ads. Thee Black Card serves as an "Ode to Being Black," commemorated through digital and paper collage art. Through curated events and art installations, Sarah aims to create spaces where Black people feel seen, celebrated, and connected. Her desire is to use her various art forms to enlighten, embrace, and uplift her community.

Nicole Kearney is a writer-turned-winemaker and the founder of Sip & Share Wines, a boutique winery based in Indianapolis that specializes in handcrafted vegan wines. Her journey into the wine industry began while pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in dramatic writing at Spalding University, where she often shared wine with her fellow writers. Those experiences sparked a passion that would eventually lead her to create Sip & Share Wines, officially launching the company in 2016.

Kearney’s mission with Sip & Share Wines is to build a community through wine, particularly for wine lovers who are often overlooked by the industry, including Black wine connoisseurs. In 2019, she released the Seven Words Wine Collection, a series of vegan wines crafted to be approachable and fun, followed by the limited-edition Gem Collection in 2020. Her Zinfandel,Conjure, was featured in Forbes as one of the "10 Drinks for the Summer," and Kearney herself has been recognized as one of the "40 African American Tastemakers" by Sabrina Jackson.

Sip & Share Wines has been featured at major events like The Black Wine Experience at Essence Fest and in publications such as Xonecole, which named the company one of the "5 Black-Owned Wines You Should Be Sipping Right Now." With a focus on inclusivity and community, Kearney continues to expand her brand, offering wine lovers unique, vegan wines that are designed to be shared and enjoyed together.

Jess is a bold community organizer, abolitionist, orator, facilitator, and writer. Their work is informed by extensive training and certification in community organizing and development, restorative and transformative justice, anti-racism/implicit bias/cultural competency, and conflict transformation.

Jess’ background ranges from working with an evening reporting program for youth, workforce development/recruiting/training, children and youth programming, event planning and development, and facilitating DEI initiatives for the past 11 years with an emphasis on community-informed and -led processes that are accompanied by accountability partners and measurable calls to action.

Jess labors to remind people of their past, discern with people their present, and strategize within community their future power.

Jess joins All-Options as Indiana Organizing Manager, bringing a wealth of digital and grassroots organizing experience, and most recently served in nonprofit and grassroots roles surrounding housing insecurity for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults and community bail fund client management. Their dedication to equity is also known as a member of local organizations that press boldly for accountability and support for the most systemically marginalized of Hoosiers. Jess’ ongoing commitment to expanding and building a welcoming and affirming community is one that they are excited to bring to the All-Options team with intention and rigor. They are born and raised in Indianapolis.

Kavita Mahoney serves as the Vice President at the Indy Arts Council after transitioning from her role as Chief Strategy Officer for Indy Parks and Recreation in the City of Indianapolis. A lifelong learner, researcher, and equity practitioner, Kavita is dedicated to social justice, community engagement, and fostering an equitable and inclusive cultural economy.

With over 10 years of experience, Kavita has collaborated with artists, culture workers, community organizations, and city-wide initiatives to establish strategic partnerships that uplift arts, culture, and environmental justice, especially in systemically oppressed and under-resourced communities. Through an equity lens, she has curated exhibitions, programming, and public art initiatives that celebrate the multicultural fabric of Indianapolis.

In her community-based work, Kavita has played a pivotal role in developing and collaborating on action-oriented DEI initiatives for various entities, including Indy Parks, Indy Arts Council, the Garfield Park Neighbors Association, and the South Indy Quality of Life Plan.

Kavita holds a bachelor’s degree in studio art and history of art and a master's degree in museum studies from Indiana University, where she graduated with high honors and was selected as the Chancellor’s Scholar for her graduating class. Her professional journey includes roles at local and national museums and art centers, such as Newfields, Smithsonian Institution’s Freer|Sackler Museums of Asian Art, the Indiana State Museum, and the Indiana Historical Society. Recognitions include being a 2019-2020 Arts & Culture Leaders of Color Fellow for Americans for the Arts and a 2020 Indy’s Best & Brightest finalist.

Leah Nahmias believes deeply in the importance of the humanities and the power of teaching and understanding to enrich the lives and open the imaginations of ordinary people. This faith has guided her career in the broad and eclectic field of public humanities and philanthropy. 

Charlie is an entrepreneur, mentor, community organizer, and healer. At the core of everything that she does is a passion for social justice and a mission to create spaces where people from marginalized groups can show up as their whole selves. Back in 2018, Charlie opened Haven Yoga Studio in Indianapolis, Indiana, after years of practicing, working in studios, teaching, and experiencing the reality that, as a black person, she was unable to do her deep work in the spaces that were available to her.

Charlie is a mentor for folx who are interested in digging deeper into their own practice and learning how to advocate for themselves in the wellness space, as well as a teacher for wellness leaders who are ready to learn how to be more supportive of different communities. She also works with organizations to offer coaching and facilitation around social justice, anti-racism, and healing justice with the use of wellness tools. When not teaching yoga, she enjoys randomly dancing, reading, and supporting the local arts scene in Indianapolis.

Elle Roberts co-creates political education spaces through accessible writing, engaging community building, and group-led facilitation while weaving in several collaborative art forms: music performance, poetry reading, and audience participation and interaction. Elle's creative practice and over ten years of experience performing, curating, and developing collaborative art shows featuring primarily people of color of marginalized genders informs her ethos.

Elle is currently working on a project called "black m(othering" that is funded through the Indiana Humanities Wilma Gibbs Moore Fellowship program, bringing together black mothers and artists.

Elle is the recipient of the 2023 Indiana Humanities Wilma Gibbs Moore Fellowship, the Black Women Being Grant Award sponsored by Safety Pin Box, CWUW's 7th Day Social Wellness Award, Morgan Imani Guice Arts & Service Award, the Donna M. Hall Academic Excellence Award, and the Black Caucus Academic Achievement Award.

Rupal Thanawala is a Business and Digital Strategy Executive with over 25 years of experience. She has deep expertise in leading large-scale global business transformation, M&A and divestiture, cybersecurity, digital innovation and operational excellence projects. She has experience in driving business outcomes from developing a vision to implementing transformation projects globally in diverse industries. She has managed multiple internal and external stakeholders to solve complex challenges in a timely and cost-effective manner for corporations and communities. Rupal’s primary responsibilities included managing sales and marketing portfolios, developing people programs, and enhancing customer experience by successfully establishing formal programs for new initiatives, corporate citizenship, diversity and inclusion, mentoring and recruitment, and social responsibility.

Rupal is passionate about uplifting her community and serves on the board to champion causes related to diversity, inclusion & equality, education & STEM, technology, and healthcare. She is President of Asian American Alliance Inc. and Board Member of IU Luddy School of Informatics and Computer Engineering, Black Data Processor Association, Techpoint Foundation for Youth and TheSnapLink, Tech Editor of Indianapolis Recorder newspaper. She is a celebrated podcaster, public speaker, and columnist.

Rupal is recognized as Torchbearer Women by Indiana Commission for Women, Trailblazer by NAWBO, 100 Hero by United Way of Central Indiana, Rosa Parks Champion of Diversity Award by Recorder Media Group, and Beacon award by BearingPoint. Rupal has earned an MBA from Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management and BS (Bio-Medical) Engineering from the University of Mumbai.

Manòn Voice is a native of Indianapolis, Indiana, and is a multi-hyphenate–poet and writer, spoken word artist and filmmaker, actor, hip-hop emcee, educator, and community builder, and currently serves as a Hip-Hop Music Instructor at Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana. The spirit of her work finds its niche at the intersection of arts and activism. She has performed on diverse stages across the country in the power of the word and has taught and facilitated writing and poetry workshops widely. Her poetry has appeared in The Flying Island, The Indianapolis Review, The House Life Project: People + Property Series, Sidepiece Magazine, The World We Live(d) In Anthology, The Indianapolis Anthology, Questions for a Resilient Future, and Kinship: A World of Relations. She has been featured in publications such as Indy NUVO, The Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis Monthly, The Indianapolis Star, FAFCollective, Pattern Magazine, Sidepiece Magazine, and more.

Holding a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership, Manòn Voice is co-founder of Kindred Collective, LLC., which gives voice to equity through workshops and consulting. She is a board member of the Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana, a private, non for profit organization whose mission is to ensure equal housing opportunities by eliminating housing discrimination through advocacy, enforcement, education, and outreach; Horizon House, which supports neighbors experiencing homelessness with integrated, comprehensive services so they can secure and maintain housing; and Indy Maven, a publication connecting women in central Indiana through storytelling and events. She is a teaching artist for Arts for Learning Indiana, where she utilizes poetry and spoken word to educate youth and young adults. She is trained in civic reflection and has facilitated the Powerful Conversations on Race series hosted by Spirit and Place community project.

In 2017, Manòn Voice was awarded the Power of Peace Award from the Peace Learning Center of Central Indiana. In 2018, Manòn received a nomination for the Pushcart Prize in Poetry. While collaborating in poetry and film, Manòn has been commissioned for projects by the Indy Arts Council of Indianapolis, Women’s Fund of Central Indiana, Spirit and Place Festival, One America, Patchwork Indy, and more. She has received numerous awards for her 2021 Directorial Debut Film, "Where They Drag The Boats."

In 2020, Manòn Voice was a featured Art and Soul artist with the Arts Council of Indianapolis; a recipient of the 2020 Robert D. Beckmann Jr. Emerging Artist Fellowship from the Arts Council of Indianapolis; the 2020 Activist in Residence for the Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library Banned Books Week; and 2020 featured poet and speaker for Spirit and Place Festival Public Conversation. Manòn was a selected artist for the 2021 On-Ramp cohort with the Indiana Arts Commission, a 2021 Artist Building Community Fellow with Arts for Learning Indiana, and the 2022 Artistic Curator for WE CANN C.H.A.T. Black Table Talk. She is a 2023 Creative Renewal Fellow with the Arts Council of Indianapolis.

Terry Whitt Bailey, CNC, is a seasoned leader with a wealth of experience. Currently serving as the President & CEO of Cancer Support Community Indiana, she previously held leadership roles at the Center for Leadership Development, the City of Muncie, the Madam Walker Legacy Center, and the Cornerstone Center for the Arts. Dr. Terry's extensive career also includes serving as Director of Executive Staff & Administrative Affairs at Ball State University.

In addition to her rich professional background, Dr. Terry is highly educated. She holds a Master of the Arts in Drama and Dance Teacher Education from UCLA, a Bachelor of the Arts in Dance and another in Communication and Media Studies from Rutgers University-New Brunswick. Dr. Bailey earned a Doctor of Ministry from Newburgh Theological Seminary and completed a Certificate program in Management Development from Harvard University.

As a dedicated leader and member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Dr. Terry Whitt Bailey brings a combination of expertise and diverse skills to every role she undertakes.

Tamara Winfrey-Harris is a writer who specializes in the ever-evolving space where current events, politics and pop culture intersect with race and gender. She says, “I want to tell the stories of Black women and girls, and deliver the truth to all those folks who got us twisted—tangled up in racist and sexist lies. I want my writing to advocate for my sisters. We are better than alright. We are amazing.”

Tamara is the author of two books: "The Sisters Are Alright: Changing the Broken Narrative of Black Women in America" (Berrett-Koehler Publishers 2015) and "Dear Black Girl: Letters From Your Sisters On Stepping Into Your Power" (Berrett-Koehler Publishers 2021). The award-winning "Sisters", now in its second edition, has been optioned by Wise Entertainment and Gabrielle Union’s production company I’ll Have Another to be turned into a dramedy for television.

Tamara’s work has been published in media outlets, including The New York Times, The Atlantic, Cosmopolitan, New York Magazine and The Los Angeles Times. And her essays appear in The Lemonade Reader: Beyoncé, Black Feminism and Spirituality (Routledge, 2019); The Burden: African Americans and the Enduring Impact of Slavery (Wayne State University Press, 2018); Black in the Middle: An Anthology of the Black Midwest (Black Belt Publishing, 2020); and other books.

Tamara is co-founder of Centering Sisters, LLC, an organization that unapologetically addresses the needs and issues of Black women and girls; and the Black Women’s Writing Society, a monthly virtual space for Black femme creatives. She is also a certified yoga teacher who focuses her work on the healing and well-bring of her sisters.

Tamara is a native of Gary, IN, and a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority, Inc. She graduated with a BA degree from the Greenlee School of Journalism at Iowa State University.

Lateva, AKA The All Purpose Woman, is a Detroit girl living in an Indianapolis world.

Lateva Woolfork is the Founder of SoCo PR and Co-Founder of Create. Connect. Collab. a community that provides creatives, leaders, and entrepreneurs the accountability, resources, and connections to amplify their personal brands and business achievements. She is a multi-passionate creator, podcast host, a lover of ministry, and helping people become purposely powerful through enriching their personal brands. She is a champion for mending the equity gap through DE&I work and building equitable relationships.

She is a loving wife of 15 years to her husband Curtis Woolfork and a mother to their six daughters. She loves being your business hype woman and helping you see the vision, create the strategy, and build something unique.