Our Community Ambassadors

Amanda is a twenty-one-year veteran teacher with Indianapolis Public Schools, dedicating her career to serving the most vulnerable students in the district. Her passion lies in facilitating experiences for her students that expose them to new ideas and interests, demonstrating how powerful their voices are, and fostering personal, social-emotional, and academic growth. Amanda has been bringing her students to the IRT student matinees for over a decade. Even though there have been a few who did not like a particular play over the years, there has never been one who did not enjoy the production - the actors, stage effects, and the opportunity to ask post-show questions. That is what she loves about the theatre: the ability to disconnect from the outside world and immerse oneself in the wonder of the performance. This marks Amanda's first time serving as a community ambassador, and she looks forward to every minute of this new experience.

André Zhang Sonera serves as the Deputy Director of Operations and Strategic Partnerships for the Indiana Arts Commission. Originally from San Sebastián, Puerto Rico, André received his Master in Public Affairs in Policy Analysis from the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA) at Indiana University (IUPUI). His previous work experiences at the White House, the New York City Mayor’s Office of Operations, the Office of the Indiana Lt. Governor, and the City of Indianapolis Mayor’s Office have nurtured his passion for public service and government. In his spare time, he proudly serves as a Big Brother for BBBS of Central Indiana and sits on the IndyHub Foundation Boards of Directors.  

Brent Lyle is a creative by nature, entrepreneur at heart, and mentor by choice. He serves as Director of Economic Development at Flanner House, a 125-year old community agency improving Indy’s Near Northwest neighborhoods. He leads homeownership, real estate development and entrepreneur initiatives focused on the reinvestment in this Black and Brown community. Brent continues to hone his craft in marketing strategy and community engagement with Backpack – a digital marketing and branding studio he founded in 2018. Brent remains active in mission-driven community organizations & events. He volunteers weekly with the Beautillion Militaire, a scholarship and male rites of passage program with The 100 Black Men of Indianapolis, awarding over $200,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors. Brent serves as Board President for th|AIR|apy - advocating for mental health in aviation careers, and affiliate board member with the Ball State University Black Alumni Constituent Society.

Danicia Monét, a Ph.D. student in Geography at Temple University, is an arts & culture ambassador and urban planner specializing in Growing Cultural Literacy. Founder of Rokh, her work is featured in Forbes, the Washington Post, and Fast Company. Grounded in ideals of community-centered equity, liberation, and advancement, Danicia is a diversity, equity, inclusion, and liberation consultant, independent creator, contemplative, and curator.

Jiat-Ling Poon has loved theatre and the arts since her debut performance in the role of the legendary apple that inspired Isaac Newton’s life work at her elementary school science fair. As a transplant to Indianapolis, she is passionate about highlighting the diversity in our community and ensuring that the kaleidoscope of people, cultures, and backgrounds in our society is reflected and celebrated in the arts. As an arts enthusiast and in her career as a health outcomes researcher, she is dedicated to promoting equity and inclusion, to ensure that both the arts and healthcare are accessible to all.

Lasana Kazembe is a poet, educator, and critical Black scholar whose work examines culture, race, history, the arts, and sociocultural foundations of education. His research and teaching explores the ‘lost-found’ sacred epistemologies (i.e., history, expressive forms, imaginaries, folklore, futurities) of Africana peoples and situates them as sites of memory, critical pedagogy, cultural production, and social action. A major aspect of his work interrogates the history, political thrusts, aesthetic foundations, and audiopolitics of 20th century Global Black Arts Movements. Dr. Kazembe is an Assistant Professor in the IUPUI School of Education, Coordinator of the Elementary Education Program, and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Africana Studies.

Leslie K. Etienne is the Founding Executive Director of the Center for Africana Studies and Culture as well as the Director of the Africana Studies program and Clinical Associate Professor and at Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis (IUPUI). His research interests are frameworks for Black emancipatory education, Black internationalism, Black cultural production and arts administration, museum education, and historical and contemporary manifestations of Black radical and intellectual traditions. He is particularly versed in the narrative history of the 1964 SNCC Freedom Schools that operated in Mississippi during the Freedom Summer. He currently serves as the Project Director of the IUPUI/Children’s Defense Fund Freedom School, and in 2018 co-curated Remember 1968, an exhibit that highlights a timeline of the year 1968, focusing on six overlapping areas that parallel present day issues on college campuses: Gun Violence, Freedom of Speech, Student Activism, Global/Local Resistance, Patriotism, and Organizing. Dr. Etienne is also the founding Managing Director of the Africana Repertory Theater of IUPUI.

Terri Jett is originally from Richmond, California and has a B.A. in Ethnic Studies, an M.P.A. from CSU-Hayward and a Ph.D. in Public Policy and Public Administration from Auburn University. She is a Professor of Political Science, an affiliate faculty member of the Race, Gender & Sexuality Studies Program, the Peace and Conflict Studies Program and the Faculty Director for the Butler University Hub for Black Affairs and Community Engagement. Her book titled, Fighting for Farming Justice: Diversity, Food Access and the USDA, (Routledge) was just published and she is working on another book, Talking About Race: James Baldwin and Margaret Mead Then and Now. Dr. Jett is the Emmy nominated moderator of WFTI Simple Civics and serves on a number of boards including Indiana Humanities and the Federation of State Humanities Councils.

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 Madame Walker Theatre 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 Arts in Drama and Dance Teacher Education from UCLA, a Bachelor of 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.

Ebony Marie Chappel is an award-winning multimedia journalist and a certified community health worker, currently serving as the Market Director of Free Press Indiana. Hailing proudly from Haughville, Indiana, she is a Ball State Cardinal. Her work has earned recognition from esteemed organizations, including the Society of Professional Journalists, Hoosier State Press Association, National Newspaper Publishers Association, and the Association for Multicultural Affairs in Transplantation, among other distinguished honors. In her previous roles, she contributed her expertise to the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper and Indiana Minority Business Magazine, where she held several positions, including editor-in-chief. During her tenure with the Indiana Donor Network, she led outreach efforts in communities of color, the LGBTQ+ community, Hoosiers living with HIV, and various faith groups, promoting the lifesaving gift of organ, tissue, and eye donation. Remaining closely connected to her journalistic roots, she has collaborated with local television outlets, Radio One Indianapolis, and various print publications.

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.

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 Chief Strategy Officer for Indy Parks and Recreation in the City of Indianapolis. She is also a co-leader for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives at Indy Parks. 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, Arts Council of Indianapolis, 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.

Lade Akande moved to Indianapolis in 2005 after accepting a scholarship to play basketball at Butler University. After graduating, she worked in the Butler Admissions office while completing her MS in School Counseling and has since worked in the education and nonprofit sectors for fourteen years. Lade currently serves as Director of Wellness at University High School of Indiana, where she focuses on enhancing curriculum and culture around the health and wellbeing of students, faculty and caregivers while also teaching a research-based Advanced Physical Education Yoga & Mindfulness course. Lade is a trailblazer in bringing wellness practices to schools, hospitals and non-profit settings and is passionate about integrating accessible, trauma-informed practices into the culture organizations. Growing up in a musical household with a deep appreciation for the arts and being an avid supporter of the local music scene, Lade is excited to dive deeper into the Indianapolis arts community while learning about the rich history of the city through her role as an IRT Ambassador.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

Téa Franco is a writer and communications professional based in Indianapolis. She received her Master of Fine Arts in fiction writing from Bowling Green State University, and is a published author and teaching artist. During the day, she works in nonprofit communications where she gets to tell the story of Indiana's amazing residents.