The City of Tallahassee (2024)

Dan Kahn is an executive co-director of the Florida Restorative Justice Association and an active volunteer with the Community Connections Restorative Justice Program.

Danie Etienne is a Haitian American storyteller, movement author, and filmmaker hailing from Fort Myers, Florida. Danie utilizes dance as a tool to inform, liberate, uplift, and – most importantly – provide healing to the Black community, both locally and globally. As a Black woman devoted to breaking the pressures of body image and “acceptable” shapes in dance, Danie choreographs without a mirror to focus on intention rather than aesthetic. Danie holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in Choreography & Performance from Florida State University.

John E. Baker is the manager for the City of Tallahassee Neighborhood Affairs Division, and he has over 30 years of experience in community, neighborhood, and sustainability planning. Previously, John worked for the State of Florida Department of Community Affairs and the Tallahassee-Leon County Planning Department. John holds a graduate degree from Florida State University in Urban and Regional Planning. The work that he leads in neighborhood planning and sustainability has been recognized nationally and internationally. John is married and is the father of three young adults.

Darren Dante’ Bonner is a graduate of Florida A&M University’s prestigious School of Business and Industry (SBI) with a B.S. degree in Business Administration. He has over twenty-four years of experience in the field of Civil Rights and Employment Law. He has served the Florida Commission on Human Relations (FCHR) in various capacities during his twenty-five (25) year career: Customer Service Representative, Mediator, Investigator, and Customer Service/Intake Manager. Mr. Bonner currently serves as the Educational Outreach/Training Coordinator for the agency. He is responsible for providing educational outreach for the citizens and organizations of the State of Florida, as well as facilitate external and internal trainings.

He has worked with local, state, national, and international organizations in conferences, workshops, and events to increase the awareness of civil rights and the audience’s responsibilities in their actions. He also holds credentials for the prestigious Lean Six Sigma – Green Belt certification.

Mr. Bonner is committed to ensuring that all citizens and employees receive the highest level of knowledge and information to be effective and impactful within their community. His philosophy is that all people, regardless of gender, ethnicity, age, or belief system should have the right to live peacefully amongst all individuals and to enjoy life to the utmost without being subjected to discrimination.

Dr. Andrea K. Friall is a native Floridian. She received her B.S. degree in biology from Florida State University and her M.D. from Howard University College of Medicine. She completed her Obstetrics and Gynecology training at Tulane University.

As a student, intern and resident, Dr. Friall distinguished herself as a leader, teacher and community servant, receiving several awards honoring her stellar performance.

Since 2001, she has been a trusted physician at North Florida Women's Care. In 2016, she became the Chief Medical Officer for Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare (TMH) while continuing to practice medicine.

An advocate for women and girls through the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dr. Friall is dedicated to community activities that improve healthcare outcomes.

She achieves balance by enjoying her dog, outdoor activities, traveling, live music, and Broadway plays with her husband and daughter.

Dr. Gabrielle K. Gabrielli is a speaker, coach, author, evaluator, and educator who helps improve leadership, motivation, performance, and learning. She is CEO of Gabrielle Consulting, Inc., where her clients include nonprofits, education, business, and government. She juggles a variety of projects, including designing award-winning curriculum, teaching and consulting human resources, conducting evaluations, and coaching executives to achieve higher level leadership. She is a Maxwell-certified coach, speaker, and trainer who founded the Leadership Academy to provide yearlong leadership development curriculum, evaluation, assessments, coaching, and mentoring to professionals.

Her passion is to bring education and opportunity to people who need it most (people living in poverty, people with disabilities, incarcerated youth, etc.). She promotes stewardship, believes that all people regardless of differences should be treated with dignity and respect and afforded the same opportunities, says that time is the most valuable commodity, and lives by the philosophy that life is a gift to be enjoyed – find your passion and live it!

Dr. Kenneth Fowler is dedicated to the practice of helping others achieve inner happiness and peace. He has commanded the minds of many and succeeded in guiding them to more harmonious and prosperous lives. Dr. Fowler came to Florida in 1988 to pursue his undergraduate degree at Florida State University. Upon receiving his Bachelor of Science in Economics with a business minor, Dr. Fowler went on to pursue a master’s degree in Mental Health from Florida A&M University. A drive to help others and ambition would not let Dr. Fowler stop there. He went on to receive a Doctorate in Marriage and Family Therapy from Florida State University and established his private therapy practice, Systemic Effects. He is a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) and an Approved Supervisor for mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, and social workers. Dr. Fowler has also served as an adjunct assistant professor at Florida State and Florida A&M Universities.

With Dr. Fowler’s background in business and being a small business owner himself, he has been a consultant and strategic advisor to several businesses ranging from small to large over the years. He is able to help companies with personnel issues such a hiring, retention, team building, and management. Dr. Fowler believes that successful companies address employee issues in and outside of the work environment. Treating the “whole” employee has multiple benefits that enhance the employee as well as the entire work environment. He has been successful in helping companies deal with growth and the changing dynamics that accompany those transitions. Dr. Fowler’s ability to apply the systemic approach to businesses has allowed him to help businesses function more effectively and productively.

Dr. Temple O. Robinson (Meharry Medical College) joined Bond Community Health Center in 2003 and served as the Chief Medical Officer for 12 years prior to taking the helm as Chief Executive Officer in 2015. Dr. Robinson is respected as an effective community health leader, an ambassador for the community health center movement, and a fulltime advocate for Bond Community Health Center. She oversees the day-to-day management of aspects of the health center and works closely with the Board of Directors to meet short-term and long-term goals to assure Bond’s prosperity and longevity. Dr. Robinson is passionate about preparing the next generation of healthcare leaders and providers to position themselves to be able to provide culturally cognizant quality healthcare, provide a fulfilling work environment for employees, and assure access to quality healthcare for all people in the community.

Hannah Schwadron is Associate Professor of Dance at FSU, where she teaches critical theory and performance. She is Artistic Director of Structures for Change, a direct-action dance, song, and story ensemble. Locally, Hannah is a co-founding member of the Tallahassee Bail Fund, which pays bail for people who cannot afford it and moves in partnership with them and their loved ones to plug into needed services upon release. She also volunteers with Community Connections, a diversion program/empathy training for youth in Tallahassee. She recently joined the Arts in Juvenile Justice working group to lobby for federal arts funding in support of programming where it is needed most.

Ivanna Pengelley is a community builder, farmer and dancer. She earned a Doctoral degree in the field of Science Education at Florida State University, with research focused on equity and healing in science learning contexts.

Katrina Tuggerson's love language is community and business.

Knowing how to help is her strength, and a selfless and humble commitment to connecting opportunities, businesses, and citizens together are the reasons she is one of Tallahassee’s 25 Women You Need to Know. Katrina has been at the forefront of supporting and providing resources for businesses in the North Florida area, with over 15 years of working in the Tallahassee area.

She currently serves as the president of the Capital City Chamber of Commerce, the oldest minority chamber in Tallahassee, which works hard to live out its mission of being “the voice of inclusion.”

Her work at the Chamber inspired her to expand her voice even further, eventually forming the Tuggerson Group, which consults with businesses, municipalities, and minority communities across the southeast to ensure that everyone has a seat — and a voice — at the table.

Keith Bowers is the Director of the Office of Economic Vitality for the Tallahassee/Leon County metropolitan area. He coordinates the activities of a team of economic development professionals focused on developing programs and initiatives that advances the community as a hub for economic competitiveness while simultaneously leveraging ideas, innovations, and intellectual capital through the continuous coordination of the community’s economic development partners.

Mr. Bowers served as the Regional Director for the Florida Small Business Development Center at Florida A&M University for twelve years. He and his team assisted businesses in the Florida Panhandle in the creation and retention of over 9,000 jobs, increased sales of their clients to the tune of $1.1 billion, assisted in helping clients secure $163 million in government contracts, helped clients obtain over $60 million in loans, and facilitated the start of more than 200 businesses.

Mr. Bowers founded and operated the Bowers Group, a consulting firm specializing in community development, affordable housing, and economic development. Some of the firm’s most notable projects include the Carolina Oaks Subdivision and the Frenchtown Financial Opportunity Center. Mr. Bowers has also held various positions in the corporate arena, including Community Re-Investment Act Officer for Peoples First Community Bank and Single Family Administrator and Planning Manager for the Florida Housing Finance Corporation.

Mr. Bowers graduated from Florida A&M University in 1989 and proudly served in the U.S. Army and Army Reserves. He serves on the board of directors of Florida First Capital Finance Corporation, Truist Bank Community Advisory Board, the Northwest Florida Black Business Investment Corporation, Big Bend Capital Region Red Cross, Goodwood Museum, and Career Source Capital Region.

Deputy Chief Maurice Holmes is the Commander of the Tallahassee Police Department’s Internal/External Branch, which consists of the Training, Records, Community Relations, Special Events, and Community Engagement Units. Deputy Chief Holmes is also the liaison for TPD’s Citizens’ Advisory and Youth Citizens’ Advisory Councils.

Deputy Chief Holmes was born in Tallahassee, Florida and has six siblings. He is the oldest son of Harriett and the late Johnny Holmes Sr. He is married to Sylvia J. Holmes, whom he met when he moved to Thomasville from Atlanta in 2005. Deputy Chief Holmes grew up on the Southside of Tallahassee in the Greater Bond Neighborhood, where he attended Bond Elementary School, Nims and Fairview Middle Schools, and Rickards High School, graduating in 1985. He played both high school and college football. After a lengthy college journey that included a three-year stint at Alabama A&M University in the early 1990s, he graduated from Thomas University in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. He obtained his master’s degree in Public Safety Administration from Columbus State University’s Command College in 2019. Deputy Chief Holmes is also a veteran of the United States Army, where he served three years of active duty and five years of reserve duty.

Deputy Chief Holmes began his law enforcement career in 1994 at Morehouse College Police Department in Atlanta, Georgia. He is a twenty-eight year law enforcement veteran and holds numerous law enforcement certifications in both Georgia and Florida. Deputy Chief Holmes enjoys sharing his knowledge and experiences with others to better themselves and to become one with the communities in which they serve.

Lauren Faison-Clark has more than 25 years of experience inhealthcare administration, community partnerships, and non-profit administration.

Since 2013, Lauren has worked as the Service Line Administrator for Regional Development, Population Health, and Telemedicine for Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare (TMH), a non-profit community hospital in Tallahassee, Florida. Working with surrounding communities and key stakeholders, Lauren has developed a cohesive Regional Health Network that has helped increase access to care while improving patient outcomes.

Lauren is deploying the use of telemedicine and telehealth solutions throughout the region and across the TMH enterprise which enables practitioners to reach patients in a different way, so that the notion of geography, transportation and other barriers that impact flexibility of care aren’t in the way.

Lauren oversees the TMH Transition Center, which provides post-acute services to high risk patients. She expanded the scope of services for the center, focusing on reducing unnecessary visits to the emergency room and reducing readmissions to include a robust discharge patient call program, chronic disease management, interventions focused on the social determinants of health, and an innovative approach to serving patients experiencing homelessness and other high-risk patient groups.

Lauren earned a Bachelor of Science in Child and Family Sciences from Florida State University and a Master of Business Administration from Keiser University.

Lauren Stafford is a creative and dedicated business operation professional with extensive organizational structure, development, and communication knowledge. She has a successful background in aiding small businesses to reach an optimal level of productivity and efficiency with a focus on improving client engagement, enhancing brand management, and driving consistent growth. She is passionate and enthusiastic about helping businesses and organizations meet and exceed their operational goals. Lauren graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a Bachelor of Science in Speech and Theatre, as well as a Master of Arts in Creative and Cultural Entrepreneurship from Goldsmiths College, the University of London in London, United Kingdom.

Marcus West is the Manager of Neighborhood Engagement and Community Partnerships for the Office of Human Services and Community Partnerships with Leon County Government. Mr. West recently served as the Director of the Community Health and Planning and the Health Education Divisions for the Florida Department of Health in Leon County. He supervises the Heart Health Plus program, the Florida’s Healthiest Weight program, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Grant (SNAP-ED), the Florida Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection program, the Tobacco Prevention program, and the CDC SDOH Accelerator Grant for the Florida Department of Health in Leon County.

Mr. West has a Bachelor of Science in Allied Health and a Master of Health Care Administration from Florida A&M University (FAMU). He teaches Biostatistics and Health Care Research Methods within the Health Care Administration education track at FAMU. His previous experience includes coordinating the accreditation process for the School of Allied Health Sciences at FAMU as well as assisting the Veterans Administration Health Care Center with its annual report.

Mr. West has recently conducted research in the areas of food insecurity, rapid development, and zoning laws within Leon County. He brings energy and a desire to work across interdepartmental programs and community groups to make progress on important public health issues.

Lt. Maria Mercurio was born and raised in Hollywood, Florida and relocated to the Capital City to attend the Florida State University. She graduated with a degree in Criminology & Criminal Justice and then went on to attend the Pat Thomas Law Enforcement Academy in Midway, Florida. After graduating, Maria began her career in law enforcement at the Florida State University Police Department. After spending two years with FSUPD, Maria began her career with the Tallahassee Police Department. She has spent the last 24 years working in a variety of areas of law enforcement, including Uniform Patrol, the Community Orienting Police & Problem-Solving Squad (COPPS), Crime Prevention, Special Investigations/VICE, Field Training, Property Crimes Investigations, Special Victims Unit, and Internal Affairs. Maria is currently a Lieutenant over the Internal-External Affairs Bureau. She supervises TPD’s Training Section, Special Events Unit, and the Community Relations Unit.

Maria has a strong passion for personal safety education and began the Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) women’s self-defense program at TPD. Over the past 15 years, this program has taught over 1300 women awareness, prevention, hands-on techniques, and empowerment. Maria has served as a Board Member for the Lincoln Center Foundation non-profit organization for over 10 years, has served as a mentor for youth with the Leon County school system, and is currently a mentor with the “Bigs in Blue” Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Big Bend program. Maria is the LGBTQ+ Liaison Officer for the Tallahassee Police Department and has served on the Office of Mayor John E. Dailey LGBTQ+ Advisory Council for the past three years.

Nicole Everett is a Conversationalist, Media Content Producer, Mental Health Advocate, and Connector. For more than 20 years, Nicole worked in the affordable housing arena for a Tallahassee non-profit organization as well as Florida's state housing finance authority. She currently serves as a Behavioral Health Navigator with the Florida Department of Health, where she assists individuals and groups with mental health and substance abuse resources.

Though a native of Miami, Florida, Nicole earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University (FAMU). She enjoys volunteering her time and talents on non-profit boards and community committees, such as Big Bend Habitat for Humanity, SHE Academy, Working Class Wednesday, and the Soul of Southside Festival planning committee. Supporting local individuals and organizations is very important to Nicole, and she embodies the sentiment "We've got to support what we want to keep."

When she's not working and volunteering, Nicole loves hosting and producing her video talk show, Conversations With Nicole (CWN), which connects community through conversations. For about a year, Nicole has been conducting live virtual broadcasts twice a week with mental health professionals as her guests on CWN Facebook, YouTube and her channel, Greater Works Network on Roku TV. She is seeking to normalize the conversation of mental health and wellness in Black and Brown communities and encourages folks to get their check up from the neck up.

Rick Caldwell, a native North Carolinian, decided to make Florida his home in 2003 after serving 20 years in the United States Marine Corps. In April 2008, Rick created RCultures Inc., a consulting firm that provides corporate training. The primary goal of RCultures is to increase self-awareness, provide knowledge, and enhance skills required to function effectively in the context of differences.

RCultures’ mission is to “change hearts one at a time through interactive workshops that embrace cultural competency/diversity, unconscious bias, generational diversity, prevention of sexual harassment, customer service, team building and prevention of violence in the workplace.” RCultures was awarded the Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year award for South Florida in 2013 and 2016. Rick has a master’s degree in Adult Education.

Dr. Sabrita D. Thurman-Newby is a Tallahassee native who was reared in the historic Frenchtown community and educated in Leon County public schools. In 2016, Dr. Thurman-Newby earned her bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, graduating cum laude. She obtained her master’s degree in Criminal Justice with a specialty in Criminal Investigations in 2018. In 2022, she completed her doctorate in Education Criminal Justice as a member of the Inaugural Cohort of the Doctor of Criminal Justice Program from Saint Leo University. She has served as an Adjunct Professor for Saint Leo University since November 2019.

Dr. Thurman-Newby serves as the Executive Director for The Ultimate Decision: A Program for New Directions, a non-profit organization that is designed to serve at-risk individuals of all ages and those ex-offenders at risk for recidivism. Dr. Thurman-Newby also serves as Co-Chair for The Neighborhood First Plan for Frenchtown, which focuses on neighborhood safety, crime prevention, health, wellness, and resident empowerment. She has worked in various positions of leadership in service to the Frenchtown community over the past 25 years, including the creation of a private duty practical nursing program for seniors in need under the leadership of the Governor’s Revitalization Council. For the last two and a half years, Dr. Thurman-Newby has been developing programming to mitigate contributing factors to increased crime rates in the greater Frenchtown community, most recently developing policy and practice for varying degrees of reform and community services programming.

Dr. Thurman-Newby is Vice Chair of the City of Tallahassee Municipal Code Enforcement Board and serves on the Tallahassee Police Department’s Citizen Advisory Council.

Dr. Thurman-Newby is a licensed private investigator, a Certified Process Server for the Second Judicial Circuit, and a Notary Public of Florida in good standing. She is a member of the National Criminal Justice Honor Society, Lambda Chapter; the International Criminal Justice Honor Society; Pi Gamma Mu; and the National Honor Society for Online Students, Omega Nu Lambda Chapter. She is married and has two children and three grandchildren.

Mark R. Schlakman, Esq., serves as senior program director for The Florida State University Center for the Advancement of Human Rights, which is located at the College of Law’s Village Green.

He teaches various courses at the College of Law and through multiple colleges at FSU on main campus at the graduate, honors and undergraduate levels that focus on a range of human rights, national security and foreign policy issues as well as executive clemency in Florida. He also teaches courses periodically through FSU’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute "OLLI" for non-degree seeking students ages 50 and above.

Mr. Schlakman is a lawyer eligible to practice law in Florida. He is a past and the longest serving board chair of The Innocence Project of Florida, a not-for-profit organization that advocates for the exoneration of wrongfully convicted individuals based largely upon DNA evidence. More recently he was appointed through the U.S. Congress to serve as a member of the Federal Judicial Nominating Conference for the Northern District of Florida.

He earned his B.A. from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, FL, graduating magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi; and his J.D. from the Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C., where he served as president of its Student Bar Association “SBA” (the functional equivalent of the Student Government Association in college) and received recognition from the American Bar Association for leading the most effective SBA in the nation that year. He was awarded the Dean's Certificate at graduation. After law school, he completed Harvard University's Kennedy School post-graduate Program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government in Cambridge, MA.