John P. Comer

Maryland, National Redress Movement

John P. Comer is a Senior Organizer with 20+ years of experience in organizing and working in multiple communities to build collective power. He has led death penalty reform and abolition efforts, through working directly with family members of murder victims, as well as organizing advocacy projects with death row exonerees. These efforts led to the passing of historical legislation in North Carolina and repealing the death penalty in Maryland. John designed and implemented grassroots strategies to restore voting rights to formerly incarcerated individuals in Maryland, as well as creating the outreach strategies for public housing residents who endured substandard living conditions and years of harassment – This led to a $9 million settlement for more than 40 residents across Baltimore City. Thereafter, he designed the initial plans for the current city-wide trauma informed taskforce and strategy, while serving in a leadership role at the largest health department in the country. John eventually went on to lead the design of the organizing and outreach model as National Organizing Director for the Redress Movement, which helped to secure legislative victories and organizing milestones in various states. Comer is the Founder of The Architects of Justice, an advocacy platform which focuses on community development, organizing training, and lobbying. John has impacted thousands of people across the country through his training sessions. He is a proud husband to his wife and father of two beautiful children, while always representing his HBCU as a proud alumnus of North Carolina Central University.

Shelby Cowan

Virginia, Descendants of Jesuit Enslavement Historical & Genealogical Society; Calvert County Maryland African American Genealogy & Research Group

Shelby Cowan is a genealogist, community researcher, and archivist whose work centers on documenting and preserving African American history and heritage. She serves on the Board of the Descendants of Jesuit Enslavement Historical & Genealogical Society and is also a board member of the Catoctin Furnace Friends Group. As the founder and administrator of the Calvert County Maryland African American Genealogy & Research Group, she has created a vital platform for research, collaboration, and community engagement. Her current project centers around acquiring United States Colored Troops (USCT) pension records for her ancestral home. Providing an untapped resource to reconnect the community.   She is also a  descendant of enslaved communities at the University of Virginia, Shelby  approaches the work of genealogy with both personal connection and professional rigor, advancing efforts of remembrance, historical accountability, and repair. 

Trish Floyd

Maryland, Maryland Office of the Attorney General

Trish Floyd is a passionate public servant, community advocate, and creative entrepreneur with a unique blend of experience in government, justice, and the arts. She holds two master’s degrees in International Relations and Healthcare Administration. I currently serves as a Project Manager for the Office of the Attorney General, where she supports historical justice initiatives and public policy efforts.

Deleshā George

Missouri, St Louis Reparations Commission

Deleshā George is a philanthropy and social impact leader with more than fifteen years of experience. She works with funders, public agencies, businesses, and community partners to align resources with community directed priorities and move systems toward equity and fairness. For Deleshā, community voice is a primary partner in design and decision making; she brings quantitative and qualitative evidence into a narrative that guides strategy and keeps progress measured and equitable. Her experience includes Enterprise Community Partners, United Way of Greater St. Louis, the Steward Family Foundation, and the St. Louis City Reparations Commission.

Vickie Gipson

Maryland

Vickie Gipson, Esq. has served as the Chief Judge, Orphans' Court, Anne Arundel County, since 2023 (Judge, Dec. 3, 2018 to 2023). Born in Washington, DC. Attended Washington Ethical Society High School, Washington, DC.; Sarah Lawrence College, B.A.; North Carolina Central University School of Law, J.D.; Washington College of Law, American University, L.L.M., 1990. Admitted to Pennsylvania Bar, 1992; District of Columbia Bar, 1995. Attorney. Fannie Lou Hamer Award, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Awards Committee, 2018.

Maxine Gross

Maryland, College Park Restorative Justice Commission; Lakeland Community Heritage Project

Maxine Gross is a fifth-generation member of College Park’s historic African American community, Lakeland. Her family’s contribution to the University of Maryland dates from the early 1900s with employment by her great uncle Ferdinand Hughes, great grandmother, grandfather (48 years) and father (28 years). She was the first of the family able to enroll at the University, completing a Bachelor of Arts degree. Maxine is the founding chairperson of the Lakeland Community Heritage Project. She also serves on the boards of the College Park City- University Partnership and Embry Center for Family Life. Maxine is a former College Park City Council member.

Dreisen Heath

Connecticut, Why We Can’t Wait Reparations Coalition

Dreisen Heath is a leading reparations expert, movement strategist, and human rights advocate working on behalf of descendant communities impacted by settler colonialism, enslavement, and anti-Black racism. As the Principal of Heath Strategies & Consulting LLC and as an independent consultant, she supports numerous reparative processes across governments, institutions, private industries, and family-led efforts providing strategic advice, research, communications support, and coalition-building guidance. Dreisen is the Founder and Convener of the Why We Can’t Wait Reparations Coalition and served as Co-Chair of the New Jersey Reparations Council’s Public Education and Narrative Committee, among several other roles. In addition to her broader federal advocacy for reparations via H.R. 40 / S. 40, she co-authored and advised on landmark federal reparations legislation with former Congresswoman Cori Bush in 2023, now under the leadership of Congresswoman Summer Lee. Formerly with Human Rights Watch, her research and advocacy—including her pivotal Tulsa reparations report—have shaped lawsuits, legislation, and public discourse. Dreisen has testified before U.S. Congress and municipal governments and has been featured in NPR, The Washington Post, Reuters, PBS, The Guardian, The Independent, The Nation, USA Today, The Oklahoma Eagle, among others. A graduate of Wesleyan University, she brings both analytical rigor and a deep commitment to justice—and finds joy in creating delicious meals, watching and playing sports, and dwelling in nature.

Abigail Jefferson

New York

Arts educator, storyteller, and yoga practitioner Iyanifa, Reverend Abigail “Ifatola” Jefferson, M.Ed., conducts programs globally. Through a unique blend of story, dance, and yoga, she keeps alive stories from the African Diaspora. Audiences of all ages have described her programs as spirit-filled, inspiring, and energizing. In June 2017, Abigail was ordained as an inter-spiritual and interfaith minister by One Spirit Learning Alliance in New York City. Abigail is certified in Kripalu Yoga, Karma Kids Yoga, and Yoga 4cancer; she has traveled to Egypt with Master Teacher Yirser Ra Hotep to certify in Kemetic Yoga. Abigail has also traveled to Cuba, Nigeria, Ghana, Niger, and India to collect stories and to study. Most recently, she returned from South East Asia (Vietnam, Bali, and Thailand), where she taught English and shared Yoga Dance.

Abigail has served as the Manager for the Schomburg Center’s Teen Curators, an adjunct professor for Lesley University’s Creative Arts in Learning Program, and a teaching artist for Brown University’s Arts Literacy Program.

Jamila Lawrence

Illinois, Chicago Torture Justice Center

Jamila Lawrence (she/her) is a passionate advocate for healthy initiatives, cultural sensitivity, and social change. She is driven by progressive action, growth, and life-long learning.

In service at Chicago Torture Justice Center as Office Manager, Jamila is committed to extending superior customer service, interpersonal flexibility, and strong administration. Her background in the fields of Advertising/Marketing, Public Health, and Human Services has allowed her to develop a high level of integrity and a distinguished work ethic. Jamila takes great pride in her professional posture and her "behind the scenes" contributions to community sustainability.

Outside of CTJC, Jamila is an asocial, confident woman of faith who loves to read and people watch. Jamila honors and celebrates movement through her certification as a BARRE fitness instructor and her participation in various forms of dance. She is an avid movie watcher, and often infuses her favorite movie quotes into social conversations.

In her professional and personal lives, Jamila continuously endeavors to achieve alignment and balance between her results driven approach and her nurturing demeanor, both of which are rooted in trust and collective satisfaction.

Robert Thurston

Maryland, Lakeland Civic Association; College Park Restorative Justice Commission

Robert Thurston is President of the Lakeland Civic Association in College Park, Maryland. He is a husband, a father and a community leader as well as a member of the College Park, Maryland Restorative Justice Commission.