the people behind the movement. 

TaKasha (she/her) is a passionate policy professional who brings 14 years of leadership, advocacy, research, and policy experience to the role of Executive Director. She most recently worked in Special Investigations with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. While she is coming to us from Texas, she is a proud Ohio native. TaKasha grew up in Springfield, earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Bowling Green State University, and worked in ministry for almost 10 years before moving to Texas to earn her Masters in Global Policy and International Law. She is passionate about serving and advocating for vulnerable and underserved communities. “I feel honored to join an organization that is working hard to end youth incarceration in Ohio. If we want stronger, safer communities for generations to come, that begins with protecting, teaching, and providing opportunities to our youth today. We have a lot of hard work ahead of us, but JJC is ready to meet these challenges head-on.”

Erikka (she/her) started with the Juvenile Justice Coalition in October of 2020. While she is new to nonprofits and community organizing, she brings fifteen years of experience working with teens, first as a teacher, then a public library Homework Help Center coordinator, and finally as a reference librarian serving teens. More importantly, she brings a passion for helping teens become leaders in their own right, encouraging them to always learn something new and to continue fighting for justice in an increasingly divisive world. She has a Bachelors of Science in Middle Childhood Education from Ohio University and Masters in Library and Information Science from Kent State University. She’s also an avid reader and a devoted wife, aunt, and cat mom.

“Our work matters because our young people matter. We can’t make a better world until we see the weaknesses and fight to correct them. Our future is brighter when our children are safe, secure, and seen.”

Alleana (she/her) is a native of Cleveland, Ohio and a graduate of Otterbein University with a Bachelor’s in Music Education. She is also a former Educator and Equity Facilitator in the Westerville City Schools District. Alleana has extensive experience working with adolescents from underrepresented, diverse communities. She was a direct part in creating and developing an equity program in Westerville Schools from the ground up, as well as introducing Restorative Justice Practices. Alleana is a passionate and determined advocate for systemic Social Justice change. “Our kids deserve better, and it is my passion to not only keep them safe, but to make sure to show up for them and not fail them the way so many of our systems have. Through JJC, we have a privileged opportunity to not only support our kids, but make sure they have human rights, justice, and people who believe in them.”

Sharon was one of the founding members of the Juvenile Justice Coalition and served as its Director from 1993 – 2014. She has been a consultant in human services and juvenile justice. Sharon has worked in the public sector (Cuyahoga County and Ohio Department of Youth Services) and the private sector (Center for Community Solutions and Youth Advocate Programs). While retired, she remains active with several community organizations. Sharon has a Master of Public Administration. She is the Chair of JJC’s Board of Directors.

Marissa’s professional experience stretches across the nonprofit, philanthropic, and labor sectors. She currently manages operations for the State Power program at the Service Employees International Union. Prior to this, Marissa held several positions at the Ohio Organizing Collaborative, directed donor services for the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley, and coordinated programming for the Chicago branch of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Marissa is committed to building sustainable organizations and nurturing the leadership of those most marginalized.

Carol is a graduate of The Ohio State University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and master’s degree in Social Work. Carol has a passion for social justice initiatives, specifically justice system reform and better serving minority students in the education system. She currently serves as a Research Assistant with the Center for Suicide Prevention and Research, where she is working on a project with the goal of decreasing suicide in justice-involved youth. Additionally, Carol volunteers her time with two organizations founded by other alumni of her school system, whose goals are to support the wellness and enhance the experiences of marginalized students. She hopes that her contributions will uplift the voices of historically underserved populations to create a better, more equitable world for all.

Nicolette is a current law student at Cleveland State University College of Law and has previously obtained her master’s degree in global communications, and her bachelor’s degree in psychology. Nicolette is passionate about criminal justice reform and has spent her time in law school working on the public interest side of the criminal justice system. After externing for the Children’s Law Center in the summer of 2022, she became involved in the fight to reform the juvenile justice system in Ohio. Nicolette currently works as a law clerk for the Cuyahoga County Public Defender’s Office. Nicolette is also a regular volunteer for X-Freedom Studio, an organization that provides exonerees and people with disabilities stable housing and supportive services, and additionally serves as the president of her law schools If/When/How: Lawyering for Reproductive Rights chapter. She hopes to use her legal career to protect the fundamental rights of all people, especially those who feel the justice system is not on their side. Nicolette firmly believes that when something is unjust it must be remedied, which is why she feels so strongly about reforming the juvenile justice system.

Tara is an Early Head Start Home Visitor for Pickaway County for the last 8 years, helping children and families overcome daily struggles and educating parents on becoming their child’s first teacher. She graduated from Ohio University-Lancaster with Associate Degrees in both Child Development and Social Service and a Bachelor’s in Specialized Studies in Social Work, Child Development, and Women Gender Studies. Her most important role, however, is being a mom of three and a Mimi to 3 beautiful babies.

Tara learned of JJC when her youngest child followed a group of friends and one of the friends unalived her son’s best friend (her bonus child). At 16 years old, he was bound over as an adult and was sentenced to 16 years in the Ohio Prison System for being a bystander. For the last 3 years, she has fought against the horrors of having a child in adult prison. She is a tireless advocate against mandatory bindover, as well as for better conditions, programs, and treatment for incarcerated youth.