Meet the flourish awardees
The Flourish Awardees are local changemakers dedicated to advancing gender justice and supporting women and girls in Cleveland. These individuals heal, serve, organize, mentor, and advocate in often overlooked communities. Their passion and work are essential to our city’s growth and collective wellbeing.
Josette D. Compton, Ed.D., MA
Program Director WISE Pathways
HHW Ohio
Josette Compton, Ed.D., is an educator, writer, and program director with more than 20 years of experience transforming lives through media, education, and social impact. As the current Program Director for the Women in Sustainable Employment (WISE) Pathways program at HHW Ohio—a feminist workforce development initiative—she leads with a healing-centered, equity-driven approach that affirms the dignity and potential of every woman served.
A native of East Cleveland, Josette was raised in a matriarchal household that instilled in her a deep reverence for women’s wisdom, resilience, and leadership. That foundation shaped her path from journalist to an award-winning educator and powerful advocate for racial and gender justice. Her work integrates intersectionality, Black feminist thought, Africana studies, and trauma-informed pedagogy to help women rebuild their lives, reclaim their voices, and access nontraditional, living-wage careers.
Beyond her role at HHW, Josette is co-host of the WISE Women radio show, a space for bold conversations about workforce development, gender equity, and collective healing. She also draws on her academic research—centered on African American high school female’s access to digital arts and college readiness—to inform her curriculum design and public speaking.
Josette is also the founder and owner of Smart Cookie Bodycare ™, a restorative, tropical plant-based company specializing in dry, itchy, cracked skin related to body acne, eczema, and diabetes. Drawing from her personal health journey and her background in education and journalism, Josette created Smart Cookie to offer clean, effective hydration for her mother and sister (Type 2 diabetics), using eco-conscious packaging and plant-based ingredients, some of which she grows in her backyard garden. Since launching the company five years ago, she has led every aspect of the business—from formulation to branding to customer education—with a focus on community wellness and inclusion. Under her leadership, Smart Cookie is carving out a unique space in the beauty industry by prioritizing healing over hype.
Josette holds a Doctorate in Education from Northeastern University, a Master’s in International Affairs from The New School, and a Bachelor’s in Journalism from Howard University. She has designed district-wide multimedia labs, built arts-integrated program models for young women in tech, and taught high school journalism and English for nearly a decade. Her work has been published in Essence, Entertainment Weekly, Money, and other national platforms.
A lifelong learner and change agent, Josette advocates for radical rest, leadership accountability, and sustainable support systems for women on the frontlines. Her philosophy is simple: healing is the foundation of justice—and justice must begin with us.
Cheryl Holloway
Professional Development Coordinator, Family Child Care Homes
Starting Point
Cheryl Holloway is a passionate and driven early-childhood education professional with over 43 years of experience dedicated to supporting family childcare providers, children, and their families. Known for her collaborative leadership, Cheryl is skilled in building strong relationships, mentoring diverse personalities, and identifying innovative solutions to improve educational outcomes in dynamic, fast-paced settings.
Cheryl has been with Starting Point since March of 2016 where she has served as an Early Education Specialist and most recently as the Professional Development Coordinator. Starting Point is a Northeast Ohio childcare and early education resource and referral agency.
In these roles, she promotes advanced professionalism among family childcare providers by offering tailored technical assistance, coaching, and training. Her work includes supporting providers in obtaining credentials and degrees, integrating early learning curricula, and maintaining quality standards through Ohio’s Step Up To Quality (SUTQ) rating system.
Cheryl is also a certified instructor of Ohio Approved Trainings, delivering both in-person and virtual learning experiences to elevate provider knowledge and practice. Prior to her time at Starting Point, Cheryl spent 17 years with the Children’s Hunger Alliance as an Assistant Regional Manager. There, she led technical assistance staff, coordinated home visits, managed program budgets, and spearheaded professional development events designed to ensure the health, safety, and educational success of children in home-based care environments.
Cheryl holds a Bachelor of Science in Management from Indiana Wesleyan University and an Associate of Applied Science in Early-Childhood Education from Cuyahoga Community College. She is a proud member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and serves as a Professional Development Specialist for the Council for Professional Recognition, underscoring her commitment to the growth and advancement of the early-childhood education field. She is also an ordained Elder of her church.
Tammie Sheila Jones, MS
Senior Director of Programs & Behavioral Health
Birthing Beautiful Communities
Compassion, integrity, and dependability are the pillars of Tammie Jones’ calling to encourage and promote wellness and healing for the whole person. Tammie’s motto to live in good cheer and trust in God is exemplified daily as a Senior Director of Programs and Behavioral Health at Birthing Beautiful Communities and as an Advanced Certified Grief Recovery Method Specialist.
Tammie holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Toledo and a Master’s degree in Business Management from Indiana Wesleyan University. Tammie is also certified in Mental Health First Aid.
As a visionary solutionist, motivator, and coach, Tammie has been recognized with the Award of Excellence, Award of Gratitude, and has been honored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for her leadership in the “Take Charge, Take the Test Campaign.” Tammie served as the Project Director for the Office of HIV/AIDS Services at the Cleveland Department of Public Health, managed multiple grants that supported HIV/AIDS and STD related services, and oversaw activities of prevention, education, awareness, testing, and housing in the Greater Cleveland region for over 18 years.
With over 25 years of professional experience in health education, Tammie serves as a member of the Ohio Department of Health’s PAMR committee, serves on several community health boards, and works to normalize seeking help for mental health issues. Tammie has a passion for education and believes in sharing knowledge that allows people to access the resources needed to make informed, healthy choices for themselves and their families. Tammie says of her legacy: “I want people to leave my presence knowing that all is well in their world, and they have the capacity to accomplish anything they desire.”
Tiarrah Kent
Founder and Vice President
ForeverMom Legacy
Tiarrah Kent is an educational leader who collaboratively works with school administrators, teachers, youth, and community-based organizations to provide high-quality education in a safe, positive, and engaging learning environment. Tiarrah works with both youth and adults to inspire confident, creative, and open-minded learners.
Tiarrah's area of expertise includes strategic planning, organizational leadership, marketing, and student engagement.
After serving 10 years as the Dean of Student Engagement at Cleveland Metropolitan School District, Tiarrah transitioned as the Director of Collaboration and Partnerships for Novaturient Industries. She is currently serving as the Founder and Vice President of ForeverMom Legacy—a nonprofit organization that provides wraparound services to women and girls by supporting wellness and achieving wealth. Tiarrah is a mentor for ForeverGirls program which empowers girls despite the many barriers in place for Black Women.
In addition, Tiarrah is also the owner of A Better Day Academy Childcare Center. A Better Day Academy bridges gaps for children going into kindergarten. Tiarrah is a partner for the Multi-Resource Networking Expo and has recently been honored by the Black Professionals Association Charitable Foundation as part of its Emerging Legends 40 Under 40 Class of 2024. Lastly, Tiarrah serves on the Board of Directors for the prestigious United Black Fund and is a proud mother of her 8-year-old daughter.
Tiarrah's goals are to ensure the success of those around her by shifting the paradigm in which we think—hence her belief, "We cannot reach for the stars, holding onto the grass."
Shereen Naser, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Psychology
Cleveland State University
Dr. Shereen Naser is a scholar-activist and Associate Professor of Psychology at Cleveland State University whose work is rooted in liberation psychology and educational equity. Her research and advocacy center the empowerment of women, girls, and gender-expansive people, particularly within systems that have historically marginalized them.
With a background in school psychology, Dr. Naser has worked in refugee camps, public schools, and community-based settings to support the development of culturally responsive and liberatory approaches to care. Her scholarship and practice challenge dominant narratives in psychology, offering transformative frameworks that prioritize dignity, collective healing, and systemic change.
Dr. Naser is widely published and serves as co-editor of a leading volume on child rights in educational settings. Her voice is regularly featured in local, national, and international media where she brings attention to the mental health needs of youth and the intersections of gender, race, and displacement.
She is a board member of OPAWL—Building AAPI Feminist Leadership, organizes moms and grandmothers in antiwar activism, is a founding member of the Cleveland Palestine Advocacy Community, and a member of the Palestinian Feminist Collective.
Through mentorship, research, and activism, she seeks to build spaces where women, girls, and gender-expansive people can thrive as leaders, creators, and change-makers. She has a PhD in School Psychology from Tulane University and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Texas at Austin.
Shereen loves to read Sci Fi novels, enjoys practicing and teaching Palestinian Tatreez, and, alongside her partner, is raising two beautiful girls and a few chickens. Her belief in the power of the feminine in all its forms comes from her strong Palestinian mother and grandmothers, her six sisters, and the enduring resilience of women everywhere from Palestine to Cleveland who refuse to be silent in the face of injustice.
Ebonie Randle
Founder/Director
Shalom And Tranquility Garden Network
Ebonie Randle is a ground-engaged community advocate, urban farmer, and social entrepreneur committed to “Growing the Garden of Community.” As the Founding Director of the Shalom & Tranquility Garden Network and Lead Farmer at Shalom & Tranquility Community Garden in Cleveland, she works at the intersection of food justice, education, and community wellness—especially for women, caregivers, and families often overlooked.
Through her work, Ebonie uses gardening and beekeeping as powerful tools for healing, education, and empowerment. She creates inclusive spaces where mothers and caregivers come together to nurture life, build resilience, and foster solidarity. Her initiatives promote mental wellness, food access, and environmental justice, with a special focus on elevating women as leaders in sustainable agriculture.
A passionate advocate for the special needs community, Ebonie helps families navigate complex systems, access resources, and build confidence. In recognition of her impact, she was named a Martin Luther King Jr. “Unsung Hero” by the Cleveland Public Library in 2022 and was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from President Joseph Biden, Jr., in 2024 for volunteer service.
Ebonie is a proud mother of two, a lifelong resident of Cleveland’s Historic Brooklyn Centre neighborhood, and an active member of several community initiatives, including the Brooklyn Centre Collective and Clark Fulton Together Masterplan. In all she does, Ebonie is committed to growing spaces where families can thrive, and women can lead.
Brittney Alexandria Smith
Founder and Executive Director
Positively Empowering and Restoring Ladies Self-Esteem (PEARLS), Inc.
Brittney Alexandria Smith is a proud Clevelander, born and raised in the inner city. Guided by her upbringing and love for positive community change and youth advocacy, Brittney has connected and worked with a variety of populations and community leaders throughout her career to impact change—from county government to community development corporations and other organizations.
She continued to use her passion and experience to create an organization dedicated to the development of young Black Girls from Cleveland, Positively Empowering and Restoring Ladies Self-Esteem (PEARLS), Inc., a mentoring group that serves girls from 11-17 years old. She is compassionate about the nurturing and guidance of Brown and Black Girls who may be overlooked, misrepresented, and misunderstood.
Brittney grew up attending school within the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, graduating from John Hay High School in 2002. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Cleveland State University and a Professional Certification in Family Development from The University of Connecticut.
Brittney has been working in the social services field for over 12 years, with experience in youth development, community engagement, and mental health. With PEARLS, she has had the privilege of working with some of the most phenomenal girls in Cleveland, helping to connect them to resources and assisting them with navigating their lives by way of mentorship, exposure, and confidence building activities.
Through her organization, she has been able to develop several relationships with community partners to help launch an extension of her organization, the PEARLS Girls Community Closet, a thrift store that offers free hygiene products and gently used clothing to girls and women. In addition, through partnership with the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, PEARLS replicated the service inside of three schools within the community as "mini-closets," serving over 3000 people with an inclusive, wraparound approach to service.
In 2022, she was awarded the Neighborhood Improvement Award from the Northwest Neighborhood CDC and received recognition from the State of Ohio House of Representatives for her work with PEARLS. Brittney was an honoree for the Class of 2023 Phenomenal Woman Foundation in Cleveland. In 2023, she traveled to Washington D.C. where she had the opportunity to participate in the Mentoring Summit's Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill, expressing the importance of youth mentoring services and programmatic funding.
Brittney is a graduate of the AHA! Youth Mental Health First Aid Program through the Cuyahoga County Youth Institute and Case Western Reserve University as well as a recent graduate of the Jack, Joseph, and Morton Mandel Neighborhood Leadership Development Program. In 2024, she was presented a Certificate of Resolution by the City of Cleveland Council for her work with PEARLS.
In her spare time, Brittney loves to run, volunteer, travel, and spend time with her family, friends, and sorority sisters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Monika Veliz
Board President
Margie’s Hope
Monika Veliz is Board President of Margie’s Hope, an organization providing resources and services to enrich the lives of Transgender, Non-Binary, and Gender Expansive people in Northeast Ohio. Monika joined the board of Margie’s Hope in 2021 and, within the same year, was elected as the board Vice President and then President/CEO.
Her focus for the organization and its board is to improve the lives of Trans People through better livelihood, education, and community connectivity—particularly in our Trans Youth.
Monika has established many programs for the organization that focus on strengthening development for Trans Children, their parents, Transgender Adults and their partners. In 2022, she co-created an opportunity for the Trans community to come together in person, in both Cleveland and Akron, built around The Trans Day of Visibility—an event where Trans People and allies are acknowledged for their hard work making the Transgender Community visible. The in-person celebrations are now annual events in Cleveland and Akron.
Monika established the Margie’s Hope Daisy Gala fundraising event—an event unifying the LGBTQIA+ community through fashion. Additionally, Monika expanded relationships between her organization and others, including the LGBTQ+ Community Center of Greater Cleveland, Out Support, and even the Cleveland Cavaliers.
In 2015, she played an important role in the signing of the bathroom ordinance by Mayor Frank Jackson, prohibiting discrimination against Trans People in public spaces within the City of Cleveland.
One focus for Monika has been the development of the only physical space in Northeast Ohio for Trans People: Margie’s Closet. What initially opened as a low-cost clothing store in the Gayborhood of Lakewood, Ohio, Margie’s Closet has become a hub for Trans People to receive support, resources, and—most importantly—community.
Monika has received the LGBTQ+ Legacy Award for Arts and Culture from the LGBTQ+ Center of Greater Cleveland, a Senatorial Citation Certificate from State Senator Nickie J. Antonio, and a Certificate of Recognition from Cleveland Mayor Justin M. Bibb.
By the time Monika joined the board of Margie's Hope in 2021, she was already an accomplished artist and entrepreneur.
Monika’s journey as a Transwoman began at fifteen years old. With the support of family and friends, Monika was able to finish high school and go on to obtain a degree in fashion and retail marketing.
At 17, she began her career in Cleveland as a stage entertainer at the once prominent, Black-owned Numbers Nightclub. Monika was able to compete in local beauty pageants—even with her platform of Trans Social Justice and community rallying front and center. She then began to perform throughout the city, as well as the Northeast Ohio region, under the name Monika Baker.
Retiring from the stage in 2007, Monika returned to her love of fashion and established the Jai Girl Inc clothing line dedicated to the Trans Female body—one of the only labels at the time to market a clothing line as “For ALL female identifying.”
Monika often says, “One day I went to bed as me, and I woke up as US.” Everything she does is in service to Transgender People—especially Transgender Women of Color—and all under the umbrella.
Jessica Williams
Jessica Williams is a community leader, entrepreneur, and advocate for women and families in Cleveland. After becoming a mother in the eleventh grade, Jessica continued her education, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts from Baldwin Wallace University through the SPROUT program (Single Parents Reaching Out for Unlimited Tomorrows). This early responsibility shaped her determination to succeed—not only for her own family, but also for other women navigating similar life challenges.
Jessica’s journey is rooted in resilience, leadership, and service. Her professional work has centered on empowerment and opportunity. While working at Towards Employment, Jessica worked directly with women—many of them young mothers or formerly incarcerated—helping them build confidence as they re-entered the workforce and pursued economic independence. She later served as an Executive Assistant with Cleveland City Council, where she supported community engagement efforts and helped coordinate large-scale neighborhood initiatives,
designed to connect residents with critical services and opportunities.
As the CEO and founder of Jess Juiced LLC, Jessica focuses on promoting healthier lifestyles through fresh juice, nutrition, and education. Through this organization, she has developed programming that teaches the importance of healthy eating and offers fun, practical alternatives to sugary drinks while increasing access to fruits and vegetables in underserved neighborhoods.
In addition to her entrepreneurial work, Jessica serves as a Board Member of Survived to Live for Women in Recovery, supporting programs and community initiatives that help women rebuild their lives after addiction and trauma. She also serves as Senior Communications Strategist for the Civic Engagement Collaborative, where she leads communications strategy, voter registration efforts, and community conversations focused on educating residents about local
politics and empowering women to recognize their power at the ballot box.
Through entrepreneurship, advocacy, and civic leadership, Jessica remains committed to advancing gender equity, supporting personal growth, and helping build healthier, more informed communities.
Samantha Williams-Pierce, M.S.S.A, C.P.T
Founder and CEO
Renegade Soul LLC
Samantha’s journey and mission as a parent advocate and certified fitness trainer reflects deep compassion, strength, and resilience in her mission to “Generational Health Wealth.” Her personal experience with motherhood includes infant loss. In 2009, Sam and her husband at the time had twins born at 21.6 weeks gestation (approx. 5 months) who were not developed enough to survive.
The boys died shortly after they were born on July 17th and 18th. Since the loss of Christyan and Jayden, Sam has actively worked in child loss, later training to become a Certified Grief Recovery Method Specialist, empowering parents to work through their grief.
Sam grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, where she attended Cleveland State University earning a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies. She immediately entered the workforce in the field of Community Organizing and Social Justice for many years until she returned to school for her Masters of Science in Social Administration at Case Western Reserve University. While in her Master’s Program, Sam discovered her passion for health through personal training and began her personal fitness journey. After graduating, she became a certified personal trainer in 2016 and founded Renegade Soul 216 in 2017.
Her mission includes helping women to work through stress and grief in healthy ways to prepare their body for childbirth and to help the failing infant mortality rates in Ohio. Sam worked for a few years for the March of Dimes as a Program Director and later, volunteered as a Lead Parent Advocate for the Pregnancy and Infant Loss Committee (PAIL) of Cuyahoga County. Sam’s work with PAIL as a Parent Advocate contributes to the annual ceremony of the Wave of Light candle lighting ceremony on October 15 which invites the community to participate in panel discussions and interviews advocating for the overall health of women.
Renegade Soul and PAIL Society have been working tirelessly for child loss families since 2017.
Dameyonna Willis
Founder & Executive Director
Queen IAM
Dameyonna Willis is a dedicated founder, mother, author, and passionate community leader, known for her commitment to empowering young girls. With over 12 years of experience in youth development, Dameyonna has created safe spaces and quality programming throughout Cleveland. In 2016, she founded Queen IAM, an organization dedicated to empowering, enriching, and educating young women.
Queen IAM promotes self-love, self-respect, and self-understanding, offering mentorship, workshops, and events designed to inspire personal growth. The organization's mission is to help young queens recognize their self-worth, fostering their development into strong, confident, and beautiful women.
As a busy yet balanced mother to an amazing son and daughter, she recently authored a children's book titled "Where's My Crown," inspired by her experiences raising a young queen navigating the challenges of girlhood. The book aims to instill confidence in girls, emphasizing that their inner strength is their true crown.
Dameyonna's efforts have garnered significant recognition, including features in local media outlets such as Cribbs in Cleveland, WKYC, Spectrum, and 19 Action News. Her unwavering dedication to girl empowerment has earned her several accolades, including: 2022 Radio One Future History Maker, 2020 NLDP Graduate, 2024 DIFF Maker of the Game, 2024 City of Cleveland One Ever Commissioner for Black Women and Girls, Young Adult Philanthropist Honoree from Cleveland Soul of Philanthropy, 2023 Dopest Black Women in Cleveland - Black Women Werk, 2022 Movers & Shakers CLE Professional 20/30 Club, 2024 Women of Excellence, Women Ministries.
Dameyonna holds an Associate of Arts degree from Cuyahoga Community College and a Bachelor's Degree in Nonprofit Administration from Cleveland State University. She dedicates her time to visiting schools such as Douglas MacArthur and Hathaway Brown, as well as youth organizations like the Boys and Girls Club and Friendly Inn.
One of Queen IAM's primary goals is to create opportunities for young queens to engage, build lasting relationships, and understand the significance of their confidence and self-worth. Through activities ranging from horseback riding to kayaking, Dameyonna recognizes the importance of exposing girls to diverse resources and opportunities, facilitating their growth into remarkable young women. Currently, Queen IAM operates year-round programming that serves 100 to 150 girls daily.
When she is not empowering young queens, Dameyonna enjoys spending quality time with her family, dancing, and indulging in her favorite foods. Known affectionately as Ms. Yonna throughout Cleveland, her vibrant personality encourages girls to embrace their true selves, making authenticity their favorite hobby.