Welcome to our Board of Directors!
Shayla Jones, President
Shayla Jones is an alumna of Gannon University, where she earned her degree in Social Work. During her academic career Shayla has focused on student needs surrounding food insecurity and through this work, she developed a passion for policy. She sought to bring awareness to many social issues that she faced and began to integrate herself into platforms where she could talk about her experiences and promote ways to change the narrative. In 2017, Shayla presented at Bowling Green University where she spoke about the impact of a diverse curriculum in the learning environment. In 2019, she presented data regarding food insecurity among college students at the Universities Fighting World Hunger Summit. Shayla is currently co-leading her second group that focuses on racial reconciliation. Her passion for diversity awareness even carries over to her professional career. Shayla utilizes her position to integrate cultural learning with the youth that she serves. Shayla says that her life goal is to “leave her mark”.
Dr. Leatra Tate, Vice President
Leatra Tate, Ph.D., is a community-engaged Black feminist scholar, activist, and social entrepreneur who has worked in various roles in both the higher educational nonprofit sectors. Having relocated to her hometown of Erie, PA, at the beginning of the global COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, Leatra has focused her efforts on starting a business, LBT Dissertation Coaching & Editing, which is a social enterprise that offers individualized academic writing support for graduate students and she has committed to supporting her community by running for school board in the City of Erie. As a queer, Black, first-generation college student, she has cultivated a career that centers on educational equity that uplifts and supports students of intersecting identities.
Dr. Alice Edward, Secretary
Dr. Alice Edwards is a professor of Spanish at Mercyhurst University. An Erie native, she has taught at all levels, from daycare through adult education. She is a trained doula, is an active advocate for immigrants, refugees, and New Americans, and has an abiding concern for LBGTQ youth.
Shelby Malone, Treasurer
Greetings, all! My name is Shelby Malone, and I am thrilled to be a part of such an empowering group. As a mother of a young girl and a partner within an interracial relationship, I find this work incredibly needed for the sake of our futures. I’m originally from Farmington, MI, but quickly found my place in Erie after attending Gannon University for undergraduate and Edinboro University for my Master’s/Educational Specialist degree in School Psychology. I believe that School Psychology is my life calling and has given me many opportunities to discuss, share, and teach about culturally and linguistically diverse people and the many inequities they face. It is my hope, through The Script Project, that our community continues to progress forward in the acceptance of one another. Here’s to making brighter tomorrows!
Alexis Jones, Board Member
Dr. Quyen Aoh, Board Member
Dr. Janelle Newman, Executive Director
Janelle Newman, Ph.D. (she/her) is an experienced educator, focusing on language instruction and culturally responsive and sustaining practices. Janelle believes that in order to promote anti-racist change, we must understand how structural inequities operate in our societal contexts and within ourselves. She has worked as a university instructor, teaching courses about equity in education for all learners with an emphasis on English language learners. She has been involved in local efforts to provide culturally responsive literacy curricula and has presented at local, state, and national conferences on educational equity. Janelle continues to train with Courageous Conversation Academy and participates in local teams and boards supporting anti-racist policies and practices
Consulting Members
Dr. Adrienne Riegle, Consulting Member