Adren O. Wilson
Equity and Inclusion Campaign National Director
Adren has a Master in Public Administration from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and received Bachelor of Arts degrees in History and Political Science from Louisiana State University.
Before joining E&I, he served as Assistant Secretary with the Louisiana Department of Social Services from 2004 to 2008, appointed by Governor Blanco, and reappointed by Governor Jindal, and confirmed by the Louisiana Senate. He provided leadership for the Office of Family Support (OFS). OFS programs include child care assistance, food stamps, kinship care assistance, support enforcement services, head start collaboration project, disability determinations, TANF, and Solutions To Poverty (SToP). Adren served as the Executive Director of the Children's Cabinet in the Blanco administration as well. Before becoming a public servant, he served as the Head of Louisiana Field Operations and Student Leadership Development for the Children's Defense Fund (CDF). In this capacity, he was responsible for mobilizing and linking the citizenry of Louisiana and student leaders from across the south. From 1999-2002, he served as the National Director of Youth and Student Leadership Development with CDF in Washington, D.C. In this capacity, he led youth leadership development programs such as Freedom Schools, the Student Leadership Network for Children (SLNC) and Advanced Service and Advocacy Workshops. With Adren's leadership, CDF has trained thousands of college students representing Harvard, Yale, Morehouse, Spelman and countless other institutions, at the former Alex Haley Farm in Clinton, TN.
Prior to joining CDF, Adren served in numerous capacities at Louisiana State University. He served as Residence Life Coordinator, Admissions Officer, and University Advisor for a group of 4,500 students. Through his work at LSU, he has received many honors. In 1995, a leadership award, the "Adren Wilson Outstanding LSU Ambassador Award," was established in his honor. This award is given to a top LSU Ambassador each year. In 1996, he was named "University Advisor of the Year" for his work with students.
In July 2001, the Louisiana Youth Seminar honored him with the Roddy Richard Lifetime Achievement Award for his work with youth.
In December 2001, Adren was featured in Ebony Magazine. Each year, the magazine names 30 of the best and brightest leaders in the country, who made a contribution to society. According to the magazine, "Ebony's 30 Leaders of the Future for 2001 have qualities that set them apart. They're dedicated, educated and prepared."
In November 2006, the Baton Rouge Business Report named Adren as one of the top 40 leaders under 40 in the community.
In 2003, Adren was recognized by the New Jersey Conference Branch Women's Missionary Society as an "Outstanding Young Leader of this Millennium" and by CDF with the "Ella Baker Servant Leadership Award." Additionally, Adren served on the Board of Directors for the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Information Center of Louisiana, Inc. and the Baton Rouge Children's Coalition. He also served on the board of the Baton Rouge League of Women Voters (2002-2004). He is a former middle school history teacher at Park Forest Middle School in Baton Rouge, LA.
To contact Adren Wilson, please email adren@equityandinclusion.org
Monika Gerhart
Equity and Inclusion Campaign Director of Policy and Government Relations
She has a history of social and economic justice work in many countries and settings. Most recently, she served as project lead and housing policy analyst for Amnesty International's post-Katrina work in the Gulf Coast. Prior to her work at Amnesty, Monika ran field operations for issue-based statewide ballot initiative and legislative campaigns.
She has a history of social and economic justice work in many countries and settings. Most recently, she served as project lead and housing policy analyst for Amnesty International's post-Katrina work in the Gulf Coast. Prior to her work at Amnesty, Monika ran field operations for issue-based statewide ballot initiative and legislative campaigns.
Monika received her Master of Arts as a Roger Thayer Stone Center Research Fellow at Tulane University. She joins this year's cohort of Louisiana Emerging Leaders through the Duke University Sanford School of Public Policy. Monika is an activist, advocate and avid gardener, and proud to call New Orleans home.
Natalie Ambrose
Equity and Inclusion Campaign Lead Field Organizer
Natalie was born and raised in Kenner, LA. She received her Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Marketing at Loyola University in New Orleans, LA. She is a Candidate for a Master of Arts degree in Community Counseling at Xavier University in New Orleans. She is a member of the American Marketing Association, Chi Sigma Iota Honor Society, Louisiana Center for Women and Government, Louisiana Counseling Association, and The White House Project Alumna.
Before coming to Equity and Inclusion Campaign, she worked for the Crescent House Healing and Empowerment Center in New Orleans. Among other activities, Natalie co-facilitated therapeutic group therapy sessions, conducted intervention services to adolescents, adults and the community. She formed partnerships with business, community, church and civic leaders in order to bring awareness to domestic violence issues. Also, she worked the 24-hour crisis line, advocated program funding, and performed case management.
Natalie also worked as a Business Consultant with the Louisiana Small Business Development Center in New Orleans. She aided prospective and current business owners with loan packaging assistance, financial statement re-creation and restructuring. She developed strategies for disaster survival. Among other responsibilities, she established business plans, marketing plans and strategies, for businesses working with governmental agencies.
As a Hurricane Katrina Survivor, Natalie is dedicated to work in the recovery of the Gulf Coast.
To contact Natalie Ambrose, please email natalie@equityandinclusion.org
Matt Mosley
Equity and Inclusion Campaign Executive Assistant
Matt is originally from Chattanooga, TN. He attended Belmont University in Nashville, TN for a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a minor in Writing. During his time at Belmont, he completed an internship with a travel writing website in London, England. His time in Nashville and London sparked a love for writing within diverse environments.
After completing his time in Nashville, he spent nine months in New Zealand. He traveled throughout New Zealand and surrounding islands. He campaigned for Greenpeace and worked as a satellite team leader. There he learned that a job could be personally fulfilling, as well as present concrete and positive results within the community.
Matt moved to New Orleans, Louisiana, to attend the University of New Orleans. He is currently pursuing a Master of Arts degree in English, with an anticipated completion date of May 2010. He hopes to pursue a fulfilling career that merges his love for writing and his desire to positively impact his community.
To contact Matt Mosley, please email matthew@equityandinclusion.org
Kentrell Calhoun
Equity and Inclusion Campaign Intern
Kentrell Calhoun was born and raised in the east of New Orleans, LA. She attended Xavier University Preparatory school before being relocated due to Hurricane Katrina. She moved on and graduated from Leesville Senior High School located in Leesville, LA where she was declared valedictorian of her 2007 class. She is now a junior at Southern University majoring in Sociology and has a minor in Criminal Justice.
Before taking this internship opportunity she has served as administrative assistant at various offices. Kentrell is currently serving as youth director over her church and also volunteers at the Orleans Sheriff's Department performing administrative duties.
After graduation Kentrell plans are to attend grad school to receive her PhD in Sociology. After graduating she has high hopes of becoming a Professor teaching Sociology at a local university. While working her graduate degree she has plans to work with the youth do some guidance counselor work in Orleans Parish school system. She feels very blessed to be here experiencing this great opportunity.
John Kennedy
Equity and Inclusion Campaign Intern
John Kennedy was born and raised in New Orleans East, where he lived with his grandparents . With care and motivation given by his grandparents, John successfully completed his high school at Redeemer Seton High School. At Redeemer Seton he lettered in football, track, and soccer. John gathered more inspiration to pursue greatness by participating in sports, and was always encouraged to pursue higher education.
After completing high school John enrolled at Dillard University where he declared history as his major. During his time at Dillard, John pledged a prestigious African American fraternity Phi Beta Sigma. John also interned with the Amistad Museum at Tulane University. At the Amistad Museum, he helped archive material for an exhibit dedicated to Thomas Dent. In May of this year, John graduated from Dillard with a B.A. in history, and plans to pursue graduate school in museum studies, and then a PhD in archaeology.
