The Hebrew Concept of Tikkun Olam - Mending the World Through Acts of Repair
Mend Peacemaker Cohort
Mend is driven to nurture, empower, and stand alongside individuals and organizations that are actively healing our city and nurturing communal life—the Mend Peacemaker Cohort begins in April 2024. We are gathering ten diverse leaders who are focusing on addressing the profound fractures in our public life. Each cohort member is committed to embodying and inspiring wisdom, moral courage, and social creativity in the ongoing, multi-generational work of truth and repair, restorative justice, and human flourishing.
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Gregory McPherson
2024 FELLOW
Gregory is a Capitol Hill High School graduate and the Founder of Vizionaries ENT, Poetry and Chill OKC, and Poetry and Chill OKC Kids. This non-profit organization offers a platform for artists to showcase their talent and promote new music, projects, books, and other ventures. Their literacy workshops help students improve their writing, reading, and communication skills. Also, one of the main components they teach is Social Emotional Learning. You don’t have to be a poet, rapper, singer or have any artistic talent to participate in this workshop. Our workshops are a safe zone for students to speak freely in a judgment-free zone. From discussing real-life events and issues, we break down poems and rap lyrics from your favorite artists and popular movies. PoetryAndChill gives students a safe space to explore their feelings and opinions. Also, the workshop is an opportunity for individuals to express their thoughts, feelings, and gifts of writing. It is also a chance for individuals to think critically, gain knowledge and information, and grow within themselves. One of Poetry & Chill’s premier partnerships is with Oklahoma City Public Schools, Mid Del Schools, and Putnam City Schools, where they engage with more than 20k students throughout the school year. In 2022, Gregory was inducted into the Oklahoma Public Schools Wall Of Fame. He started out unknown but will finish in an unforgettable way.
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Skye Latimer
2024 FELLOW
Skye Latimer (she/her) is a dynamic force, igniting change at the intersection of marketing, DEI, social media, and community empowerment. With a track record that bridges industries, Skye is a recognized thought leader in connecting with diverse audiences through strategic relationship-building, insights-driven marketing, and innovative approaches to inclusivity. Skye's accolades speak to her impact. She is a Next Gen Under 30 Award Winner, Oklahoma Gazette 40 Under 40 winner, and Class Matter's Dream Building mentor and award winner. She was included in the February 2023 Power List for Leaders in Diversity curated by The Journal Record, the 2023 Most Powerful Young Professionals by OKC Friday, The Journal Record's 2023 Achievers Under 40 - Class XX, and was recognized as one of the Metro's Most Influential Leaders at a gala by 405 Magazine in September 2023. In addition to her corporate career, Skye moonlights as the Owner/Founder of Rooted Co., a consulting agency merging DEI and social media. She graduated from Oklahoma Christian University with a BS in Public Relations. She lives in Norman with her spouse of 9 years and their five-year-old son. Skye serves on the board for the Abbott House Child Advocacy Center, LiveFree OKC, and Juneteenth on the East planning committee. She is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
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Jordan Humphrey
2024 FELLOW
Jordan graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a BBA in Accounting. For the first several years of her career, she worked in the business sector in both accounting and finance/treasury. Jordan made the decision to transition her career path to the non-profit space in 2021 where she has worked as a contractor on various projects across Oklahoma City. She brings strategy, clarity, empathy, and creative problem solving to her work. Jordan is also a Department of Corrections volunteer who has a passion to care for women in incarceration. In this next season, Jordan is deeply committed to addressing the abuse of power through expanding her learning on restorative justice and conflict resolution practices. Her mission is to focus on identifying injustices and developing approaches that bring transparency to root causes. She also desires to create spaces for the associated trauma to be dealt with in a holistic manner. Jordan is dedicated to foster more connection through trust building and proximity to the marginalized so we can share in a more equitable world.
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Antoinette Jones
2024 FELLOW
Antoinette is the co-founder of and director of community engagement at the Julius Jones Institute, a mentor, coach and social advocate. Her lifelong passion for sports has opened doors for her to impact the lives of countless youth positively. She has been a leader in the fight to save her brother, Julius Jones, who has wrongly been on Oklahoma’s death row for over 20 years. Antoinette is a rising voice in Justice spaces. She loves being a humble servant in her community.
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Mandi Mays
2024 Fellow
Mandi is a devoted mother of four and, alongside her husband Jon Mays, embodies the principles of "Love God, Love People" in all aspects of their lives. Their commitment to this mantra serves as a guiding light for others seeking to deepen their relationship with both God and their neighbors. Mandi is an active leader in social reform. With a heart dedicated to fostering connections and understanding, she is a liaison, bridging the gap between individuals and their true callings. Mandi's open-handed approach, genuine love for people, and her innate extraversion make her a beacon of friendliness and warmth wherever she goes. One of Mandi's greatest passions lies in helping others explore their own passions and connect them to meaningful work within their communities. Her unwavering dedication to uplifting those around her has earned her a reputation as a catalyst for positive change. In every interaction, Mandi radiates a contagious enthusiasm for life and a genuine desire to see others flourish. Her tireless efforts in social reform and her commitment to building authentic connections serve as an inspiration to all who have the privilege of knowing her.
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Ron Stidham
2024 FELLOW
Ron is passionate about working towards fair and equitable treatment for everyone. He serves as the Executive Director for Hope for Generations, whose mission is to restore hope to under-resourced families through community engagement in NW OKC, where he invests in the youth of Tulakes Community. Recognizing the value of having a caring mentor, Ron believes he must invest in tomorrow's leaders. He has also been engaged with diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) efforts in various federal programs to ensure that everyone, especially members of historically marginalized communities, has equal employment opportunities. Since marrying his beautiful wife Faith in November 2014, they have both engaged in various efforts to improve a city that, while neither of them is native to it, has come to hold a special place in their hearts. Inspired by his faith, he prides himself on advocating not just for people who look like him but all marginalized people.
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Jayden Oliver
Jayden, a proud member of the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma, embodies resilience, passion, and community empowerment. From a collegiate basketball player to a dedicated sports and social justice advocate, Jayden's journey reflects her commitment to uplifting others. Beyond the court, she channels her love for basketball into a thriving training business, imparting athletic skills and life lessons to aspiring players. As the founder of The Jayden Oliver Foundation, she provides a platform to drive change and foster growth in communities nationwide. Recognizing basketball as more than just a game but a catalyst for transformation, her foundation engages, inspires, and develops children and communities through innovative programs and initiatives. Jayden's enthusiasm for social justice, indigenous rights, human rights, and mental health awareness is evident in her work. Through the #itscooltocare mindset championed by The Jayden Oliver Foundation, she underscores the significance of compassion and unity in shaping a brighter future for all generations.
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Jon Mays
2024 FELLOW
Jon and his wife Mandi are a couple rooted in faith, love, and the tangible grace that transforms lives. Together with their four remarkable children, they've been shaped by the profound journey of the fostering community, forging a family not bound merely by blood but by second chances and fresh beginnings. Jon's path to pastoral ministry wasn’t traditional. His journey began in the traditional church, where his ten-year tenure was marked by unconventional wisdom and an authentic approach to faith that guided many beyond the confines of creeds and dogmas. Recently, Jon established The Good OKC, a community beacon striving to empower and unite individuals through peace and justice. Through shared meals, entrepreneurial endeavors, and thought-provoking conversations, The Good OKC challenges norms and invites people to experience the Kingdom in the present moment.bJon and Mandi’s life's mission speaks volumes to the belief that we can all find our way to wholeness together through community, faith, and willingness to embrace the unknown.
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Tiffany Ramirez Jenkinson
2024 FELLOW
Tiffany has been with Lilyfield since 2018. She is a native Oklahoman but was raised in Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico, for the first 17 years of her life. Tiffany Ramirez is uniquely qualified to work with the Hispanic community and other minority groups. As a graduate of Southeast High School in Oklahoma City, her perspective as a transfer student from Mexico to our community provides insight as she helps children and families in the Oklahoma City Public School System.
Tiffany is a TBRI practitioner and has training on the impacts of trauma on children and adults. She has a great passion for children, youth, and underserved communities.