Tempestt Tuggle (she/her), co-founder
Tempestt was born and raised in St. Louis. Growing up in foster care, she learned that self-advocation was the key to surviving many challenges that attack the most impacted communities, like hers. This self-advocacy led to her finding her passion in creating vehicles for community care and supporting folks to find their purpose from all walks of life.
Tempestt was activated in community organizing 10 years ago; from candidate campaigning to community organizing. She realized the value of disseminating information to communities who have been left out, adding to her drive of community self-advocacy because, "decisions made about us, without us, it not for us.."
Tempestt is skilled in non-profit management, relational organizing, staff development, youth advocacy, voter programs, training and coaching. She envisions using all the tools learned and recycling them into accessible community resources. This shows in her strategy, mobilization and community outreach.
Tempestt is an inter-generational culturist meaning she believes organizing in principled struggle across multiple generations is how we change the narrative for centuries to come. This is not a hobby of hers but truly a lifestyle!
When she is not working to make changes she is off enjoying her hobbies of arts & crafts, cooking and experimenting with tons of makeup.
Oluwadamini Melvin (he/they/them), co-founder
Olúwadáminí (Dáminí) Melvin was born and raised in Richmond, Virginia by way of Charles City, Virginia. The 2014 unjust murder of Michael Brown Jr. and the Ferguson Uprisings catapulted Dáminí into a Labor and Human Rights Revolutionary.
Dáminí is currently a state government employee and serves in leadership of his Labor Union, the Communication Workers of America (CWA), the Coalition of Black Trade Unionist (CBTU) as well as the A. Philip Randolph Institute (APRI). In the fight for black liberation, social justice and for majority of his life, Dáminí mentors and empowers young leaders to become the architects of their futures and communities internationally.
His work shows through his constant mobilization strategies and community outreach. Dáminí believes that our history, culture and shared struggles connects us all no matter the barriers imposed on people today. His consistency and determination to ease struggles for today’s young leaders and fight for black liberation is a lifetime commitment.
Dáminí enjoys traveling, fishing, art, writing poetry and listening to music in his spare time.