Preventing Harm, Promoting Healing,
Building Community

Danny Allen is a highly respected leader in violence intervention. Having previously served as Program Manager of Cure Violence/CeaseFire New Orleans, he presently assumes the position of Project Director for the Peace Ambassadors. Danny played a key role in convincing the local government to support credible messengers, independent of law enforcement, to reduce shootings and killings in targeted neighborhoods. He also helped local government recognize violence as a public health issue through his team’s work with the University Medical Center and the City of New Orleans Health Department. A native of New Orleans, Danny has made significant contributions to the national and international promotion of the Cure Violence Global model.

Robert, a New Orleans native, currently serves as a Peace Ambassador for Ubuntu Village NOLA. He has extensive experience working with both teenagers and adults in neighborhoods, churches, and schools, where he has served as a mentor and role model. Robert consistently advocates for stopping violence, staying positive, and uplifting the same communities where he was raised.

Tallulah Chavira is grateful to have begun her career in social justice with Ubuntu Village, where her passion for collectivism guides her work. She has played an integral role in the development and success of our organization’s 8-week summer enrichment program for at-risk youth. She looks forward to showing up to share the day with her Ubuntu family, developing sustainable, holistic change.

Allie feels lucky to have lived in New Orleans the past eight years. With a background in mutual aid networks, harm reduction outreach, and tenants’ right organizing, she approaches social work with a focus on genuine relationships and the pursuit of collective liberation. Her work with INSTEAD focuses on building systems and relationships that empower community members harmed by the carceral state and mental health industrial complex.

Lawrence is a dedicated social worker with over 15 years of experience supporting both adults and children living with mental health disorders. Over the past year, he has focused on working closely with adults who have been arrested for low-level offenses, helping connect them with essential resources to address their basic needs and support their reintegration into the community.

Rashaad Evans is a proud New Orleans native with deep roots in his community. With over a decade of experience in the radio industry, Rashaad has been a familiar and trusted voice on the airwaves. His passion for communication extends beyond radio, as he has also taken an active role in empowering the youth in his community with self-run camps that provide academic and career enrichment. Currently, he continues contributing to his community through his work with the Peace Ambassadors by offering support and guidance to individuals in need. Rashaad’s multifaceted background in media, education, and community service reflects his unwavering commitment to uplifting others and creating positive change.

Jalana Farlough serves as the Director of SACE, Ubuntu Village NOLA’s summer enrichment program, where she leads with a passion for empowering youth through education, enrichment, and community engagement. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and a Master’s degree in Special Education, a combination that reflects her deep commitment to advocacy, equity, and opportunity for young people.

Throughout her career, Jalana has dedicated herself to supporting juveniles, particularly those navigating challenges both inside and outside of the classroom. Her work blends academic instruction with mentorship and life skills development, ensuring that young people have the tools they need to thrive. With a strong belief in early intervention and the power of community, she continues to create spaces where youth can grow, discover their strengths, and build brighter futures.

Terri Fedison, a Peace Ambassador (Violence Interrupter/Coordinator) at Ubuntu Village NOLA, is a well-known figure in the community. She has extensive experience in education and community outreach and a deep understanding of the city’s challenges. Terri worked at Firstline Schools (LHA) for eight years in various roles, including paraprofessional, Kinder Co-teacher, disciplinary, and Common Core Reading Interventionist. She is also the founder of the T.H.F. School of Dance, a mentorship program that provides young girls with a safe space to express themselves and build confidence. Terri’s work at Ubuntu focuses on helping individuals transition from the criminal justice system and preventing violence in the community. Her commitment to her community and ability to connect with others make her an asset to Ubuntu Village NOLA.

Florence is an architect and urban planner passionate about addressing social justice issues. Her focus lies at the intersection of health, the built environment, and financial security, where she seeks to create positive impacts through her work. With a Master’s degree in Urban Planning and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Urban Studies, Florence has a solid academic background that informs her practical approach to improving community health and well-being, emphasizing equity and access across various levels.

Ernest is co-founder of Ubuntu Village. He has a passion and energy for advocacy and volunteerism that spans a period of 10 years. He has traveled around the country speaking on navigating the criminal justice system, family engagement, and leadership building. He is a recipient of the National Juvenile Justice Beth Arnovists Gutsy Advocate for Youth award.

Dominique LeGree has over 19 years of experience working in the mental health field. With a deep passion for helping others and transforming the community for the better, Dominique has dedicated their career to serving individuals and families in need of support.

In addition to their mental health work, Dominique has a history of collaborating with nonprofits to address critical issues affecting the community, including violence prevention, crisis response, and support for vulnerable populations. Known for their commitment, compassion, and leadership, Dominique continues to work toward creating a safer, healthier, and more connected New Orleans.

Rachel Lewis is an educator and leader with over 15 years of experience advancing equity, healing, and opportunity for young people and adults most impacted by systemic injustice. In New Orleans, she has served as a teacher, school founder, and Chief Academic Officer, including as a founding leader of the Travis Hill School—an innovative, nationally recognized school serving incarcerated youth. Her work centers trauma-informed, restorative, and student-centered practices that support academic growth and long-term success. Most recently, Rachel served as Assistant Director of Training at the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice, where she led workforce development programs connecting returning citizens and individuals facing employment barriers to sustainable career pathways. Her work is grounded in the belief, inspired by Fannie Lou Hamer, that “nobody’s free until everybody’s free.”

Max has seven years of experience working at the Orleans Public Defender’s (OPD) office. After three years of providing direct services and programming to promote alternatives to incarceration for people represented by OPD, he became the Client Services Division Operations Coordinator and later Deputy Supervisor. This work has positioned him uniquely to design and implement systems to extricate people from the justice system using community-based solutions. From this work, Max identified opportunities to expand community-based alternatives that offer a place for people to feel safe, loved, and supported.

Mr. Reginald Magee is a Peace Ambassador (Violence Interrupter) for Ubuntu Village NOLA. Reginald, a native of the New Orleans neighborhood of Mid-City, is a highly regarded individual renowned for his profound understanding of street dynamics. Having been formerly incarcerated, he served as a mentor to those confronted with various obstacles. Reginald actively participated in mentoring men with substance addiction through organizations such as the Men of Change Mentorship Program and Phoenix Programs, thereby establishing credibility and respect within the prison system. He is committed to preventing violence in the community and assisting community members in their transition to life outside the system.

Noah is Peace Ambassador, specifically acting as a Community Events Coordinator and Reentry Aid Manager. Noah utilizes his many years of experience as a board member, businessman, and consultant to inform his community engagement strategies. He also specializes in conflict resolution and restorative practices, employing this knowledge to act as a mentor to a diverse population of the community.

A Community Care Coordinator, Sarah grew up in the vibrant yet complex city of New Orleans, where she experienced firsthand the deep-rooted social injustices that impact communities. Motivated by a passion for mental health and social justice, Sarah pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Obtaining an education not just as a personal achievement, but as a tool to better understand and support those navigating trauma, inequality, and marginalization. Sarah’s work has focused on empowering clients, breaking down barriers to access, and ensuring every voice is heard. Whether helping someone find stable housing, mental health care, or simply being a consistent support in uncertain times, her mission has remained clear: to uplift and advocate for those too often overlooked.

Marlon Page is a dedicated community leader and proud native of the Westbank community in New Orleans. Drawing on the street knowledge he acquired, he has spent more than 15 years mentoring individuals within the prison system, guiding and empowering them toward positive change.

As a certified Ubuntu Peace Ambassador, Marlon extends his work to the streets of New Orleans, where he focuses on de-escalating confrontations before they escalate into violence. His mission is to engage with all members of the community, helping them make better decisions that improve their lives and reduce the risk of becoming another statistic. Marlon is deeply committed to creating a safer, stronger, and more empowering environment for everyone in his community.

Julinda Parlow is a dedicated human services professional and proud New Orleans native with extensive experience in case management, care coordination, and community outreach. She has a proven track record of supporting individuals and families impacted by substance use disorders, domestic violence, and mental health challenges. Julinda is deeply committed to helping underserved populations navigate complex systems and access critical resources. Her work is grounded in empathy, cultural competence, and a strong dedication to community well-being.

Shafter is a New Orleans native currently serving as a Peace Ambassador for Ubuntu Village NOLA. His journey from adversity to empowerment is a testament to his unwavering resilience that has provided the skillset necessary to keep his community safe. Shafter is deeply committed to uplifting his community by embracing the “each one teaches one” philosophy.

Troyel, a New Orleans native, now serves as a Peace Ambassador for Ubuntu Village NOLA. His life is a testament to resilience, shaped by overcoming numerous obstacles and challenges. Today, he is deeply committed to directly engaging with high-risk individuals who may be vulnerable to gun violence, driven by his belief that it truly takes a village to keep the community safe.

Louis is passionate about helping young people transform their lives to avoid the pitfalls of mass incarceration and loves working with youth from the city where he was born and raised—New Orleans. Along with his work as a community organizer for Ubuntu, Mr. Ward participates in mentoring programs and conducts surveys and other outreach with parents in our participatory research programs. He is a liaison between the organization and parents impacted by the Juvenile legal system.

Taryn Young studied Psychology and Criminology & Justice nurturing her passion for expanding discussions on the legal and health systems mistreatment of marginalized communities. She has worked in the nonprofit ecosystem since the pandemic lending her communications skills to community groups who have dedicated their lives to advocating for victims and survivors of violence. She is now the Community Outreach Coordinator with Ubuntu Village NOLA working with youth advocacy groups and community engagement. She is passionate and excited to continue serving the community and learning from the team.