Leadership

Anita Wadhwa (she/her), a descendant of Punjabi refugees, views restorative justice as a form of generational healing. She authored Restorative Justice in Urban Schools: Disrupting the School-to-Prison Pipeline and co-authored The Little Book of Youth Engagement in Restorative Justice. An educator since 2001, Anita earned her doctorate from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Inspired by her students, teachers, and mentor Janet Connors, she developed a youth-led restorative justice model in Houston. Her innovative approach to restorative justice has been recognized and featured on National Public Radio for its impactful work.

Kadence Carter (he/him) is a transgender high schooler who formerly attended a school in Katy ISD, before unenrolling as a result of a transphobic district policy that affected the lives of many. He believes bigotry has no place in educational settings, and works to better the experiences transgender youth have in Texas public schools. Recently, Kadence partnered with SEAT (Students Engaged in Advancing Texas) to co-lead a protest against Katy ISD board policies which target trans students and ban books on gender fluidity. He has been featured in several news outlets, including the Houston Landing and ABC news.

Uyiosa Elegon (he/him), an Edo person living on the land of the Karankawa, Coahuiltecan, Atakapa-Ishak, and Sana peoples in Houston, Texas, is a director at Shift Press, a media organization dedicated to promoting youth civic engagement through news and journalism training. He also works as a Community Outreach Organizer at Texas Appleseed, an advocacy group focused on social, racial, and economic justice. His experience includes issue-based campaigns, producing West African cultural events, and leading youth civic education projects. His work emphasizes the importance of community engagement and advocacy for systemic justice.

Angel Jackson (she/her) uses her knowledge and lived experience to support youth, particularly dual-status youth. After aging out of care at 18, she dedicated herself to raising awareness and providing resources for their well-being. She is a Community Health Worker at the University of Houston and a Peer Specialist certified through Foster Club. Angel is a strong advocate for youth justice and racial equity. She is featured in the documentary "Just One," which examines how single police encounters can shape the lives of young adults and highlights the impact of the legal system on youth involved in both the criminal justice and foster care systems.
 

Stephen Jackson (he/him) is a motivational speaker and founder of Global CommUnity Associates. He uses Restorative Justice to foster positive cultures in organizations and communities. In 2016, he helped integrate social services at Oak Park Public Library, becoming the fourth U.S. library to hire a social worker. He later became the library's first Director of Equity and Anti-Racism. His work, focused on dismantling systemic racism and developing frameworks for marginalized groups, has been widely referenced. Stephen earned his BA in Applied Behavioral Science (2018) and MS in Mental Health Counseling (2021). He is devoted to his wife, Dr. Celeste Jackson, and their four children.

Ar’Sheill Monsanto (she/her) has 15 years of experience in advocacy, public policy, and community organizing, focusing on evidence-based strategies for environmental change. She is currently the Vice President of Strategy and Partnerships at Link Health. Ar’Sheill has led advocacy campaigns for organizations such as the Illinois Department of Public Health, American Heart Association, Texas YMCAs, and Leadership for Educational Equity. She authored Kids in Cuffs: Striving for Equity and Empathy in Education, driven by her passion for impactful public policy in education. Recently, Ar’Sheill was selected as an Aspen Institute Ideas Health Fellow, recognizing her commitment to meaningful change.

Andrea Steel (she/her), a principal at The Banks Law Firm, leads its Cannabis practice and is an expert in affordable housing and community economic development. With over 20 years in law and criminal justice, she has significantly influenced cannabis policy at state and federal levels. She serves on multiple committees, including the International Cannabis Bar Association and the ABA Cannabis Law and Policy Committee. Andrea has also advised developers on affordable housing for over 15 years and worked as a Community Supervision Officer. She holds a degree in Criminal Justice & Sociology and graduated cum laude from the University of Houston Law Center.

Maria Godinez (she/her) is a first-generation DACA student, a recent University of Houston graduate, and a Dream U.S. scholar. She believes all students should have the resources to excel academically and beyond. This belief drives her to raise awareness about the inequities faced by undocumented and first-generation students. Maria advocates for addressing these disparities through community-led processes and restorative justice. Through mentorship, she fosters conversations to tackle students' daily challenges. She is passionate about empowering students from similar backgrounds to understand their identities and advocate for themselves in educational settings.

DeMointé Wesley (they/them) is a student of restorative justice, conflict transformation, and liberatory politics. As an RJ practitioner, they guide others in their journey by teaching workshops, holding community spaces, and facilitating repair-of-harm processes. DeMointé previously worked as a childhood education facilitator. They believe the world would be vastly better if everyone learned these principles from an early age. Currently, they serve as the Assistant Director of Partnerships and Communications for the National Center on Restorative Justice. They earned a Master's in Transformational Leadership from Eastern Mennonite University's Center for Justice and Peacebuilding.