About Us

Neighborhoods Over Politics, Inc. welcome the opportunity to partner with organizations that facilitate community-based educational sessions or provide social services to neighborhood residents.

Progress comes with sacrifice, collaboration, partnership and ACTION. Join our organization and help with various projects designed to guide local government, businesses and residents toward initiatives centered on revitalizing City of Dayton neighborhoods that have experienced significant disinvestment. Initiatives that are critical to creating healthy sustainable neighborhoods are strategic/comprehensive development, sanitation, streetscaping, and neighborhood planning.

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Who We Are

Meet Our Board

Kemosiri A’akhutera

Kémo is a servant to The People, w/ a liberating agenda. As a “Community Development Officer”, he supports programs aimed at reducing poverty and helping to improve the lives of people who live in deprived areas. A few current areas of expertise and practice are: business credit/finance consultation providing underserved biz owners with access to much needed but little known about alternative resources, founding an Entrepreneurial “Superhub” / “Start-Up Studio”, focused underreped Millennial and Gen Z founders and a real estate development using shipping containers with a social impact focus.

Tiffany Countryman

A subject matter expert in Project Management and Community Empowerment with over 10 years of professional experience. Tiffany Countryman has a degree in Communication Studies and is certified in Public Speaker, Minister and Host.

Tiffany Countryman has successfully collaborated and implemented Community Outreach Initiatives, Social Services and volunteers on collaborative initiatives in the Dayton region designed to dismantle systemic policies and programs designed to keep minority residents in poverty.

Jamica Garrison, Co-Founder

A subject matter expert in workforce/economic development and human resources, with over ten year of professional experience. Jamica has a Bachelor of Science in Business Education and is currently working to complete her MBA with a concentration in Management, Innovation, and Change. Jamica is certified as a Job Developer and in Emotional Intelligence & Diversity.

Ms. Garrison has successfully collaborated and implemented industry-specific workforce development training programs, resident leadership training, and civic education/engagement events. She also volunteers on collaborative initiatives in the Dayton region designed to dismantle systemic policies and programs that keep minority residents in poverty.

Mary Sue Gmeiner

A subject matter expert in local government software project management with over 25 years of professional experience. Mary Sue has a bachelor’s degree in Spanish with minors in English and education.

Ms. Gmeiner has successfully collaborated with community leaders in Dayton on environmental awareness and protections, and volunteers on collaborative initiatives in the Dayton region to dismantle systemic policies and programs designed to keep minority residents in poverty.

Reginald Henderson

A community advocate and business professional with significant experience leading grassroots organizations/initiatives, managing a small business, and serving in local government.

With a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Master of Public Administration, he has gained valuable academic prowess to support his ambitions.

Reginald has interests in Black American culture, design thinking, and comprehensive community development which he actively participates in and investigates.

Jo'el Jones, Co-founder

Jo’el Thomas-Jones is a subject matter expert in Urban Policy, Community Planning, and Workforce Development. She has over 20-years of relevant experience in politics, policies around public education, and the plight of under-served communities, and has also lent her talents on issues plaguing communities in Europe and Africa. A graduate of Central State University with graduate studies at the University of Cincinnati and Bristol University in England.

A town hall host, documentarian, and conference organizer, she has been featured at TEDX Dayton, YWCA, Y-Dub Discussion and Black Men Think Tank.

Jo’el Jones was appointed to the statewide Research Advisory Committee of ALICE, (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) and a Panelist on Poverty and the Working Class, Columbus Metropolitan Club. Jo’el was a featured contributor to the international news program, FRONTLINE, Left Behind in America, Dayton, Ohio, 2018, and a 2017 candidate for Dayton Public School Board. She also sits on a national advisory panel of WAND (Women for Nuclear Disarmament) Washington, D.C., whereby she lobbies on behalf of issues pertaining to Nuclear Proliferation. Jo’el is a sought-after speaker on topics pertaining to urban policy, civil rights, politics an urban perspective and the plight of public education. Jo’el is a widow and mom to two extraordinary young men.

Debra Lavey

A subject matter expert in landlord-tenant law with over 16 years of experience advocating for tenants through litigation, legislation and legal education. Debra has a Juris Doctorate and is licensed to practice law in the State of Ohio and in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.

Ms. Lavey has successfully litigated cases aimed at preserving public and subsidized housing, enforcing fair housing laws and protecting the housing rights of tenants in the Dayton region. She has also helped pass legislation designed to dismantle systemic policies and programs designed to keep minority residents in poverty.

Shenise Turner-Sloss, Co-FOunder

A subject matter expert in administration for local and federal government with over 10 years of professional experience. Shenise has a Bachelors of Arts in Political Science and a Master of Science in Administration. She is certified in Logistics Management, Advanced Technical Intelligence, Housing Development Finance Professional (HDFP), and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).

Ms. Turner-Sloss has successfully collaborated and implemented community and neighborhood development projects, resident leadership training, and civic education/ engagement events. She also volunteers on collaborative initiatives in the Dayton region designed to dismantle systemic policies and programs designed to keep minority residents in poverty.

Ted Wendeln

A subject matter expert in the planning, implementation, and the integration of modern technologies. Ted’s career spans 46 years; as an Air Force civilian, Air Force contract employee, and principal of his own consulting firm. He is a US Army veteran and has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wright State University.

Ted has been active in the Dayton community as a member of the Historic South Park Housing committee. He volunteered with Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley with their Refugee Resettlement program, and has been a volunteer with Five Rivers MetroParks for 5 years. As an ambassador with Five Rivers MetroParks he brought information on the park system, its’ programs, and the benefits of an active lifestyle to various events throughout the community. In this capacity Ted teamed with the Dayton VA Center’s MOVE Program aimed at keep veterans and VA workers active and healthy.

His interest in Neighborhoods Over Politics stems from a desire to see more of a focus on neighborhoods with the greatest needs.

Ralph Wilcoxson

An Attorney with 27 years of experience who owns and operates a private practice in the Greater Dayton area. Ralph is a proud graduate of The Ohio State University and St. Mary’s University School of Law in San Antonio, Texas.

Ralph is an avid volunteer who sits on several boards within the Dayton region. He has a tremendous love for his community and works tirelessly to effectuate change that drives the community towards maturity.