NOVA is a grassroots organization that believes in expanding voter participation so that all voices are heard in our democracy. Our 501(c)3, non-partisan status allows us access to social service agencies, schools, food pantries and correctional facilities to register voters, conduct voter research, and advocate for voting equity.
NOVA has testified locally, state-wide, and nationally, resulting in improved voting accessibility. In addition, NOVA collaborates with organizations such as the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, League of Women Voters, State Voices, Greater Cleveland Congregations, and Cleveland Votes to further improve voting access for under-represented populations.
Ken “Zombie” Brooks began his activism career in Akron with Serving the People and the Akron Bail Fund. After the police killing of Jaylon Walker in 2022, Brooks left his career in construction to work full-time in community organizing, working on initiatives with Freedom BLOC, Ohioans United for Reproductive Rights and One Fair Wage-Ohio. In 2023 he helped launch People Feeding People, a mobile food distribution program in partnership with the Akron Canton Regional Food Bank. At NOVA, Brooks focuses on parts of Cleveland’s wards 3 and 6 with historically low voter turnout. His position is supported by St. Luke’s Foundation.
Jacob Shanklin has over 15 years of experience working in nonprofit organizations. He holds a Master of Arts degree in Counseling and Human Development and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Sociology, both from Walsh University. He comes to us from a background in mental health and trauma informed care working with at-risk youth and families in special education, foster care, and the juvenile justice systems. His passion for social engagement and promoting an equitable and prosperous community led him to NOVA. As the Incarcerated Voter Advocate, Jacob will coordinate NOVA’s jail voting initiatives and work to expand voter advocacy efforts to the formerly incarcerated population.
An experienced social worker in the Cuyahoga County criminal justice system, she has coordinated voter registration in the County jail since 2006. Accepted as an expert panelist for the National Association of Social Workers, she has contributed to their policy statement on the importance of voting for those who have been incarcerated.
David serves as the Treasurer, having joined the Board of NOVA in March 2022 after several years of volunteering with the organization’s voter registration efforts. David previously served in the Peace Corps in Georgia and Uganda, and is active in the local returned Peace Corps volunteer organization in Northeast Ohio.
With a background in corporate consumer, government, and media relations, she has organized voting initiatives in under-represented communities, testified on voting issues, initiated partnerships to register voters with key urban organizations, and trained volunteers.
Having recently completed her term as a board member of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) in Washington, DC, Loretta Gray previously served as President of the NCNW, Cuyahoga County Section. An accomplished educator, mentor, and lifelong civic activist, she’s supervised Cleveland State University students on their teaching careers, hosted mock elections, volunteered with NOVA, and taught civic curriculum in the Cleveland School System for many years.
A community activist, Che Gadison is a Senior Organizer with Northeast Ohioans for Budget Legislation Equality (NOBLE) advocating for Medicaid and other priorities for low-income residents. Previously she trained volunteers and led campaign programs in Georgia and Florida to increase voter turnout. As a former member of the East Cleveland City Council, she served her constituents with employment opportunities, community safety programs and other initiatives. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Wilberforce University.
Maggie Rice (she/her) is an organizer, educator and facilitator who come from a working class community in the heart of Ohio’s rust belt. She’s passionate about political education, civic engagement and leadership development. With a background in couching fundraisers, she works to democratize philanthropy while supporting NOVA’s mission as Chair of the Fund Development Committee. She also volunteers her time share food with the community, meeting basic needs while seeking solutions to the root causes of hunger.
Brianna Varanese is a local community advocate having collaborated with various organizations across the Lake County and Cleveland areas, her work aiming to help advance equality in areas such as as LGBTQ+ rights and access to food and healthcare. With a strong dedication to her work and her community, she serves NOVA as a secretary and member of the Voting Initiatives team.
Marissa’s passion for grassroots efforts began through volunteering with Amnesty International chapters in 2012, and continues to this day through her efforts in food justice advocacy, community empowerment, and political education. She has a strong data analysis background reaching back to 2018 with a niche in the nonprofit and educational sectors, and currently serves as the chair of NOVA’s Data Analysis Committee.
