Our Team
Kerianne Smith
Kerianne (Keri) Smith, Director of Strategic Initiatives (she/her), is a resolute coconspirator with over a decade of experience advancing community-driven advocacy, justice, and equity strategies. Born and raised in Colorado Springs, Keri comes from a working-class family and was raised by a single mother who taught her how to navigate and advocate against oppressive and discriminatory practices in public institutions. Keri moved to Denver in 2011 and has been living in and serving the Whittier, Cole, Park Hill, and Five Points neighborhoods since her arrival through community organizing and resource-building projects. For over 12 years, Keri has served as both staff and consultant to several local and national nonprofits, universities, and school districts, providing support in strategic planning; program and curriculum development; organizational administration; and public policy with an emphasis on educational justice, youth leadership development, and community advocacy. She holds an M.A. in Sociology and graduate certificates in Diversity Studies, Nonprofit Management, and Fund Development. Keri is committed to facilitating authentic systems change through skill and knowledge development, building inclusive and sustainable resources, and developing best practices that inspire and engage those most impacted by oppressive and discriminatory practices.
You can reach Keri at keri@projectvoyce.org
Tiya Trent
Tiya Ashantia Trent (she/her), Program Manager is a community activist, organizer, mentor, and mother to two young men. She received her BA in Theater and Ethnic Studies from the University of Colorado, Boulder where her passion for acting grew even bigger when she joined the Interactive Theater Project and began to act for social justice. Tiya also received a degree in Women and Gender Studies. After receiving her bachelor’s degree Tiya went on to pursue a Masters's Degree in Education and has been working with young folks in various communities and capacities ever since.
In addition to working with young folks in the community, Tiya has served on the organizing committee for the March for Black Women since its inception, three years ago. Tiya is also the HBIC (Head Baker in Charge) and Owner of Patty Bakes. Tiya is excited to be able to combine her love of speaking, acting, community engagement, and working with young folks in her new role at Project VOYCE.
In Tiya’s spare time you can find her performing African Dance, modeling in fashion shows, acting in theater productions, and even mountain bike riding with a group of African American women. One of Tiya’s love languages is acts of service, so if you see her with treats, eat!
You can reach Tiya at tiya@projectvoyce.org
Emily Brooks
Emily Brooks (any pronouns, except “lady”) is an organizer, social worker, lifelong learner, and Youth Organizing Coordinator with Project VOYCE. Originally from the DC area, they joined PV in Fall 2019 while getting their master's degree from the University of Denver. They worked on PV's Student Voice, Student Vote (SV2) campaign with Danna Martinez, Alessandra Chavira, and Malachi Ramirez to bring Denver Public School students to the Colorado State Capitol to make their voices heard.
Inspired by the genuine equitable youth-adult partnerships at Project VOYCE, Emily knew it would be a great place to grow while championing youth voice and liberation under the leadership of young people and a community that cared about one another and the world they share.
In his time with PV, Emily has been adapting to an increasingly-virtual world and working to create pockets of connection in ordinary moments for both peers and youth. When they're not working, Emily sings a lot of karaoke, tries out bold new fashion and makeup ideas, takes long mountain drives, and enjoys sunny lake days in their kayak.
You can reach Emily at emily@projectvoyce.org
Sheree Brown
Sheree Brown (she/they) is an experienced writer, Afrofuturist, worldbuilder, creative, educator, and mother. As a daughter of celestial and earthly Diaspora, she practices the medicine of plants, healing timelines, and curating creative space.
As a creative consultant, she is deeply invested in cultivating opportunities to live, breathe, and exist uninterrupted. Her offerings include providing healing and ceremonial services, consulting around the intersections of health equity and healing justice practices, as well as creative writing and futurist worldbuilding workshops. She is actively serving as the Health & Wellness Coordinator at Project VOYCE.
You can reach Sheree at sheree@projectvoyce.org