Team
Amanda Morell
Amanda Morell was born and raised in Baltimore City. An alumna of the Baltimore School for the Arts, she is a trained classical flautist. She is also a dancer and performs regularly with Thumak Dance Company, a Bollywood & semi classical Indian fusion dance company. Currently, Amanda is the Deputy Director of Maryland Citizens for the Arts.
Montcreal Huggins
I am Montcreal, a native of Baltimore City, who rose from poverty-stricken neighborhoods to become a staunch advocate for the marginalized. Refusing to let circumstances dictate one's destiny, I have dedicated my career to empowering others, regardless of their background or resources. With professional experience in various non-profit development offices across Maryland, I have tirelessly worked to ensure that those often overlooked receive the support they need to thrive.
Veronica Jackson
Veronica Jackson is the executive director of Baltimore’s PIVOT program. A nine week women’s re- entry workforce development program. Its core value aims to help women who are justice impacted, reclaim and rebuild their lives. Veronica is a Baltimore native committed to the enhancement, exposure and expansion of Baltimore communities and families. She is tremendously dedicated to the community and dismantling all negative stigma associated with Baltimore. She believes that Baltimore is a beautiful, unique place filled with amazing people. Veronica trusts that the keys to community are abolishing systemic foundations, transparent communication, and implementing grassroot community lifestyles . Experienced in working with families and members of the community in various sectors of Baltimore. Her career exposure includes 10 years as a Correctional Officer in Baltimore City Central Booking (WDC), The Judith P Hoyer Family and Early Learning Center Baltimore City Public Schools, Changing Lives at Home, Inc as well as Women Accepting Responsibility (WAR). These career experiences have established her knowledge, resources, and leadership skills. This aids her in assisting women returning successfully to society. She is confident that every woman in Baltimore City has the opportunity to build and/or rebuild and craft the life she desires.
Jen Eames
Jen Eames serves as the Program Officer for The Zanvyl and Isabelle Krieger Fund, The Fund for Change, and The Bancroft Foundation. A life-long Baltimorean, Jen holds a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Baltimore.
Tracie Jiggetts
My name is Tracie Jiggetts, and I am thrilled to join Ballet After Dark as the new program assistant. With a deep passion for the arts and a strong commitment to empowering individuals through creative expression, I am honored to support this incredible organization. I look forward to collaborating with the team, fostering meaningful connections, and contributing to the transformative work being done here.
I'm the mother of an amazing 11-year-old who just celebrated his birthday on Christmas! I'm currently a Resident Teaching Artist at Arts for Learning Maryland and a standardized patient for Johns Hopkins Simulation Center.
I love ALL THINGS BALTIMORE, ALL THINGS BLACK, dancing in the aisle of the supermarket, Birria tacos, and tiramisu!
Dr. Patricia L Watson
For as long as she can remember, Patricia has had the hardest time describing herself when asked the question, "Tell me about yourself... Describing Patricia, Trish, Patty Lynn, or Lyric, depending on where you know her from, is more challenging to encapsulate in mere words than it is to keep up with all the things she does. There isn't a single term or title that adequately defines her identity.
Patricia is a daughter, a sister, a friend-a mother, a wife, a confidant. She is both retired and disabled, yet also a small business owner and a serial entrepreneur. Trish is a fervent advocate for social change, dedicated to being her Brother's and Sister's Keeper. Patty Lynn's activities can range from appearing on billboards for various national campaigns to quietly registering voters at PTA meetings and then rallying for justice, all within the span of a day.
Lyric is a multiple cancer survive-HER, a survivor of suicide attempts, and a huge dork. She can go from Glorilla to Pastor Mike G to Reba to Floetry to Led Zeppelin to complete quietness in the span of a few minutes. A comedian, crafter, loner, and the life of the party who will be silent for days. A psychiatrist, a church girl who is an ordained minister, and someone who needs therapy and prayer unwavering in her resilience. Patricia is a proud union member and a cheerleader for improving her city of Baltimore for its amazing residents. As a serial entrepreneu, she owns
-Hood Adjacent Tees: A graphic design, apparel, and home goods company, that also does brand development and social media strategy. It was named in honor of her beloved brother Kibwe, who passed while teaching children in Costa Rica
-Tew Advocate. A lobbying firm dedicated to creating spaces where people are often denied a seat at the table.
-Hood Adjacent (Nonprofit): An organization focused on empowering women, especially those from underrepresented communities, to reach their fullest potential
What binds everything together is her deep-rooted commitment to community service, a trait inherited from generations preceding her who possessed an unwavering dedication to giving back. Through it all, Trish is most proud to be the devoted mother of two of the most amazing young menh, Mikyle and Spencer, who are her motivation for everything she does. While she was raising and teaching them, they were molding her and making her a better person. One day, they will remember her examples rather than her advice, so she makes certain to set great examples for them. Patricia credits Kyle and Spence for being the driving force behind her accomplishments and the shine behind her million-dollar smile.
Kalin Schultz
Kalin is a PhD candidate and an instructor at the University of Maryland. She studies at the intersection of activism, embodiment, and politics. In particular, she's invested in the ways women perform empowerment through art, dance, and community. She's also a barre instructor at an independently owned studio in College Park, MD where she puts trauma informed approaches to movement into practice. Ballet After Dark has been foundational in her professional and personal life as she has gotten to learn from joyous and creative people committed to healing and justice.
Ashleigh LoVette
Ashleigh LoVette is currently postdoctoral researcher at the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing where her work uses frameworks of resilience, healing, and justice to address trauma and violence experienced by Black and Brown women in the United States and South Africa. With a background in public health and communication, she brings a multidisciplinary perspective to the advisory board along with expertise in program evaluation. Ashleigh is deeply invested in seeing girls and young women who have experienced trauma live whole and healthy lives and she looks forward to contributing to this work in her role as an advisory board member. She is also a survivor who has found healing and community through various practices, including dance.