Executive Director

Taylor B. Johnson is a Dayton native and the Executive Director of Spectrum New Beginning. Passionate about holistic wellness, she overcame personal health struggles as a teenager, which empowered her to become a wellness advocate and entrepreneur. Taylor founded Haya Healing to provide personalized wellness coaching and has worked with various organizations, including CareSource, Premier Health, Omega CDC, Montgomery County Job and Family Services, Dayton Public Schools, Sinclair Community College, The University of Dayton, and Clark State to help cultivate cultures of well-being. Taylor is a Dayton Democracy Fellow with the Kettering Foundation and serves on the Big Time Faith and Women in Business Networking board. A lifelong learner, Taylor holds a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Ohio University and is pursuing a dual Master's in Divinity and Business Administration from United Theological Seminary.

Treasurer

Dru works to maintain Spectrum New Beginnings on its path to ethical governance. He is a high school teacher and chair of a Social Studies Department that allows students to participate in community service. Dru has a Bachelor of Secondary Education from Wright State University and a Master's in Educational Leadership from the University of Dayton. Dru was also the Buchwald Summer Fellow at the Ashbrook Center at Ashland University.

Board Director

Sharon AKA “Mama Sharon” is a beloved community activist. Where most nurses nurse people, Sharon’s experience as a nurse has evolved into “nursing communities.” A Del-Mar Encore Fellow, Sharon spearheaded the University of Dayton’s Fitz Center for Leadership in Community’s Health Equity Activation Think Tank to improve the health outcomes of historically and systemically underserved Daytonians. Sharon previously worked as an advanced clinical nurse and assessment nurse at the University Hospitals of Cleveland and the Cleveland Clinic. Sharon pursued a Master’s in Public Administration from Cleveland State Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs. Additionally, she has taught at Sinclair Community College, worked to help establish the Gem City Market, and is the immediate past president of the Ohio Nurses Association, District Ten.

Board Member

From State College, PA, by way of Buea, Cameroon, Moses is a community organizer passionate about social policy, economics, and sports. Moses enjoys working with other community organizers to find solutions to ongoing problems and volunteering at different service areas in his community. Moses is often involved in recreational sports or working with local political leaders in his free time. Moses has demonstrated skills in project & business management, marketing, fundraising, strategic planning, and community organizing. He pursued studies in political science and Africana studies at Wittenberg University, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in 2013. Moses holds a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Dayton and a Masters in Public Health from the University of North Carolina — Chapel Hill.

Administrative Assistant

Doriann Carter is an experienced Title 1 Math teacher and aspiring nonprofit founder passionate about supporting at-risk youth and teens. Holding a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and currently pursuing a Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Doriann brings a unique blend of academic expertise and hands-on experience working with young people. With a strong focus on social and emotional learning, she is committed to helping students build resilience, self-confidence, and the skills needed to succeed academically and in life. Doriann dreams of launching a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering at-risk youth and teens. The nonprofit’s mission will equip young individuals with the tools they need to overcome challenges, set and achieve personal goals, and thrive in the world. Through mentorship, skill-building programs, and mental health support, Doriann aims to provide a holistic approach to helping youth better themselves and reach their full potential.

Board Member

Dan Loofboro, Founder of Spectrum New Beginnings. “Yoga Dan” studied Method Yoga, Real Human Performance, The Veterans Yoga Project, and Mindful Yoga Therapy. Dan has been practicing and teaching mindful movement, fitness, breathwork, regenerative farming, and biohacking for trauma healing and overall vitality for over 11 years. These practices were instrumental in his recovery from losing his wife tragically to mental illness and prescription drug addiction. Having gone from darkness to light, Dan is on a passionate mission to help others with the proven techniques that have helped him heal.

Board Member

Te’Jal Cartwright is a story coach, on-camera host, and community advocate dedicated to the power of storytelling. As the owner of Lore, she helps individuals and organizations craft compelling stories that inspire action and build authentic connections.

Her storytelling journey began with What’s the Biz with TJ, a digital platform highlighting Black-owned businesses, where she amplified over 100 stories nationwide. With a background in media and marketing, she joined Lore in 2018, later becoming the lead story coach, and in 2024, she took the helm as its sole owner.

Beyond the stage, Te’Jal collaborates with organizations like Project Jericho, The Hope Center, and Co-op Dayton, using storytelling as a tool for empowerment and change. From guiding business owners to helping incarcerated parents share their voices through StoryChain, her work proves that stories have the power to heal, connect, and transform.

Te’Jal’s mission is simple: to help people discover the power of their own stories and use them to build community, solve problems, and create meaningful change.

Board Member

amaha sellassie is a peace builder, social healer, freedom fighter, network weaver and lover of humanity. amaha serves as president of the Gem City Market Cooperative Board of Directors. He’s an Associate Professor of Sociology and director of Center for Applied Social Issues at Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio.