The 2024 Board Nominee Ballot
Below are the names and submitted bio's of people whom the Board has approved for the ballot for Directors, along with short statements from each. There is also space to write in the names of one or more persons. If you do write-in one or more person, please make sure that the candidate is a member of the Thomas Merton Center and is willing to serve on its board of directors. You may vote for up to four people, including write-ins. Please vote before 12pm EST on January 13, 2024.
Cheryl Coleman (She/Her)
I have lived in Pittsburgh for almost 9 years and grew up between the DC area and west coast. I'm a single mom with a background in clinical research support, and I believe it's up to us to make the better world we envision for our future. I became involved with the Thomas Merton center via the editorial collective and knowledge-building workshops before joining the board of directors in 2021. I have loved getting to know the activist community in Pittsburgh at our in-person and online events. The center has become a big part of my life and I am honored to be a part of it.
RoBear Wilson (He/Him)
Bachelor of Arts West Virginia Wesleyan 1970
Master of Theology Boston University 1973
Ordained UM Clergy 1972
Completed 44 years pastoring United Methodist Churches in 2015. Being supportive of the mission and values of the Thomas Merton Center I would welcome the opportunity to continue offering time and talent to work of the center. I currently am the treasurer. Led multiple anti-racism workshops for the United Methodist Church with a variety of foci at both the local church and annual conference level involving both laity and clergy. Led workshop with Thomas Merton Center. Teach Path of Freedom (Mindfulness passed emotional intelligence) at the County Jail I also participate in working along side LGBTQIA2S+ and Native Americans.
Dena Stanley (She/Her)
Dena Stanley is the founder of Trans YOUniting, a non-profit organization in Pittsburgh that advocates for the transgender community and provides participants with positive role models, and opportunities for those in need of supportive services. Dena is the co-founder of the QMNTY Center, the communal offices of both trans YOUninting and Proud Haven, that also serves as a multi use community space.
Dena has over 20 years of baking experience, and she is the owner/operator of Maddezsweetz, a boutique bakery which specializes in an array of delicious goods (www.maddezsweetz.biz). The company Dena operates is also used to help Transgender individuals build their resume and job experience by mentoring through her catering company and offering interning opportunities through a program at TransYouniting.
Dena serves on several boards and committees throughout the city. She serves as the secretary for the NAACP, the first ever trans woman to hold an executive position in the Pgh branch of the NAACP. She is the vice chair of Keystone Equality, a statewide coalition political advocacy group. In addtion Dena is also involved in the Etna human relation Commission, Thomas Merton Center, International Women’s Day Strike Coalition, TransPride Pittsburgh, Proud Haven and SWOP Pittsburgh. She is also a member of Pittsburgh DSA, and the Trans Justice Program which is a campaign through the ACLU of Pennsylvania. She’s also the co-organizer of the newly formed Pittsburgh Pride Group, which is now hosting its third year of it’s Pittsburgh Pride Revolution Festival and expecting over 75,000 people in attendance.
Dena is a freedom fighter, social justice advocate and fierce warrior for the people and believes that collaboration and conversation with organizations and individuals is the key to educating people about the trans community, who just wanted to be treated with dignity and respect.
Write-in Nominee
There is also space to write in the names of one or more persons. If you do write-in one or more person, please make sure that the candidate is a member of the Thomas Merton Center and is willing to serve on its board of directors. You may vote for up to five people, including write-ins.