Gabriel has been with us for three years as the main organizer for TMC. During his time here he has worked to build bridges with the Islamic community to combat Islamophobia in Pittsburgh; Gabriel has mindfully collaborated with the Latina and Immigrant community to advocate for immigrant rights in Pennsylvania; Gabriel has fought for the right for $15 and a union for all workers in Pittsburgh; Gabriel has built strong relationships with diverse organizations throughout the city on behalf of TMC.

Krystle M. Knight is a full-time organizer for the Thomas Merton Center and it's multiple campaigns. She began her career through student organizing in local electoral politics. Her participation in the 2006 May Day March, organization of peace rallies, and protests for the erasure of Black History Month on campus led to her initial departure from democratic politics. After spending six years in the private sector she quit her corporate job to work and travel with the Bernie Sanders campaign. 2016 took her from Houston to Portland, Stockton, and finally Erie. She landed in Pittsburgh where the TMC introduced her to a variety of local social justice communities. Krystle, originally from Houston, is a graduate of Texas A&M - Corpus Christi with a Bachelors of Sociology and a minor in Social Work. 

Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Sheryland Neal has a background in performance, theatre, and broadcast journalism. She holds a MFA in Film and Digital Technology from Chatham University and Bachelor's degree in Communication from Central State University.

Sheryland is a former assistant artistic director of Timbeleza and a performing member of the Pittsburgh samba Group. Recent travels include expeditions to Santiago, Havana, Trinidad, and Holguin, Cuba, and a residency in Brazil (Rio de Janiero and Salvador). While in Salvador in 2018, she competed in the 39th Noite da Beleza Negra hosted by Ilê Aiyê - Oficial making her the first foreigner and American to ever be approved to compete.

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In addition to working on creative projects with local and international companies, non-profits, and individuals, she is a prolific screenwriter, videographer, photographer, filmmaker, dancer, and documentarian.

Photo by Kitoko Chargois

Sr. Mary Clare, a part-time staff person, works to build unity among TMC projects and office administration. She accomplishes this by streamlining resource needs, designing the space to be welcoming, and by increasing communication between our diverse leadership. She has been involved with supporting the Merton Center in this way for over twenty years and is a blessing among us.