MEET OUR STAFF
Executive Director
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.
Gabriel
McMorland
Community Organizer
In addition to being the community organizer of the Thomas Merton Center, Krystle M. Knight serves on the executive board of the Pittsburgh chapter of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA) and sits on the Pennsylvania Poor People's Campaign coordinating committee. She has continued TMC’s strong community relationships and her work has included campaigns to reclaim stolen wages, prevent the criminalization of public transit riders, stop the privatization of our public water, and many actions in solidarity with workers, immigrants, and Muslim communities. The daughter of immigrant parents, Krystle Martha Knight is a queer, 2nd generation, Mexican-American organizer born and raised in Houston, TX. She holds a bachelor of arts in sociology with a minor in social work from Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi.
Krystle M. Knight
Technology and Operations Coordinator
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.
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