US Human Rights Cities Alliance Chair
Executive President
Tara Campbell is a native Daytonian, grassroots activist, and a dedicated advocate for human rights. Ms. Campbell is the Executive President of Dayton United for Human Rights coalition which was founded to educate, listen to, and involve members of the community and elected officials to ensure accountability for the protection of Human rights. Tara's leadership style is characterized by her collaborative approach, strategic vision, and unwavering commitment to justice. She believes in empowering others to become advocates for human rights and strives to create a world where equity, dignity and equality are upheld for all.
Ms. Campbell's dedication to the cause is evident through her active involvement in educational initiatives, community outreach, and public speaking engagements. She is passionate about fostering collaboration and partnerships to create sustainable change in the Montgomery County region. She worked with the coalition in efforts for the City of Dayton committing to become a Human Rights City in 2025. Tara has zealous devotion to assist the city with the assessment of its current governmental framework. Recently, she was asked to join the steering committee for the North American Human Rights Cities Alliance.
Tara has extensive experience working in the affordable housing field and holds a deep unwavering commitment to housing in eradicating homelessness. Her in-depth understanding of the housing issues in our communities ignites her to be a champion for change. Tara has worked in the public & private housing industry for over 27 years assisting our communities with affordable housing needs. Tara is efficient working with Low Income Housing Tax Credits, HOME, National & State Housing Trust Funds, IRS & HUD regulations. She is a Certified Housing Development Finance Professional (HDFP), Specialist in Housing Credit Management (SHCM), Housing Credit Certified Professional (HCCP), and Certified in Fair Housing Compliance (FHC) to name a few of her credentials.
Tara is a Realtor of the State of Ohio working with Howard Hanna. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Central State University and received her certifications as an Ohio Real Estate Associate and Entrepreneur from Sinclair Community College. Tara has held a Notary Public Commission with the State of Ohio for 18 years, and the CEO of 5 Starz Empire, LLC. If she could imagine community, it would be where all people are knowledgeable of their human rights and live in dignity. In her known words, “COMMUNITY is the recipe for CHANGE!”
Chair of Events Committee
Executive Treasurer
Rhonda Easley is a native Daytonian and a fearless advocate for human rights, housing justice, and community empowerment. As a board member of both Dayton United for Human Rights and the Dayton Tenants Union, she plays a vital role in advancing grassroots efforts to protect the rights and dignity of residents across Dayton, particularly those who have been historically marginalized and underserved.
Rooted in a deep belief that every person deserves to be heard and valued, Rhonda has dedicated her life to speaking up for the voiceless and creating spaces where every day people feel empowered to stand up for themselves and their communities. She is especially passionate about tenant protections, affordable housing, and ensuring that those impacted by poverty, systemic inequality, or housing insecurity are treated with fairness and humanity.
With a heart for the underrepresented, Rhonda believes that everyone deserves to be heard, no matter what their neighborhood, job status, or living situation. Her commitment to advocacy was sparked through everyday conversations at Hair Kapital Barbershop, where she worked for over 25 years as a Master Barber. That role placed her at the heart of the community, giving her a front-row seat to the struggles and resilience of Dayton residents.
Her professional background reflects a lifetime of service. In addition to her work as a barber, Rhonda works as a Certified Tax preparer with other experience as a Direct Support Professional, Assistant Manager supporting adults with disabilities, and as an Office Operations Supervisor for the United States Census Bureau. Each role has deepened her understanding of the challenges faced by marginalized communities, and each has strengthened her resolve to fight for systemic change.
Rhonda is known for her unwavering determination to create a more just and inclusive Dayton. Whether she’s organizing for tenant protections, engaging local officials, or amplifying the voices of those who are often left out of policy conversations, she leads with empathy, wisdom, and an unshakeable belief in the power of collective action.
Through her work, Rhonda continues to inspire others to not only speak out—but to believe that a better, more equitable Dayton is possible.
Activist/Researcher, Chair of DHR Committee
Board Member
Julio is a researcher, a human-rights activist, and a systemic designer. Over the past decade, Julio has actively advocated for the design of governance systems that protect human rights, promote justice, support democracy, and enhance community well-being in Dayton. Efforts have included advocating for increased government transparency and accountability, for more just and equitable laws and policies, and for increased opportunities for community participation in public decision making. Julio is eager to see Dayton become a Human Rights City and hopes the City of Dayton will lead the way when it comes to legislating and governing while prioritizing the human rights of its residents.
In 2018, Julio received a Community Impact Award from the City of Dayton’s Human Relations Council. And in 2019, he was recognized by the Dayton Business Journal as one of Dayton’s 40 Under Forty and by the State of Ohio Latino Affairs Commission as a Distinguished Hispanic Ohioan.
Julio has a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca (Spain) and a Master’s degree in Human Factors Psychology from Wright State University. He has over 15 years of professional experience in research and development (R&D). Julio has conducted extensive work aimed at better understanding, training, supporting, and assessing complex cognitive skills (e.g., systems thinking, cultural competence). He also led the design of a collaborative crowdsourcing system to enable collective decision making in large organizations.
Chair of Youth Ambassador Cohort Committee
Board Member
Maggie Burk is a passionate advocate, connector, and proud member of the Gem City community who believes in the transformative power of human connection. Rooted in a deep love for her city and its people, Maggie has spent the past year centering her work around human rights, equity, and collective care. Her mission is clear: to help create safe, inclusive spaces where every person feels seen, valued, and empowered to live freely and fully. Whether she’s organizing, listening, or showing up in solidarity, Maggie believes that real change happens when we commit to building strong, intentional communities and she brings that belief to life every single day.
For Maggie, community is more than a buzzword, it’s a daily commitment. She sees community care as a radical act of love and resilience, and her approach to activism is grounded in the belief that no one is free until we are all free. Through her involvement in grassroots organizing, youth engagement, and local coalition building, Maggie works to bridge divides, elevate underrepresented voices, and build sustainable systems of support that reflect the dignity of all people.
Outside of her advocacy work, Maggie recharges her spirit through creativity and joy. She’s a devoted fan of Broadway musicals, a lover of deviled eggs, and someone who finds inspiration in the small, everyday moments of community life. With a heart for justice and a talent for bringing people together, Maggie continues to build a legacy rooted in empathy, action, and hope.
UDHRC Advisory Partner, Founding Member of Abolition Ohio
Advisory Board Member
Dr,Tony Talbott is the Director of Advocacy of the Human Rights Center at the University of Dayton. He is co-founder and director of Abolition Ohio, the Miami Valley Anti-Human Trafficking Coalition. He also lectures in Human Rights, Political Science, and Sustainability. He serves on the Ohio Attorney General’s Human Trafficking Commission and researches and writes on Southeast Asia, nationalism, human rights and human trafficking. Originally from Dayton, Tony joined the military and served a total of 13 years in both the Army National Guard and the US Navy. He traveled extensively throughout the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean regions—including Asia, Australia, and Africa. While finishing his tour of duty he earned a BA in History and Government from Columbia College. He then left the service to attend graduate school. He earned an MA in International Affairs from Ohio University and studied for a PhD in Political Science at Arizona State University.
Chair of Mental Health Committee
Board Member
Keslina Luoma serves as the chair for DUHR’s Mental Health Committee. With a master’s degree and license in social work, she is employed by CHOICES, a local non-profit foster care agency. Keslina works as a home-based mental health therapist for children and adolescents and is a certified clinical trauma & resiliency specialist (CTRS-C). She has also served her community as a domestic violence victim advocate and conducted research which assisted in advocating for the needs of victims in Montgomery County. As an activist fighting for social justice, she volunteers and demonstrates for movements including reproductive rights, LGBTQ2S+ rights, anti-oppressions & racism, abolitionism, and anti-violence.
Photo Credit- Phoenix Lex & Sebastian De Leon Osorio
Chair of Social Media/Communication Committee
Impactful Projects Advisor
Ndeye Thiome serves as the Social Media/Communications chair for DUHR. She is of west African descent and a proud child of immigrants. She recently obtained her Bachelors of Arts degree in Political Science from the University Of Dayton. With a deep understanding of political systems and excellent researching skills, she has leveraged her knowledge and skills to drive positive change on a global scale. She has produced four research publications for Gender Tech Initiative-Uganda, exploring the rise and challenges of STEM within the African continent with special regard to the experiences of African women in STEM. In the Dayton region, she is an alumni of the Law & Leadership Institute and a Statehouse Civic Scholar. Most recently, she has also done research for the 2024 Dayton Black Audit Project, which is the Dayton portion of the larger Black Audit Project which tours various parts of the diaspora to assess the conditions in which people with African descent are living in using the SDGs as a measuring guide. With a firm belief in the power of advocacy and activism, she is ready to contribute meaningfully to organizations and initiatives striving to uphold human rights and build a more equitable society.
Chair of Housing Committee
Professor of Sociology at Sinclair Community College
Dr. Katherine Rowell has been a professor of sociology at Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio, since 1996. A nationally recognized educator, she was named the American Sociological Association’s Teaching Excellence Award recipient in 2012 and was honored as the United States Outstanding Community College Professor of the Year by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education and the Carnegie Foundation in 2005. That same year, she was also recognized as the North Central Sociological Association’s Professor of the Year.
Dr. Katherine Rowell earned her bachelor’s degree in political science and master’s degrees from Wright State University, and her Ph.D. in sociology from The Ohio State University. In 2021, she was awarded a Mellon/ACLS Fellowship, which led to the publication of a book and documentary exploring the experiences of children facing eviction and housing insecurity in the United States. From 2008 to 2015, she served as the founding director of Sinclair’s Center for Teaching and Learning. She is a former board chair of the Dayton International Peace Museum and currently advises Sinclair’s Honors Program.
Dr. Rowell is deeply committed to global, local and community engagement. She has participated in international initiatives, including a 2003 Fulbright trip to South Africa, Botswana, and Swaziland, a peace conference in Mongolia, and a recent presentation at the Child in the City conference in Dublin, Ireland. Her research interests center on housing instability, with a particular focus on eviction and homelessness of children. She also studies teacher empathy and is a frequent speaker on the topic. Through her teaching, research, and advocacy, Dr. Rowell continues to inspire change by amplifying the voices of marginalized communities and advancing equity through education and social justice.
Chair of Interfaith Committee
Coalition Member
Georgia Cox’s appreciation for diverse expressions of faith was shaped early in life by the influence of her maternal and paternal grandmothers – one rooted in Anglican tradition and the other in AME Methodism, and an aunt who embraced Hristian Science. These early experiences fostered in Georgia a deep respect for the ways faith can shape worldviews, relationships, and everyday interactions. Her worldview expanded even further through personal and educational experiences among people of Muslim, Buddhist, and Hindu faiths where she came to understand Christians are not the only people with faith-related codes that inform civil interactions and gifts, talents and intelligence that when developed enhances the quality of secular life across communities.
Professionally, Georgia’s background in public health and her work as an Intervention Specialist deepened her commitment to recognizing and upholding the humanity in everyone. She approaches individuals as having inherent worth and unique gifts which when nurtured can enrich not only their personal lives but the broader community and thus identifies each as a person with a challenge or issues.
Her roles as a sibling and a mother have also reinforced a core belief: even those who share similar genes and environments are endowed with distinct, God-given gifts. These gifts bear fruit in ways that may reflect their roots or blossom in completely unexpected ways.
It is this constitution that drew Georgia to the mission and work of Dayton United for Human Rights. As Interfaith Chair, serving alongside Co-Chair Charlene Bayless, Georgia brings a vision grounded in the belief that the same Spirit that inspired moments of great human progress—Pentecost, the Renaissance, the Enlightenment—can empower communities today. Together, they promote the understanding that while their differences enrich them, being armed with knowing their human rights, responsibilities and work for human dignity unites them in building a more civil, peaceful society.
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