Meet the Team: Alabama
Caroline Janeway, Alabama State Director
Caroline Janeway is a native of Bristol, TN, but moved to Alabama in 2004 to attend Samford University, where she majored in English and minored in Religion. After college, Caroline served as an AmeriCorps Vista with then Impact Alabama from 2008-2009. Read More >
Fanta Mitchell, Program Manager
Fanta Mitchell, originally from Sumter, South Carolina but moved to Austell, Georgia 9 years ago, graduated from Mercer University with a double major in International Affairs and Global Health in May of 2020. Read More >
Eshandae (Shae) Thomas, AmeriCorps Member
FocusFirst Regional Coordinator
Eshandae, a Birmingham, Alabama native, graduated summa cum laude from the University of Alabama at Birmingham with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, minoring in Legal Affairs. She served as President of the Off-Campus Student Council, the Mock Trial leadership team, and the University Student Advisory Board. Eshandae is currently pursuing her Master of Public Administration at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, hoping to gain more experience in the nonprofit sector. Read More >
Kiana Jackson, AmeriCorps Member
FocusFirst Regional Coordinator
Born in Brooklyn, New York, and raised in Calera Alabama; in 2016 Kiana Jackson graduated from Calera High School. Soon after graduating High school, she went ahead an enrolled in Lawson State Comunity College as a freshman, where she majored in Biomedical Science/ Pre-Medicine. She finished out with an Associate in Science degree in 2018. Furthermore, she also enrolled in the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health in 2018 as well. Also, graduated with Bachelor's of Science degree from UAB school of Public Health with, a Conc. of Global Health studies in 2022. On the other hand, while she was a undergraduate student she worked as a full-time student and worked as a full-time Ceritified Nursing Assistant in different healthcare facilities. However, she was able to volunteer and engage in some school activities, such as, Phi-Kappa-Alpha academic honor society, the student government association, and the off-campus student organization in her spare time. Finally, while serving with ImpactAmericorps she plans on pursuing her Masters degree in Public Policy and Public Administration; after serving with ImpactAmericorps she wants to be apart of an organization that seeks out to help those in need and that values the lives of others by implementing change. Read More >
Kim Anderson, AmeriCorps Member
SaveFirst Regional Coordinator
Originally from Olympia, WA, she completed her undergraduate studies at Oregon State University in 2021, achieving cum laude honors with a B.A. in anthropology, specializing in archaeology, and a minor in history. Alongside her academic accomplishments, Kim actively contributes to the Alabama Environmental Council as a board member. Her passion lies in creating positive impacts, and she eagerly anticipates her service with Impact America. Read More >
Rachel Ellis, AmeriCorps Member
Vision Screening Specialist
Rachel Ellis, born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, is a Magna Cum Laude Latin honors graduate from the University of North Alabama, with a BS in Sociology, minoring in Family Studies. With a creative and explorative spirit, Rachel loves anything artistic and "outdoorsy" including: hiking, fishing, painting, poetry, etc. After serving Impact America, Rachel hopes to continue making commitments to serving her community as her dominant career goal. She is currently pursuing her MS in Family and Community Services with hopes of securing a license in family coaching/therapy. Read More >
Izabella Dente, AmeriCorps Member
Vision Screening Specialist
A native of Peachtree City, Georgia, Izabella Dente attended college at Georgia Southern University where she recently graduated in May of 2023 as a biology major with a Pre-Med emphasis. As an undergraduate, Izabella spent… Read More >
Ragan Stokesberry, AmeriCorps Member
Vision Screening Specialist
Born in Jacksonville, Alabama, Ragan Stokesberry graduated cum laude from the University of
Alabama at Birmingham in 2022, where she majored in English with a concentration in literature
and completed a minor in Art History. After serving with Impact America, she hopes to pursue a
master's degree in library science. Read More >
Nakemia Kirksey, AmeriCorps Member
Vision Screening Specialist
Born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, Nakemia graduated from Millsaps College in 2020 with a
major in Psychology and a minor in Neuroscience. Nakemia served a previous stint with Americorps
under the Alpine Achievers Initiative program from 2021-2022, serving in the San Luis Valley assisting
teachers with class and literature programming, and offering after school activities for students. After
serving with Impact, Nakemia plans to pursue a teaching license and a career as an Academic
Interventionist. Read More >
Gabby Klok, AmeriCorps Member
Vision Screening Specialist
Born and raised in Charleston, SC, in 2019 Gabby Klok graduated magna cum laude from Clemson University, where she majored in Philosophy with a Law, Liberty, & Justice Emphasis and minored in Political Science. As an undergraduate, Gabby served as Sisterhood Chair for the Sigma Kappa Kappa Pi Chapter, was on the Ethics Bowl team, was National Expansion Intern for CHAARG and served as VP Membership of Clemson CHAARG, a women's health and fitness organization with chapters at 100+ college campuses. Gabby was also heavily involved working at the Campus Recreation Department as a Group Fitness Instructor and Personal Trainer during her time at Clemson and studied abroad in Bangkok, Thailand. After serving with Impact America, she plans to attend Law School in August of 2024. Read More >
Stephen Shol, AmeriCorps Member
Community Engagement Specialist
Stephen Shol, originally raised in Olive Branch, Mississippi graduated magna cum laude from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and History minor in 2021; he then graduated with a Master of Arts in Communication Studies in 2023. Stephen served as a graduate assistant for both the Intercultural Diversity Center and Office of Financial Aid, participated in the Bama Indigenous Student Organization Network, and studied abroad in Spain. After serving with Impact America, he hopes to complete a doctorate degree. His research interests center Indigenous identities and issue areas through critical qualitative methodologies. His favorite quote is by Joy Harjo: "I know I walk in and out of several worlds each day."
Dana Echols, AmeriCorps Member
FocusFirst Regional Coordinator
Dana Echols, born and raised in Memphis, TN, is currently enrolled in college and majoring in English. After serving with Impact America, she plans to become a middle school English teacher. Read More >