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 State Senator Kent Smith currently represents Ohio’s 21st Senate  District - having been elected to the Ohio Senate in 2022. Prior to his  service in the Senate, Smith served four terms in the Ohio House of  Representatives (from 2015-2022). He joined the Ohio General Assembly  after serving Euclid, Ohio as a Member of the Euclid Board of Education  from 2002 – 2013. In his 12 years on the Euclid School Board, Senator  Smith never missed a meeting. As a Euclid School Board Member, he was a  four-time winner of the “Award of Achievement” which is awarded annually  by the Ohio School Boards Association to less than three percent of all  School Board Members in Ohio. 

State Representative Munira Yasin Abdullahi grew up in the heart of  Columbus, graduating from Columbus Alternative High School (CAHS) and  receiving her Bachelor's degree in Political Science and International  Relations from The Ohio State University. She began her public service  career working in a nonprofit, advocating for and promoting youth  development, leadership, and community service.

As a person with type-1 diabetes, Representative Munira Yasin Abdullahi's foremost policy passion is Affordable Healthcare. She aims  to ensure all citizens, especially those with disabilities, chronic  illness and diseases, have access to vital medications, medical  attention, and rehabilitation without financial burden. Her other policy  passions include Equitable Education and Community-Building  Infrastructure in Conjunction With Affordable Housing.

  Gary currently serves as the Workforce Development Administrator for the Ohio Department of Veterans Services. In this role, he leads a team that educates employers statewide on how to recruit and retain veteran talent while building strong relationships with employers.  

Gary currently serves as the Workforce Development Administrator for the Ohio Department of Veterans Services. In this role, he leads a team that educates employers statewide on how to recruit and retain veteran talent while building strong relationships with employers. Since assuming this position, Gary has maintained a guiding principle when engaging with various community entities: “Cool story, Bro... What are you doing for my veterans?” 

Karla C. Boldery (Cárdenas-Álvarez) is an award-winning business professional and

entrepreneur with a deep commitment to empowering small businesses, particularly within the Hispanic community. As a Certified Business Advisor at the Ohio SBDC at Miami University Regionals and the 2023 SBDC State Star, she is recognized for her exceptional contributions to

economic development. In her dual role as General Market Manager for La Mega Media, Inc.—Ohio’s largest Hispanic media platform—Karla leverages her expertise in business, media, and marketing to drive impactful growth for her clients. 

Emily is an advocate and artist living on the far south of Columbus. She also founded  Heer to Serve in 2020. Having lived experience being unsheltered, she is a passionate community member for radical love and solidarity to all. Her educational background is in social work at Columbus State. She has been a guest speaker and panelist at the local universities, high schools, housing conferences, and more since 2022.

Seb is a committed city organizer for 50501, deeply invested in fostering positive change within their community. With a focus on social justice, Seb actively collaborates with grassroots organizations to address local challenges and uplift marginalized voices. Their work is centered around advocating for the rights and well-being of immigrants, LGBTQ individuals, and low-income residents, striving to create a more equitable and inclusive environment for all. Seb is driven by a desire to empower community members and build a stronger, more connected city. 

 Bishop  Patton is a Budtender at Herbal Wellness Center and serves as one of  two union stewards and strike captains, actively participating in an  Unfair Labor Practice strike focused on fairness, just-cause  protections, and job security. He also works in community outreach,  creating opportunities for local youth and families through sports  programs. With multiple years coaching youth leagues and currently  coaching junior high baseball at Reynoldsburg City Schools, Bishop is  dedicated to advocacy, fairness, and empowering others to find their  voice for justice. 

Wallisha “The Birth Plug” Whipple  is a certified Community Health Worker, birth advocate, and wellness  educator dedicated to helping families and communities thrive through  food, education, and holistic care. She serves as Assistant Manager of  the Bronzeville Growers Market, where she works alongside Dr. Julialynne  Walker to support local gardens, strengthen neighborhood food systems,  and expand access to fresh, affordable produce.

In partnership with The Ohio State University Healthy Community Center and Dr. Walker’s Cooking Within the Diaspora and No Waste Kitchen initiatives, Wallisha leads Cooking From Scratch and Cooking Out the Pantry demonstrations that teach families how to create healthy, affordable  meals using what they already have while reducing food waste. As a  Senior Advocate with the Ohio Farmers Food Network, she connects seniors and families with farmers market benefits, nutrition programs, and community wellness resources.

Beyond her food systems work, Wallisha supports families in learning  how to care for themselves during pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and  weight loss journeys—empowering them to achieve balance through  nutrition, movement, and mindful living. Her mission bridges wellness,  agriculture, and community, reminding others that food, healing, and  collective action are essential roots for strong, self-sustaining  neighborhoods.

Anna Lynch is the Veteran Outreach Attorney at Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio (LASCO), based in the Columbus office. In this role, she has cultivated strong partnerships with a wide range of organizations serving veterans, including veteran service organizations, social service providers, and local agencies. Through targeted outreach to VA service providers, Veteran Service Officers, and other community stakeholders, as well as coordination of LASCO’s monthly Veterans Clinic at the Columbus VA Hospital. Anna represents veterans in a variety of civil matters and VA-related cases, with a focus on issues such as overpayments and discharge upgrades. Anna earned her JD from the University of Iowa College of Law and began her legal career as a staff attorney with Iowa Legal Aid, where she represented clients in housing, protection orders, and consumer matters.