Meet our heart-centered board members committed to making community-based health and wellness more accessible in Dayton and beyond!
Dan Loofboro E-RYT 500, Founder of Spectrum New Beginnings. “Yoga Dan” studied at Method Yoga, Real Human Performance, The Veterans Yoga Project and Mindful Yoga Therapy. Dan specializes in teaching Yoga for trauma and has been practicing yoga for 11 years. Yoga and meditation was instrumental in his recovery from losing his wife tragically to mental illness and prescription drug addiction. Having gone from darkness to light, Dan is on a passionate mission to help others with the proven techniques that has helped him heal.
Taylor B. Johnson is Spectrum New Beginning's new Executive Director. Taylor is a holistic healing practitioner, community wellness activist and organizer, and entrepreneur. As founder of Haya Healing, Taylor works with local organizations such as CareSource, Premier Health, Omega CDC, as well as Dayton Public Schools to provide consulting and strategic programming to cultivate cultures of well-being. Taylor also provides free and affordable wellness experiences and yoga classes throughout Northwest Dayton. A greater Dayton native, Taylor is currently completing a Bachelors in Psychology from Ohio University and will begin working toward a Masters in Organizational Leadership in the Fall of 2024.
Sharon Hawkins, MPA, MSN/ed, RN
Sharon AKA "Mama Sharon" is a beloved community activist. Sharon spearheaded the University of Dayton’s Fitz Center for Leadership in Community's Health Equity Activation Think Tank to improve the health outcomes of historically and systemically underserved Daytonians. Sharon previously worked for University Hospitals of Cleveland and the Cleveland Clinic as an advanced clinical nurse and assessment nurse. Sharon pursued a Masters in Public Administration from Cleveland State Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs. Additionally, she has taught at Sinclair Community College, worked to help establish the Gem City Market and is the immediate past president of the Ohio Nurses Association, District Ten.
Sharon AKA "Mama Sharon" is a beloved community activist. Sharon spearheaded the University of Dayton’s Fitz Center for Leadership in Community's Health Equity Activation Think Tank to improve the health outcomes of historically and systemically underserved Daytonians. Sharon previously worked for University Hospitals of Cleveland and the Cleveland Clinic as an advanced clinical nurse and assessment nurse. Sharon pursued a Masters in Public Administration from Cleveland State Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs. Additionally, she has taught at Sinclair Community College, worked to help establish the Gem City Market and is the immediate past president of the Ohio Nurses Association, District Ten.
amaha sellassie
A lifelong community organizer, amaha currently serves as president of the Gem City Market Board, co-founder of West Dayton Strong, a STEAM based summer and afterschool program in public housing, and co-creator of the Dayton Lab, a community-based participatory research lab and partnership between University of Dayton and Sinclair Community College, located in west Dayton. amaha is Director of the Center for Applied Social Issues and an Associate Professor of Sociology at Sinclair Community College.
A lifelong community organizer, amaha currently serves as president of the Gem City Market Board, co-founder of West Dayton Strong, a STEAM based summer and afterschool program in public housing, and co-creator of the Dayton Lab, a community-based participatory research lab and partnership between University of Dayton and Sinclair Community College, located in west Dayton. amaha is Director of the Center for Applied Social Issues and an Associate Professor of Sociology at Sinclair Community College.
Romaire 'Jay-Vez' Hicks
A lifelong Dayton resident, Jay-Vez is the co-founder and CEO of the LuvLocz Experiment, a reggae and funk infused soul band. Father of 5, Jay-Vez is passionate about curating intentional spaces and using high vibrational music for healing and community-building. Jay-Vez serves as the Lead Facilitator for the Warrior's Circle, as well as the Groundskeeper for the House of Healing Arts, where Spectrum New Beginnings is housed.
A lifelong Dayton resident, Jay-Vez is the co-founder and CEO of the LuvLocz Experiment, a reggae and funk infused soul band. Father of 5, Jay-Vez is passionate about curating intentional spaces and using high vibrational music for healing and community-building. Jay-Vez serves as the Lead Facilitator for the Warrior's Circle, as well as the Groundskeeper for the House of Healing Arts, where Spectrum New Beginnings is housed.
Brenda Alexander
Brenda Alexander is an intuitive coach who specializes in both Western and indigenous practices as her life’s journey. Her passion is utilizing cross-cultural techniques to heal soul wounds while promoting self-love and acceptance. Besides teaching adult yoga and meditation for over 20 years, Brenda also founded a yoga studio for children. Her mission has always been to help others regardless of age, fitness level, or body type. Brenda received a Masters Degree in Public Administration and has certifications in Adaptive Yoga and Meditation from Jan Hauenstein, founder of the Try4Life Yoga School, Reiki training from Reiki Master Joann Horton, and Yoga Nidra Meditation from the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Stockbridge, MA.
Brenda Alexander is an intuitive coach who specializes in both Western and indigenous practices as her life’s journey. Her passion is utilizing cross-cultural techniques to heal soul wounds while promoting self-love and acceptance. Besides teaching adult yoga and meditation for over 20 years, Brenda also founded a yoga studio for children. Her mission has always been to help others regardless of age, fitness level, or body type. Brenda received a Masters Degree in Public Administration and has certifications in Adaptive Yoga and Meditation from Jan Hauenstein, founder of the Try4Life Yoga School, Reiki training from Reiki Master Joann Horton, and Yoga Nidra Meditation from the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Stockbridge, MA.
Dru Brescoe
Dru works to maintain Spectrum New Beginnings on its path to ethical governance. He is a high school teacher and chair of a Social Studies Department for students to get involved with community service. Dru has a Bachelors of Secondary Education from Wright State University and a Masters in Educational Leadership from the University of Dayton. Dru was also the Buchwald Summer Fellow at the Ashbook Center at Ashland University.
Dru works to maintain Spectrum New Beginnings on its path to ethical governance. He is a high school teacher and chair of a Social Studies Department for students to get involved with community service. Dru has a Bachelors of Secondary Education from Wright State University and a Masters in Educational Leadership from the University of Dayton. Dru was also the Buchwald Summer Fellow at the Ashbook Center at Ashland University.