Meet the Team

The STEP Alliance board is made up of committed individuals who bring expertise in education, community development, nonprofit leadership, and youth empowerment. Their guidance ensures we continue to grow with purpose, accountability, and heart.

Founder & President

  • Leah Mohnkern is the founder and president of The Step Alliance, established in 2019 prior to her senior year of high school. While leading the organization, she earned two Bachelor’s of Science degrees in Health Science and Public Health, and a Master of Public Health degree from the University of Miami.

    Currently pursuing a Doctor of Medicine (MD) at Morehouse School of Medicine, Leah has been involved in research on public health education, social determinants of health, and Sickle Cell Disease with her work presented at academic forums and conferences, and published. She is also an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

Vice President

  • Jennifer Friedman is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology, USF since 1988. She received her M.A. in Sociology in 1982 from University of North Carolina-Greensboro and her PhD in Sociology from Northwestern University in 1988.

    Her research and teaching interests include family food management, community and school gardening, substance use, sustainability, deviance, and inequalities and social justice. She actively works with the USF and Tampa Bay community to promote sustainability and social justice.

Program Director

  • Brooke Bethune is a student at the University of Central Florida, pursuing a degree in Neuroscience Psychology with a minor in Biology. She serves as a research assistant for the Media Migration Undergraduate Research Lab, where she contributes to studies focused on the effects of media on consumers and reducing negative media impacts.

    Additionally, Brooke is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, the National Council of Negro Women, and is actively involved in the Neuroscience Alliance. She plans to attend medical school, with a potential focus on neurosurgery.

Director of Community Engagement

  • Laurel Graham is an associate professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of South Florida in Tampa. Dr. Graham has a PhD in Sociology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (1992).

    She teaches courses on consumerism, sustainability, and theory, and she researches the relationships between families, gardening, and food. Over the past three decades, Dr. Graham has loaned her research skills to a variety of community organizations that work with families in our area.

Social Media & Marketing Manager

  • Ejine Ndokwu was born in North Carolina and raised in Connecticut. She graduated from University in Miami in May in 2024 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing and double minors in Finance and International Business. She hopes to work in ESG, Sustainaibilty, or Product/Brand Marketing.

    Ejine is enamored with socially, sustainable, high impact projects. She worked as a Marketing & P.R. Intern at KechThis Inc in Miami. During that internship, she worked one several community projects including county wide drives and community meetings; as well as several entertainment festivals that took place at Historic Virginia Key Beach Park. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

Technology & Data Operations Manager

  • Aniya is a 2025 graduate of the University of Miami, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Science with minors in Public Health and Medical Humanities. She is currently pursuing a Master of Public Health at the University of Miami, set to graduate in May 2026.

    Aniya was involved in research at UM in the Department of Infectious Disease (WHIMS, ACTION3, STAR studies) and active membership in the Miami Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., reflect her dedication to public health. Aniya is deeply passionate about combating maternal mortality among African American women and aims to attend medical school to become an MD.

    As the Tech & Data Operations Manager for The STEP Alliance, Aniya is committed to enhancing opportunities for under-resourced communities.

Secretary

  • DeAngela Higgs is a proud alumna of the University of Miami, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Global Health and Psychology, with minors in Biology and Health Management & Policy. She will begin her Master of Public Health program this fall while working in health administration at Baptist Health South Florida, combining her passion for public service, health equity, and organizational leadership.

    Beyond her academic and professional pursuits, DeAngela is a devoted member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. In her free time, she enjoys reading, traveling, attending community events, and mentoring students.

    DeAngela Higgs serves as the Secretary of STEP Alliance; with a heart for service and a drive to make lasting change, DeAngela is proud to contribute to STEP Alliance’s mission of academic excellence and community impact.