Our Team

Lisa Aikins-Afful
Outreach and Engagement Coordinator

Lisa, originally from Fairfax County, is a Hermitage High School and Longwood University graduate. She now lives near Forest Hill on Richmond's Southside with her husband, son and teagle (beagle/terrier mix.) As a homeschool Mom, she has enjoyed getting out exploring, learning and teaching about nature with Hike It Baby and Sycamore Homeschoolers. She is proud to be honored as a River Hero homeowner saving and utilizing rainwater, and minimizing fertilizer usage to protect our watershed. Lisa is so thankful and excited to be part of an organization that has a mission of creating green spaces and lobbying for people-centered policy for residents of Richmond's Southside.

lisa@southsidereleaf.org

Kami Blatt
Policy Support Specialist

Born and raised in Virginia, Kami grew up in Roanoke surrounded by the Appalachian Mountains where she developed a deep love for the outdoors and a strong connection to nature, thanks to her mother’s influence as a science teacher. Committed to advancing racial, economic, and environmental justice across the state, Kami earned her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Virginia Commonwealth University. Her advocacy journey began with an internship at REAL LIFE during college, followed by community outreach work with the ACLU. Today, she serves as a Policy Support Specialist with Southside ReLeaf and the Decriminalization of Poverty Policy Analyst at The Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis, where she is dedicated to advocating for equitable policies that drive meaningful change in communities across Virginia.

kami@southsidereleaf.org

Syd Collier
Greening Coordinator

Syd Collier is a community member and educator who has spent the past 10 years working with various nonprofits in the city of Richmond, leading mindfulness and movement, herbal education, and community programming. Syd has a passion for supporting the health of a community in a holistic manner, working to take preventative measures to assist our overall well being. Syd graduated from VCU with a B.S in Health, Physical Education and Exercise Science and VSU with a B.S in Nutrition and Dietetics. They are currently enrolled at VCU for a Masters in Public Health. They are enthusiastic about joining the Southside ReLeaf team in its efforts to expand access, information, and community around greening the Southside.

syd@southsidereleaf.org

Victoria “V” Jones
Program Manager

Born in Richmond, raised in Chesterfield with summers in Philly, now residing in Richmond City. V enjoys a great jazz or DJ night & being in connection with nature. With a background in hospitality, project management & agriculture, V hones in on environmental design, both for natural, growing purposes & nurturing the needs of all beings involved. V worked in food access, farming & ultimately landscaping between 2017 to 2023 & has been studying + practicing herbalism since 2015. V is a nervous system centered writer & creative director outside of Southside ReLeaf as well as a part time dog sitter.

Photo by Sha Aguado

victoria@southsidereleaf.org

Sheri Shannon
Co-Founder

Sheri is an award-winning communications strategist and owner of Shannon Strategies, a communications firm specializing in policy, advocacy, and progressive politics. As the co-founder of Southside ReLeaf and host of WRIR’s Women and Politics, she advocates for environmental justice and provides a platform for women, femmes, and nonbinary individuals to talk about their work in the community.

Sheri is a Richmond Tree Steward and serves on the board for BridgePark RVA, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and Sierra Club Fall of the James group. She was also featured as an “Eco Hero” by Glamour magazine.

sheri@southsidereleaf.org

Melissa Spencer
Administrative and Operations Coordinator

Melissa spent her professional career working in the Social Security Administration issues facing disabled citizens. She retired from the federal government's Senior Executive Service (SES) in 2019 after leading the Administration's national disability policy organization.

To be closer to family, Melissa and her husband Art relocated to Richmond in 2020 (yes, during the height of COVID-19) from Delaware. After settling in, Melissa now volunteers with Southside ReLeaf as an administrative coordinator, affording her the opportunity to continue to advocate for citizens. Melissa holds a bachelor of science degree from Virginia Commonwealth University.

hello@southsidereleaf.org

Amy Wentz
Co-Founder

Amy is a United States Army Veteran and proud mother of two who serves in her community advocating to improve the public education system, working to promote safe and healthy neighborhoods, and striving to achieve equitable outcomes for the residents throughout the City of Richmond. She is the founder of Positively Black Richmond, co-founder of Richmond Black Restaurant Experience, and is on the action team for BLK RVA, all with goals of uplifting black faces and spaces throughout the City.

In addition, Amy serves on boards for Nolef Turns, Stay RVA, Unbound RVA, and the Alternatives to Incarceration and Richmond Children’s Cabinet Commissions here in the City. Amy has received numerous accolades over the years for her continued service in her community. She was recognized as Style Weekly’s Top 40 Under 40 in 2013 and honored with a Community Service Award from Richmond City Council for her extensive volunteerism in the 8th District. Amy currently works full-time as the Director of Outreach and Engagement at The Commonwealth Institute and is a proud graduate of Richmond Public Schools.

amy@southsidereleaf.org

Sarah Wilkinson
Communications Manager

Following a growing interest in environmental justice, Sarah began volunteering with Southside ReLeaf in 2020 by supporting the development and implementation of communications strategy for the organization. In August 2024, Sarah joined the Southside ReLeaf team as staff in the role of Communications Coordinator. Sarah was formerly the Director of Adult Learning at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, and prior to that, the Director of Programs at MENTOR Virginia. Through a scholarship provided by Southside ReLeaf, Sarah earned her Tree Steward certification in May 2022 through the Richmond Tree Stewards. In her free time, you’ll find her curled up with a good book and one (or all) of her three cats.

sarah@southsidereleaf.org

Board Members