BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jessica Stovall, Tacoma, Washington, President
Stovall taught in primary classrooms both in Washington and Utah for the past 14 years, and she has a particular interest in early childhood literacy. Stovall has an ever-growing stack of fiction and poetry that she can’t wait to read, a healthy collection of classic rock records and a penchant for impromptu dance parties in the living room with her daughter.
James Nghiem, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Secretary
Nghiem graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a bachelor’s in journalism and master’s in professional writing. There, he was a McMahon Memorial Scholarship recipient. He has worked in advertising as an assistant editor for Ackerman McQueen and as an adjunct journalism professor for Rose State College. He was named as one of the top ten creatives in Oklahoma City by AIGA in 2017 and was honored in the Oklahoma Gazette’s 40 under 40 list in 2018. Nghiem plays drums for the Oklahoma-based indie pop band The Nghiems and runs Robot Saves City, an Oklahoma-based stand-up comedy label that he helped establish in 2010. He’s been active in Oklahoma City’s comedy scene since 2007 and has appeared in comedy festivals from Tulsa to Toronto.
Mollie Bryant, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
The editor of Streetlight and a non-voting member of the board, Bryant has worked in the journalism industry since 2010 as a reporter specializing in public records and data. Before starting Streetlight in 2017, Bryant worked for news nonprofit Oklahoma Watch, where she covered the state legislature and state agencies. She previously served as an investigative reporter for The Clarion-Ledger in Mississippi and as an education and enterprise reporter for the Amarillo Globe-News in Texas. Bryant has received awards for her work from the Texas Associated Press Managing Editors, the Louisiana-Mississippi Associated Press Managing Editors, the Oklahoma Society for Professional Journalists and the USA Today Network.
Justin Sanders, Houston, Texas, Treasurer
Sanders is a software project manager with expertise in business development and the technology industry. He previously worked as a copywriter and social media manager for a Mississippi-based startup, where he developed messaging and strategy for national political brands. With a passion for podcasts, Sanders co-hosted Streetlight‘s podcast and radio show, Hard Reset, and has hosted Landsharks After Dark since 2014.
Jake Harvey, Dallas, Texas
Jake Harvey, a graduate of the University of Mississippi, has a passion for the reform of the criminal justice system and non-violent drug offenses.
Sierra Mannie, New York, New York
Sierra Mannie, a Mississippi native and alumna of the University of Mississippi, is a Latin teacher in New York City. A former journalist with bylines in The Hechinger Report, TIME and more, she is a member of the Writers Guild of America, East, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and the American Classical League, among other professional organizations. Sierra is a trivia fan, having offered her talent to Questions Unlimited as a tournament moderator for the past decade, and proudly represents the writing team of ABC’s The Chase for its third season.
Brandon Edminster, Denver, Colorado
Brandon Edminster graduated from Texas Tech University with a master’s degree in business administration. Brandon currently serves as a policy specialist for a federal banking regulator, with a focus on consumer protection laws and regulations affecting all financial institutions in the United States. He specifically has subject matter expertise in consumer banking deposit and lending regulations, fair lending and unfair, deceptive and abusive acts or practices. He splits his time between Denver, Colorado and Washington, D.C.