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LIVED EXPERIENCE




















Fawn’s involvement in organizing began in middle school, when she successfully campaigned for the removal of a racially offensive book from the curriculum in the McKeesport Area School District. This pivotal experience sparked her interest in organizing and set her on a path to becoming an unwavering advocate.
Her academic background includes a bachelor's degree in political science from Johnson C. Smith University (HBCU) and a master's degree in criminal justice administration from Point Park University.
She's also certified in embodied social justice, detox wellness coaching, and a certified Breathologist/breathworker.
Fawn has over 15 years of experience in public service, writing, social work, and community organizing. She is a former two-term McKeesport councilwoman and made history as the first Black person and woman to run for a state seat in the Mon Valley area of Allegheny County.
While on the McKeesport Council, Fawn co-founded Take Action Advocacy Group (TAAG) with her cousin Mae Herriott. TAAG is close to Fawn’s heart and serves as a platform for her movement work. The organization is committed to advocating for Black liberation and social justice in small communities.
After years of movement work, Fawn's mental and physical health suffered significantly. This led her on a life-changing healing journey as she fought stage 4 endometriosis. As a result, she shifted her work to focus more on liberation and healing. She started a blog to raise awareness about holistic natural remedies, such as herbalism, and the healing power of ancestral connections. Additionally, she highlighted the injustices faced by Black women in the medical field.
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Fawn is a writer for the historic New Pittsburgh Courier and is currently working on a book that details her journey of embracing wellness and spirituality while battling endometriosis. Through TAAG, she has developed long-term, community-centered programs and co-authored reports with Penn State University on food apartheid in the Mon Valley. Additionally, she worked with student researchers from the University of Pittsburgh to help design a system to educate the community on how to file police complaints. Collaborating with students at Carnegie Mellon, she also worked on a mapping project focused on police data in the Mon Valley and explored community alternatives to policing.
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She has collaborated with various community partners and has been a panelist and podcast guest for discussions on racial justice, community organizing, police accountability, abolition, advocacy, wellness, and endometriosis. Fawn is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, and has received numerous awards for her work, including the 2024 Black Women, Green Future Award, the 2020 SiStars Leadership Award, and the 2018 New Pittsburgh Courier Women of Excellence. She strongly believes that community organizing is our superpower and is essential for driving change.
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DETAILED EXPERIENCE​
Education & Certifications:
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Master of Science in Criminal Justice Administration, Point Park University
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Bachelor of Arts Political Science, Johnson C. Smith University​
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Embodied Social Justice Certification, Transformative Programs under the direction of Rev. Angel Kyodo Williams
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Certified Optimum Life Breathologists/Breathworker, Positive Energy Works under the direction of Ayo Handy-Kendi
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Certified Green Life Detox Coach, Queen Afua Wellness Institute under the direction of Queen Afua
NonProfit Management & Human Services:
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TAAG CEO & Co-Founder
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Lead Consultant, Environmental Justice Table (EJT), Upstream Pittsburgh
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Senior Program Manager, Macedonia FACE
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Senior Family Coordinator, Touching Families Incorporated
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Supervisor and Therapist, MST and JPT Programs
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Family-Based Therapist
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Writing:
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Freelance Writer & Columnist for New Pittsburgh Courier
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Wrote grants for Take Action Advocacy Group, Sisters Saving Ourselves, and Point Park University.
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Various press releases published in the Daily News written for Take Action Mon Valley, MAAPC, and OSOY.
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Undergraduate Senior Paper Thesis “Campaign Finance Reform: A Critical Analysis of Reform In Maine and North Carolina Published Johnson C. Smith University, 2003, Undergrad Research Journal
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McNair Scholar Paper “Riding At The Back Of The Agenda: Difficulties in Responding to Black Political Issues” Published 2001 McNair Journal Diversity,
Meeting Facilitation:
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Facilitated community conversations for TAAG, The Pittsburgh Foundation, and Common Cause Consultants.
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Conducted trainings for Movement 4 Black Lives, Reimagine Re-entry, Jefferson Votes, Women for A Healthy Environment, Urbankind, and Upstream Pittsburgh.​
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Prepared training curriculum within the field of diversity, equity, inclusion, social justice, racial justice, and related themes.
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Developed and managed the progress of community programs centered on JDEI principles.
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Practice emotional intelligence, cultural competency, and empathy when facilitating trainings and communicating with team members.
​Fellowships & Credentials: ​​
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Black Voters Matter Speakers Circle Fellowship (2024)
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Windcall Rest Retreat (2022)
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People’s Hub Access and Disability for Movement Organizations Cohort (2021)
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Carnegie Mellon University FINE Fellowship (2021)
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Family Development Credential for Strength-Based Family Workers
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Trained Multisystemic Therapy (MST) Supervisor & Therapist
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Trained Facilitator for Evidence-Based HIV/AIDS Prevention Model Be Proud/Be Responsible
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Trained in various strength-based mental health models such as Conference & Teaming; Family Group Decision Making, Motivational Interviewing (MI), Compassion Connection Mentoring, Joint Planning Teaming (JPT), and Family Based.
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Certified in Family Advocacy and Support Tool (FAST), CANS, and Values for Life.
Awards & Recognition:
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2025 Black Women Are Divine recognition by Black Lives Matter Grassroots
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2024 Black Women, Green Future Award from New Voices for Reproductive Justice
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2022 Windcall Rest Residency
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2022 Black History Award ,Zion Baptist Church
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2020 Sisters Award Black Women’s Roundtable/Sisters Saving Ourselves
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2018 New Pittsburgh Courier Women of Excellence
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2018 McKeesport NAACP Community Service Award
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2018 Unsung Hero Black History Achievement Award
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2016 Voice of Vision Outstanding Councilwoman
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2015 Mon River Fleet Women of Achievement Social Leader
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2015 Nominee Athena Young Professional Award
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