Our Story
In the wake of the George Floyd killing on May 25, 2020 , many Americans were left reeling from this ultimate betrayal of trust between members of law enforcement and the community. This incendiary moment in our nation placed the topic of police brutality with regards to blacks males, on the forefront of the American conscience. Maurice A. Simmons, upon feeling the weight of the moment and the moral compulsion to do something about this issue; began assembling a coalition of like-minded individuals who also felt the clarion call to get involved to enact police reform in our nation. So on June the 4th 2020, during an evening Google Meet, A.L.E.R.T. was born.
Meet The Team
Maurice A. Simmons
Chief Executive Officer / Chair
Maurice is a Veteran of the United States Navy. As a public school educator, he holds a B.S. degree in Business Administration from Florida A & M University and a M. Ed. in Educational Leadership from St. Leo University. Maurice currently serves on the board of directors of the Axia Leadership Foundation. Maurice is passionate about bringing people together to improve relationships and interactions between law enforcement and communities of color.
Heather Williams
Research Analyst / Vice-Chair
Heather is a lifelong educator, with over twenty years in the public school system. She holds a B.S. degree in Elementary Education from University of Central Florida and a M. Ed. in Educational Leadership from St. Leo University. Heather is committed to ensuring that justice is rooted in equity for all.
Amber Green
Chief Operating Officer
​
Amber is an educator has worked in the public school system for 15 years. She holds a B.S. in Educational Studies from Bethune-Cookman University and a M. Ed. in Educational Leadership from National-Louis University. Amber is passionate about equity and is dedicated to working with local officials and police departments to increase accountability and fair treatment to communities of color.
Tamara Valdes-Russell
Director of Communications
Tamara is a National Board Certified Middle Childhood Generalist with over twenty years of experience teaching elementary and middle school aged students. She holds a B.A. in Speech from Bob Jones University. She is the chair of the Racial and Social Justice committee for her local teachers union and a sought after regional and national level presenter on integration, small group instruction and equity in the elementary classroom. Communicating the vision of Alert with the unique perspective of educators is a dream opportunity. Follow and grow with us!
Danielle Newton
Danielle is an educator who has worked for the public school system for eight years. She holds a B.S. in Early Childhood Education from the University of Central Florida. Danielle is passionate about equity and building relationships within the community.