Knight names its 2009-10 ‘creative catalysts’ class
Tallahassee Democrat –The Knight Creative Communities Institute has selected 30 individuals to be a part of its 2009-10 Catalyst Class, a group that will work with local leaders and advocates to develop projects aimed at diversifying Tallahassee’s economy beyond government and education.
“We really focused on diversity this year — background, experience, industry, age, gender and ethnicity,” said Laurie Hartsfield, KCCI executive director. “I think we have a very talented and creative group of individuals who accurately reflect our community’s demographics.”
Selected from more than 140 applicants, the catalysts will combine data from research provided by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation with principles from Richard Florida’s book “The Rise of the Creative Class” and community dialogue to generate new initiatives.
The catalysts this year are Ronald Baker, Shawn Kalbli, Jay Revell, Jovita Bakker, Nadia Kamal, Jenny Robertson, Betsy Barfield, Jake Kiker III, Gerri Seay, Mike Campbell, Rod Lipscomb, Marty Sipple, Cory Couch, Julie Lovelace, Kim Smalls, Hetal Desai, Bill Mattox, William Smith, John Fleming, Leslie Mille, John Webb, Ben Graybar, John Parker, Valerie Wickboldt, Crystal Green, Susan Pourciau, Kawana Williams, Lewis James III, Casie Reinholt and Sarah Wilson.
Members of the first KCCI class were responsible for producing the Tallahassee Film Festival, Sustainable Tallahassee and the Get Gaines Going Initiative to turn the street into an arts and entertainment district.