Our Staff
Meet the People Who See the Power in West Virginia

Kathy Ferguson is a community advocate from the unincorporated district of Institute; championing racial, social, environmental, economic and restorative justice causes. She brings 25 years of social service work experience within the criminal justice system to our organization. As an organizer she will continue to demonstrate a clear commitment to helping those who are in most need and giving voice to those who are disenfranchised. Kathy is a believer in social justice and equality for all, dedicating both her professional and personal time towards this end.

Jenny works locally to organize In and around Barboursville, and statewide as OFWV's coordinator of Families Leading Change. FLC provides opportunities for parents, students, and other family members (kinship) to have a voice in public schools. FLC supports families by offering funding to start educational programs and projects and trains families who want to work with their principals, teachers, and school staff to make their hometown schools better. These family teams also work on creating a school system change or policy on a local, state, or federal level.
Jenny is very passionate about school wellness policy and ensuring that schools have tools to involve students and staff. She found her own parent voice when she volunteered in her child's school where she was able to create programming and a school environment that encouraged a healthy lifestyle daily.


Charkera coordinates both local and state level work on the CROWN Act, along with other racial equity issues.
Traci Phillips holds a B.A. in Communications from Bowie State University and has worked for companies such as C-SPAN, CBS Newspath, BET Nightly News, Radio-One Inc., XM Satellite Radio and WCHS-TV. She is an on-air personality for WSVQ 92.1’s Charleston’s Voice for Equity and Empowerment, an initiative of the Partnership of African American Churches. Traci is married to Justin Phillips, they have 3 children and live in Charleston, WV.

Traci Phillips holds a B.A. in Communications from Bowie State University and has worked for companies such as C-SPAN, CBS Newspath, BET Nightly News, Radio-One Inc., XM Satellite Radio and WCHS-TV. She is an on-air personality for WSVQ 92.1’s Charleston’s Voice for Equity and Empowerment, an initiative of the Partnership of African American Churches. Traci is married to Justin Phillips, they have 3 children and live in Charleston, WV.


Charity is the Administrative Director at OFWV, where she handles our office management, bookkeeping, and organizational management. She is passionate and dedicated to her work in the nonprofit world.

