The Sapelo Squad

Latasha Rouseau, Executive Director, has a desire to be of service to others and is deeply passionate about the carceral state. For over 17 years she strived to empower and support the most vulnerable groups in our communities by assisting youth and their families within the juvenile justice system. By all definitions an introvert, when she gets free time she usually recharges in a quiet space with a good book or a journal.

Aisha Caruth, Operations Managing Editor, is a publications manager who partners with global experts to conceptualize, develop, and edit communications collateral to maximize impact. She has more than 10 years of broad-based experience overseeing cross-functional teams comprising technical editors, communications, information management, and graphic design professionals. She considers herself a pragmatic agitator for good.

Sadaf Khan, Project Manager, is an organization development specialist with a passion to bring creative projects to fruition. She has spent the last 20 years working in the nonprofit world using her skills to help others in the pursuit of knowledge. She recently moved back to the US after living in Spain for several years.

Ambata joined Sapelo Square in 2020 as the Arts and Culture Editor. Born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, Ambata studied Literature and Creative Writing at the University of New Orleans and has spent most of her adult life writing, teaching and editing. She loves language and storytelling in all forms. As Senior Editor she hopes to usher in emerging writers and artists and provide space for all who have something to say and need a space to say it. For Ambata, Sapelo Square is community.

Dr. Nisa Muhammad, Internship Coordinator, is an award-winning university Muslim chaplain that specializes in sharing the joys and challenges of being Black and Muslim on college campuses. In 2020, she worked with Black Muslim students from universities around the country to organize the first Black Muslim Students Conference. Nisa also manages Sapelo’s Freedom School. She loves modest fashion and is a native of Washington, DC.

Aïdah Aliyah Rasheed, Special Projects Lead (Preserving the Legacy Lead), is an interdisciplinary artist, educator, and multimedia producer who recognizes the power of art and culture as a means of cultivating communal awareness and connectivity. She has worked nationally with world- renowned artists, fine art museums, and educational institutions. Currently, Aïdah is a freelance documentary film producer and editor, documenting Muslim communities in America.

Jermaine Foster is from Cincinnati Ohio, but currently resides in Atlanta. He is a multidisciplinary artist. His talents range from UI/UX design, 3D rendering, videography, cinematography, graphic design, painting and music production. Jermaine joined the Sapelo Square team in 2021 and serves as the Web Developer for the site.

Nur Shaina Ayers, Religion Editor, is a bubbly academic who focuses on religious ethnography and religious history in America. Currently, she is the Academic Program Specialist for the Digital Islamic Studies Curriculum program at the University of Michigan. The daughter of a Indian/Malay mother and an African-American father, Nur Shaina celebrates and embraces both sides of her cultural heritage.