Get to Know Us
About Us
Staff
Marcus Mitchell
Executive Director, DARE
he/him
mmitchell@daretowin.org |401-291-0847
With over 25 years of experience in economic development, grassroots organizing, coalition building, and community advocacy, Marcus Mitchell brings a wealth of expertise and a passionate commitment to social justice to his role as Executive Director at Direct Action for Rights and Equality (DARE). A visionary leader, Marcus has a proven track record of driving transformative change through strategic leadership, collaboration, and innovative problem-solving across a broad range of sectors, including government, healthcare, community development, and nonprofit work.
Throughout his career, Marcus has been driven by a dedication to public service, advocating for marginalized communities and fostering environments of equity and inclusion. Whether through his leadership in policy development, his work with community organizations, or his contributions to state and federal projects, Marcus Mitchell has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to social justice, economic opportunity, and community empowerment.
Melonie Perez
Staff Organizer, Behind the Walls Committee
she/her
melonie@daretowin.org | 401-291-0465
I am a Colombian-American woman who was born and raised in South Providence; eventually moving down the street to the Edgewood-Cranston area. I have a 23 year old son who is serving life at RIDOC for protecting me in an abusive relationship. He was a juvenile when the crime occurred, so juvenile sentence reform is important to me. I have been around incarcerated individuals my entire life. My family members and loved ones have always struggled with racism and prejudice in Washington Park, so fighting for equality in all walks of life has been a lifelong struggle. I have a business degree, real estate license, CNA license and have always been in the hospitality industry. Helping my son and others like him is what drives me every day to help make a change with prison reform.
Debra Harris
Event and Outreach Coordinator
she/her
debra@daretowin.org | 401-291-7980
I have worked at DARE for eight years. I did Data Entry for the first 4 years through Maturity Works and also became a volunteer member of the Behind the Walls Committee. I was eventually hired as Outreach & Recruitment Coordinator.Â
I started my own organization, Teen Matters Suicide Awareness in 2008, and I am also an event organizer and promoter.Â
I am formerly incarcerated and in recovery for eleven years. I love what I do to help the incarcerated population.Â
Board of Directors
Joe Benton
Chairperson
Joe is a graduate of Community College of RI and a graduate of Leadership Rhode Island. He’s received a number of awards throughout his divinity education and one of those awards is the spirituality award from the Lamp Stand Institute. He has a Citizen’s Citation from David N Cicilline, when he was Mayor of Providence, for outstanding contributions to Providence and its residents. He also received a Proclamation from former Mayor and current state representative, John Lombardi. He worked for MAP, alcohol drug and rehab center where he was a counselor and developed several re-entry programs for formerly incarcerated and substance abusers. He also worked for Amos House, counseling young men from the community and who were residents at Amos House and coming in from prison. He loves this community and these people and they’re part of his life. He also served a substantial amount of time in prison but came back to be part of a community solution, as opposed to a community problem.
Toni Wallace
ex-oficio
Black woman. Mother and grandmother with experience in finances and property management. Homeless rights, domestic violence, and women’s health activist.
Sheila Wilhelm
ex-oficio
Sheila Wilhelm is a DARE co-founder, mother and grandmother and long-time resident of the West End, fighter around schools, neighborhood issues, police injustice, and prison reform, and is an ice cream connoisseur.
John Prince
Board Member At-Large
John is a long-time community organizer. He worked at DARE for over 14 years with the Behind the Walls Committee, fighting for social justice for prisoners around the country. He is native to Providence and his favorite saying is “NO JUSTICE, NO PEACE!”