MOVERS AND SHAKERS

Get to know people who are making a difference in their careers and changing the world!

CLIFTON WILLIAMS III

Cliton Ronald St. Clair Williams III is director of public affairs for Taft’s Public Affairs Strategies Group, the multi-displinary government relations team that represents corporations, companies, nonprofit organizations, and associations with matters before federal, state, and local legislative and executive branches of government. Prior to joining Taft, he worked for 13 years in the Washington DC, and Cleveland offices of Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge, Ohio’s 11 Congressional District. He is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.

10 SEPTEMBER 2022 / CODE M

As a child William remembers going to Cleveland City Hall fighting for land to build their church Mt. Zion Fellowship. Williams went to every meeting. Those meetings exposed him to politics, where he got his first taste of lobbying and consulting. Today Williams uses the skills he acquired as a child to continue to help the people in his community. Williams choose Taft Advisors to help businesses, non profits and the associations in the community to make it a better place.

Tanazia Morris is a licensed cosmetologist and instructor. She has been licensed as an advanced cosmetologist since October 2012 and has been behind the chair full time since receiving her license. She enjoys her time behind the chair and raising her beautiful and gifted daughter, Sydney. She is always looking for ways to grow and thrive. Her favorite part of her job is not just taking care of her clients hair, but also listening to them, loving on them and creating a safe space for them. In her spare time she enjoys cooking at home, growing in the word of God, exercising and girls nights with friends!

DAVID MICHAEL CHEEKS

David Michael Cheeks, Michael and The Influence grew up in Banbury, located in Warrensville Heights, a southeastern suburb of Cleveland, Ohio. Raised in a drug addiction and poverty stricken home, Michael was exposed to the streetlife at an early age and helplessly watched as crack cocaine ravaged his family. His role models were his older brother and uncle who introduced him to hustling and Hip-Hop. Michael quickly fell in love with the art of music, spouting out song lyrics at just five years old. After the tragic death of his uncle, Micheal decided to make music his career choice and became a student of hip-hop culture, developing his unique talent of storytelling influenced by Nas and Jay-Z.

LASHONDA M. TAYLOR

Lashonda Taylor joined Kent State University in July 2009 and presently serves as the assistant vice president for university events and special projects. In this role, she serves as the senior officer responsible for university events and protocol. Lashonda leads a team of event professionals and implements long-term programming, operational strategies and planning of presidential and university-level events, projects and initiatives. She is an active member of many university committees and serves as a liaison to university offices and divisions for the planning and execution of events.

Carmine Stewart received her Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Eastern Michigan University with an emphasis in special education for the speech and language impaired.