Meet Our Staff
Mercedes Blea-Davis
Vice-President
As a native Coloradoan and graduate of The University of Northern Colorado, Mercedes is familiar with the needs of Colorado youth, families and communities, not only through her educational background and professional experience, but also through her own personal experience as a Denverite. Growing up as an Afro-Latina Mercedes has been able to experience a versatile upbringing.
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One of Mercedes’ heart passions is focused around supporting, uplifting, and creating welcoming environments for people of all ages and backgrounds. She has spent the past 23 years working in the non-profit and educational sectors that assist low income and under-served populations in the areas of Financial Literacy, Connecting with College counselors, Self-Empowerment/ Advocacy, and Personal statement writing. As the Senior Manager of Diversity & Belonging at DSST schools, Mercedes strives to encourage, empower and support a multifarious environment for her students and provides the same for our athletes.
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Mercedes has had the opportunity to work with individuals from numerous areas across the nation and in various capacities, she enjoys being able to create a positive environment while allowing the young people to grow and enjoy the pleasures of being children. Mercedes is Certified in Motivational speaking, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Social Emotional Learning, Life Skills, and Mindfulness and Yoga.
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While working with young people, traveling, trying new foods and restaurants, reading, and shopping are all great passions of Mercedes’, the core of her being lies with her 12 year-old daughter Jentry. She has been the guiding light and a piece of the puzzle Mercedes never knew was missing.
Dafina Tucker
Organization Manager, Grant Director, and Wild Card
Dafina is a dynamic professional hailing from Aurora, CO, where she was raised as the youngest of three siblings, embodying the spirit of a first-generation Coloradan. Her journey into academia and professional life has been marked by a commitment to excellence and a passion for both art and community engagement. Her academic pursuits led her to the University of Wyoming on a basketball scholarship, where she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Art with a specialization in Graphic Design. Building on this foundation, Dafina further honed her skills by obtaining an MBA in Marketing from Ashford University, setting the stage for a multifaceted career blending creativity with strategic acumen.
In 2020, Dafina embarked on a new venture with the establishment of Artful Affair, an art business offering traveling paint parties and art classes in collaboration with various organizations. This entrepreneurial endeavor showcased her ability to combine her artistic talents with business savvy, establishing her as a leader in both the artistic and entrepreneurial spheres.
Transitioning into the realm of sports management and philanthropy, Dafina assumed the role of Manager at Mile High Tumblers 5280 in January 2024, where she oversees the organization and its athletes. Additionally, she plays a pivotal role within the Mile High Tumblers Foundation as the Grant Director, leveraging her expertise to secure vital funding for the organization's initiatives.
Dafina’s commitment to community extends beyond her professional endeavors, as evidenced by her involvement as a founding member of Sister of Philanthropists Impacting Needs (SPIN), where she served as a co-lead for the giving circle from 2020 to 2023. Furthermore, her participation in prestigious programs such as the Downtown Denver Partnership Leadership (DDPL) and the Urban Leadership Foundation of Colorado (ULFC) underscores her dedication to personal and professional development.
Away from the boardroom and community projects, Dafina finds solace and joy in her role as a mother, having welcomed her daughter into the world in August 2021. Family holds a central place in her life, and she cherishes spending quality time with loved ones when she’s not engaged in her various pursuits or exploring new destinations.
With a blend of artistic vision, business acumen, and a heart for community service, Dafina exemplifies the essence of a modern professional who is dedicated to making a positive impact in both her personal and professional spheres.
Sethe Tucker
Parent Coach, HR, and Music Director
Started at a young age participating in cheerleading in elementary school. She remained a cheerleader throughout high school and was hired on by NCA, the National Cheerleading Association after high school to work their various camps across the United States.
Sethe's first year of college, she started dancing with the University of Southern Mississippi's kick line, the Dixie Darlings and the Southern Miss Poms. By request, Sethe often assisted cheer and dance teams with choreography and clean up for their competitions.
Transferring to Colorado State University her sophomore year, allowed her to dance with the CSU Poms, who went on to place 5th in nation at UCA's, Universal Dancing Association, dance competition in Orlando, Florida.
Currently, Sethe is a singer, song writer, choreographer and sings with one of the most sought after bands in Colorado, Soul School.
Adam Yaw
Graphic Artist, Coach, and Wild Card
Adam Yaw was raised in Shoreline, Washington. He grew up constantly doing gymnastics and artwork. When he attended the University of Washington, he pursued his degree in Fine Arts and was pulled on to the school’s cheer team. After graduating at UW he briefly cheered at the University of Hawai’i, and then later Team USA, where he met Ozell Williams. He has been helping Ozell’s MileHighTumblers with graphics and gym connections ever since. Adam served as the Head Coach of Bellevue College Cheer from 2015 to 2020. Adam continues to do lessons in tumbling and stunting, while simultaneously working on his career in oil painting.
Marquese Flowers
Producer, Deejay, Videographer, and Wild Card
Quesebeats is a multifaceted artist hailing from Connecticut, whose creative journey spans over 15 years in music and video production. With a passion deeply rooted in his upbringing, he seamlessly blends his talents as a DJ and MC, energizing events with his dynamic presence. Alongside his mastery of sound, he wields a keen eye for visuals, honing skills in photography and videography under his banner, FlyFootageProductions LLC. Quesebeats's creative prowess extends internationally, crafting music for artists worldwide and collaborating with renowned talents featured on the Billboard charts. His artistry knows no bounds, a testament to his unwavering dedication to the craft and boundless innovation.
Marijane Torres
Executive Director of the Bilingual Dept, Coach, and Wildcard
Marijane Torres is a dynamic entrepreneur and leader, serving as the CEO of Z Cleaning since its establishment in 2016. Her journey expanded in 2020 when she ventured into the beauty industry, offering nail and hair services.
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In November 2023, Marijane embarked on a new chapter, joining The Mile High Tumblers as a coach. Additionally, she assumed roles as the executive director of the bilingual department and the cosmetology department, showcasing her dedication to empowering others and fostering growth in diverse fields.
Empress
Producer, Reporter, and Wildcard
Empress, hailing from the vibrant Mile High City, is a dedicated advocate for the power of broadcasting. With a fervent belief that coverage serves as a gateway to addressing often overlooked conversations, she has carved a notable presence in the field. Renowned for her commitment to fostering platforms that encourage authentic life narratives, Empress has been lauded for her innovative contributions.
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As a contributing writer for the esteemed Biz Catalyst 360 and the debut book "Exposed Poetry Memoirs," Empress exemplifies a dedication to amplifying voices and narratives. Her flagship platform, LetzTalkQ, transcends boundaries through various mediums, including podcasts, social media, and video content.
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Empress’ unwavering passion for broadcasting not only enriches discourse but also champions inclusivity and fearlessness in sharing personal journeys. Connect with her at www.LetzTalkQ.com and across social media platforms @LetzTalkQVibeGang.
Sannah Sanneh
Marketing and Communications
"Sanna create successful solutions for global business"
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He spent his time empowering Startups, Non-Profits, businesses and creative entrepreneurs to achieve success. Sanna has excellent communication skills and he can represent any business to build relationships with customers. As an entrepreneur and digital creative, he understands how important marketing is to the overall success of any business entity. As an analytical and strategic thinker, he is always one step ahead in finding creative solutions to business and marketing problems. Sanna is a self-starter who is willing to learn and go beyond his way to get things done. In his leisure time, Sanna enjoys traveling, yoga practice, meditation, walking and spending time with his family. He also loves exploring new cultures, cooking, dancing, going to the beach and volunteering for community development projects.
Thal Woods
Fitness Master
Coach Thal is the son of Alvin Green and Toni Woods, the brother to four sisters and one brother, and they were raised by their loving parents in Denver’s Park community – which was then a predominantly Black neighborhood. Ever since his youth, Thal has thrived in abundant healthy living by embodying power, passion, and play. In high school he was a star athlete in both track & field and football – during his senior year he was the state champion in the 200-meter sprint, the 4x100-meter relay, and the 4x200-meter relay, and in football he was an All-Conference, All-State, and Blue Chip running back/defensive back. Highly recruited by colleges nationwide, Thal accepted a full-ride athletic scholarship to Colorado State University to continue his academic and athletic pursuits while remaining close to his family and friends. During his four-year collegiate career at CSU, Thal excelled in both sports – particularly on the football field. As a defensive back, Thal helped the CSU Rams win four Championship Bowl Games: the Holiday Bowl in San Diego, California; the Liberty Bowl twice in Memphis, Tennessee; the New Orleans Bowl in Louisiana; and during his senior year he was selected to play in the College All-Star Game. Thal earned his Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Exercise Sports Science. His knowledge of and fascination with the intricate, scientific components of athleticism and his passion for participating at an elite level in sports fuels his professional life as a sports performance specialist, core trainer, a U.S. Masters Track & Field athlete, and a former pro-football player.
For six years, Thal played in the Arena Football League for the Colorado Crush, Utah Blaze, Nashville Katz, and the New Orleans Voodoo. After retiring from arena football, Coach Thal began coaching a club track team, preparing college football players for the NFL Scouting Combine, providing health and wellness training to clients, and began competing on the masters level in track & field. Most recently, Coach Thal ran at the Penn Relays track meet in the 4x100-meter relay Olympic developmental heat; additionally, he was selected by Nike to lead the Nike Plus Training Shoe Experience at the SPARQ National Championship at Nike World Headquarters where he worked with high-performance athletes on utilizing new Nike technology to improve their athletic functioning. In his playtime, Coach Thal enjoys, Coaching athletes, Himself and Others as well as Traveling and Celebrating Loved ones and Communities Accomplishments!
Dr Johnny Davis
Chiropractor
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Dr. Davis. was born and raised in Englewood, Illinois and credits his childhood there for his passion and drive today. He pursued football at Saint Xavier University, which is where he first found chiropractic care.
Prior to moving to Colorado in 2021, he practiced one year in Minnesota and two years in Wisconsin. He's been loving his time in Colorado and can’t wait to explore more of its beauty. He is very eager to begin serving the people of Highlands Ranch and the surrounding communities. Johnny looks forward to meeting you and your family and helping you all become the best versions of you!
Courtney Marshall
Event Coordinator, Tumble Mom, and Wild Card
Courtney is an experienced Event Coordinator with over 10 years of experience in event planning. She has been with Mile High Tumblers for one year, serving as both an Event Coordinator and Tumble Mom. Courtney specializes in planning and coordinating events for Mile High Tumblers, and she also assists in planning and decorating for MHT's events and performances.
Veronica Booz
Assistant Coach, Yoga Instructor
Born and raised in Commerce City, Colorado, Verónica is proud to call Denver her home. She knows that yoga works...for EVERYONE! Always striving to keep a healthy and fit lifestyle she introduced herself to yoga during her first pregnancy. Through her journey she has dived into meditation and in 2020 became a 200 hour registered yoga teacher and in 2021 earned her Energy Medicine Yoga (EMYoga) Foundation Certificate. She believes that yoga can help athletes learn to be centered, confident, and strong in their sport and in life. Verónica is an enthusiastic assistant tumbling coach that joined in 2023, new to the sport and motivated to grow
in experience.
“I am inspired to see tumblers accomplish new skills. Coach Ozell makes it look so easy, but it’s physically and mentally challenging to commit to a jump, complete it and then do it again. I’m so proud of our athletes, from back rolls to tucks, it’s not easy. Respect!”
