About Us
Support the Cuban People is a non-political, Florida-based 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization focused on initiatives that support the Cuban people residing in Cuba through programming that provides humanitarian aid, promotes cultural exchange, fosters collaboration, and empowers Cuban artists and entrepreneurs.
Our Journey: Milestones of STCP
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![Three young girls smiling and standing together outside a colorful house.]()
2018 – The Spark of an Idea
Formation of the Organization: A group of passionate individuals, driven by a shared love for Cuba and its people, came together to establish Support the Cuban People. This initiative was born out of firsthand experiences and deep connections with Cuban communities.
Launch of The Cuba Project: Initiated efforts focusing on student engagement, collecting oral histories, documentary film projects, and facilitating academic collaborations between U.S. and Cuban institutions.
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![An elderly woman with glasses and a headband stands at a table filled with groceries and food items, smiling at the camera.]()
2020 – Rising to the Challenge
First 'Art & Love In Action' Auction: Despite global uncertainties, hosted the inaugural auction in Jacksonville, FL, raising over $30,000 to support Carmen and Rey’s Kids, a program aiding children battling cancer in Cuba.
Humanitarian Aid Amidst Pandemic and Protest: Successfully transported hundreds of pounds of essential food and medicine to Cuba during the height of COVID-19, showcasing resilience and commitment to those in need.
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![Children playing soccer and others watching on an outdoor basketball court in a neighborhood with old, weathered buildings.]()
2021 – Solidifying Foundations
Continued Aid Deliveries: Dispatched hundreds of pounds of food and medicine, reinforcing our role as a reliable conduit for humanitarian assistance.
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![Elderly farmer holding large green plant leaf in a lush crop field at sunset, with two other farmers riding ox-drawn carts in the background.]()
2022 – Expanding Horizons
Achieved 501(c)(3) Status: Officially recognized as a non-profit organization, enabling expanded outreach and fundraising capabilities.
Micro-Entrepreneurship Grants: Developed a grant program supporting Cuban private businesses, empowering both urban entrepreneurs and rural farming families to be executed in 2026.
Cultural Exchange Initiatives:
Partnered closely with Cuban artists and oral historians to nurture meaningful collaborations. Supported project development, research, and creative discovery while connecting participants with international platforms that amplify Cuban voices and foster global dialogue. -
![Multiple organized soft-sided medical and food supply bags on a tiled floor, labeled as containing 200 pounds of food and medicine.]()
2023 – Deepening Impact
Expanded Humanitarian Aid Network:
Built stronger logistical channels to receive and distribute more aid—resulting in the delivery of over 2,000 pounds of food, medicine, and essential supplies across Havana and surrounding rural communities.Grassroots Distribution Model:
Strengthened on-the-ground partnerships with trusted community members and families, creating a more efficient and locally guided system for getting aid to those most in need.Oral History & Storytelling Efforts:
Conducted and archived new oral histories in collaboration with Cuban elders, farmers, artists, and families, preserving rich stories that might otherwise be lost. -
![A diverse group of children and adults outdoors, smiling for a photo, with trees and a building in the background.]()
2024 – Strengthening Bonds Across Cultures
Second Art & Love In Action Auction:
Hosted the second edition of our signature fundraising event, bringing together artists, collectors, and supporters across borders. The auction raised more than $30k in critical funds for humanitarian aid and cancer support programs in Cuba, while celebrating Cuban creativity, resilience, and love in action.Deepened Educational and Cultural Partnerships:
Expanded academic and organizational collaborations, as well as fieldwork opportunities—supporting students, scholars, academics, and artists engaged in Cuban studies, oral histories, documentary photography, and humanitarian outreach. These exchanges fostered dialogue, mutual learning, and a deeper understanding of Cuba’s complex realities.Sustained Support for Cuban Creators:
Provided essential tools, supplies, and logistical support to Cuban artists, musicians, and entrepreneurs—empowering them to sustain their work and share it with both local communities and international audiences. -
![Illustration of a blue and brown bird with a yellow beak.]()
2025 – Laying the Groundwork for Deeper Impact
Improving Humanitarian Aid Delivery:
We are investing in new strategies to fund and coordinate bulk shipments of food, medicine, and supplies to Cuba. With growing support, we’re working to make our aid pipeline more reliable, cost-effective, and sustainable.Strengthening Program Design:
We’re focused on refining the structure of our key initiatives—from grant funding for Cuban entrepreneurs to the preservation of oral histories—to ensure they remain impactful, locally guided, and built to grow.Revitalized Online Presence:
We re-launched our website with updated branding and content so we can more effectively raise much-needed funds for programs.Laying the Foundation for What's Next:
We are dedicated to honing in on strategic planning, building our board, and program expansion.
Our Board Members
Based throughout the United States, Canada, and Cuba, our Board of Directors are diverse individuals from varied backgrounds dedicated to making a difference in the lives of the Cuban people. We work together to fundraise, facilitate programs, and spread awareness of our mission.
Interested in joining our efforts? Please be in touch!
Vanessa K. Harper
Co-Founder & Chair
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Vanessa K. Harper has been engaged with Cuba since 2005 as a researcher, tour guide, documentarian, and cultural facilitator. She is a co-founder of Support the Cuban People. In addition, she leads Travel Cuba With Us and Cuba Yoga Retreats, offering legal cultural tours and wellness experiences on the island, and co-founded La Shambhala de la Habana, a yoga studio and community hub in Havana. Her oral history and documentary work further highlight Cuban voices, traditions, and everyday resilience.
Across all her projects, Vanessa’s mission is to create meaningful partnerships and opportunities that directly strengthen Cuban communities.
She has a BS in Environmental Studies from the University of North Carolina at Asheville, an MS in Interdisciplinary Ecology and Cuban Studies from the University of Florida, and an MA in Oral History from Columbia University.
Yeneir Vera
Vice Chair (Cuba & Canada)
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Dr. Yeneir Vera Fernández was born and trained in Cuba, earning her medical degree from the University of Havana with a specialization in cardiology. She went on to complete additional training in family medicine and a master’s in child well-being and atherosclerosis, focusing on how early life shapes long-term health.
After emigrating to Canada, Dr. Vera joined Mount Sinai’s research community, where she serves as a Senior Research Associate within the Alliance for Human Development. She has played a leading role in facilitating medical congresses and scholarly exchange between Canadian and Cuban clinicians, including the inaugural Cuba-Canada Mother-Child Health Symposium.
Beyond her academic and clinical work, Dr. Vera is also an entrepreneur dedicated to supporting the Cuban people. She manages hospitality ventures in Cuba that provide direct income to local families and foster cultural exchange.
As a founding board member of Support the Cuban People, Dr. Vera brings together her medical expertise, research leadership, and entrepreneurial experience to help guide the organization’s mission. She is passionate about creating programs that bridge Cuba with international health communities, expand grassroots economic opportunities, and deliver humanitarian aid directly to those most in need.
Katrin Casey
Vice Chair (USA)
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Katrin Casey is the Founder and Chief Evolution Officer of KC Evolve, a marketing agency designed to inspire and support growth by strategically focusing on brand, people, and results. Since 2016, she has partnered with businesses and leaders to untap opportunity, deliver purposeful impact, and transform the need for change into meaningful experiences and stories that connect.
Katrin is also the Founder and Chairman of Chemo Noir, a nonprofit dedicated to raising funds and awareness through wine-centric events in support of families, friends, and fighters impacted by cancer.
Prior to launching KC Evolve, Katrin built her career leading brand strategy, marketing operations, and creative storytelling across industries. She served as Chief Marketing Gal at Quadrant Information Security, bringing energy and vision to enterprise security consulting. She co-founded Ambidustrious, focusing on relationships and strategy, and served nearly six years as Managing Director of Greenhouse Studio, where she guided clients through brand discovery and storytelling. Her early career included marketing and operations leadership at Vurv Technology, MPS Group, and the Jacksonville Super Bowl Committee.
A graduate of the University of North Carolina Asheville, Katrin is known for her paradigm-shift thinking, creative drive, and people-first philosophy. Whether growing a brand from the ground up, refreshing an established identity, or reimagining a complete evolution, she is passionate about doing great work that empowers both organizations and communities to thrive.
@kcevolve | @chemonoir
Jake Peek
Secretary
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Jake Peek is an attorney based in Jacksonville, Florida with Peek & Miska, specializing in tax law, business transactions, and nonprofit governance. Board Certified in Tax Law by the Florida Bar, he has more than two decades of experience guiding clients through corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, and tax planning. He has been recognized among Florida Trend’s Legal Elite, Florida Super Lawyers, and Best Lawyers in America, where he was twice named Jacksonville Tax Law “Lawyer of the Year.”
In addition to his professional practice, Jake is deeply engaged in civic and nonprofit work. He has served on the Board of Directors of Ability Housing and regularly provides counsel to tax-exempt organizations. At Support the Cuban People, he contributes invaluable legal expertise and governance insight, helping ensure the organization’s compliance and long-term sustainability.
Jake has also been a generous supporter of our programs, particularly Carmen and Rey’s Kids, contributing through our annual art auctions. His dedication to both his profession and STCP’s mission reflects a shared commitment to building stronger, more resilient communities.
David Strickland
Treasurer
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David Strickland is a Daytona Beach native and seasoned banking executive who retired in 2013 after 42 years in the industry, including senior leadership roles at the Trust Company of Georgia and Barnett Bank of Florida. Following that, he was founding President of EverBank, based in Jacksonville, Florida.
Over his long career, David complemented his professional success with deep civic and philanthropic engagement. He has served on numerous boards and leadership positions across Jacksonville and Northeast Florida, including the Jacksonville Symphony (where he has been a board member since 2012 and later served as interim CEO), the World Affairs Council of Jacksonville (as Chairman and Advisory Council Chair), the Cummer Museum, and the Marine Science Research Institute, among others.
David has been a longtime supporter of Cuba-related initiatives, backing The Cuba Project at Jacksonville University and later helping lay the foundation for Support the Cuban People (STCP). He is a founding supporter of STCP and has been a steadfast champion of Cuba programs such as Carmen and Rey’s Kids, contributing both financially and in-kind. As Treasurer, he brings financial acumen, governance insight, and a personal commitment to our mission, helping guide the organization’s growth with integrity and vision.
Adianez Garcia Campos
Board Member
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Adianez Garcia Campos, originally from Cuba, serves as Director of International Students & Scholars at the University of North Florida, where she leads programs to support global scholars, exchange visitors, and international academic collaboration. She has been an energetic supporter of Support the Cuban People since its founding, contributing her expertise and passion to help deepen STCP’s international ties and program reach.
With a background rooted in cross-cultural education and global exchange, Adianez helps bridge STCP’s mission with higher-education institutions and supports initiatives that bring Cuban scholars, artists, and entrepreneurs into meaningful connection with international audiences. Her commitment to Cuba’s people and institutions is reflected in both her university role and her longtime support for the organization.
Robert Hudson
Board Member
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Robert Hudson was born in Australia and earned his B.Eng in Metallurgy from the University of Queensland in Brisbane. His professional career began in the mineral sands industry, working with titanium, zirconium, rutile, ilmenite, zircon, and monazite. Over time, he transitioned into international sales and marketing, taking on leadership roles that spanned Asia, North America, and Europe before serving as Vice President of Titanium for North & South America, Europe, and the Middle East. His decades of global work gave him both a deep knowledge of international markets and a firsthand familiarity with jet lag.
In 1998, Robert emigrated to Florida with his company and has made Northeast Florida his home since then. Retired since 2017, he enjoys life with his husband, two cats, and four bicycles. In addition to his professional accomplishments, Robert is committed to community service and serves on the Community Trustee Council for JASMYN.
Robert first visited Cuba in 2019, an experience that left a lasting impression. Moved by the resilience and needs of the Cuban people, he became a steadfast supporter of Carmen and Rey’s Kids and STCP’s other programming initiatives. Today, he is proud to contribute his time, energy, and perspective as a board member, helping advance the organization’s mission to directly support individuals and communities across Cuba.
Jon Elliston
Board Member
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Jon Elliston is a North Carolina-based writer and editor who has worked in newspapers, magazines, and and online publications since the late 1990s, when he completed a master's degree in journalism at UNC-Chapel Hill. He has served as a senior editor for Asheville's Mountain Xpress and WNC magazine, as well as investigations editor for Carolina Public Press, a pioneering nonprofit news outlet.
Elliston's investigative reporting has garnered awards from the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies, Society of Professional Journalists, and North Carolina Press Association, appearing in dozens of publications including The Nation, U.S. News & World Report, Columbia Journalism Review, and Popular Communications.
Early in Elliston's career, he worked as a U.S. Cuba policy researcher at the Washington, DC, nonprofit National Security Archive and for the Cuban Exchange Program at the John Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. In the years since, he has maintained ties to Cuban students and researchers through academic exchange programs, historical conferences, and personal friendships, while also leading group tours of the island and coordinating small aid missions. His books include Psywar on Cuba: The Declassified History of U.S. Anti-Castro Propaganda (Ocean Press, 2002).
Elizabeth Moscarillo
Board Member
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Elizabeth “Liz” Moscarillo is a licensed therapist and the founder of Balanced Behavioral Therapy, where she supports clients through evidence-based treatments in areas such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and life transitions. She holds a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (with emphasis in Marriage & Family Therapy) from Jacksonville University, and is currently a Doctoral Candidate (ABD) specializing in behavioral and substance addiction therapy.
Prior to entering the counseling field, Liz worked in medical device marketing, sales, and executive recruiting, but chose to follow her calling into mental health care. In addition to clinical work, she is certified in adjunctive approaches including psychosexual and relationship therapy, clinical hypnosis, HeartMath, breath coaching, yoga instruction, and Accelerated Resolution Therapy.
Liz has supported Support the Cuban People since its earliest days, lending her perspective, energy, and passion for shared dignity and well-being. Her combination of professional expertise and deep commitment to STCP’s mission is an asset to the board and the communities we serve.
Alejandro Berroa Alvarez
Co-Founder & Board Member
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Alejandro Berroa is a Cuban native and co-founder of Support the Cuban People. He also collaborates closely on Travel Cuba With Us and Cuba Yoga Retreats, bringing to those projects his deep cultural knowledge, linguistic skills, and experience as a guide. Raised and educated in Cuba, Alejandro holds a BA in Linguistics from the University of Havana, with specialization in English, French, and a minor in German. He taught at the French Alliance in Havana and later became a certified translator and interpreter.
For more than 15 years, Alejandro has led tours across Cuba, focusing on Cuban culture and heritage, architecture, history, religion, and ecotourism. He divides his time between Cuba and the U.S., facilitating people-to-people exchange and helping design immersive experiences that reflect authentic Cuban life. He is also co-owner of La Shambhala de la Habana, a yoga studio and community space in Havana.
As a founding voice of STCP, Alejandro’s love for storytelling, cultural exchange, and grassroots connection anchors his work. He advocates for apolitical dialogue, collaborative programming, and economic opportunities built from the ground up in Cuba. His deep ties and insight into Cuban life help the organization bridge communities and support Cuban individuals directly.
Marilyn Ball
Board Member
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Marilyn is the founder & host of Speaking of Travel, a global podcast that explores travel with purpose. Since 2013, Speaking of Travel has shared stories with musicians, historians, conservationists, and industry leaders, showing how travel can connect people, preserve culture, and protect our planet. After more than a decade of global change, the Speaking of Travel mission is simple. Inspire mindful, meaningful travel that leaves the world a little better, one story at a time. She’s also the author of "The Rise of Asheville: An Exceptional History of Community Building," a deep dive into how communities grow, connect, and thrive.
Our Advisory Board
Our Advisory Board includes thoughtful individuals who offer guidance and help us out as needed as we navigate this complex work.
Want to join? We are always looking for mentors with varied expertise. All we ask is that you share your wisdom with us!
Stand With the Cuban People – Make a Difference Today
Your donation helps provide essential resources, support community programs, and uplift lives across Cuba. Every contribution—no matter the size—directly empowers the Cuban people with hope, opportunity, and dignity.
