Dr. Janet L. DeCosmo is the dedicated Treasurer for Start the Ripple, bringing extensive experience from her distinguished career as a Professor of Humanities at Florida A&M University, where she taught for 34 years. Based in Tallahassee, Florida, Dr. DeCosmo holds undergraduate and master’s degrees in International Affairs and a Ph.D. in Humanities from Florida State University.

Her academic work includes two books, a film, and numerous articles focusing on Caribbean studies, Bahia (Brazil), and Southwest Louisiana. At FAMU, she pioneered courses in Caribbean Religion & Culture and African Humanities and founded the Center for Caribbean Culture, securing over $¼ million in funding for diverse public programs, including film festivals, concerts, and conferences.

Dr. DeCosmo's passion for cultural exchange is evident in her organization of student trips to the Caribbean, Brazil, and Europe. An avid collector of music, film, and art, she has a notable collection of Haitian art displayed at FAMU’s Black Archives Research Center.

A lifetime member of the Caribbean Studies Association, where she served as president in 2018, Dr. DeCosmo continues to contribute to the field by writing grants, managing an art gallery and Caribbean center, and running Jan’s Trips, which offers cultural and educational tours to Havana, Cuba.