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Legacy Ambassador

LA Opera Legacy Ambassador Program - It Starts with Belonging

About LA Opera's Legacy Ambassador Program

LA Opera Legacy Ambassador Program was established to forge deep, authentic, and long-standing relationships with diverse communities and the key thought leaders influencing them. The Ambassadors will serve as bridge between LA Opera and the communities we serve as a conduit to cultivate transparent dialogue, access and exposure to opera and the arts.

The LA Opera Ambassador Selection Committee selected Los Angeles greatest icons, influencers, thought leaders, business executives, and community leaders focused on preserving the legacy of the arts and ensuring the arts are accessible to all.

If you are an LA Opera Ambassador and are looking for assets please email us at ambassador@laopera.org

Meet Our Ambassadors

Lisane Basquiat

Lisane Basquiat is a former corporate executive turned life strategist, passionate about empowering individuals to lead fulfilling lives. As the founder of Shaping Freedom and the host of the Shaping Freedom with Lisane Basquiat Podcast, she helps clients tap into their inner wisdom and overcome personal challenges. Lisane is also the owner of Hera Hub Carlsbad, a coworking space dedicated to supporting female entrepreneurs.

In addition to her work in personal and spiritual growth, she serves as the co-administrator of the estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat and co-curator of the acclaimed Jean-Michel Basquiat: King Pleasure exhibition, further showcasing her dedication to preserving and promoting her family's legacy.

Ingrid Best

Ingrid Best possesses the unique ability to blend wine, art, and culture like no one else. During her 20+ year career in the wine and spirits industry & global travels, Ingrid was inspired to create her own wine brand. In October of 2023, Ingrid launched IBest Wines.

Ingrid was raised in a diverse Bay Area community with Napa Valley as her backyard. It was here where she developed her lifelong love for wine. During her almost two-decade career working for the largest suppliers in the business, Best took a life-changing business trip to South Africa; it was onthe coast of Cape Town where she came to realize her life purpose: launching her own wine brand. Energized and clear, she combined her marketing prowess, business acumen, love of wine and yearning to tell the story of Black and Brown businesspeople to found IBest Wines.

Currently offering two award winning South African blends, IBest Wines is blending wine, art, and culture in an unprecedented way, sending waves through the wine industry and beyond. Ingrid and her team of six Black business women—all holding equity in the company—are changing the way the wine industry looks, feels, talks, and tastes, offering a portfolio of fine wines perfect for the modernday wine drinker who desires new, dynamic, diverse, and global wines. Ingrid's vision for IBest Wines is to not only bring excellent wine to the US market, but also to share the stories and experiences of South African business owners and creatives.

Through Ingrid’s travels around the globe, especially to South Africa, she further realized her passion for the arts, becoming an avid art collector of Africans and African Diaspora artists including Derrick Adams, Nelson Makamo, Harmonia Rosales, Bisa Butler, Shaina McCoy, Bahati, Cristina Martinez and many more. Ingrid recognizes that art is a powerful tool for storytelling, has an uncanny ability to bridge cultures and people and is a way to build generational wealth. Through her art collection, Ingrid aims to highlight the beauty and diversity of African American and African art and culture.

Ingrid’s dedication to the arts is exemplified through her efforts in collecting, donating, and lending artworks to prestigious institutions including the National Portrait Gallery in Washington D.C., the Spelman College Museum of Fine Art in Atlanta, and the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art. She is also part of the Directors Circle at LACMA.

Prior to founding IBest Wines, Ingrid’s career was filled with brand-building and culture-shifting moments including her work on CÎROC Ultra-Premium Vodka and DeLeón Tequila; Bacardi (D’USSE), Moët Hennessy (Hennessy; Belvedere), and Diageo. As a Black and Latina woman, she has risen to the top of a male dominated industry and is known for proudly and boldly advocating with Black and Brown women to hold positions and space at every level of business, from assistants to C-Suite executives.

Ingrid was born in New York and raised in the Bay Area. Her life purpose is to mentor young Black and Brown professionals, with the goal of redefining the future face of Corporate America, specifically in the wine and spirits industry. Best’s parting words and keys to success? Be clear in your vision, bold in your ideas and deliberate in your execution. But most importantly, be good to people along the way.

Shanique Bonelli-Moore

Shanique Bonelli-Moore is chief diversity and social impact officer of The Clorox Company where she leads all inclusion, diversity, equity and allyship initiatives while also guiding the strategy and execution of The Clorox Company Foundation's charitable giving and employee community engagement programs.

Bonelli-Moore joined Clorox from United Talent Agency (UTA), where she served as executive director of inclusion. In this role she spearheaded the company's efforts to model inclusion across the entertainment industry.

Before UTA, Bonelli-Moore held positions at BuzzFeed, Anheuser-Busch InBev, NBCUniversal and GE, where she focused on corporate communications, diversity, inclusion and belonging.

Leticia Rhi Buckley

Leticia Rhi Buckley is a mom, wife, the daughter of Mexican immigrants, born and raised in East Los Angeles. She has built a career developing programs and guiding public policy that connects the dots between historically under-resourced communities and the arts. Leticia is Chief Executive Officer of LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, a museum and cultural center dedicated to uplifting the history of Mexicans and Mexican Americans in Los Angeles, and collecting, preserving, and sharing the stories, accomplishments, and experiences of Latinx people and Latino culture.

She is the president of the LA County Arts Commission, representing the First District, board chair of the Arts for Healing and Justice Network, and immediate past board president for Californians for the Arts. Leticia also serves as a board member for California Arts Advocates, Downtown Works Los Angeles, The Music Man Foundation, and the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board.

A former adjunct professor at Claremont Graduate University’s Center for Business and Management of the Arts, Leticia holds a degree in political science from Loyola Marymount University and recently received the Alumni Role Model Award from the LMU Latino Alumni Association. She is an urban dweller raising two children in downtown Los Angeles with her composer husband.

Bel Hernandez Castillo

Bel Hernandez Castillo is the Founder/CEO of Latin Heat Media, a multi-media company that includes a news and entertainment website (www.latinheat.com); TheTRENDTalk TV show (thetrendtalk.tv), and LATINAFest the largest outdoor festival on the West Coast that celebrates everything Latina. Bel believes in the mission of creating content by Latinos, about Latinos for universal audiences.

Wayne Chaney, Jr.

Pastor Wayne Chaney, Jr., is the epitome of a contemporary spiritual leader, seamlessly blending faith, business and leadership competencies across various platforms. Born into a three-generation spiritual lineage, he carries forward the legacy of his grandfather, Joe Chaney, Jr., as pastor of Antioch Church in Long Beach; a thriving, multigenerational congregation. Under his leadership, the 60-year-old community staple has grown from a few hundred members to thousands who call Antioch’s beautiful downtown location home. With a history of commitment to cultivating high capacity leaders, the church has been able to make an impact both locally and globally. In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic,

Pastor Chaney created the “Joy in the City” initiative, in partnership with Antioch Church and World Vision. The effort brought over seven million dollars worth of household goods, personal care items, and furniture to Los Angeles County's most vulnerable residents. On the international front, Antioch’s esteemed leader has offered council, leadership development and ministry to both religious and civic institutions in England, United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, South Africa, The Kingdom of Eswatini, Israel, Tanzania, Korea, Mexico, New Zealand and Brazil. In addition to his personal efforts, Pastor Chaney has sought to amplify global impact through the creation of The Joseph Project. The initiative was designed to mobilize resource and strategic partnerships toward the eradication of extreme poverty on the African Continent.

As the CEO of Ovation Square, a state of the art event and entertainment venue, Pastor Wayne Chaney has hosted clients such as BuzzFeed, eBay, ComplexCon, US Foods, The Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, Candlelight Concerts, Cal State University Long Beach and a host of others. He is also the visionary behind the Long Beach Gospel Fest, the region’s premier gospel music event, which attracts over 20,000 attendees annually, for a day of inspiration and community.

Beyond his pastoral and business duties, Pastor Chaney serves on the board of directors of Merge Summit, an organization established to connect top tier entertainment executives and talent with the country’s best aspiring artists to create career opportunities in Hollywood. He also serves on the executive board of the South Coast Interfaith Council, Global Tribe International and is the past president of the Long Beach Ministers’ Alliance. While he leads a nondenominational congregation, elected at 21 years of age, Chaney still remains the youngest elected state president and national board member for the National African American Fellowship, SBC.

Pastor Wayne, as he is affectionately known, has served as a trusted advisor and mentor to countless community leaders, influencers, organizers, local and national political figures and civic leaders alike. He has been honored with numerous awards and recognitions, including congressional, senatorial, and presidential commendations. He has graced the cover of Church Executive Magazine and at 29 was named one of the “Ten Most Powerful People” by the Long Beach Post for two consecutive years. He received the City’s Martin Luther King Jr. Peacemaker Award and has been an annual award recipient of the NAACP, Delta Sigma Theta Inc., California Council for Equality and Justice and a host of others.

As a lifelong learner and education advocate, Pastor Chaney has always possessed an intellectual curiosity. His studies include Morehouse College, Fuller Seminary, Claremont School of Theology and he is currently a doctoral candidate at Duke University’s Divinity School. In addition to classic pursuits, Chaney enjoys both creating and seizing opportunities that are a little off of the metaphorical script. As a cast member on Oxygen’s hit series Preachers of LA, Pastor Chaney has appeared on Extra, Access Hollywood, Showbiz Tonight, The Arsenio Hall Show, The Real, Insider, Boris and Nicole, Lift Every Voice, and News One Now.

No stranger to engaging taboo topics, his hit radio show Real Life on Stevie Wonder’s KJLH 102.3 FM, became a staple for its engaging discussions on life’s most perplexing issues. In 2016, Pastor Chaney published Your Miraculous Potential: Maximizing God’s Creativity, Power, and Direction. The book equips readers with tools to hear and understand the voice of God and discover their divine purpose.

Pastor Wayne Chaney Jr. refuses to accept the status quo. Whether through his ministry, business endeavors or contribution to humanity, he is committed to impacting culture, creating positive change, and cultivating environments where God’s love is known and felt.

Anthony Davenport

Anthony Davenport is the founder of Regal Credit Management, a company that has been listed on the Inc. 5000 for the last two years in a row, serving some of the most high-profile and wealthiest individuals in the world. After experiencing a financial setback during the 2009 crisis, Anthony was inspired to establish Regal Credit Management in 2010 to help others rebuild and protect their financial lives. Today, the firm operates offices in New York City, Los Angeles and London, providing innovative services like Credit Block™ and CyberSweep™ to safeguard clients’ credit and personal information.

Beyond the business world, Anthony discovered a love for opera at the age of 21. Since then, he has attended performances in some of the world's most renowned opera houses, including those in London, New York City, Vienna and Paris.

Regina Owens Dillard

Regina Owens Dillard is a STEM advocate and a consultant in program leadership development for a major aerospace company. She recently retired as the navigation programs director for Resilient Navigation and Reconnaissance Systems in Secure Sensor Solutions for Raytheon Intelligence & Space, a business of Raytheon Technologies. Regina led a team of program managers who managed a multi-million dollar portfolio of programs ranging from development to sustainment, with multiple US and international customers and suppliers. Prior to joining Raytheon, she worked in various engineering and leadership positions with increasing responsibility at Boeing Satellite Systems and Hughes Space & Communications.

Regina earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of California at Los Angeles and a master’s degree in business administration from Loyola Marymount University.

Regina is the immediate past president of the Los Angeles Council of Black Professional Engineers where she served as president for over four years. She is also the current treasurer for the Los Angeles Graduate Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and an active member of the UCLA Black Alumni Association where she serves on the NSBE (National Society of Black Engineers) Bruin Alumni Scholarship Committee. Regina is a lifetime member of: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated; the Los Angeles Council of Black Engineers; and the UCLA Alumni Association.

Living in Los Angeles for all but the first two months of her life, Regina’s parents were her role models. They met at an HBCU and took turns earning their advanced degrees while working fulltime and caring for their family of six. Regina is the mother of two adult children who are young professionals who also support the Los Angeles community

Jaime Dominguez

Jaime Dominguez is the Head of School at Oakwood School, a K-12 independent school in North Hollywood, California. Prior to Oakwood, Jaime was Head of School at Stuart Hall for Boys in San Francisco, a position he held for 14 years and before then he was a teacher and administrator at the American School in London.

Jaime began his career in New York City teaching 7th and 8th grade science as one of the earliest corps members of Teach for America. Following his time in New York, he taught middle and high school math and science in Austin, Texas. Jaime has served on the Board of Teach forAmerica Bay Area and Los Angeles, and he is a founding board member and former board chair of the New School of San Francisco. The New School is a tuition-free public school whose mission is grounded in the tenets of inclusion, inquiry and personalized learning. He most recently joined the board of CATDC (California Teacher Development Coalition).

Jaime is bilingual and grew up among an extended bicultural family in El Paso, Texas. He cultivated an early interest in the visual arts of ceramics, woodworking, and painting, to which he remains committed today.

While attending Princeton University, Jaime served as the President of the Ballet Folklórico Dance Company of Princeton. He received his B.A. from Princeton and his M.A. in Educational Administration from Michigan State University.

Lastly, Jaime has been married to his wife Ti Aguirre for 30 years and has three adult children who all live on the East Coast.

Chad Easterling

Chad Easterling is CEO of Obsidianworks, a culture-powered marketing agency he co-founded with business partner, Michael B. Jordan. Founded in November 2020, the company specializes in cultural connectivity through brand strategy, digital and social impact. Obsidianworks was built out of the desire to establish a full-service advertising and marketing agency reflective of Easterling and Jordan’s diverse upbringings. Working closely with their talent and brand partners, Obsidianworks creates and executes innovative and culturally resonant campaigns and activations that connect with diverse audiences in diverse communities. Their roster of clients includes Target, Legacy Classic, Frito Lay, Marriott and more.

Prior to partnering with Jordan, Easterling spent more than a decade at Nike, working across several categories and territories including both Nike and Jordan Brand. While there, he spearheaded key brand moments and disruptive campaigns, including World Basketball Festival, All-Star Weekends and Basketball Never Stops, as well as built robust strategies for key signature athletes and products, including LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant, Russell Westbrook and Zion Williamson. Understanding the role that Nike plays in inner cities and the powerful impact those communities have on culture, Easterling effectively helped connect and establish both brands on a grassroots level through summer leagues, high school basketball, NBA and, most importantly, throughout the community.

Chad is a proud to have attended Hampton University , where he was a played on the basketball team and received his degree in sports management, graduating with honors in 2009.

Edgar Garcia

Edgar Garcia is the Assistant General Manager for El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument with over twenty years experience in cultural policy, arts administration, and historic preservation. Born and raised in Los Angeles to Mexican immigrants, he is committed to supporting the cultural infrastructure of Los Angeles.

An early recipient of the Getty Marrow Multicultural internship, he began his public service as Preservation Planner for the city’s Office of Historic Resources, overseeing some of L.A.’s most cherished historic and cultural sites. He served in the administration of former Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti as Arts & Culture Deputy. Awarded the Getty’s Leadership in Arts Management grant, he has served as a Fitch Scholar, Royal Oak Foundation Scholar, and Diversity Scholar for both the National Trust and Historic New England. He was also named a Pocantico Fellow with the Rockefeller Brothers Fund. He served on an ICOMOS–State Department diplomatic exchange leading architectural conservation projects in Russia. Selected for the EU’s Global Cultural Leadership program, he is also a recipient of the German Marshall Memorial Fellowship.

Edgar is a graduate of Yale University and the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs.

Velina Hasu Houston

Velina Hasu Houston’s literary career began Off-Broadway at Manhattan Theatre Club, expanding globally, including over 41 commissions and numerous honors. In opera, she has nine commissions, which include LA Opera and Hawai’i Opera Theatre. Her play Tea was designated a theater canon classic by Roundabout Theatre Company, New York, and HERO Theatre, Los Angeles.

Honored by several organizations such as the Kennedy Center, Japan Foundation, Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, Theatre Communications Group, and Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, her archives are at the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens; San Marino, California.

At the University of Southern California, she founded graduate playwriting and co-founded Asian American cultural studies in the early 1990s, and she is a presidentially appointed USC Distinguished Professor of Theatre and USC Resident Playwright. She is affiliated faculty with East Asian Studies and American Studies & Ethnicity; and associated faculty with the Shinso Ito Center for Japanese Religions & Culture. A Fulbright scholar, she served on the State Department’s Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission.

She’s taught and been a guest artist/scholar at universities nationwide and in Japan. She is on the board of trustees for Berklee College, Boston; an associated artist with Writers’ Odyssey, Odyssey Theatre Ensemble, Los Angeles; an associated artist of New Circle Theatre Company, New York; a member of The Writers Group, New York; and a member of the advisory councils for HERO Theatre’s and Directors Lab West.

VelinaHasuHouston.com

Representation
Agent: Jack Tantleff, Paradigm Talent Agency
Entertainment Attorney: Michael C. Donaldson, Esq.; Donaldson Callif Perez

Photo by Monique Yamaguchi

Veronica Hu

Veronica Hu is a passionate aesthetician and devoted mother of two young children, living in Westlake Village. She blends her love for family and beauty into her entrepreneurial journey. In 2020, she co-founded Celui Fragrance, a women-owned, cruelty-free fragrance brand, with her best friend from high school. Inspired by their shared love for travel, adventure, and nature, Celui Fragrance’s exquisite scents are now featured in prestigious hotels, including Hotel Bel Air, Four Seasons Beverly Wilshire, Four Seasons Hualalai, and Four Seasons Westlake.

In addition to her entrepreneurial endeavors, Veronica enjoys traveling, golfing, and connecting with fellow entrepreneurs. She has a deep appreciation for LA Opera and the creative arts, further enriching her passion for beauty and expression.

Josh Kun

Josh Kun is Vice Provost for the Arts at the University of Southern California, where he is Professor and Chair in Cross-Cultural Communication at the USC Annenberg School. His books include Audiotopia: Music, Race, and America, Double Vision: The Photography of George Rodriguez, The Tide Was Always High: The Music of Latin America in Los Angeles, and a trilogy of books based on the special collections of the Los Angeles Public Library. As a curator, he has worked with the Getty Foundation, The Grammy Museum, Contemporary Jewish Museum, Vincent Price Art Museum, and LACMA. As an artist, his work has appeared with Prospect New Orleans, SFMOMA, California African American Museum, and Steve Turner Gallery. He is the recipient of an American Book Award and a Berlin Prize, and in 2016 was named a MacArthur Fellow.

Jason Delane Lee

Jason Delane Lee (he/him) is the CO-CEO of the Lagralane Group. At Lagralane, Jason has Co-Executive Produced the 2018 Academy Award-winning documentary, Icarus. His producing credits also include the 2019 Berlinale world premiere and TIFF North American premiere The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open; the 2018 Sundance premieres Night Comes On and This is Home; the 2017 SXSW premieres Served Like a Girl, The Blood is at the Doorstep, and Lucky, starring the late Harry Dean Stanton, and the upcoming Lisa Cortes documentary The Empire of Ebony. On-screen he acted in and executive produced the indie film Givers of Death (G.O.D.), written and directed by Addison Henderson and distributed by Buffalo 8. As a filmmaker, Jason recently completed the short film Lifeline, which he wrote, co-directed, and starred in. Lifeline has screened in over 16 film festivals worldwide earning several accolades including Award of Excellence at Best Shorts Competition and Finalist Best Short at Roma Prism Awards. He is a founding member of Los Angeles-based Lower Depth Theatre; which produces intimate theater for LA's theater arts community and also serves on the board of directors of the Classical Theatre of Harlem in NYC. Jason and his wife, Yvonne, currently live in Studio City, CA with their three children.

Yvonne Lee

Yvonne (she/hers) is an actor and producer of Black and Filipina descent. She is inspired by the female experience and seeks to elevate both female-driven narratives and women’s perspectives. Fearless in her pursuit of authentic and original works, she is passionate about storytelling’s power to entertain and foment social change. On stage, she starred in Safe Harbor written by Tira Palmquist with Lower Depth Theatre, where she is an artistic associate and founding member. She was also in Lower Depth's critically acclaimed Br’erCotton by Tearrance Arvelle Chisolm. She was nominated for the 2019 NAACP Best Actress (Intimate Theatre) for this role. She acted on screen and executive produced the indie film Givers of Death (G.O.D.), written and directed by Addison Henderson, and distributed by Buffalo 8. She also starred alongside Harry Dean Stanton in his career final film Lucky, distributed by Magnolia Pictures. Other executive producing credits include This is Home, Night Comes On, The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open, Rebecca Hall’s Passing, The Big Payback with Color Farm Media, and the upcoming Lisa Cortes documentary The Empire of Ebony. Yvonne serves on the board of Array Alliance and Lower Depth Theatre and is co-founder of the Lagralane Group with her husband, Jason Delane Lee, and their three children.

Nicole Lyn

Nicole Lyn began cultivating her love for the performing arts from an early age, and by the time she turned 18, she was well known for her roles on Canadian television. Upon moving to the U.S., she continued to build an extensive acting resume in television and film, working alongside some the industry's most respected artists.

In 2009 she began deejaying as Ms. Nix, and her unique style and versatility made her a favorite among leading brands and an esteemed client list, who have tapped her to perform at marquee events around the world, including the Oscars, Emmys, Grammys, Super Bowl, Art Basel, NYFW and on camera for Good Morning America, The Talk, MTV’s Hip Hop Squares and VH1 Live. This accomplished, multi-talented performer and creator knows the significance of taking her audience on a journey, and brings that passion to all her endeavors.

Nicole's gift for storytelling and curation has made for a natural progression into developing, producing and hosting scripted and editorial content with a growing list of clients and collaborators.

She resides in Los Angeles with her partner Chad Easterling and their son Crosby.

Karen Mack

Karen Mack is a passionate, visionary leader in Los Angeles focused on leveraging the power of arts and culture to empower individuals, build connections and develop communities. Twenty years ago, she founded LA Commons, a South LA based nonprofit implementing artistic and cultural programs reflecting the unique character of diverse neighborhoods to foster interaction, dialogue and a shared understanding of Los Angeles. Through grassroots art projects, festivals and tours in partnership with communities across Los Angeles, LA Commons plays a unique role facilitating local engagement in arts and culture as well as in other important issues - health, transportation and education to name a few, giving residents and particularly young people, a voice and an onramp to making positive change. Prior to work with LA Commons, she served as Public Service Fellow at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University where she researched the role of culture in community building and Vice President at Community Partners, responsible for Program Planning and Development. She holds an MPA from Harvard University and an MBA from the John Anderson School of Management at UCLA. She has served as the President of the City’s Board of Neighborhood Commissioners and of the nonprofit Los Angeles Neighborhood Initiative and is currently a mayoral appointee to the City of Los Angeles Planning Commission (Equity Subcommittee Chair). She also recently complete service as co-chair of the Los Angeles County Cultural and Inclusion Initiative.

Since that time, she and her team have worked in neighborhoods across the city, implementing artistic programs that foster interaction, dialogue and collaboration for a better Los Angeles. LA Commons plays a unique role as a facilitator of local engagement in arts and culture as well as in other important issues - health, transportation and education to name a few, giving residents and particularly young people, a voice and an onramp to making positive change. Prior to work with LA Commons, she served as a Public Service Fellow at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University where she researched the role of culture in community building. She is currently a mayoral appointee to the City of Los Angeles Planning Commission (Equity Chair) and supervisorial appointee and Co-Chair of LA County’s Cultural Equity and Inclusion Initiative. LA Commons has been a long time partner with NOCD-NY as exemplified by the collaborative national initiative “Creative Placemaking from the Community Up.”

Paula Miranda

Paula Miranda is a proud Los Angeles native with Indigenous Mexican-American and Puerto Rican roots. With her dynamically diverse looks and background, she worked globally modeling and acting over 25 years. She understands and recognizes the transformative power of the arts and its ability to teach tolerance, foster connection and empathy within communities.

For over 16 years, Paula has passionately advocated for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in various spheres, particularly in education and the arts. Her dedicated work in transforming supporting communities of color in institutions reflects her commitment to creating inclusive environments where every voice is heard, empowered and celebrated.

In addition to her advocacy, Paula is a wellness practitioner specializing in Somatic energy work. She creates heart-opening experiences that encourage individuals to connect with their authentic self in their bodies and find balance physically, emotionally, and mentally.

As an Ambassador for LA Opera, Paula is dedicated to promoting the arts as a vital platform for expression and social change.

Renae Williams Niles

For three decades, Renae Williams Niles has worked within the nonprofit sector in many capacities including executive director of an education foundation, chief operating officer/diversity liaison for a university dance school, touring dance company manager, grantmaker for Los Angeles County, vice president of programming/dance presenter, chief content and engagement officer, adjunct professor for a graduate arts management program, and as a consultant/guest curator and moderator.

Renae’s career has allowed her to work with/advise/present/commission new work by over 100 different dance companies, choreographers, and directors and also moderate conversations with acclaimed dance, music, literary and film trailblazers. Early in her career, she worked with the Lula Washington Dance Theatre as an apprentice dancer and eventually company manager, overseeing national touring of the professional company. Renae worked as the marketing/special projects manager for Grand Performances (formerly California Plaza Presents), a free outdoor presenting organization. She also served as director of grant programs for the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, where she devised the Commission’s first economic impact report and participated in the selection of artists for the Ford Amphitheatre. Renae was the first chief operating officer/associate dean of administration for the University of Southern California Kaufman School of Dance, and also authored their equity plan and co-led diversity and inclusion efforts. She also served as the executive director for the Culver City Education Foundation, funding district-wide essential programs and priorities for one of the most diverse K-12 public school districts in the state of California.

For three years, Renae was adjunct faculty for Claremont Graduate University’s Arts Management program. Most recently, she was the chief content and engagement officer of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, overseeing five departments including all programming across all venues, marketing/communications, learning/Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles and government and community engagement. While with the LA Phil, Renae oversaw the collaboration with Live Nation Urban in co-producing the nation’s Juneteenth Celebration at the Hollywood Bowl, aired live on CNN for millions around the world.

For over 11 years, Renae worked for the Music Center eventually becoming vice president of programming. In addition to guiding all facets of the dance series, she curated the presentation of over 50 internationally acclaimed ballet and contemporary companies, created the highly-regarded programs BalletNOW and Moves After Dark and also commissioned the world debut of the now famed LA Dance Project. While at the Music Center, she collaborated with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, American Ballet Theatre, the Apollo Theater, Center Theatre Group, Dance Camera West, LA Opera, LA Phil, Live Nation, REDCAT and others. Renae guest curates and has worked with the LA Phil, within both Walt Disney Concert Hall and at the Hollywood Bowl and was invited to curate for the Joyce Theater’s American Dance Platform in New York.

As a consultant/creative producer, she has guided projects and devised focused plans in several areas including equity and community engagement efforts, programming/artistic strategy, audience and donor cultivation/retention. Clients have included Ballet Hispanico, Jacob’s Pillow, the LA Phil, Ventura Music Festival and others. Renae also enjoys moderating conversations with renowned artists including the feature film La La Land’s entire creative team, award-winning choreographers such as Camille A. Brown and Sir Matthew Bourne, legendary artist Yo-Yo Ma, composer Kris Bowers and with artist/author Ben Folds to name a few.

Since 2014, Renae has been a fellow with the Los Angeles Institute for the Humanities. She frequently serves on boards, as an advisor, grant review panelist, and as an anonymous nominator for national foundations. She has served as a panelist for the Entertainment Industry Foundation, the James Irvine Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, United States Artists, and the W.M. Keck Foundation among many others. Renae served as board president of the Western Arts Alliance (WAA), on the board of trustees for Dance/USA and as a three-year advisor for the New England Foundation for the Arts’ National Dance Project. Within the Los Angeles area, she has served on the Dance Resource Center board, as a founding member of Emerging Arts Leaders, founding member of the Culver City Cultural Affairs Foundation, founding member of USC Kaufman’s Board of Advisors, Host Committee Co-Chair for the 2018 Dance/USA national conference, and currently serves as an advisor to BODYTRAFFIC and an unofficial advisor for many artists and dance companies. She is the immediate past board chair of the Association of Performing Arts Professionals, a national/international leader in the touring performing arts for the U.S. Renae received the 2017 WAA Service to the Field Award and in 2021, she was recognized as an Unsung Hero by the State of California Legislative Black Caucus.

Norm Nixon

Norm Nixon, a former two-time NBA All-Star and a pivotal figure in two NBA championship-winning teams with the Los Angeles Lakers, possesses a rare combination of talent and leadership that transcends the boundaries of the basketball court. His extraordinary journey from the NBA courts to the pinnacle of business, philanthropy, and leadership has not only solidified his reputation as a transformative force but also earned him a place of unparalleled trust, influence, and engagement as a coveted board prospect and member.

Norm's influence extends beyond the boardroom. He co-founded the Debbie Allen Dance Academy, showcasing his unwavering commitment to advancing the arts. In this capacity, Norm serves as the CFO/COO, overseeing the academy's operations and production of numerous successful children's musicals. His dedication to the arts is further underscored by his role as an LA Opera Ambassador, representing the prestigious fourth largest opera institution in the US. Additionally, Norm was invited to join LACMA's Directors Circle—an esteemed brain trust and innovation arm of LACMA, dedicated to reshaping the cultural landscape both locally and on a global scale. Norm Nixon's current role as CFO/COO for the Debbie Allen Dance Academy reflects his commitment to excellence in the arts and organizational management.

In addition to his work with the academy, Norm has been an equity partner with Hudson's since 2015, playing a pivotal role in closing significant deals with Westfield at LAX, resulting in an annual impact of approximately 8-10 million dollars.

One of Norma's most remarkable achievements was spearheading the capital campaign for the Rhimes Performing Arts Center, where he secured over 90% of the required $30 million. This exceptional accomplishgment not only showcases his exemplary leadership and fundraising prowess but also highlights his unwavering commitment to seeing critical projects through to successful completion.

Norm Nixon's inspiring journey from NBA stardom to becoming a highly accomplished agent and philanthropic leader has positioned him as a top-tier board prospect. His handpicked roles at LA Opera and within LACMA's esteemed Directors Circle are compelling testimonials to his exemplary leadership and his dedication to enriching the cultural fabric of our society.

Norm’s proven track record, steadfast commitment, and ability to raise substantial capital while acting as a liaison between the board, banking institutions and political relationships making him an exceptional choice for any board seeking a dynamic and transformative leader

Spencer Paysinger

Spencer Paysinger grew up in South Central, Los Angeles, and attended Beverly Hills High School, where he excelled at football. That led Paysinger to the University of Oregon on a full athletic scholarship, where he graduated with a bachelor's in economics. His personal story inspired the CW hit drama All American.

After going unselected in the 2011 NFL draft, Paysinger made the final cut with the New York Giants, and he eventually won Super Bowl XLVI in his rookie season. Paysinger played seven seasons in the NFL before retiring to pursue his dream of developing television and film concepts that spotlight unique experiences across America.

Aside from producing All American, the WGA and SAG-AFTRA member recently produced the HBO documentary BS High and has written or produced various concepts under his Moore Street Productions banner with Imagine Entertainment, Disney, Wilson Sports, SMAC, HyperObject, Macro, HBO and Uninterrupted.

Outside of entertainment, Paysinger is a co-owner of Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen and is a board member of the KIPP Public Schools Leadership Committee and Living Through Giving Foundation. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Blair Paysinger, and two children, Cairo and Madden.

Abner Ramirez

The band Johnnyswim, composed of the magnetic duo Abner Ramirez and Amanda Sudano Ramirez, effortlessly enthralls audiences with their heartfelt melodies, intertwining personal experiences and imaginative tales. Their music is a vibrant tapestry woven with memories, emotions, and dreams, blending singer-songwriter tradition with alternative flair, rock vigor, and pop ambition. Through extensive touring, they've cultivated a devoted fanbase worldwide, connecting deeply with listeners on a personal level.

After the triumph of their 2013 Heart Beats EP featuring the hit "Don’t Let It Get You Down," Johnnyswim unleashed their debut album Diamonds in 2014, where the track "Home" became synonymous with the HGTV sensation Fixer Upper. Their 2016 release Georgica Pond, including favorites like "First Try," saw them selling out venues globally, solidifying their musical legacy.

In their 2019 album Moonlight, produced by Grammy Award-winning Malay, Johnnyswim showcased their bond's strength, musical versatility, and narrative depth. Their 2022 self-titled album Johnnyswim signifies a musical evolution, praised for its authenticity and artistry, cementing their status as timeless musical icons.

Critics from NPR, The New York Times, Huffington Post, Nylon and Rolling Stone have hailed Johnnyswim's blend of folk, pop and blues as "captivating and unforgettable." Their electrifying performances on shows like The Today Show and Conan have enchanted audiences, reinforcing their dynamic presence in the music realm.

In 2024, Abner and Amanda expanded their creative horizons with a weekly YouTube series, offering fans an exclusive peek into their lives, music, and culinary adventures. Celebrating the 10th anniversary of their debut album Diamonds this year with a special event in Nashville, Johnnyswim's legacy continues to flourish, resonating deeply with fans old and new alike.

Amanda Sudano Ramirez

Ajay Relan

Ajay Relan is an investor, entrepreneur, and community builder. He is a managing partner at Slauson & Co. Previously, he was a founding partner at Queensbridge Venture Partners. With a keen focus on brand building and storytelling, Ajay's passion lies in identifying trends and engineering culturally aligned brands.

A lifelong Angeleno, Ajay has established a business portfolio grounded in community. He is the co-creator of GVO Hospitality, a Los Angeles based restaurant group that counts mission-driven Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen as one of its brands. Hilltop has become a creative hub, facilitating productivity and collaboration in diverse communities across Los Angeles.

In 2012, Ajay founded #HashtagLunchbag, a grassroots movement that has fed 1,000,000+ hungry and unhoused people in 150+ cities around the globe. He went on to establish the Living Through Giving Foundation, a nonprofit platform empowering the creation of programs engaging diverse groups of people to contribute to various causes in their local communities.

Ajay is a graduate of UC Santa Barbara and serves on the board of the Omega Institute.

Dr. Bill Releford

co-founder, president and CEO of The Wound Pros
innovator in global healthcare, agriculture and AI for community wellness

I am Dr. Bill Releford or—as I am more affectionately known—The Doctor and The Farmer. I have learned through life that I need to walk the walk and talk the talk. I live by a code of 3 R’s, those being Restore, Redefine, and Relaunch. With all the hurdles I have had to overcome, I have learned that we need to Redefine when we make a mistake, Restore any damage, and then Relaunch, which is exactly what I have done, as the founder, president and CEO of The Wound Pros and a leading visionary and innovator in the global healthcare complex. Throughout my career, I have adopted a unique approach to medicine that blends the latest advancements in medical practices and technologies with sustainable agricultural insights in order to improve the health, quality of life and well-being of my patients and community.

As the founder of The Wound Pros, the most comprehensive wound care and management service in the industry, I am passionate about health equity. By leveraging cutting-edge AI-driven solutions, Wound Pros clinicians are empowered to not only treat patients but impact lives on a global scale. Through initiatives such as Wound Care Without Walls (WCWW), a global outreach program with the focus of treating chronic wounds around the world, our team is able to bring advanced wound care to millions of individuals suffering the debilitating effects of non-healing wounds.

As a published author and advocate for preventative care, I am dedicated to using my professional and personal experiences in order to inspire others to prioritize their health and wellness through programs like the Black Barbershop Health Outreach Program. This initiative was begun to promote preventative care among underserved black communities and has led to the screening of over 30,000 African American men.

In addition to my extensive work in the medical community, I am also the owner of the 250-acre Bloom Ranch, the largest Black-owned ranch in LA county. The ranch is the embodiment of my personal commitment to sustainability and holistic health. At Bloom Ranch, traditional agriculture meets modern innovation, creating a model grounded in environmental stewardship and community support that promotes a mission of advocacy, wellness and accessibility for all.

Naibe Reynoso

Naibe Reynoso is a multi-Emmy Award-winning journalist, speaker and author, based in Los Angeles. She has contributed to various regional and international networks including CNN Espanol, Univision, Reeelz Channel, and France 24. She is the founder of Con Todo Press, a mission driven company established in 2018 that publishes and creates award-winning books that celebrate the joy of Latino culture and amplify the stories and voices of Latinos and other underrepresented communities. She is also the co-founder of Latinafest® LLC, a company that creates community events and festivals to uplift Latinas.

She has written over 10 children’s books including the adaptation of the Disney/Pixar film Encanto for Little Golden Books, as well as a children's book adapted by the Netflix series, Karma's World.

She has served on the board of jurors for the Peabody Awards and is currently an advisory board member for the Mexican American Cultural Education Foundation.

Her bilingual background includes investigative reporting, hosting, entertainment reporting, radio and television production. Currently, she is an anchor and reporter for LA County Channel and producer and host for their Emmy nominated show El Condado Contigo.

She lives in her native Los Angeles with her husband, her daughter and her son.

Ivette Rodriguez

Ivette Rodriguez is the founder and president of AEM, a 28 year old leading multicultural entertainment marketing and public relations firm specializing in the US Latino consumer whose purchasing power is measured at $3.6 trillion. Her firm has led marketing, public relations and awards campaigns for some of the most successful films, television series, from major studios to independent and award winning prestige titles, in both English and Spanish. Clients include Amazon Studios, Netflix, Hulu, Apple TV+, 3 Pas Studios and La Corriente del Golfo. Prior to starting her own firm, Ivette launched her career at Clive Davis’ storied Arista Records, and worked at WNEW Radio, Columbia TriStar Motion Pictures and Live Entertainment.

A recognized Latina thought leader, Ivette was recently named ALPFA (Association of Latino Professionals for America) 2024 Most Powerful Latinas in recognition for her exceptional leadership, impact and dedication to inspiring others.

For decades—from Washington DC to Hollywood, California— Ivette has been a dedicated advocate for the Latino community and has lent her extensive expertise and support to numerous national organizations and initiatives, including CHCI, NHMC, NAA, Voto Latino, Hispanic Heritage Foundation, Cal State University Entertainment Alliance and Friends of The National American Latino Museum to name a few.

Ivette has lead in issues of Latino representation in Hollywood and is an active member of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences (AMPAS) and has had leadership roles including serving on the Marketing and Public Relations Branch Executive Committee, co-chairing A2020 and Aperture 2025 initiatives and along with actress and activist Rosie Perez, was the inaugural co-chair of LA Agenda, AMPAS Latino affinity group. Ivette also serves on the DEIA committees for both AMPAS and the Academy Museum.

Ivette is a founding member of the Public Relations Alliance, a group comprised of top Hollywood communication practitioners leveraging strategic prowess for positive impact on the entertainment industry.

Ivette is currently on the boards of the Latino Film Institute which is dedicated to the education, advancement, innovation and excellence for the Latino community in Hollywood, and A Sense of Home which strives to prevent homelessness by creating first-ever homes and a community for youth aging out of foster care
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Ivette was born in Puerto Rico, raised in New Jersey and resides in California and is the proud mother of Alexandra and Isabella.

Patty Rodriguez

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Patty Rodriguez is a multi-faceted entrepreneur, radio producer, media personality and co-founder of sin miedo productions and Lil' Libros.

Carmen Ruiz-Andreasen

Carmen Ruiz-Andreasen is an organizational strategist who has over 18 years experience coaching executives, developing leaders and individual contributors. Carmen currently serves as an executive at a landmark Los Angeles human services non-profit organization.

A Los Angeles native and first generation Mexican American, Carmen Ruiz-Andreasen understands first hand the role education and resources play in the support and empowerment of a community. From her experience working for LAUSD, the non-profit sector and profit sector, and with dozens of leaderships teams, Carmen has developed a deeply rooted sense of responsibility for promoting and upholding changes and programs that make a difference in people’s lives.

Throughout her career, Carmen has tirelessly worked to uplift the most vulnerable communities, advocating for their rights and providing essential services. Carmen's commitment to serving marginalized communities has made a profound impact on leaders, organizations and communities, inspiring lasting change. In addition to her broad expertise, Carmen is also an executive coach, an organizational change consultant, a founding mentor for the Rose Bowl Foundation, and a former board chair at a community health care center. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication studies and a Master of Arts in educational psychology from California State University-Northridge.

Bozoma Saint John

Bozoma Saint John is a hall of fame-inducted marketing executive, author, entrepeneur and general badass.

Boz got her start in her marketing career at Spike Lee's ad agency, SpikeDDB. She then went on to manage brands in the PepsiCo beverages portfolio, before becoming head of music and entertainment marketing at the CPG giant. After that, she led global consumer marketing at Apple Music and iTunes, before serving as chief brand officer at Uber. She then took on the chief marketing officer role for Endeavor (including WME, IMG, UFC, Miss Universe, 160over90, etc.). She served as the global chief marketing officer at the entertainment behemoth Neflix. In an exciting new chapter, Bozoma recently joined the case of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, bringing her fierce personality and unmatched flair to the world of reality television.

Boz's work has been lauded and awarded by the industries she's operated in, including induction into the American Marketing Association Hall of Fame (2022), following induction into the American Advertising Federation Hall of Achievement (2014). Boz is currently named as the #1 most influential CMO in the world by Forbes (2021). She's also been inducted into Bilboard's Women in Music Hall of Fame after making their list of the most powerful women in music for 10 consecutive years (2013-2022), and crowned as the executive of the year (2016). She's been featured on the cover of Adweek as "one of the most exciting personalities in advertising" and is on lists ranging from The Hollywood Reporter's Women in Entertainment Power 100 (2018) to Fast Company's and Ad Age's most creative people to Ebony's 100 powerful executives, Black Enterprise's most powerful women in business and Fortune's most influential CMOs.

In 2021, Harvard Business School published a multimedia case study on her career, titled "Leading with Authenticity and Urgency," through which she developed and taught a program at Harvard aptly titled "The Anatomy of a Badass." Boz has also created a public online class, "The Badass Workshop," to teach the nuances of achieving success when one feels like an outsider.

Boz has expanded her service outside of the USA and has been named as an Ambassador for the African Diaspora and special envoy to the president of Ghana. Boz is also a philanthropic ambassador to Pencils of Promise in Ghana and serves on the boards of Girls Who Code, Vital Voices, the Tony Elumelu Foundation, Soho House and the CFDA. She's also currently on the board of trustees at her alma mater, Wesleyan University.

In 2023, Viking Books (an imprint of Penguin/Random House) published her memoir, The Urgent Life. The book is a roadmap to navigating struggle and a touchstone for those enduring their own battles, letting them know that they are not alone, that they can make it through, and that there is light and peace, and even inspiration, waiting for them when they do.

All of that said, she counts her highest achievement as being a mother to her 15-year-old daughter, Lael.

Wilda W. Tillman

Wilda W. Tillman is an exemplary social worker with 26 years of experience in the social services sector. Her dedication to improving society, particularly for abused and neglected children, has been her lifelong mission. In her early career, Mrs. Tillman spent significant time working on Los Angeles' skid row, where she helped countless unhoused women and children secure access to shelfter, food and medical care.

She obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from California State University, Dominguez Hills, and a master's degree in social work from the University of Southern California's School of Social Work.

Over her 20-year tenure at the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services, the largest social services department in the country, she gained experience across various roles. At the start of her career, she served as an emergency response social worker. In this capacity, she collaborated closely with first responders, frequently assisting in the removal of battered and abused children from unsafe homes and abandoned structures. Throughout her career, she decided a significant amount of time to the Family Reunification Unit, where she worked on reuniting children in out-of-home placements with their biological families while helping them connect with their relatives.

After earning her master's degree, she transitioned to the Adoptions Unit with the department. She is proud to share that she helped 31 children, many of whom had older siblings, find their forever homes.

In 2019, she concluded her time with the County and discovered a new passion within the social services sector, serving individuals with developmental disabilities. In 2008, she cofounded W & W Joint Ventures Incorporated, an extension of Louise House, Inc., alongside her business partner Wayne White, and she leads the organization as CEO. The mission is to promote independence, self-advocacy, dignity and humane care through a comprehensive approach to normalization.

She is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta soroty, and currently serves as the president of the Los Angeles Alumnae Chapter. She is a proud mother of three adult daughters and the grandmother of four. She is married to Edward Tillman, Sr., and lives in Los Angeles with her family.

Naikea Ward Ubaga

Naikea Ward Ubaga is an entrepreneur, artist and philanthropist. A native of San Diego, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue a careering the fashion industry. She graduated from California State University-Northridge where she majored in apparel design. Naikea has explored different facets of the fashion industry from design, PR, manufacturing, editorial styling, and costume design in television and film.

As an artist, Naikea’s love for fashion and costume design was inspired by the idea of storytelling through clothing. Thus, she ventured into a career in the television and film industry where she worked on various network television shows and films as a costume professional and designer.

As an entrepreneur, Naikea has built a career in the financial Industry, educating the community on financial literacy, estate planning, and tax-advantage concepts. She’s also leveraged her skillsets to run her family’s logistics company, Triple S Hauling, serving as COO. Naikea’s future endeavors include projects in television and film, building lifestyle brands and venturing into social media.

Naikea serves as a board member for the People’s Association for Justice Advocates, is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and has received honors from the Junior Chamber International’s 40 under 40 program, where she was recognized by the Santa Clarita Valley chapter. She regularly collaborates with organizations such as Hope the Mission, the Boys and Girls Club and Rotary International.

Gabrielle Union

Gabrielle Union is an actress, producer, best-selling author, and Time100 honoree. Union is currently in production on Apple TV+’s third season of Truth be Told starring alongside Octavia Spencer. She will next be seen in the A24 drama, The Inspection, opposite Jeremy Pope.

Union released her first book, We’re Going To Need More Wine: Stories That Are Funny, Complicated and True, in 2017 and instantly became a New York Times best seller. The highly anticipated follow up You Got Anything Stronger? was released in 2021 and was a New York Times best seller as well. In 2021, Gabrielle released–in partnership with her husband Dwyane Wade–her second children’s book, Shady Baby, which became a New York Times best seller the first week of release.

In 2018, Union formed her production company, I’ll Have Another, with the goal of telling stories that center marginalized communities with their specific point of views in an authentic manner. I’ll Have Another develops broad cast, cable and streaming series for television and has a strong emphasis on feature films in both the studio and independent space. The company has developed television projects with HBO Max, Freeform, Apple, Showtime, Starz and Netflix among others. On the feature side, development spans from Universal, MRC and Disney to streaming platforms such as Netflix and Amazon, including competitive bidding wars on two projects the company sold in 2021.

Union has always had an eye for forward-thinking businesses centered around inclusion, accessibility, and affordability. In 2017 Union partnered with New York & Company to exclusively launch the Gabrielle Union Collection. The collections include ready to wear styles in a range of sizes and footwear at affordable price points that are cool and on trend. Since inception, Union has released more than 30 collections. Union co-founded Bitsy's with the goal of making healthy, allergen-friendly, school-safe snacks that are accessible and affordable for all families regardless of their socioeconomic or geographical status. In 2020, she relaunched her haircare brand, Flawless by Gabrielle Union, in partnership with her longtime friend and hairstylist, Larry Sims. The line offers a range of haircare products at affordable price points for women with textured hair. In the summer of 2021, Union and her husband announced the launch of their baby care line, Proudly, with products dedicated to the unique skincare needs of children of color. The brand will be available in Target stores across this country in the fall of 2024

Previous film credits include Disney+’s Cheaper by the Dozen, for which she also served as an executive producer, Paramount’s Top Five directed by Chris Rock, Screen Gem’s hits Think LIke a Man, Think Like a Man Too, Lionsgate’s Good Deeds, Cadillac Records, The Perfect Holiday, Bad Boys II, Deliver Us from Eva, the cult favorite Bring It On, Two Can Play That Game, Love & Basketball, 10 Things I Hate About You, and She's All That.

Union’s television credits include the Charter/Spectrum ordinal L.A.’s Finest which Union starred in and served as an executive producer on, BET’s Being Mary Jane, ABC shows Flash Forward, Ugly Betty and Night Stalker, HBO’s award-winning show Something the Lord Made, WB’s hit shows Sister, Sister and Seventh Heaven and UPN’s Moesha. She has guest starring roles in hit shows such as ER, The Steve Harvey Show and Friends.

Union serves as a leader and advocate for inclusion in the entertainment industry. She is also a champion of breast health and combating sexual violence.

Craig Vaughan

Craig Vaughan is a strategic leader with 25 years of innovation and transaction experience at the intersection of corporate strategy, finance, media and technology. He is a founding partner of media and investment companies, and an advisor to CEOs and private equity investors in executing M&A transactions. Craig has closed over $20B in transaction volume using his exceptional skill in creating alignment between stakeholders by focusing all parties on a shared vision of the future.

Craig is the managing partner of Vaughan Capital Advisors (“VCA”), an M&A advisory firm specializing in media and technology transactions. VCA has advised private equity investors, global corporations, and growth-stage companies by structuring M&A transactions that position VCA’s clients to create long-term value in the rapidly evolving media and technology sectors.

Craig’s early career at Goldman Sachs informed his ability to structure, finance and launch media businesses with iconic brands. His projects have included launching NBAtv, Sony Connect, Fox Mobile TV and advising on the acquisition of the San Diego Padres. VCA advised Time Inc. on its sale of Essence Communications, TestFlight on its sale to Apple, Double Encore on its sale to WPP, Fvlcrum Funds on its acquisition of Burrell Communications and Ariel Alternatives on its acquisition of My Code. Craig was a general partner of the QueensBridge Fund where he committed the fund’s capital to category-defining companies such as Lyft, Dropbox, Ring and Casper.

Craig is the treasurer of the board of trustees for the John Thomas Dye School (“JTD”) where he sets the investment policy and financial objectives of the school. At JTD, he served on the committee that successfully hired the new head of admissions and sits on the compensation committee.

Craig is the co-chair of the development committee for the Alliance College-Ready Public Schools Foundation board of trustees. He also served as the secretary of the Debbie Allen Dance Academy New Market Tax Credit Board. Craig wants to use his board and professional experience to help for-profit boards shape the future of companies in the CPG, technology, media, fashion and travel sectors.

Craig graduated from the University of Texas with a B.A. in finance and earned an MBA from the Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. He has held Series 7, 79, 62 and 63 licenses with Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. He is an avid golfer and a member of the Sigma Pi Phi business fraternity. Craig lives in Los Angeles with his wife and daughter.

Jennifer Leigh Warren

Jennifer Leigh Warren is a critically acclaimed actress/singer lauded for her showstopping Broadway performances as the original Alice's Daughter in Big River (singing the song “How Blest We Are” written for her by composer Roger Miller), the original Crystal in the Howard Ashman/Alan Menken hit Little Shop of Horrors, the original Lincoln Center cast of Marie Christine, the Muse in the original Drama Desk Award nominated Lonesome Traveler, the television musical event Rent: Live and as the narrator/vocalist in the Rock My Soul and Power to the People concerts, with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at Disney Concert Hall. She is featured on the Grammy award nominated cast albums of both Big River and Little Shop of Horrors and sang on the Stephen Schwartz Album and in the Stephen Schwartz concert at the Ford Amphitheatre and performed her one-woman concert Diamonds Are Forever: Songs of Dame Shirley Bassey directed by Richard Jay-Alexander. In all four tours of A Night with Janis Joplin (USA, Canada) she starred as the Blues Singer with the show being filmed and released in movie theaters across the country and streams now at BroadwayHD.com. Other regional credits of note include Sir Peter Hall’s Shakespeare Repertory Company at the Ahmanson Theater, Carlotta in Follies at The Broad Theater (Musical Theatre Guild), Lalume in Kismet, Cleo in The Most Happy Fella and a showstopping Shelia in Hair with a vocal arrangement for her by the great Peter Matz (Reprise!), The African Mean Girls Play (American Stage), Gretchen Cryer’s I’m Still Getting My Act Together (Laguna Playhouse) and The Education of Randy Newman (South Coast Rep). International performances include a duet with Al Jarreau in Denmark in the live television special Musical of The Year, Big River in Japanese starring Hiroyuki Sanada as Huck, and also appeared in the musical Juni Ka Getsu No Nina, (Nina & The 12 Months), with a song written for her by Bolshoi Ballet composer Rodion Schedrin, and choreographed by Maya Plisetskaya. This show represented the first American, Russian and Japanese collaboration on a new musical (with flying by Peter Foy).

Feature films: Garry Marshall’s Valentine’s Day, The Other Sister, and Dear God, Allison Anders and Martin Scorsese’s Grace of My Heart, Sean Penn’s The Crossing Guard, Larry David’s Sour Grapes.

Television: Pretty Little Liars, Lipstick jungle, Dirt, ER, Scrubs, The Game, Touched by an Angel, All My Children. On The Tonight Show, Conan and Jimmy Kimmel Live, she performed with Broken Bells, The Kills, Trombone Shorty, Moon Taxi, Lisa Loeb and OK Go.

Awards: LA Ovation Award winner with multiple nominations, two NAACP Theatre Award nominations, Backstage Award, Dartmouth College Creative Arts Award, two Broadway World Awards and seven nominations. She is a proud AEA, SAG-AFTRA member.

www.JenniferLeighWarren.com

Former Ambassadors

Lori Hall Armstrong

Lori Hall Armstrong is an attorney, business owner, a civic engagement and community service enthusiast, a master connector and a philanthropist-at-large.

A native of Detroit, Michigan, Lori is a graduate of Hampton University (B. S.), Wayne State University School of Law (J. D.), and Loyola Chicago University School of Law (LL.M). In 2011, she founded Verbify, LLC, a strategy activation firm focused on brokering partnerships between corporate, non-profit, and community entities. The contacts that Verbify has cultivated, maintained, and advanced has helped several organizations grow and develop their missions in fundraising, civic engagement, and philanthropy. Clients include The National Hockey League, Black Women Lawyers’ Association in Chicago, several charter schools and non-profits and a current congressional candidate in Florida.

Lori was a public servant to some of New York’s most recognized politicians, including former Governor Eliot Spitzer, New York City Council Member Eva Moskowitz, and New York State Senator & Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. As a political consultant, she worked with Senator Cory Booker on his transition team after his election as Mayor of Newark, New Jersey, and with Gary, Indiana Mayor Karen Freeman Wilson. A prolific fundraiser, Lori raised several hundreds of thousands of dollars for political candidates and continues to identify support for various causes and non-profit campaigns. In the last congressional cycle Lori served on the finance committee for Congressman Antonio Delgado in his successful bid to become the representative in upstate New York. Lori is also a Founding Circle Member of Higher Heights for America which raises funds and awareness for black women running for political office at all levels of government. Most notably, she helped to arrange an event where the organization hosted Stacey Abrams during her Georgia gubernatorial run. Lori is most proud of her role as a board member, New York Ambassador and currently Los Angeles Ambassador for the Pinkwellchick Foundation and its annual “Bag-It” initiative. The foundation was established in honor of her late friend, Barbra Watson- Riley, who lost her battle with breast cancer but wanted to ensure that her legacy lived on through supporting other women who were battling the disease in chemo. The “Bag-It” initiative was created as a result and is an annual day of service on which volunteers nationwide assemble bags containing comfortable items suited for women receiving chemotherapy treatments. As a Los Angeles Ambassador, Lori established a partnership with UCLA’s Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center for the distribution of bags. Lori was honored by The Guidance Center of Westchester, a large, multi- service non-profit in New York, for her dedicated service to the community in 2018. She was also honored by the Westchester (NY) Business Council as one of the county’s 40 under 40 leaders. In New York, Lori served on the boards of the New Yorkers for Children, Girls Inc. NY, Partnership for Hugeunot Children’s Library, Boys and Girls Club of New Rochelle, and New Rochelle Fund for Educational Excellence. She was also a member of the Grants Advisory Committee for the New York Women’s Foundation, and her participation in and graduation from the Volunteer Center’s Leadership Westchester program was transformative. Lori is very proud of her tenure as an adjunct professor at Monroe College where she specialized and taught Social Media Marketing and mentored countless students in the college’s business department. Additionally, Lori is proud of what she helped create as Co-Founder of the OB Boogie, an annual kid and family fun fest held in Martha’s Vineyard every summer. The OB Boogie was founded by Lori and 3 other mom friends with 200 guests and in 6 years, it grew to the biggest family event on the island with 1,000 guests and premier sponsors such as BMW, Essence and Shea Moisture. It also featured kid entrepreneurs showcasing and selling their items. It has become a most beloved island tradition that was covered in the local newspaper. Lori is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Sigma Lambda Omega Chapter in the San Fernando Valley where she chairs the Sisterly Relations Committee. She is also a member of the San Fernando Valley Chapter of Jack & Jill of America where she is currently the Lead Teen Advisor and was awarded the distinction of Mother of Month for outstanding programming for the kids including a virtual session with Vice President Kamala Harris’ office, a workshop featuring the President of the ACLU and a Teen Town hall featuring ABC’s Mike Muse. Lori also volunteers her time, along with her family, to help the unhoused in Los Angeles by serving meals and supporting drives and initiatives in partnership with A Step to Freedom in South LA.

Since moving to Los Angeles with her husband Michael and sons Caleb and Coleman, Lori immediately joined two boards: 1) the inaugural board for Private School Village, which provides support and community to families of color in Los Angeles private schools, where she served as Co-Chair of its first fundraising gala and 2) the board of Girls Inc of Los Angeles where she served as the Chair of the Governance Committee and Vice Chair of the board. At her sons’ school, Oakwood School, Lori is a very active parent as a member of the Board of Trustees where she serves as the Co-Chair of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Committee. Additionally she was appointed to and recently completed a two year term to serve as a Co-Chair of the Parent Organization Diversity Equity and Inclusion committee, a role in which she worked closely with the Head of School and other administers and parents to implement meaningful programs and initiatives to engage the parent body. Lastly, she is also a member of the San Fernando Valley Chapter of The Links, Incorporated where she currently chairs the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Committee

Mike Armstrong

Michael D. Armstrong serves as Executive Vice President, Worldwide Television Licensing and Operations for ViacomCBS Global Distribution Group. In this position he manages relationships with third-party studios and oversees the international sales teams for formats and the CBS Newspath service for the global content licensing team.

Previously, Armstrong served as General Manager of BET Networks. In this role, Armstrong drove strategy and operations, with direct oversight of Content Strategy & Multiplatform Scheduling, Marketing, Corporate Communications and Operations. He also liaised closely with teams across Viacom’s Media Networks, including Strategy, Finance and Research & Audience Science.

Prior to that role, Armstrong was Executive Vice President and General Manager, Revenue and Emerging Brands, Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN). In this role, Armstrong managed the development and expansion of BET, Paramount Channel, and Spike internationally and oversaw International Program Sales, Affiliate Sales, and Viacom Velocity International, VIMN’s ad sales division.

Armstrong has led many firsts for the company including the creation and launch of Paramount Channel internationally in 2012, the largest ad supported film channel in the world, available in almost 100 countries and 106 million homes outside the US. In 2016, Armstrong co-led the launch of BET Play, Viacom’s first direct-to-consumer subscription video on demand offering for adult audiences. Under Armstrong’s guidance, BET is now available internationally in more than 72 countries and 39 million homes. Armstrong has also been instrumental in growing Spike’s distribution internationally, having worked with local market leadership to launch the first Spike channel outside the US in 2015 in the UK, followed by Benelux, the Middle East, Australia, Hungary and Russia.

Armstrong first joined the company in 1998 and held a variety sales and affiliate marketing roles for brands including MTV, VH1, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central and CMT in both the New York and Chicago offices. He joined VIMN in 2011 as Senior Vice President and General Manager of BET International and Paramount Channel, having previously led BET International since May 2006.

Armstrong received a B.S. in marketing from Hampton University, where he also serves on the board. He received an M.B.A. in strategy and marketing from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, where he was honored with the Distinguished Young Alumni Award in 2012. He serves on the boards of Canada Goose (NYSE: GOOS), and Inspirato (NASDAQ: ISPO), and GLAZA (Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association). He is a member of the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and previously chaired the boards of NAMIC (National Association for Multi Ethnicity in Communications) and Dance Theatre of Harlem.

Kahlana Barfield Brown

Fashion and Beauty Expert and Editor, Kahlana Barfield Brown, has carved a niche for herself in the hyper-competitive world of fashion and beauty publishing. Born and raised in Seattle, Washington, Kahlana grew up devouring magazines, igniting a passion for writing, fashion, and beauty. She went on to study Journalism and Fashion Merchandising at Howard University, leading her to begin a career at InStyle Magazine in New York City. Kahlana spent a decade climbing the ranks at InStyle, holding titles ranging from Intern to Beauty Director.

As social media began to dominate the fashion industry, Kahlana saw an opportunity to transition out of publishing, and take her talents to the next level. In September 2022, Kahlana teamed up with Target to design, develop, and launch ‘FUTURE COLLECTIVE, a first-of-its-kind clothing brand featuring a multitude of looks from a rotating roster of style experts and tastemakers. The streetwear-inspired collection drew inspiration from Kahlana’s own philosophy of style, and featured 120 items available in an inclusive size range of XXS-4X over four seasonal refreshes. Future Collective garnered extraordinary success through sold out collections and millions of social media impressions, inspiring a new generation of ‘fly girls’ to manifest their individuality through style.

Today, Kahlana serves as an on-camera, beauty, and fashion expert, stylist, on-air talent, and ambassador for leading fashion brands around the world. A mother to two beautiful daughters, Kahlana aims to empower and inspire young Black women through her inspired content, demonstrated work ethic, and partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Alexandrea Martin Dean

Alex Martin is an American actress and film producer who is the daughter of Academy Award-winning actress and comedian Whoopi Goldberg. She was honored with the title of "Miss Golden Globe" at the 1994 Golden Globe Awards. She started acting in the 1990s and became known for movies such as Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit, Quest of the Delta Knights, American Intellectuals, Call Me Claus and Strange as Angels. In 2008, she was one of the producers of the animated short Descendants. In 2015, she and her best friend Leisa Weaver, daughter of actor Lee Weaver, began appearing on their own BET reality series, According to Alex, which revolved around her and her family. Since then, she has made guest appearances on several television shows including Good Morning America, Wendy: The Wendy Williams Show, The Chew and Rebel Hearts w/ Kristie Reeves, and she has also been a co-host on her mother's talk show, The View.

Jamie Dubose

Jamie DuBose is a senior at the University of Southern California, where she is pursuing a bachelor's degree at the Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism. She is a talk show host on a Fox streaming network called Foxsoul on a show called The Mix, where they interview celebrities and discuss entertainment, social and political events. The audience is the Gen Z and Millennials of today. She will enroll in law school to continue her education and pursue a law eegree.

Derek Fisher

Derek Fisher is a Los Angeles basketball legend, playing 18 seasons in the NBA and winning five championships with the Los Angeles Lakers. Fisher was drafted 24th overall by the Lakers in 1996, and played alongside Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal en route to three consecutive titles from 2000-2002. He later added two more rings in 2009 and 2010 with Los Angeles. Fisher also played for the Golden State Warriors, Utah Jazz, Dallas Mavericks and Oklahoma City Thunder.

Fisher’s accolades include holding second all-time behind only LeBron James for NBA playoff game appearances (259). He’s also known for hitting a buzzer-beater with 0.4 seconds left against the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the 2004 Western Conference Semifinals as a member of the Lakers. In his time as a player, he served as President of the Players’ Union from 2006-2013.

After finishing the 2014 season with the Thunder, Fisher transitioned to the sidelines, being named Head Coach of the New York Knicks on June 10, 2014. Fisher coached into the 2015-2016 season with New York, helping develop then-rookie Kristaps Porzingis.

In the spring of 2016, Fisher became a television analyst for TNT, NBA TV and later Spectrum SportsNet as an in-studio analyst for the Lakers. Fisher’s Los Angeles basketball legacy continued when he was named the 12th Head Coach of the Los Angeles Sparks on Dec. 5, 2018. On December 22, 2020, the Sparks appointed Derek Fisher to be the General Manager. Since departing the Sparks, Fisher has focused on his family and his role on various organization’s boards, including Play Equity Fund/LA84. Fisher is married to Gloria Govan. They are a blended family sharing 5 children (Carter, Isaiah, Tatum, Drew, Chloe) ranging from ages 14 to 20 years old.

Fisher is a native of Little Rock, Arkansas where he attended Parkview Arts and Science Magnet High School, lettering in basketball. He then attended the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, where he finished his four-year career second all-time in school history in points (1,393), assists (472) and steals (189). His senior year, he was named Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year.

Whoopi Goldberg

Whoopi Goldberg is one of a very elite group of artists who have won a Grammy, an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, an Emmy and a Tony. She is also a prolific producer, entrepreneur and is well-known around the world for her many humanitarian endeavors. Born and raised in New York City, she performed in San Diego and the Bay Area with the Blake Street Hawkeyes theater troupe. It was there that she created the characters which became The Spook Show and evolved into her hit Broadway show, Grammy Award-winning album and the HBO special that helped launch her career.

Whoopi has recently appeared in the 2020 adaptation of Stephen King’s best-selling novel The Stand for Paramount+, a recurring role on Amazon’s upcoming Harlem, and reprises her iconic role of Guinan in season 2 of the Paramount+ series Star Trek: Picard. She lends her voice to the animated features Pierre the Pigeon-Hawk and Luck and she appeared in and produced the feature film Till for MGM’s Orion Pictures.

Gloria Govan

Gloria Govan is an American actress, model, television personality, social media influencer, philanthropist, and author. She is currently blazing the trail in business as a serial entrepreneur, strategist, and innovative business leader as Co-Founder and CEO at RLNTLSS BRANDS.

Suzanna Guzmán

Grammy nominee and two-time Emmy Award winner Suzanna Guzmán holds the distinguished title of an LA Opera 2023 Hispanic Opera Legend. As an international mezzo-soprano soloist, she has graced orchestras and opera houses worldwide (i.e. Kennedy Center, Houston Grand Opera, LA Opera, Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Metropolitan Opera) in lead roles (Carmen, Leonora, Mother, Art Banker). For decades, Guzmán has had an unwavering dedication to new opera works, creating roles in world premieres including the Duchess of Alba in Gian Carlo Menotti’s opera Goya, Paula in Daniel Catan’s Florencia en el Amazonas, Lucha in Yuval Sharon’s mobile opera Hopscotch, Sheila in Eric Whitacre’s Gift of the Magi, Mrs. Fox in Tobias Picker’s Fantastic Mr. Fox and many more. Recent appearances include Mother Abbess in The Sound of Music (La Mirada Theater for the Performing Arts), Abuela Claudia in In the Heights (Rubicon Theater), Mama in Papi, Me and Cesar Chavez (B Street Theatre) and Luz in Nicolás Lell Benavides’s Caravana de mujeres (New Opera Workshop).

Guzmán is a celebrated radio and TV host, receiving two Emmy Awards as host of the 2019 and 2021 annual Los Angeles County Holiday Celebration for PBS SoCal. Also for PBS SoCAL, Guzmán hosted the weekly television series Open Call, focusing on the arts in Southern California. For over 20 years, Guzman hosted, wrote and produced many popular radio programs including LA Opera Notes, Sunday Evening Opera and LA Opera Live!

For her work as an arts advocate, she was honored by the Hispanic Scholarship Foundation as Mentor of the Year, received a lifetime achievement award for service to arts and the community from the Nederlander Organization and was Woman of the Year for Mexican American Opportunity Foundation. Artistic excellence awards include a Grammy nod for Best Classical CD for her solo work with Southwest Chamber Music, two Emmys for her work in television and first place vocal awards with Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera and Opera Guild. A longtime member of the Los Angeles Music Center’s Artists in Schools, her one-woman show Don’t Be Afraid; It’s Just Opera! has been presented for over 500,000 students across the United States.

Learn more at SuzannaGuzman.com.

Alexandra Hinkle

Alexandra Hinkle brings over 25 years of experience leading cross functional marketing teams. She is a data-driven marketer who has consistently delivered strong, sustainable financial and brand equity gains to world-class global and US-based companies including MGM Resorts International, eBay, Visa and Macy’s. Most recently, Alex led all property marketing and campaign strategy for Wynn Resorts Las Vegas, the world’s largest five-star resort, where she oversaw marketing and branding. In her current role as Chief Marketing Officer - Consumer Marketing for Universal Music Group, Alex works with the music labels providing marketing strategy and campaign executional support, to further elevate UMG artists. Alex is a member of the executive board for Jack and Jill of America, Inc. San Fernando Valley Chapter, GirlFriends Inc. and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Incorporated. She received a bachelor's degree in communication from the Northern Illinois University. She currently lives with her husband, son, daughter, and their dog Chloe.

Naima J. Keith

Naima J. Keith is the Vice President of Education and Public Programs at LACMA. Within her role, she oversees all aspects of and sets the vision for LACMA’s innovative and exhibition-driven educational programming that serves more than 650,000 community members annually. Naima, along with Rita Gonzalez, is also co-curating a survey of artist Simone Leigh's work to be exhibited at LACMA in 2024. She was the 2017 recipient of the David C. Driskell Prize in recognition of her contributions to the field of African American art history and was co-artistic director of Prospect.5 in New Orleans in 2021. Keith holds degrees from Spelman College and UCLA and is a proud native of Los Angeles.

Jason Delane Lee

Kennedy-Rue McCullough

Kennedy-Rue McCullough, a native of Los Angeles, is not only an actress and entertainment correspondent, she's also a recent graduate of Spelman College in Atlanta.

Originally introduced to the entertainment industry at a very early age, Kennedy has grown up learning how to balance her academics with her workload. In addition to acting, Kennedy discovered a love for entertainment journalism when she was just six years old, while covering orange carpet interviews at the 2003 Kids Choice Awards. Since then, Kennedy has appeared and covered stories for Access Hollywood, Entertainment Tonight, The Insider and Central Ave, to name a few. A love for creating and pitching her own segments and her ability to bring along some big named stars have proven that she is one to watch.

In 2013 Kennedy's knack for understanding the underserved Gen Z audience led her to co-create The Guest House, produced by Will Smith and Overbrook Entertainment, a YouTube channel targeted towards teen girls, focused on tackling entertainment news, body image and lifestyle issues.

While attending Spelman College, Kennedy never stopped working, hosting studio panel discussions and movie screenings both on and off campus, as well as serving as the social media host for the Will and Jada Pinkett-Smith Family Foundation's "Careers In Entertainment" initiative.

Kennedy enjoys lending her time to empower young girls and stays actively involved with both the LadyLike and the In A Perfect World Foundations. The LadyLike Foundation provides educational and cultural advancement opportunities to inner city girls in the Los Angeles area and the A Perfect World Foundation provides mentorship and artistic expression to homeless youth, builds schools in underserved third world countries and encourages young people to take action and make a difference.

Audra McDonald

Audra McDonald is unparalleled in the breadth and versatility of her artistry as both a singer and an actor. The winner of a record-breaking six Tony Awards, two Grammy Awards and an Emmy, in 2015 she was named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people and received the National Medal of Arts—America’s highest honor for achievement in the field—from President Barack Obama. In addition to her Tony-winning performances in Carousel, Master Class, Ragtime, A Raisin in the Sun, The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess and Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill—the role that also served as the vehicle for her Olivier Award-nominated 2017 debut in London’s West End—she has appeared on Broadway in The Secret Garden, Marie Christine (Tony nomination), Henry IV, 110 in the Shade (Tony nomination), Shuffle Along, or, The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed, Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune (Tony nomination) and Ohio State Murders (Tony nomination).

On television, she was seen by millions as the Mother Abbess in NBC’s The Sound of Music Live!, won an Emmy Award for her role as host of PBS’s Live from Lincoln Center, and received Emmy nominations for Wit, A Raisin in the Sun and Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill. Having played Dr. Naomi Bennett on Shonda Rhimes’s Private Practice (ABC) and Liz Reddick (formerly Lawrence) on both The Good Wife (CBS) and The Good Fight (Paramount+), she may now be seen as Dorothy Scott on Julian Fellowes’s The Gilded Age (HBO). On film, she has appeared in Seven Servants, The Object of My Affection, Cradle Will Rock, It Runs in the Family, The Best Thief in the World, She Got Problems, Rampart, Ricki and the Flash, Disney’s live-action Beauty and the Beast, the movie-musical Hello Again, Cinergistik’s documentary Whitney Houston in Focus, the Obamas’ Higher Ground Productions’ Rustin and MGM’s Aretha Franklin biopic Respect.

McDonald is a Juilliard-trained soprano, whose opera credits include Poulenc’s La voix humaine and Michael John LaChiusa's Send at Houston Grand Opera, and Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny at LA Opera, where the resulting recording earned her two Grammy Awards. She has issued five solo albums on the Nonesuch label as well as Sing Happy with the New York Philharmonic on Decca Gold. She also maintains a major career as a concert artist, regularly appearing on the great stages of the world and with leading international orchestras. She is a founding member of Black Theatre United, a board member of Covenant House International and a prominent advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights, whose favorite roles are those performed offstage, as an activist, wife to actor Will Swenson, and mother.

Learn more at AudraMcDonald.com.

Kiesha C. Nix

Kiesha Nix is the Vice President of Charitable Affairs & Executive Director of the Lakers Youth Foundation. In her current role, Kiesha oversees and directs programming and funding priorities for the charitable arm of the Los Angeles Lakers. She is responsible for implementing the mission of the Foundation which is to assist underserved youth in our communities to develop and recognize their full potential by providing positive experiences and resources in education, health & wellness and sports. Kiesha oversees the funding which supports over 100,000 youth in 20+ Southern California Boys & Girls Clubs through basketball and health & fitness and the Jr. Lakers Youth Basketball Program; has helped to build 40+ basketball courts throughout Los Angeles and surrounding counties, 15+ Reading Rooms and has completed 3STEM Lab projects at local middle and high schools in Los Angeles. Kiesha is also very active in the Lakers' civic engagement, social justice and diversity and inclusion efforts, as one of the founding members of the organization’s Employee Resource Group–B.A.N. (Black Action Network). Formerly Kiesha served as a Vice President in Enterprise Business & Community Relations at Bank of America and as a Private Wealth Associate in the Private Banking & Investment Group Division of Merrill Lynch–Bank of America where she was employed for 21+ years.

On the philanthropic side, Kiesha sits on various boards; some to include: the following Boards: Advisory Board for the Los Angeles Dodgers and MLB’s RBI program (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities), USC Black Alumni–Corporate Advisory Board and Habitat for Humanity Greater LA-Boards respectively. Kiesha works with countless nonprofit organizations and serves as a mentor to youth throughout the community. Kiesha has received numerous leadership, community service and humanitarian awards. She strives to uphold the Lakers' reputation of being “Champions in the Community” as well as on the court.

Delia Orjuela

In 1997, Delia Orjuela arrived at BMI, taking on the role of Regional Manager while spearheading the development of the company’s new Latin division in the West Coast. Over the span of 23 fruitful years, she moved up in the ranks and eventually achieved the distinguished position of Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, continuing to lead BMI’s Latin Music department by developing and maintaining the company’s relationships with Latin songwriters, composers and publishers across the United States and the Americas and overseeing its influential showcases and panels. During her impressive run, she invaluably contributed to BMI’s incredible success, repeatedly demonstrating her exceptional ear for talent by signing some of the most prolific songwriters and composers of our time, including Juanes, Pitbull, Jenni Rivera, Horacio Palencia, Los Tigres del Norte, Los Tucanes de Tijuana, A.B. Quintanilla III, Pepe Aguilar, Espinoza Paz, Banda el Recodo, Alex Cuba, Ximena Sariñana, Larry Hernandez, Belinda, Chayanne, JBalvin, AAnuel, Gloria Trevi, Cafe Tacuba, Kinky, Molotov, and many others hereby shaping the Latin music landscape into the powerful force that it is today.

Orjuela is currently serving as Warner Music Latina General Manager Mexican Music as well as the president of the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame, where she continues to champion today’s most talented songwriters and composers. She is also committed to a number of impactful social causes, such as Mujer de Fé, an organization formed by singer-songwriter Paulina Aguirre that works to empower women; Los Producers, an annual charity concert initiated by Rebeleon Entertainment CEO Sebastian Krys in collaboration with BMI; and is an advocate for St. Jude.

Marty Preciado

Marty Preciado passionately champions cultural equity and arts accessibility. Through her community and policy efforts, she ensures institutions truly represent the diverse communities they serve. Collaborating with cultural institutions, she constructs strategies ensuring they embody community values. Her impactful contributions notably affect and shape cultural organizations in Los Angeles and New York. Appointed to Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County Board of Governors by Los Angeles County Board Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, Ms. Preciado is an alumna of Arts for LA's ACTIVATE Delegates program. She has propelled community engagement strategies for entities such as the LA Philharmonic, LA Times, LA Opera, The Ford, Academy Museum, and Gloria Molina Grand Park.

Ferrari Sheppard

Ferrari Sheppard is an internationally reckonized contempary artist with a primary focus in abstract figuration. The Los Angeles based artist was born in Chicago and has lived in various countries in Africa. Sheppard attended The School of the Art Institute of Chicago and has exhibited work at Los Angeles County Museam of Art (LACMA), Art Basel (Miami, Switzerland and Paris) and The European Fine Art Fair (TEFAF). Sheppard's work has been placed in distiguished private collections throughout the world.

V. Joy Simmons, MD

Dr. V. Joy Simmons is an art collector and philanthropist who has supported the work of artists of African descent and more broadly, of artists whose work is informed and inspired by Black culture. Recognizing the importance of sustaining a healthy arts ecosystem, Dr. Simmons mentors the next generation of art collectors and cultivates interest in supporting the networks of culture that sustain creativity. She has played a vital role in the establishment and growth of various small to mid-size institutions that now help define Los Angeles’s vibrant cultural landscape. She served as a founding Board member of LAXART, The Watts House Project, and The Mistake Room where she currently serves as Board Chair. Having recently retired from a long career as a physician at Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center, she is currently working as the Senior Art and Exhibition Advisor for Destination Crenshaw, a 1.3 mile public art corridor down Crenshaw Boulevard in Los Angeles. She has been an active supporter of the Arts and diversity at Stanford where she served as a Trustee of the University. Dr. Simmons currently serves as a Commissioner of the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Additionally, the Governor of California recently appointed Dr. Simmons to the board of the California African American Museum.

Juri Watanabe

Following her tech career in Japan, Juri Watanabe briefly returned to pageantry, being crowned Miss Universe Japan in 2021 and going on to place in the top 16 at the 70th Miss Universe competition. She has since returned to her second home of Los Angeles and built a career as a communications and image coach, particularly for young women, aiming to make an impact in the mental health space, a topic close to her heart. In her work as an actress, she strives to represent the Asian community in global media.

Nichol Whiteman

With a relentless dedication to improving communities in neighborhoods that need help the most, Nichol Whiteman serves as Chief Executive Officer of the award-winning Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF). An equity-focused leader, Nichol guides LADF in tackling the most pressing problems facing Los Angeles with a mission to improve education, health care, homelessness and social justice for all Angelenos. Nichol bravely works to improve the complex struggles the City faces using every tool in her arsenal to ensure that ZIP codes never define opportunity. A child of Jamaican immigrants “in search of a dream" and a first-generation college graduate, Nichol is a visionary working to narrow gaps in opportunity and access—all while creating a source of pride and safety for those who often live in the shadows.

During her tenure as CEO, LADF transformed and built a team of dedicated people, strong operations, committed partners, and flexible funding with sustainability. While leveraging the Dodger brand, Nichol supports and amplifies the voices of marginalized populations. Through community infrastructure, sports-based youth development, leadership & capacity building, equity-focused grantmaking, strategic community engagement and knowledge sharing & convening, Nichol has built an alliance of community partners who fight for the resources that all youth deserve.

Under Nichol’s leadership, LADF launched its cornerstone program Dodgers Dreamteam, the first-ever LADF Scholarship, College & Career Accelerator, Science of Baseball Initiative, LA Reads and more. LADF also completed its 60th Dodgers Dreamfield, created a multi-million dollar benefit gala, distributed 9.2 million meals, and raised over $90 million. Collectively, Whiteman has cultivated partnerships that have resulted in more than $53 million in community investment impacting over 9.8 million children, including $6 million in 2022 All-Star Game Legacy Projects.

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