Board of Directors

“Andrea Fulton has an uncanny knack for giving us an incisive vision of difficult social issues. [She] understands people. [Her plays] give us hope for change.” -Rachel de Aragon, Berkshire Fine Arts

Andrea J. Fulton is a graduate of Northwestern University, and is a playwright, songwriter, producer, investor, and community leader. She enjoys creating plays that give people opportunities to be a part of something truly meaningful. 

Ms. Fulton is the recipient of the 2022 Anthem Award for Exceptional Purpose-Driven Work honoring her intention with and impact of her latest play "Was it Me?". Earlier this year, her latest work was selected to appear in the Perceptions Theatre BIPOC Playwrights Festival in Chicago. She was recently a semi-finalist in the Southeastern Louisiana University Inkslinger Playwriting Contest and is looking forward to her work being performed in the south where her roots run deep.

Andrea Fulton's plays have been performed in a wide range of settings and have received six AUDELCO Award nominations plus two AUDELCO Awards. She has received an Emerging Playwrights Award, the Episcopal Actors Guild Thomas Barbour Playwrights Award, New York Council on Suicide “I AM HOPE” Award, and a New York Fund for Eldercare Grant. She is the recipient of a NYC Department of Cultural Affairs Artist Corp Grant and a Joseph Frilot Memorial Grant. 

Illona S. Dixon is an alumnus of the High School of Music & Art where she majored in voice and Queens College and minored in Musical Theatre. Ms. Dixon has performed at Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, The New York Philharmonic, Radio City Music Hall, Avery Fisher Hall and Madison Square Garden and is a member of the All-City Concert Reunion and Brooklyn Interdenominational Choirs. Ms. Dixon, an accomplished pianist, received formal training at The Brooklyn Music School and Playhouse. She enjoyed the honor of writing a song for, singing in and holding the position of Musical Director for Ms. Fulton's highly acclaimed play “One Drop” and delivered a memorable performance in Ugly is a Hard Pill.

Carol L. Hawkes is a New York native with roots in Jamaica.  She is now retired after enjoying a 30 year career in the entertainment industry where she began as a film/TV production assistant. After rising up through the ranks she ultimately held responsibility as National Director of Media Relations for a major record label.  Carol now enjoys the entertainment industry as a spectator and has a catering business specializing in comfort cuisine with a twist and delectable baked goods.

An actor at heart and in reality.  Told her whole life that she is a natural,  at the age of 50ish, Denise Fair- Grant hit the stage in full bloom.  She is the epitome of what this organization is all about, living and cultivating your dreams however late you may begin pursuing them.  She has now been in more than two dozen performances, taken more than two dozen bows and has been deemed by a critic as “an actress who performs with ease”.   Having been a teacher in the NYC Public School system for over 20 years, Denise feels fortunate to have been able to retire, pursue acting and inspire and learn from experienced actors. 

Allen Craig Harris's love for theatre has led him to work as an actor, director, singer, stage manager and assistant producer.  He has been in numerous plays and has worked as an Assistant Producer for multiple shows including “Black Man Rising” by James Chapman and directed by Patricia R. Floyd and “Playing with Heine Muller” at the Castillo Theater.  He worked in stage management for several productions at the Harlem School of the Arts and for multiple NYC Housing Authority Annual Talent Shows.  He was a Stage Manager for the 35th Annual Senior Show “Ageless” at the great Symphony Space – Peter Jay Sharp Theater on Broadway.  Most recently he acted in Ugly is a Hard Pill and was considered one of the most energetic and compelling actors.

Crista E. Noel is a native Chicagoan and is a graduate of Northwestern University with a degree in Education and Social Policy.  Crista is the founder, President, & CEO of her own emerging grassroots organization the WAPB, specializing in advocating for women’s rights, health and safety.  She has over 20 years of experience in sales and marketing with several years experience in root cause analysis through Six Sigma methodology, uncovering deep rooted factors that wreak havoc on productivity, efficiency and effectiveness.

 LaVerne M. Reid, Ph.D. is an accomplished healthcare leader, with degrees in Health Education and Ph.D. in Health Policy and Labor Economics from Brandeis University. She specializes in leadership training, health interventions, focus group discussions, cognitive interviews, and qualitative analyses. Dr. Reid has extensive experience in academic and state-level public health agencies, having served on the Governor's Task Forces on Domestic Violence and Adolescent Pregnancy and as the Chair of the Department of Health Education and Associate Dean of Behavioral and Social Sciences at a Historically Black College. Known as the Oprah of public health, Dr. Reid is a sought after speaker that engages audiences in any setting. She lectures across the country on how to engage African-American Faith Organizations in Health Promotion Activities and was commissioned by the CDC to publish a monograph for other health service organizations to replicate her work in this field. 

 Andre McDonnaugh, CFP is Founder and Chief Executive Officer of AIM Financial Inc. AIM places importance on approaching money management through prudent, defensive, ethical care while adhering to the principles of Integrity, Objectivity, Competence, Fairness, Confidentiality, Professionalism and Diligence. He has had a robust and accomplished professional history, working as an equity trader and broker, investment advisor, financial planner and portfolio manager. He holds an MBA from Molloy College in Finance in 2019, a BA from University of Miami in Computer Information Systems and Marketing in 1982, a Certified Financial Planner designation from Adelphi University with additional designations from the Institute of Business and Finance for a CFS (Certified Funds Specialist), and CTS (Certified Tax Specialist) along with holding Series 6, 7, 24 and 63 securities licenses.

Miriam B. Robertson, the eldest of seven children born to working class parents in Brooklyn, New York,  grew up with  the value of caring for others, the meaning of commitment, responsibility and having a village in your life.  Growing up in Brownsville, she did not view her community as one of devastation as often depicted in the media, but as a village where valuable services and the quality of life were being stripped away. Thus, her journey into community service began.  As the Executive Director of the non-profit organization, Brownsville Heritage House Inc. (BHH), Miriam plans programming/events and makes key decisions to empower and improve the quality of life for her community. Under Miriam's tutelage BHH has expanded its outreach in support of the mission of the organization.   Ms. Robertson has received many awards for her community service, including the  Congressional Award from Congressman Edolphus Towns as well as an award from the Council of Negro Women and  the ABCFF 2019 Award for Excellence in Artistic Program Curation & Management.

Iris Robertson devotes herself to several charitable and educational organizations and sits on the board of directors for Brownsville Heritage House, Inc. (BHH) as secretary.  Since joining BHH in 1995, Iris has worked tirelessly along with the other board members to bring forth the vision of founder Moher Rosetta Gaston and that is to form an intergenerational exchange in order to teach African American children of their heritage. 

Iris is a member of and has been recognized by the national Association of Professional Women (NAPW) as Woman of the year for 2009, 2010 and 2011 for excellence and proficiency in her work as an advertising executive.  She was also awarded an excellence in high achievement award from the National Association of Hispanic Publishers in 1994.  She is also the 2011 Congressional Award recipient for Community Service received from Congressman Edolphus “Ed” Towns.  

 Gwendolyn Tucker is the founder of an administrative and marketing consulting firm, Perpetual Success 10X with 20+ years of administrative experience. She is currently the State of Florida Administrative Director for the Florida Coalition on Black Civic Participation, Black Women’s Roundtable, Board Member of the Help Agency of Florida Organization and Board Member of Lady Be Free, a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting survivors of domestic violence. Her activism and charitable giving was developed and inspired by the elder women in her family. Their charitable giving was always done through functions and events that were implemented to educate, bring a community together and solve serious community issues. Gwen has worked with and volunteered for charitable organizations throughout her life and actively assists non-profit organizations in creating equality. She has conducted several workshops on pre-employability skills training, implemented a workflow system and was responsible for marketing.Gwen has musical talent as well. She toured the nation for 3 years as a background singer with the Blues singer Tryon Davis and his Review. She was privileged to record background for Roy Ayers’ composer and xylophonist popular song, Running Away and recorded with Jazz Singer Jean Carne.

Victoria Pruitt RN MS CPHRM is President of Infinite Vision Risk Management Group LLC. She has extensive experience in Enterprise Risk Management for healthcare as well as actively participating in the Black Women's Roundtable, a Division of the National Coalition for Black Civic Participation. 

 Irma L. Davis CMP, CEM is a leading Conference and Event Consultant .  She has been enlisted as a Consultant and also volunteers at several prestigious organizations..She enjoys fundraising, marketing and the challenge of designing an event appropriate to the client.  She also enjoys travel, snowmobiling and white water rafting. 

Ermon Davis, born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, is a Vietnam Veteran who served honorably as a marksman in the United States Army receiving commendations for various missions and ultimately uses his experience to serve as Trustee and Auditor on the Board of the VFW, Benjamin O. Davis Post 311.  Ermon is a graduate of Chicago State University where he studied accounting. He is pursuing a masters degree in business from Roosevelt University. After his Vietnam tour of duty, Ermon worked at International Harvester agricultural equipment manufacturer in progressively responsible positions, retiring after 46 years of service to them. Early in life, he enjoyed being a member of a local Doo Wop singing group and still enjoys musical gatherings and travel with his wife of 53 years, his adult children and their families.  

Melvin N. Cade, Esq. is a native New Orleanian who has practiced Civil Law for the last 28 years.  He was educated at the much renowned St. Augustine High School.  He continued his education at the University of New Orleans and Southern University Law Center.