Sonja Griffin Evans
Chair Sonja Griffin Evans is an international Cultural Artist born and raised in Beaufort, South Carolina. Growing up in the Lowcountry, which prides itself on its ability to preserve its culture and heritage, has heavily influenced Sonja's artwork, and gives her an uncanny ability to capture the beauty, spirituality and purest representations of the Gullah Sea Island and of African American culture. |
Carl Mack
Vice Chair Carl Mack moved from Rochester New York to New Orleans Louisiana in 1983 to prepare a one-man-band act for the 1984 World's Fair. His musical act was based around his skill to play the xylophone, which he had studied at Eastman School of Music, while mastering all aspects of percussion. In the 1980's he was a mainstay of Royal Street in New Orleans, playing happy jazz music for tourists, and it was at this time, that he expanded his skills to include pantomime, clowning, balloon sculpting, magic and juggling. |
Victoria A. Smalls
Director Creative and knowledgeable public historian, educator, artist, arts advocate and collector, and cultural preservationist, who believes in building strong sustainable communities through strategic partnerships. Federal Commissioner, Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor State Commissioner, SC African American Heritage Commission Maven, Art of Community-Rural SC, initiative of the SC Arts Commission Fellow, Riley Institute Diversity Leadership, Furman University Former Director of History, Art and Culture, Penn Center-Penn School National Historic Landmark District |
Landers "Butch" Pierce
Board Member A well-known jazz musician who grew up in the hot bed for arts & culture in Harlem/Queens, New York. New York was “The Mecca” for artists in the sixties and seventies. In the decade of the eighties, Landers’ recording career led him to Los Angeles where his prominence rose within the close-knit society of the jazz music industry. |
Chef Kermit Griffin
Board Member Chef Kermit is a Culinary Historian and well versed in the Art and Culture of food. Griffin is a descendent of the Gullah Culture and earned his bachelors degree in Hotel Resort and Tourism Management from the University of South Carolina. His culture and education are highlighted in his entertaining presentations. Chef Kermit is a member of the Culinary Federation of America and brings to his audience and in-depth knowledge of global foods, their history and preparation. Having started his career as a Saucier/Sous Chef at German town Cricket Club in Philadelphia, PA, he honed his fine-dining skills and garnered experience in banquets and catering with a focus on fresh ingredients and sustainable food products. He served for four years, Kermit served as Executive Sous Chef at the Beaufort Inn in Beaufort, SC and as Executive Chef at the AAA four-Diamond Inn, featured as one of the Top Ten Inns in America, as rated by Conde Naste. |
Contralto Xan Jennings
Board Member Contralto Xan Jennings, a native of Orangeburg, SC., graduated from the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities in Greenville, SC. She received her Bachelor of Music degree from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX and a Master’s in Music from Indiana University in Bloomington, IN. While at Southern Methodist University, Jennings toured South Africa as Maria in Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, sang La Zia Principessa in Puccini’s Suor Angelica in Amalfi, Italy and played Charlene in Fats Waller’s Aint Misbehavin at Amarillo Opera. |
Sylvia Traymore Morrison Board Member When’s the last time you saw Wendy Williams, Diana Ross, Mo’Nique, Whoopi Goldberg and First Lady Michelle Obama in one evening’s performance? Well, all you need to do is catch the Sylvia Traymore Morrison Show the next time she’s in town. Originally from Washington, DC, Sylvia is the first African American Female Impressionist in the country. One of the first solo artists to tour and open for Whitney Houston in over 20 major U.S. cities, Morrison's career in Hollywood is legendary, even if not well known. The iconic Redd Fox recognized her talent early on and signed her to her first management deal. |
Terry Lynn
Board Member Terry Lynn was born in Memphis TN and grew up in Arlington. He began showing his paintings at Gestine Art gallery on Beale street. He enrolled in architectural technology before studying for a BFA at the University of Memphis, where he received a BFA. Terry collaborates on art with his twin brother Jerry under the signature "Twin". His twin and he have shown in many solo and group exhibitions and have been collected worldwide. Terry Lynn has used sculpture, painting and installations to explore the complexity between art and life. "I'm interested in the land, figure, place, and time. " Art is life, and life is art," Terry's art challenges traditional beliefs through his artistic choices. |
Ty Gray-EL Board Member Ty Gray-EL. The ‘Minister of Poetry' is an author, activist, internationally renowned spoken-word artist and the founder of Breath of My Ancestors, LLC; a cultural enrichment company. He is also a certified stress management therapist through the National Association of Drug & Alcohol Interventionist, as well as a certified seminar leader and keynote speaker. He serves as the Chief Communications Officer for the Empowerment Center-DC and the Executive Director of the Hands On the Future youth development program. |
Danny Street Board Member Creating art isn't only something I can do. It is the one thing I must do”, says Street. Street has always known that his life would revolve around art. He drew his first portrait at age 14, and won his first national art competition at age 15. While majoring in art at Lincoln University of Missouri, he continued to accept painting commissions and exhibit throughout his university years. Upon receiving his (B.S.) degree in art/painting, Street instructed drawing classes for a gifted youth program, while freelancing as an illustrator. |
Ross Oscar Knight Board Member Ross Oscar Knight is an artist who has an intense passion to understand humanity one photograph at a time. He uses his camera to open doors, gaining access to examine and capture the shared truths that bind us together. His strength in communication through imagery was born from his childhood stuttering, his search for a racial identity and his fascination with emotional expression. |
Kitty J. Pope Board Member Kitty J. Pope is the founder/ executive director of the Int. Association of Black Travel Writers. A graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, she is also the publications manager for AfricanDiasporaTourism.com, an online magazine exploring the culture and heritage of people of African descent around the world in order to promote travel. |
Dr. Phyllis Gray Ray EX Officio DIRECTOR, PAN-AFRICAN CULTURAL HERITAGE INSTITUTE Dr. Phyllis A. Gray is currently Professor of Sociology and Social Psychology at Florida A & M University in Tallahassee, FL. Previously, she served as the Vice President for Research, and then as the Executive Director of the Juvenile Justice Research Institute at Florida A & M University. |
Eugene Franklin Ex Officio Eugene Franklin was born August 19, 1948, in Ethel, Louisiana and moved to New Orleans in 1953. He attended grade school and high school in Metairie, Louisiana. Franklin graduated from East Jefferson High School in 1967. Following graduation, he worked as a furniture warehouse supervisor, while attending college at night. |