Board members & Staff

JILL SCOTT

Board member

Three-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter, New York Times best-selling poet, and critically acclaimed actor are only a few titles held by Jill Scott. Before having the #1 album in the country with "The Light of The Sun", performing at The White House, being named People Magazine's Top TV Breakout Star of 2010 and appearing on VH1 Divas alongside Aretha Franklin, the triple threat began her career collaborating with musical icons, The Roots, Will Smith, and Common in the late 90s. In 2000, she released her much anticipated debut record, Who is Jill Scott? Words & Sounds, Vol. 1, a double platinum album that earned Scott several Grammy nominations, including Best New Artist. Two more critically acclaimed albums followed, Beautifully Human: Words & Sounds, Vol. 2 and The Real Thing: Words & Sounds, Vol. 3 which garnered two more Grammy Awards and spawned multiple worldwide tours.

Never limited to music, Jill Scott is a true multimedia brand across books, clothing, TV and film. Most recently, Jill starred in Get On Up: A James Brown Biopic, as DeeDee, the wife of James Brown. She also starred alongside Tyler Perry & Janet Jackson in the #1 national movie series Why Did I Get Married? (Pt. 1 and 2), Baggage Claim, Steel Magnolias and Sins of the Mother which aired on Lifetime and became the second-most watched premiere in the network's history. Jill was also casted as the lead character in the HBO/BBC mini-series filmed on location in Botswana, The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency, a Peabody Award-winning show directed by the late Oscar Award-winning director Anthony Minghella. In 2017, Jill Scott was casted as "Nayyirah Shariff" in the original Lifetime film Flint, a drama based on the Flint water crisis in Flint, Michigan - also starring Betsy Brandy, Marin Ireland and Queen Latifah.

A consummate writer at heart, she penned The Moments, The Minutes, The Hours, a compilation of poems that instantly became a New York Times bestseller. Scott also developed an intimates line for Ashley Stewart and founded Blues Babe, a registered 501(c)3 foundation that has raised over hundreds of thousands dollars to support minority students pursuing college degrees.

Jill released her highly anticipated 5th studio album Woman on July 24, 2015 which opened on the music charts at #1 giving Jill her 2nd consecutive number one album. In January of 2017, Jill Scott marked her brand's expansion into stationary, releasing an exclusive "Jill Scott" greeting card collection in partnership with Hallmark Mahogany. Jill Scott received a 2017 Grammy nomination in the "Best Traditional R&B Performance" category for her single, "Can't Wait." Jill's most recent endeavor - find her taking on the role of "Hazel" in the BET + remake of the 1996 romantic comedy, The First Wives Club.

Dameon V. Alexander, PhD

Board member

Dr. Alexander is a Partner and Senior Philanthropic Advisor for New Profit.

His journey in community and social impact started with his Doctoral work at the University of Cambridge where his research involved a multi-disciplinary experiment bridging education, economics, and corporate social responsibility. As a by-product of his research, he started a volunteer effort working with educational institutions in the United Kingdom which emerged into a profitable consulting business. He has experience in domestic and in African, Asian, and Caribbean regions.

He led partnership building  and venture philanthropy for Stand Together, a Koch Industries network of approximately 700+ business leaders inclusive of 200 family offices and 180+ nonprofit organizations. His work involved donor advising, grant making, portfolio management, measurement, leadership coaching, and building high profile collaborations across entertainment, professional sports, and business.

His current entrepreneurial venture is Imprint Fund, a nonprofit convening group built upon ideas that emerged from his own Doctoral work.  The Imprint is an ecosystem of diverse influencers in professional sports, entertainment, business, and nonprofits seeking to revolutionize the way society engages education and economy.

As an academic, Dr. Alexander is an economic sociologist with deep experience and interests in education. He has taught a variety of courses as an instructor and professor at Cambridge, Georgetown University, George Washington University, and community colleges. He is author of the book The Imprint of Business Norms on American Education, a research textbook centered on the nexus between multinational business and educational institutions. He is a husband and a father of two budding student athletes.

rennie harris

Board member

Lorenzo "Rennie" Harris was born and raised in an African-American community in North Philadelphia. In 1992, he founded Rennie Harris Puremovement, a hip-hop dance theater company dedicated to preserving and disseminating hip-hop culture. Voted one of the most influential people in the last one hundred years of Philadelphia history, Mr. Harris has received several accolades, including the Herb Alpert Award in the Arts, the Governor’s Arts Award, a United States Artist Fellowship, and an honorary doctorate from Bates College. The London Times wrote of Mr. Harris that he is “the Basquiat of the U.S. contemporary dance scene.” Rennie Harris Puremovement was chosen by DanceMotion USA as one of four companies to serve as citizen-diplomats to tour Egypt, Israel, Palestinian territories and Jordan in 2012. Mr. Harris' other contributions to Ailey’s repertory include Love Stories (a collaboration with Judith Jamison and Robert Battle) and Home.

leroy A. tice, ESQ.

Board member

Leroy A. Tice, Esquire, P.A., is a general litigation attorney in Wilmington who focuses on personal injury, criminal defense, worker’s compensation and civil rights matters. He is a member of the Delaware State Bar Association and the New Jersey State Bar Association. Tice is a member of the Delaware Bar Association’s Multicultural Judges and Lawyers Section, the Delaware Trial Lawyers, as well as the National Employment Lawyers Association. He also serves as an outside counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and as a special hearing officer for Prestige Academy, a Wilmington charter school. He was appointed to the Delaware State University Board of Trustees in 2010. A native of Milford, DE, Tice earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science at Delaware State University and a Juris Doctor Degree from the Seton Hall University School of Law.

Diane McGrath

ADVISORY Board member

Diane McGrath is a C- suite TMT (technology, media, entertainment) executive working in leadership roles as investment banker, corporate strategy and developing new business models for sectors in business transition and formation.

Technology integration is a key focus in maximizing efficiency and market value for companies in all stages of operational development.

Currently McGrath, a consultant acting as Chief Commercial Officer of Vimmi Communications, global CDN and Over the Top streaming stack of services for enterprise customers, Telcos, Cable and Network. McGrath creates content and channel strategy for ISPs and Telco clients including revenue models SVOD, AVOD and TVOD (driving commerce) and deep analytics for channels and sponsors.

Prior, McGrath was Chief Operating Officer for the Americas and Chief Global Strategist for LSE listed, Falcon Media House, a media technology company delivering 21-patented software platform for the delivery of content, live and VOD, throughout Pan -Asia, India, Africa, South and North America working with cable companies, carriers, networks and direct to consumer premium content channels, music, film, and television. McGrath worked closely with the CFO managing corporate budgets and lead merger and acquisition strategy.

Prior to Falcon, McGrath spent several decades working on Wall Street. Recently building a TMT Practice for J Streicher Capital working with both public and private companies in the advisory and investment banking capacity. Leveraging technology clients to assist in the creation, protection and monetization of intellectual property primarily for the creators and extending windows of distribution on a global scale with greater transparency and data driven return. Working with Hollywood A-list creators of franchise films, television and artists transitioning to preservation of their intellectual property, wholly owned distribution and the ownership of databases direct to consumer providing greater transparency and return on all investment.

McGrath has also worked as Chief Revenue Officer for software companies placed by Softbank as lead investor to build corporate and market strategy.

McGrath was also Head of Investor Relations, direct to CEO/COB for Asia Online (NASDAQ) software comparing providing connectivity, hosting, intellectual property distribution in 23 countries, 12 languages, raised $200M with the CEO and a market valuation of $1.5B in early 2000s.

FREEWAY

ADVISORY Board member

Leslie Edward Pridgen (born August 6, 1978), better known by his stage name Freeway, is an American rapper from North Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is best known as a member of the rap group State Property and its 2000s run at Roc-A-Fella Records alongside Jay-Z.[1] In 2009, Freeway was briefly signed to Cash Money Records,[2] but returned to work again with Jay-Z at the mogul's entertainment organization and record label, Roc Nation, with his 2018 album Think Free.

Vernon Keith Ruffin Jr.

education community engagement

Vernon Keith Ruffin Jr. aka KeithFromUpDaBlock is a Philadelphia born Creative & Performing Artist, Producer, Comedian & Arts Educator whose credits include opening for Jay-Z, Kevin Hart, J.B Smoove, Deon Cole, hosting the popular Philly Music Video Show Urban X-Pressions, Racking up millions of views on Youtube, Vlad TV & Worldstar Hip Hop, dancing for The Philadelphia 76er's NBA team, founding Philadelphia Comedy College along with appearing on The Dr Phil Show, MTV's Ridiculousness, VHl 's Undateable, Mindhunter on Netflix & performing a piece he wrote alongside Triumph The Insult Comic Dog on HULU. In February of 2021 he will appear as Frederick Douglas in CNN's "Lincoln: Divided We Stand".

LEIGH ANN HAHN

director of programming

Working as Director of Programming of Grand Performances from 1992-2019, Hahn is known for her bold programming that brings audiences and artists together to explore the historical and contemporary socio-political events and factors that impact our communities. More than booking bands for the highly respected (hailed by Los Angeles Magazine as “best free outdoor concert series” and “a grand gift to the public ...democracy in musical action” by the Los Angeles Times) Hahn’s innovative approach brings local and international artists together to create unique programs as well as invites artists to bring new and unexpected programs to the people of the city that creates opportunities for true access to global performing arts.

Phillip Sean Brown

head of education

Phillip Sean Brown is currently the Director of Theater at the prestigious Shipley School in Bryn Mawr PA. Several of his students have gone on to study at Julliard, NYU TISCH, Michigan, and many other distinguished acting conservatories in the US and abroad. Before starting his acting studio, The Ambler Actors Studio, just outside of Philadelphia, he was the dialogue coach and ‘punch-up’ writer on the hit Original Series Disney shows “That’s so Raven” and “Cory in the House”. He worked for Disney for over four years on two of there highest rated shows ever. Meticulously gleaning the scripts and finding the beats and punching up jokes for both the cast and guest star actors were his daily functions. His personal student was Kyle Massey, star of hit Disney show, “Cory in the House”. Prior to working for Disney, Phillip has led a rich and diverse artistic career including writing, acting, directing and film production. Phillip currently has a content deal with 360 Wise TV and he has worked professionally in the TV, Film and Theater industry throughout the United States. He is the Co-Creator and Executive Producer of a new reality show series entitled, One Last Shot.  Phillip wrote and co-created the hit Hip-Hop musical, “The Last Jimmy” with Dice Raw from the Legendary Roots Crew that is currently touring major cities in the US. His most recent musical, that he co-created with Dice Raw, entitled “Box” is the narrative of Henry Box Brown, is about a slave who mailed himself from Virginia to freedom in Philadelphia. It will make its world premiere at The New Freedom Theater in Philadelphia PA in the winter of 2018. Phillip has optioned screen plays in Hollywood and was also was co-creator and head writer for a live Inter-active Entertainment News/Music Video show for the Black Entertainment Network (BET) entitled AM@BET in 2000 which was BET’s first full live hour TV show. 

Phillip worked with a Philadelphia based independent film company, Kino Craft Productions, to associate produce award winning documentaries, entitled “The Land of Jim Crow” (Documentary Series) 1991-1992. “Growing up Segregated” 1992. Awards: Bronze Apple Award-National Education Film & Video Festival, 1992. Red Ribbon Award, American Film Video Festival 1992. Honorable Mention- Columbus Film and Video Festival 1992. “Celebrate” (four part series) Kwanza, Indian Pow Wow, Chinese New Year and Obon, 1992-1993. However the commercial pull of main stream television was not strong enough to take him from his theatrical roots that were planted several years ago at the University of the Arts, where he majored in Drama. Since then he’s formed a non-profit theater company called Urban Artists, from which his current theater company Salt World Inc. derived. Both of his theater troupes toured several of his original one act plays to prisons, schools and neighborhood streets promoting non-violence, education and faith.  His passion for creating and teaching inspirational theater arts has taken him around the world. He traveled nationally with The Covenant Players Drama ministry and has done mission/art, theater in Southeast Asia (Thailand), Central America (Limon’ Costa Rica) and Mexico. 

Phillip Attended the University of the Arts in Philadelphia Pa, where he studied Theater Arts, and he Received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Leadership from Rosemont College.  Phillip is also a graduate of Germantown Academy in Fort Washington Pa. 

tony anderson, PH.D.

grants / Donor relations

Dr. Tony Anderson is currently an Assistant Principal at the Fort Hayes Metropolitan Education Center an arts magnet high school in Columbus City Schools. Dr. Anderson is a graduate of Xavier University (OH) where he earned a B.A. in Vocal Music Performance, Florida State University where he earned an M.Ed. in Elementary Education, and The University of Delaware where he earned an M.A. of Education and Ph.D. in Socio-Cultural Approaches to Research in Education. Dr. Anderson received international acclaim for his work as the creator and founder of Bassline Entertainment, a Hip-Hop performance, entrepreneurship, and social justice-themed enrichment program that yielded a 100 percent college acceptance rate among youth who were previously described as academically disengaged. Numerous members of that group went on to receive national recognition for their talent which included: The Inaugural Essence Magazine and Berklee School of Music’s, “Take Back The Music” grand prize winner, The Source Magazine Unsigned Hype, candidates on Fox’s American Idol, and professional recording contracts with Interscope Records.

At the conclusion of his Bassline program, Dr. Anderson served as an Assistant Artist Manager & A&R for Def Jam recording artist, Grammy Award-winning group, and Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon house band, The Roots. Dr. Anderson also taught courses as an Adjunct Professor at The University of Delaware for seven years where he was awarded both the Educator of the Year award as well as the Dissertation of the Year Award. Dr. Anderson is excited to be back in his hometown of Columbus, Ohio to continue blending his passion for music and social justice with his purpose of educating tomorrow’s leaders.

Dr. Anderson is currently the founder/director of The Paragon Project, a youth-led music group that creates and performs music that addresses social issues and the socio-emotional well being of young people. The Paragon Project has released four albums. Their most recent composition, VOL. 4: ADD-A-LESSON is available on all major streaming platforms and features an animated video available on YouTube. 

Rhapsody Taylor

Youth Dance Instructor

Rhapsody started dancing at the age of 2 from a dance oriented family moving along with her parents Arthur and Shawnta Taylor, which progressed her into being a professional dancer. In 2014 she trained with her parent’s dance company Imagine Dance Theatre and performed for many events such as, The Kennedy Center for IABD in Washington DC, Denver, Cleveland Ohio, and Los Angeles etc. Her passion for dance then led her in Philadelphia to train with Eleone Dance Theater’s second and third company under the direction of Shawn Lamere-Williams.

She has participated in many summer programs as a full scholarship recipient to Anthony Burrell’s Breaking Barriers Intensive, a scholarship recipient to Joffrey Jazz Intensive, Debbie Allen Dance Academy, Deeply Rooted Dance Theatre, as well as Philadanco. She was a member of Philadanco’s second company D2 under the direction of Donald T. Lunsford and Joan Myers Brown.

In Spring 2019 the UArts School Of Dance awarded Rhapsody the Elizabeth Pulaski Scholarship Award. Rhapsody received her BFA at the University of the Arts for Dance in 2020 with high honors of Summa Cum Laude and has trained and participated in works by Kim Bears Bailey, Wayne St David, Milton Myers, Elisa Clark, Mark Morris, Kyle and Dinita Clark to name a few. She is now signed to MTA agency NYC for commercial dance, acting, modeling, and was chosen to become a brand ambassador and model for the Burju Heels Spring collection Campaign in 2021.

From summer 2021-2022 she was a master teacher for the New Orleans Dance Collective and taught kids and adults classes focusing in Jazz, Heels, Hiphop, African, and her style in movement to bring the best out of each potential student.

Rhapsody in 2022 just finished her first show choreographing and dancing for Freedom Theatre’s “Forgotten Founding Fathers” play/ musical written and produced by “Dice Raw”. She was also from 2021-2022 part of Forces of Nature dance company in Harlem NY under the direction of Baba Abdel Salaam being part of many performances including the Cathedral of St John the Divine, The Apollo, and BAM Dance Africa 2022 in Brooklyn NY. Rhapsody is now in Los Angeles California pursuing becoming an upcoming dancer, choreographer, singer, actress.

Jamal Miller

Dramaturgy / playwright

Born in north Philadelphia PA, Jamal Miller, aka. Truck North, has made his mark on his city and the hip hop community. His sound is soulful, raw, and passionate, with a classic quality that emotes in everything that he writes. His lyrical content and delivery pay homage to the greats who’ve come before him in hip hop. For years Truck North has been affiliated with some extraordinary musical projects. Being a protégé and frequent collaborator of the legendary, GRAMMY Award Winning, Roots Crew, is among many of his notable accomplishments. Working so closely with The Roots has provided an avenue for Truck North to engage in amazing musical opportunities. 

Lynn Calder

grants / Donor relations

Lynn Calder has twenty-five years of experience in development and communications for a variety of nonprofit organizations.  Lynn previously was Assistant Director, Foundation Relations at Winterthur Museum and Country Estate.  Prior to moving to Delaware, she served as Director of Communications, North America at the American University of Beirut’s New York Office and Assistant Director of Communications at the American University in Cairo. An active volunteer, Lynn is a Board Member of Saint Mary Magdalen School, serving on the Development Committee.  She earned an MA in Middle Eastern and North African Studies from the University of Michigan and graduated from Drexel University with a BS in History-Politics.

Ellisha Caplan

grants / Donor relations

Ellisha Caplan turned to nonprofit consulting after fifteen years in mostly small not-for-profits. The “all hands on deck” nature of small organizations afforded her extensive experience in all areas of fundraising, leadership development, marketing, communications, and event planning. Ellisha was the Director of Young Leadership at the Jewish Federation of Delaware. Prior to that, she was Annual Campaign Director at The Durham-Chapel Hill Jewish Federation, Associate Director for Planning and Community Outreach, and Director of Young Adult and Women’s Divisions at the Jewish Federation of Greater Washtenaw County. Ellisha has served on the Boards of Directors of Congregation Beth Emeth and the Siegel Jewish Community Center in Wilmington, Delaware, and currently sits on the Board of Directors of Friends of the Sommerschule Wust. She holds an MAJCS from Gratz College, with certificates in Non-Profit Management and Jewish Education, and earned a BS in Family and Child Development at Virginia Tech.