Too Black Too Fast
America's Original Athletes
America's First Athletes
click image for biography
donnie l. betts
donnie l. betts has many years of experience in theatre, film, radio and video. betts studied at Yale School of Drama. He is a founding member of two theatre companies in Denver; City State Ensemble and the Denver Black Arts Company. He has performed on Broadway in "The Gospel at Colonus" with Morgan Freeman and in many regional theatre productions including over 13 seasons at the Denver Center Theatre Company including the very first production of the company.
betts has directed "House With No Walls" for Curious Theatre Company, "Emperor Jones" and "Hi Hat Hattie" for Aurora Fox, "Miss Ever Boys," "Before It Hits Home" and over 25 additional productions across the country.
His work in film as an actor has included roles in the features (2007 release) "Honeydripper"and "Switchback" both starring Danny Glover. donnie's work on TV as an actor includes appearances in Perry Mason movies and several Movies of the Week. donnie was part of the production team for the pilot and the first show of "In Living Color" and "Dream On". He spent one season with Carol Burnett on "Carol and Company". His work in casting has included being on the staff of Rueben Cannon, Eileen Knight and Monica Swann. Casting shows such as "Matlock", Perry Mason", "Amen" and numerous pilots.
betts directed, co-produced, co-wrote and acted in the documentary film "Dearfield," "The Road Less Traveled", a film about an African American town in Colorado. "Dearfield" is the Silver Award Winner at the Black Filmworks Festival of Film and Video in Oakland, California and numerous festival awards.
"Dearfield" aired on PBS and was nominated for an Emmy. He directed the film short "LA LA UNCUT". LALA screened at the 1995 Cannes Film Festival and the film aired on the Sundance Channel. His current film, "Music is My Life, Politics My Mistress: The Story of Oscar Brown Jr.," a documentary on the great singer, playwright, actor and composer Oscar Brown Jr The film has won 11 film festivals awards. He is the producer of Torturer aka Force Drift film that deals with torture in Iraq and stars Nichelle Nichols it was accepted into the London Independent Film Festival. His film Seasons, A dance fantasy screened at the London Greek Film Festival. Other films include a political EPK for John Sayles for the film Silver City released in the fall of 2004 and the 2005 Heartland Emmy winning documentary "My Voice." betts created an EPK for the John Sayles film "Honeydripper" starring Danny Glover and singer Keb Mo.
donnie produces and directs the award-winning live radio drama series "Destination Freedom/Black Radio Days," which tells the untold stories of Black Heroes and Sheroes pre the 1960s movement.
Awards:
Sixteen Film Festival Awards, 2005 winner of a Heartland Emmy
Governors Award for Excellence in Art
Best of Denver for Directing by Westword Publication & Denver Post Newspaper
Four time winner of Colorado Black Journalist Award including Radio Journalist of the year.
For more information on donnie l. betts and no credits production, incorporated, please visit: www.nocredits.com
email: donnie.l.betts_tooblacktoofast.com
exec. producer/director-documentary
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"project team" home page
donna binkley
legal
mary carver-patrick
Mary Carver-Patrick
She is a former educator who has committed her volunteer efforts over the last decade to fundraising for Tennessee State University and Tennessee State University National Alumni Association. She is the state of Tennessee's immediate recipient of the Tennessee Board of Regents 2008 Chancellors Award for Excellence in Philanthropy.
Through her event planning prowess, Mary has brought freshness to the Tennessee States Homecoming entertainment by introducing entertainment such as the SOS Band, ZAPP, and Joe Johnson with Angela Winbush as well as chaired several profitable TSU Ralph Boston Golf Tournaments.
Mary currently serves on numerous boards and is involved with and holds life memberships in several national organizations. She is a fierce advocate of promoting achievement especially through the arts in the minority and underserved population. She also is a member of the National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners.
exhibition/tour coordinator
bobbie gallup
Education
B.A. Biology & Art, Western Michigan University
MS. Conservation Education & Interpretation, Michigan State University
Resource Planning & Management, completed PhD course work & exams, Michigan State University (ABD)
CITM, Certified International Tour Manager International Guide Academy
CFEM (Certified Festival & Event Manager), MN Festival & Event Association
Experience
CEO/Founder Grant Guidance (2008 present) consultant for non-profits, provide research, advice, training, and proposal development services
President and Founder, FilmNashville Foundation (2008 present) developed charter, planning documents and forms; provide fiscal agent services for documentary filmmakers; provide educational services and training for individuals and organizations in the arts
Director of Development, FilmNashville (2004-present)
Grants Coordinator, City of Columbia,Tennessee. Research opportunities for supplemental funding for city projects, services and facilities, develop & submit grant proposals
Grantwriting Consultant- Contract consultant for researching, writing grant proposals for non-profit agencies and organizations; teach workshops regarding grant research and proposal writing
Principal Planner, Resource Initiatives- Consultant responsible for management of interpretive planning contracts for a variety of agencies, including scenic & historic byways. Provide training in heritage area planning, marketing, special events, program planning & evaluation
Executive Director, National Association for Interpretation. (1992-1994) Responsible for all services & business for 4,500 member professional organization for interpreters who are employed by museums, historic sites & heritage areas, parks, nature centers and other similar facilities. Managed planning, business & training functions, national & regional conferences & events, member services, publications, communications, & marketing
Instructor, Colorado State University (PT 1996-1998) Taught various classes and courses related to interpretation, interpretive planning. Also included developing and teaching Event & Conference Planning, Fundraising, Public-Private Partnerships. Organized numerous university events and annually managed 20-40 events planned by students
Visitor Services Coordinator, Minnesota State Parks, St Paul, MN (FT 1981-1992) Responsible for visitor services in 66 state parks, including historical, cultural and natural resource interpretation, public information and marketing, special event & conference planning, educational and recreational services, tv & radio promotions. Coordinated all interpretive services statewide in state parks including 38 interpretive centers, 9 museums, numerous historic sites and other facilities. Managed statewide HR functions, fiscal administration, interpretive planning & evaluation. Coordinated publications & fundraising. Developed and managed Lifetimes & Landscapes, an extensive statewide touring performing educational series for eight seasons for 66 Minnesota State Parks including developing goals and objectives, soliciting and auditioning acts, scheduling 20-60 performers each season, contracting and hiring, financial management, fundraising, publicity and promotion, evaluation and reporting. Public programs included The Great North American History Theater and musical performances, historical re-enactments, art & craft shows and demonstrations, lectures, films and various special events for groups of 100-30,000. Managed State Fair programs & services (150-300,00 visitors/14 days) including auditioning & booking acts for 2 stages, coordinating a 10,000 sq. ft museum & exhibit hall, information center, publications & staffing
Northern Division Program Supervisor, Hennepin County Parks; Maple Plain, MN (FT 1976-1981) Managed interpretive and educational services for all parks and historic sites in N. Div. Developed & managed all public programs & special events, supervised staff of 18, fiscal management, fundraising, publicity & promotion
Interpretive Ranger-Guide, Fenner Arboretum, Lansing, MI (FT 1970-1975). Designed and implemented interpretive programs, workshops, demonstrations and events for public and school groups.
Bobbie has been involved with natural and cultural resource interpretation all of her career. A recognized innovator and creative person, she is a self-motivated, organized & detail-oriented individual with exceptional skills in interpretive planning and management. She has the ability to maintain accuracy & productivity while managing numerous projects in a team environment. Bobbie has developed & taught courses at the university level for Colorado State University, Michigan State University, and is comfortable within the academic world as well as working with the public. She has also provided international interpretive training & planning assistance, as well as special event & conference planning services for countless organizations. She has strong customer service skills and has worked effectively with diverse groups of people from preschool to senior citizens.
Awards
Leadership Maury, Maury County, TN. Nominated to participate in Leadership program
Governor of Minnesota, Strive Toward Excellence in Performance Award (STEP) for developing the DNR Outdoor Recreation Information Center & the DNR Information Center, including development of statewide database
Minnesota Office of Tourism, two Travel Marketing Awards & a Certificate of Merit for Travel Marketing
The Minnesota Association of Government Communicators, Northern Lights Silver Pen Award for Excellence in Communication
Excellence in Performance Award for Outstanding Public Service, MN DNR
Enos Mills Award, National Association for Interpretation for service to the profession
Lions Club International, Outstanding Young Leader Award and International Service Award for establishing first nature trail for the visually impaired
grant writer
michael j. mcbride
Michael J. McBride, a native Tennessean, earned his undergraduate degree in art, from Tennessee State University and his graduate degree in painting from Illinois State University, where he credits Dr. Harold Gregor with providing a world class artistic mentorship. Currently, as an instructor of art at Tennessee State University and former Adjunct faculty at Watkins College of Art and Design and Film school, his commitment to the Nashville art world's future has always been at the forefront of his own career.
McBride has served as lead artist on many community-based projects in Nashville, Sister Cities Mural Projects as well as Nashville International Airport's Arts in the Airport program. Michael is currently a member of the Board of Trustees for the Frist Visual Art Center in Nashville and the Board of Family and Children Service.
McBride was featured in Visions of My People, sixty years of African American art in Tennessee, an exhibit organized by the Tennessee State Museum and one of his pieces was purchase for their permanent collection. He was one of twelve Nashville artists selected by The Tennessean newspaper for inclusion in the Millennium 2000 Collection, a signal honor. Another honor was the Side by Side sister cities exhibition with Belfast, Northern Ireland, featuring 17 artists from Nashville and 17 artists from Ireland.
His most recent honor was the summer of 2005, a ten weeks artist in residence in Bermuda with the MasterWorks Museum of Bermuda Art. His current body of work titled Too Black Too Fast is a traveling exhibition of art about African- American jockeys and trainers. McBrides work is included in both private and corporate collections in the US and abroad. His work has been featured on television sitcoms, such as "Living Single", "The Wayans Bros. Show", and "The Jamie Foxx Show". Michael has also illustrated children's books and book covers for several publishing groups. Currently McBride is under the management of Derell Stinson.
email: michael.mcbride_tooblacktoofast.com
artist/executive producer
darryl g. mcclain
Nashville native Darryl McClain is the Assistant Project Director for the Too Black Too Fast multimedia project. Brought onto the project in 2006, he has since collaborated with team members to aid in preserving the legacy of the African American in horse racing including research and writing.
An alumnus of Tennessee State University, he has utilized his English and Interdisciplinary Studies background on several notable humanitarian and culturally focused projects including the Nashville Civil Rights Legacy Foundation which is working to publicize the monumental role Nashville played in the Civil Rights movement. Instrumental in the recent honoring of "Tennessee State A&I 14" Freedom Riders with honorary degrees, he traveled at personal expense to conduct interviews, collated biographies and worked tirelessly behind the scenes with his mother, historian Elizabeth McClain and her colleague, Dr. Hoyt King.
Politically active, McClain volunteered on behalf of candidates, Howard Dean, John Kerry and Barack Obama traveling throughout the South, phone banking, blogging, hosting events and attending events. He utilizes his social networking memberships to keep friends and colleagues around the country updated on what is happening in Washington.
Recently, McClain started Quantum to Virtual Consulting, a business services consulting firm. Recognizing that African Americans and Latinos in his community had ideas for entrepreneurship but did not know the foundational necessities, he set out to equip them with the necessary tools, to empower them and bring their ideas to fruition. His clients include a Music Row urban label, a local semiprofessional football team and a medical sector business as well as a client in Central America and South Africa.
A voracious reader, Darryl reads on average 3 hours a day on subjects as diverse as politics to spirituality. Married to his college sweetheart, Dr. Janea McClain, they presently reside in Baltimore.
email: darryl.mcclain_tooblacktoofast.com
assistant project director/
researcher
carolyn mcdonald
Carolyn McDonald has had a diverse and extensive career in the film industry. Most recently she was Head of Production at Country superstar Big Kenny Alphins (Big & Rich) LoveEverybody.com, where she executive produced his documentary Bearing Light airing on National Geographic Channel, as well as his music video, "Share the Love," generated from a student film competition she created. Prior to that she executive produced and directed P.N.O.K., a film chronicling a day in the life of two soldiers on Casualty Notification Detail, featuring Irma P. Hall (LADYKILLERS), Danny Glover, Robert Richard (COACH CARTER) and Elle Fanning (BABEL), which was a 1st round Oscar contender for Best Live Action Short. She recently directed Shannon Sanders music video "Run" for the"Too Black Too Fast" project and produced & directed "Who's Real," the documentary & short film for Nashville Film Festival's Youth Outreach Project.
As partners with Danny Glover at Carrie Productions, she executive produced the Emmy-nominated TNT civil rights saga, "FREEDOM SONG". Written and directed by Oscar® nominee Phil Alden Robinson (FIELD OF DREAMS), the film features Vicellous Shannon, Vondi Curtis-Hall, David Strathairn (GOOD NIGHT AND GOOD LUCK) and Loretta Devine (CRASH). McDonald also co-produced the critically acclaimed Western BUFFALO SOLDIERS starring Glover, Glynn Turman and Mykelti Williamson (FORREST GUMP).
Earlier, she executive produced the prestigious HBO trilogy "AMERICAS DREAM." Comprised of powerful short stories by celebrated African- American authors, Maya Angelou, Richard Wright & Dr. John Henrik Clarke, the film featured Wesley Snipes (BLADE), Danny Glover & Jasmine Guy, with segments directed by Bill Duke, Kevin Sullivan & Emmy-winner Paris Barclay. The program won 4 Cable Aces and an NAACP Image Award for Best Made-for-TV Movie.
Fresh out of New York Universitys Dramatic Writing/Film Program, Carolyn joined the East Coast advertising/publicity division of Warner Bros. Television. There she ran buyer screenings and developed network publicity campaigns for such films as THE ROAD WARRIOR, CHARIOTS OF FIRE and BLADE RUNNER, and conceived marketing campaigns for the Warner Bros. cartoon catalogue.
Prior to arriving in Los Angeles, McDonald served as Creative Executive at Cinecom Entertainment Group, where she was involved in various stages of development & production on such films as THE HANDMAIDS TALE, ONCE AROUND, MISSISSIPPI MASALA and TUNE IN TOMORROW. While at Cinecom, Carolyn also co-created two television pilots in association with Propaganda Films, THE RAGE and BACKBEAT.
A prolific screenwriter, McDonald co-wrote the comedy RETURN OF THE SWEETBIRDS from her story for Fox 2000, and recently scripted the feature romantic comedy, ROCKET LOVE which she will direct. Creating in a variety of genres and formats, her present projects include, THUMPTâ„¢, an interactive web reality series; 5 EAST BROADWAY, a drama based on her transition, as a teenager, from living on a farm to the inner-city; a music documentary series called JOINED AT THE STRINGS; and SEW FABULOUS, a dramedy about competing students at a prestigious New York City fashion school in the late 70s.
Carolyn was a mentor for the American Film Institute Digital Content Labs team developing a broadband network for SiTV. She also continues to compile photos for a multimedia exhibit entitled NOUNS IN THE ROAD, comprised of photographs shes taken on her lifes journey since she was 11 years old.
Carolyn studied acting with Uta Hagen, Earle Hyman, the late Geraldine Page, and at SUNY Purchase, and is a part of Judith Westons Actor/Directors Lab.
Shes also a mentor & advisory board member of Film Independents (FIND) Project: Involve, counseling and assisting young women looking to break into the film industry. A native of Wade, North Carolina, Carolyn is committed to creating provocative, unique stories that entertain & enlighten audiences universally.
email: carolyn.mcdonald_tooblacktoofast.com
exec. producer/motion picture
PPAATH
PROJECT TO PRESERVE AFRICAN AMERICAN TURF HISTORY
Founder & CEO:
Leon Nichols was born in Paris, KY the heart of Bluegrass Country and Horse Capital of the World, The nephew of a prominent African American trainer, Leon learned first-hand about the History, Heritage, and Legacy of great African American jockeys and trainers connected to the Thoroughbred racing industry. For centuries, dating back to the birth of our nation, black jockeys and trainers were Super Stars of our nations First National Pastime.
While growing-up in the Bluegrass, Leon spent many mornings mucking stalls, walking horses, and grooming these majestic animals at area race-tracks, farms and training facilities.
Following a stint in the U.S. Army, Mr. Nichols pursued an undergraduate degree in Business Management at Central Texas College and Lexington Community College.
In 1993, Leon Nichols along with several family members embarked on a (4) year project to re-capture the forgotten history of Americas Great Black Jockeys who gained fortune and fame throughout the 19th century and dominated the sport of Thoroughbred racing well into the early 20th century.
What transpired was a vast collection of memorabilia including; Books, News Articles, Documentaries, and archived Photographs and Artifacts chronicling this uncelebrated era in American sports historyIn 2006 Mr. Nichols formed the Project to Preserve African American Turf History PPAATH to illuminate the impact Black jockeys, trainers, and owners had on 19th century horse racing.
By February of 2007 the PPAATH organization was asked to feature this multi-media collection at area schools and churchs for various Black History Month programs. In addition, this wonderful collection was also featured at several of Louisvilles premiere Derby events.
By the spring of 2008, Leon and members of PPAATH collaborated with the Too Black Too Fast project to follow-up with major Art exhibitions currently touring numerous cities throughout the United States to date, the research work that Mr. Nichols compiled nearly (16) years ago has inspired a renewed interest into the lives and times of Americas First Great Athletes.
To learn more about Black history in horse racing visit www.ppaath.org.
Recent articles about PPAATH and Too Black Too Fast can be found in several national publications including: The Courier-Journal (April 2008), Thoroughbred Times January (2008), Upscale (February 2009), Black College Today (March 2009) and Ebony-jet.com (July 2009).
Project to Preserve
African-American Turf History
george nock
Former NFL Running Back Turned Sculptor
George Nock, former running back with the New York Jets and Washington Redskins was destined early in life to become an artist. His has been a fascinating career from maneuvering his powerful torso, to swift moves on the Gridiron, to positioning his big, strong hands to delicately mold objects of intricacy and perfection. Self-taught, Nock has distinguished himself among the greatest sculptors of the twentieth through twenty-first century, due to an intrinsic ability to capture with versatility highly original bronzes reflecting lifes experiences. The brawny, broad-shouldered ex-athlete found his real victory in shaping exquisite sculpture.
Inspired by junior high school teachers, one a sculptor, the other a painter, the multi-talented Nock etched, sketched, sculpted and painted throughout high school amid stellar performance on the basketball court and football field. In 1964, on a sports scholarship, the mild-mannered jock attended Morgan State University, where he majored in Psychology. By 1969 he had been drafted by the New York Jets. The team would be going over game strategy in the training facility in Shea Stadium, and would find Nock working on preliminary drawings for sculptures.
After 5 years in the NFL, Nock retired. A natural instinct to eye a field and to scheme an entire play transformed fluidly -- to the ability to look at a clump of clay and envision a masterpiece. Whereas, immediate productivity was demanded on the playing field, the average sculpture required 2-7 months of labor to complete.
Yet, the euphoria of the vision the creativity poured into the 3- dimensional structure exceeds the thrill or rush one feels in running a touch down, Nock maintains. In fact, his first bronze cast "ScatBack" depicted his very playing position -- a running back. I knew all mechanics of the moves so I was inspired to recreate them in 3-D. Nock's admiration of the human form and firsthand knowledge of the feats it can achieve is spectacularly recognized in the compelling realism of his work.
Through hands-on practice, Nock devoted his life to the creation of realistic figures in bronze. I feel a responsibility to breathe life into untold stories, usually women, the culture bearers of any society. Oftentimes my subject will be African-Americans, whose way of life seems to have remained in touch with their heritage. One can still observe many of our traditions and ways of times past. Our history is reflected in our faces.
His bronzes seem to embody a definite feeling of humility and passion regardless of vast subject matter. Much of Nocks work is derived from some indelible experience stored in the crevices of his mind. Whether sculpting a figure from world history, a forgotten people, or a famed athlete Nock possesses the uncanny ability to capture the essence of his subject with a characteristic pose or expression. Perhaps its Nocks early coursework in psychology that comes into play, leaving us with the feel that his bronze works are more than mere representations but lifelike intimate glimpses into the very core of who his figures are.
email: george.nock_tooblacktoofast.com
sculptor
fred reaves
chief photographer
Coming Soon!
jayne rogovin
Chief Principal of The Jayne Gang, a Public Relations, Marketing,
Project Management Company in Nashville. She has a proven track
record in both the Music and Corporate Communities. Current and Past
Entertainment Clients include The Americana Music Association, Hyena/Big Deal Records, Randy Rayburn Restaurants, Too Black Too Fast, Manuel Exclusive and Maristone Senior Living, Current host producer of WRLT's 100.1 issues/interview show "Tuned-In heard every Sunday in Nashville, Tennessee.
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She is a former Executive News Producer with twenty five years of
broadcast experience having worked in Miami, Houston, Dallas, and New York. She is a graduate of The University of Florida with a degree in Broadcast Journalism with a minor in Latin American studies. She sits on the board of the Ivan and Sam Foundation, Rhinestone Cure (diabetes) and is a member of the CMA, AMA, and NARAS.
email: publicity_tooblacktoofast.com
publicist
shannon sanders
As a producer/songwriter/musician, already, Shannon Sanders has earned two Grammys: India.Arie's Voyage to India (2002) and Jonny Lang's Turn Around (2006). His talents have also afforded him the creative opportunity to work with a myriad of other artists including John Legend, Marc Broussard, Eric Benet, Jesse McCartney, David Archuleta, CeCe Winans, The Temptations, Rissi Palmer, Mandisa, Nicole C. Mullen (for which he received a Dove Award in ) and many others.
Sanders has also received notable success thanks to his contribution to Robert Randolph & the Family Band's 2006 LP Colorblind, which featured the highly-commercialized smash, Ain't Nothing Wrong With That (co-written and produced by Sanders). In late 2005, Heather Headley's title cut, In My Mind was a US Hot 100, R&B/Hip Hop and Dance Club Play hit. The single was originally featured on Sanders' 1999 debut release, Outta Nowhere.
Currently, he serves as India.Arie's music director. And, Sanders is working on his follow-up to Outta Nowhere. Among from his behind-the-scenes gifts, The Grown Man's Handbook showcases his uncanny singing ability and the revelations, as both an artist and man, he has experienced over the past decade.
music supervising producer
derell l. stinson
Derell L. Stinson
Through his ups and downs in the entertainment arena, he has worked with the heavy weights of music, comedy, theater and now movies and documentaries. After 22 years, he has worked in some capacity in the entertainment business while he has worked in other arenas in corporate America.
To date, nothing has come close to the satisfaction he says is derived from working with talented clients such as Michael J. McBride. Born and raised in Jackson, Tennesse, later raised in Racine, Wisconsin, Stinson wants to level the playing field for all persons, regardless of ethnicity to have the opportunity to tell their stories. "The one thing I can say that learning about other cultures through my friends, colleagues and traveling, has helped me truly appreciate being an African-American male, even our stuggles. Yet, I still appreciate celebrating, actually submerging myself in another's culture. It helps me to truly appreciate and take stock in my own!"
Having worked for major and boutique record labels, as well as events, shows and tours of such artists as Jamie Foxx, Chris Rock, Sinbad, D.L. Hughley, MC Hammer, Will Downing, Impact Music Convention, Shannon Sanders and others, he relishes the opportunity to use his skills for Too Black Too Fast along with his client and friend Michael J. McBride. In addition, he is a member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.
When he is not working on entertainment related projects, he enjoys volunteering as well as his new number one passion: helping others maximize their "destiny" (disorders) to live vibrant lives, such as A.D.H.D, a personal subject for him.
He resides/works in Nashville where he manages McBride along with James R. Threalkill, painter and Joe Johnson, jazz saxophonist.
email: derell.stinson_tooblacktoofast.com
project director/executive producer
james r. threalkill
Native Nashvillian, Artist, Teacher, Advocate, Leader
A man of humble origin, he earned his way to Vanderbilt University as an athlete and scholar. Upon graduating from Vanderbilt, James returned to the public housing community of his youth as a Leader. He used his gift as an artist and teacher to develop neighborhood youth art programs. He was also involved with community outreach and fundraising efforts for the community.
In 1995, James was asked to serve as Special Assistant for Community Affairs and Arts in the Office of the Mayor of Nashville, Tennessee, Philip N. Bredesen. This endeavor allowed James to use his experience and connections in the Nashville community to help bring diversity awareness and policy to local Nashville government.
James has served as Executive Director for 100 Black Men of Middle Tennessee; managing the organizations administrative support services, recruiting members and coordinating the youth activities. He has also served as the Community Services Director of Edgehill Center, Inc., where he established several successful programs for youth. He used art as a teaching tool to educate youth on the importance of staying drug-free and in school.
James became a nationally recognized artist and advocate of the arts and has received many awards in his career not only for this gift, but also for his involvement with numerous organizations. In 1994 he received the Metropolitan Jaycees Distinguished Service Award. He has received national recognition for a mural program he established and received an Emmy Award in 1994 for a mural created for the Viacom Television Network. He was named CSAAM Man of the Year in 1997 and in 1998 the YMCABlack Achievers Program named him "Achiever of the Year".
James' gift as an artist took him to South Africa in 1995 to create a mural with South African art students. During his trip he also had the opportunity to visit with President Nelson Mandela. James was also the coillustrator of a successful children's book series that has been featured on Sesame Street.
James' past experience in community program development and community relations make him a valuable asset to Skanska as the Diversity Program Director. In this role, James will be responsible for identifying Women and Minority-owned businesses to participate in procurement opportunities with Skanska. James
will also serve as a community liaison working with youth organizations, mentoring programs, and marketing initiatives.
artist
elisha vernon
Elisha Vernon, Creative Assistant, was born and raised in Chicago, IL. At a very young age she became enchanted with the rich arts and diverse cultures throughout the Windy City, and she found her passion in visual and creative arts. Living in Nashville led her to a chance meeting with Michael McBride in 2006, where she was introduced to the Too Black Too Fast concept. While her background is in Fine Arts, Elisha holds a degree in Graphic Design/Multimedia. She is a freelance designer as well as an author, mentor, and proud mom of two.
creative services-graphic artist
M.S. Conservation Education & Interpretation, Michigan State University
CITM, Certified International Tour Manager International Guide Academy (graduated, top of the class)
Grants Coordinator, City of Columbia (FT 2004-2008) Research opportunities for supplemental funding for city projects, services and facilities, develop & submit grant proposals
Grantwriting Consultant (2001-present) Contract consultant for researching, writing grant proposals for non-profit agencies and organizations; teach workshops regarding grant research and proposal writing
Principal Planner, Resource Initiatives. (1994-2004) Consultant responsible for management of interpretive planning contracts for a variety of agencies, including scenic & historic byways. Provide training in heritage area planning, marketing, special events, program planning & evaluation.
Executive Director, National Association for Interpretation. (1992-1994) Responsible for all services & business for 4,500 member professional organization for interpreters who are employed by museums, historic sites & heritage areas, parks, nature centers and other similar facilities. Managed planning, business & training functions, national & regional conferences & events, member services, publications, communications, & marketing.
Instructor, Colorado State University (PT 1996-1998) Taught various classes and courses related to interpretation, interpretive planning. Also included developing and teaching Event & Conference Planning, Fundraising, Public-Private Partnerships. Organized numerous university events and annually managed 20-40 events planned by students.
Leadership Maury, Maury County, TN. Nominated to participate in Leadership program. Completed 12 months of leadership training.
Governor of Minnesota, Strive Toward Excellence in Performance Award (STEP) for developing the DNR Outdoor Recreation Information Center & the DNR Information Center, including development of statewide databases.
Minnesota Office of Tourism, two Travel Marketing Awards & a Certificate of Merit for Travel Marketing.
The Minnesota Association of Government Communicators, Northern Lights Silver Pen Award for Excellence in Communications.
Excellence in Performance Award for Outstanding Public Service, MN DNR,
Songwriting & Poetry Awards: First Place, Georgia Pacific Songwriting Contest. Third Place, Just Plain Folks Lyric Awards Contest (32,000 entries). Spotlight featured lyricist 6 times. Writing song lyrics is an application of the same skills that form the foundation of good interpretation. Poem, Blizzard Calf, was selected for inclusion in the multi-award winning anthology of cowboy poetry, THE BIG ROUNDUP.
