Elon D. Johnson is an Emmy-nominated television & film executive, producer, and writer, serving as Vice President of Current Programming at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, Georgia. In this role, she oversees the discovery, development, and production of original content across TV series, feature films, television movies, and streaming platforms, shaping the studio’s ambitious, inclusive, and culturally resonant slate.

Over the years, Elon has been instrumental in developing and producing critically acclaimed programming for major networks and streamers. Her credits include leadership on series and specials that center diverse voices and bold storytelling. She has worked on high-profile projects, collaborating with top industry talent to bring to life stories that connect with wide audiences yet maintain cultural specificity.

Her creative work has earned industry recognition: she is a recipient of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Award, the Gracie Award, and the Caribbean Heritage Salute to Hollywood & Excellence Legacy Award, among others.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, Elon is a proud graduate of Columbia University. Deeply connected to her Barbadian heritage, she also participates in international and cross-cultural projects that celebrate underrepresented narratives, serving as a bridge between her roots and global storytelling.

Hailing from St George, Barbados, Paul Beckles is an award-winning executive in the sports and entertainment industry.

His proven success in brand strategy and marketing innovation, coupled with his passion for sport has established Paul as a driving force in successfully creating and driving marketing strategies for high-profile athletes and brands in North America and across the globe.

Currently he heads up the marketing team responsible for strategy, planning and execution of brand initiatives in New York City at Nike Inc. He has held various other roles during his time at Nike such as leading marketing for signature athlete brands such as Ja Morant, Devin Booker, KevinDurant, and others, lead league marketing for the NBA/WNBA Partnerships, and Converse Basketball marketing globally.

His purpose is to use the power of sport to help make the world a better place and is committed to having a positive impact on the culture and communities that are the driving force behind these industries.

Shaireen is a professor of Philosophy, Education and Diversity/Social Justice at Long Island University in New York.

She is the award recipient of 3 Fulbrights to Austria, Jordan and Pakistan where she conducted research on issues of race, pedagogy and migration as it affects students and displaced communities.

She was a Salzburg Global fellow and as part of her work is working on democracy, youth and civic engagement.

She has been a visiting professor at the University of Heidelberg in Germany from 2020-2023 as well as a visiting professor at the University of Salzburg, University of Lisbon, Harvard Divinity School, New York University and the Columbia Law School.

She has published and lectured extensively on issues related to race, gender/sexuality, Islamophobia, liberalism, colonialism, right wing populism and democracy, critical race theory, and all aspects of creating inclusive pedagogies in the classroom.

She co-authored a special issue in the Studies in Philosophy and Education Journal, “Deconstructing Privilege in the Classroom: Teaching as a Racialized Activity.”

She has a published book titled, An Existentialist Curriculum of Action: Creating a Language of Freedom and Possibility.” exploring the role of the arts and aesthetic education as an existentialist pedagogy.

She also serves as an educational consultant to educators, school district activists and researchers to develop professional development programs to create inclusive pedagogies and best practices for diverse students.

She has served on the board of the Nassau County Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) working on issues of discrimination related to K-12 schools and institutions of higher education.

She received her M. Phil and PhD at Columbia University in Philosophy and her Masters degree in Philosophy from The New School. She has a Bachelor in Philosophy (Honors) from SUNY Stony Brook.

Beverly Jones-Lawrence served as an active member of the Shirley Chisholm Cultural Institute for decades. Her Aunt Margarite Johnson a close friend of Shirley Chisholm and the first President of the Shirley Chisholm Cultural Institute for many years recruited Ms. Lawrence to the organization. Aunt Margarite would always say, "Do not join any organization because of your friends, always join for the cause".

At the young age of 23, the legendary political figure Wesley McD. Holder asked William (Bill) R. Howard (1943 – 2018) to be the Finance Chair for the Shirley Chisholm congressional campaign. William became a party to history when Shirley Chisholm became the first black woman elected to the U.S. Congress breaking a color and gender barrier, which subsequently lead to him working on Shirley Chisholm’s groundbreaking presidential campaign. William always maintained that his personal relationship with Shirley Chisholm opened many doors. This relationship allowed him to meet Presidents Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush, and the entire US Supreme Court, and in his own words “anybody who was anybody in Washington, DC.”

William E. Howard (1968 – 2020), son of William (Bill) R. Howard, Finance Chair and Longtime Friend of Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, served as Construction Executive for Turner Construction. In his spare time, he sponsored the Project Win Summer Basketball Tournament and many community projects. He was about Brooklyn. Godson to the late Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, William continued the legacies that have came before him.

Artist Credit: KEEBS Laurent she/her