We are thrilled to introduce the inaugural cohort of the Little Black Pearl Thriving Leaders Center (TLC), featuring ten dynamic Leaders. The TLC is dedicated to nurturing healthy, confident, and resourceful individuals who are equipped to achieve higher wages and build sustainable businesses and institutions. This transformative program creates a supportive, compassionate environment that fosters self-directed creativity, collaboration, and healing.
TLC@LBP embodies an innovative approach that reimagines the role of arts organizations in driving cultural, social, and economic progress. By integrating racial healing and the arts, the program serves as a catalyst for personal and professional development. This pioneering model empowers BIPOC Leaders through self-directed experiences centered on practice, idea exchange, innovation, and holistic growth.
ANNOUNCING little black pearl’s
thriving leaders center inaugural cohort
LEADER BIOS
Sharbreon Plummer
Sharbreon Plummer is a curator, researcher, writer, and artist whose work explores the intersections of Black feminist theory, Black art history, and contemporary practice. She is the Interim Artistic Director of Threewalls, a Black woman-led nonprofit dedicated to fostering art that reflects lived experiences. In this role, she is reimagining the organization’s fellowship programs supporting ALAANA artists.
As the founder of AYA Thought Studio, Sharbreon specializes in organizational development and creative project management. Her research and artistic practice center on Black women’s artistry, the cultural traditions of the South, and textiles as a medium for storytelling and dialogue. A multimedia artist, she engages history and socio-cultural issues through material exploration, using her work as a platform for connection and transformation.
Rozzie Cribbs
Rozzie Cribbs is a graphic designer from Chicago, inspired by the city’s vibrant murals and cultural expressions. He honed his design skills at Little Black Pearl High School and later earned a communication design degree from Southern Illinois University Carbondale on a Jordan Brand Wings scholarship.
His career includes an internship with Jordan Brand and an apprenticeship with Armand Morris, contributing to projects for the Boys and Girls Club of St. Louis and the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Currently, he is a Contract Graphic Designer at the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH), using visual storytelling to promote health equity and representation.
Rozzie remains committed to using his design talents for positive change in both creative industries and public health spaces.
Miguel DeBerry
Miguel DeBerry has been a freelance photographer and videographer for over a decade, contributing to notable campaigns and creative projects. He was part of the marketing team for Miller Coors’ “Two Hats” campaign and served as the creative director for independent artist Bread Doe, who signed with eOne Music. Miguel has also covered events for retired WNBA star Cappie Pondexter.
Currently, Miguel is an apprentice in a film program where he attends classes and workshops, meets deadlines for individual and group film projects, and studies filmmaking techniques and theories through weekly lessons and materials. This role aligns with the creative industries by equipping him with the skills necessary for professional filmmaking, preparing him to contribute to commercial film projects.
Among his most significant accomplishments, Miguel created and directed the Instagram show “Raisin’ Bread” with Bread Doe, documenting the artist’s journey to signing with eOne Music. Miguel also produced and edited a short documentary chronicling the artist’s path to signing, along with directing and editing several music videos. Beyond music, he has directed, written, and acted in three short films, each around three minutes long.
Seyi Kuku
With an entrepreneurial mindset, Seyi Kuku is a proven leader in nurturing and bringing creative ideas to life. He is the founder of Virtu Engage, a technology and integrated marketing company focused on leveraging new technology and data analytics to innovate content-driven integrated marketing solutions.
With many years of expertise in content production and integrated marketing, Seyi blends creativity with strategy to help businesses and individuals achieve their goals. He has gained extensive experience working across the USA, South Africa, the UK, and Nigeria with various brands in sectors such as technology, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), hospitality, beverages, financial services, and energy.
To date, he has delivered various multimillion-dollar campaigns and productions for global brands including Globacom, ETB, Conoil, Google Nest, Sensi, P&G, Pernod Ricard, Marriott, MTV, CAF Awards, Trace TV, DSTV, English Premier League, ComEd, Peoples Gas, North Shore Gas, and Jersey Central Power and Light, to mention a few. He has also managed award-winning international artists including Burna Boy, Wizkid, Flavour, P-Square, Olamide, and D’banj.
Theo Moore
Theo Moore is CEO of Theo the Hiztorian LLC and the founder of Hiztorical Vision Productions, a nonprofit organization he established in 2017. With a deep passion for uncovering and sharing untold historical narratives, particularly those rooted in Alabama’s rich history, Theo has dedicated his career to producing educational short films and documentaries that highlight these powerful stories. At Theo the Hiztorian LLC, which he founded in 2022, he serves as Director, Producer, and Archival Producer, offering a range of services to film companies and networks. Theo’s company is also expanding into business promotional videos, bringing cinematic storytelling to the corporate world. He has successfully led several high-profile projects, including the production of a film on the history of Lowndes County, Alabama, which delves into the region’s pivotal role in the liberation movement. His work has also extended into the realm of promotional content, as evidenced by recent collaborations with organizations like 525 Technologies and the Black Belt Community Foundation, where he produced compelling visual narratives that enhanced their brand identities and celebrated significant milestones.
Isioma Odum
Isioma is the founder of the Afro Trek Tribe, a community that uses the outdoors as a powerful tool for healing. With a deep love for nature, spirituality, and cultural understanding, she creates transformative experiences for individuals within the African Diaspora. Isioma hosts hiking events, healing-in-nature retreats, and works one-on-one with individuals seeking an adventurous approach to their healing journey.
In 2019, she received her certification as a Racial Healing Practitioner through the Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (TRHT) initiative.
Kristin Rhodes
Kristin is the founder of Teas for Tots, a business born from her passion for holistic wellness and her deep love for her family. With over a decade of experience in the banking industry, specializing in compliance and risk management, Kristin has honed her skills in strategic thinking, problem-solving, and leadership.
Her career includes notable roles such as Managing Consultant at Ernst & Young and Consumer Compliance Examiner at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. At Ernst & Young, Kristin mentored teams, stayed ahead of regulatory trends, and managed risk within the financial sector. At the Federal Reserve, she was responsible for maintaining communication with stakeholders and overseeing consumer-focused portfolios.
Akeem Soyan
Akeem is a multi-disciplinary artist, with music as his primary medium. He has been producing music since the age of 16 and has released four music projects since 2015. In addition to his music career, Akeem serves as the Co-Executive Director of Circles and Ciphers, a Black youth-led organization. There, he works with young people ages 18-29 who have been incarcerated or impacted by violence, using Hip-Hop and restorative justice as tools for communication and connection.
Akeem’s journey with the organization began when he was a recent college dropout, pursuing music, and developed a deep passion for restorative justice and abolition-based practices.
LEGACY LEADER BIOS
DR. GAIL CHRISTOPHER
Dr. Gail Christopher is an award-winning social change agent with expertise in the social determinants of health and well-being and related public policies. She is known for her pioneering work to infuse holistic health and diversity concepts into public sector programs and policy discourse. Dr. Christopher recently retired from her role as Senior Advisor and Vice President at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF), where she was the driving force behind the America Healing initiative and the Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation effort. She also served as Kellogg’s Vice President for Program Strategy. From 2007-2017, she led several other areas of foundation programming. These include, Food, Health and Well-Being, Leadership, Public Policy, Community Engagement and place-based funding in New Orleans and New Mexico. In 2015, she received the Terrance Keenan Award from Grant makers in Health. She chaired the Board of the Trust for America’s Health from 2012-2022. In 2019, she became a Senior Scholar with George Mason University’s Center for the Advancement of Well-Being. Dr. Christopher also became the Executive Director of the National Collaborative for Health Equity (NCHE) in November 2019. NCHE is a national nonprofit based in Washington, DC. Since 2020, she has served as Director of the Transforming Public Health Data Commission, sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
She is the visionary for and architect of the WKKF-led Truth Racial Healing and Transformation (TRHT) effort for America. TRHT is an adaptation of the globally recognized Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) model. TRHT evolved from the decade-long WKKF America Healing, racial equity and racial healing initiative.
A prolific writer and presenter, Dr. Christopher is the author, co-author, and has contributed chapters to 14 books, hundreds of articles, presentations and publications, and contributed a monthly column in the Federal Times and was a regular contributor to the Huffington Post.
Her national print and broadcast media credits are numerous, and include The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Dallas Times, National Journal, Essence, “Good Morning America,” “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” National Public Radio and a documentary on CBS and a Peabody award winning documentary on PBS.
She holds a doctor of naprapathy degree from the Chicago National College of Naprapathy in Illinois and completed advanced study in the interdisciplinary Ph.D. program in holistic health and clinical nutrition at the Union for Experimenting Colleges and Universities at Union Graduate School of Cincinnati, Ohio.
DR. RENEE MITCHELL
Dr. Renee Grant-Mitchell is a dedicated retired educator whose remarkable career spans 34 years in K-12 education. A Harvard University alumna, she earned both her doctorate and master’s degrees from the prestigious institution, solidifying her expertise in innovative and impactful educational practices. Dr. Grant-Mitchell has left an indelible mark on the lives of countless students, particularly those with unique and special learning needs. Throughout her career, she collaborated closely with clinical and teaching staff to improve educational outcomes, reaching over 500,000 students across 600 schools. Her unwavering goal was to ensure that every student, regardless of their challenges, had access to high-quality, innovative educational experiences.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Dr. Grant-Mitchell is a multifaceted individual with a love for exploration and creativity. She is an avid world traveler, a gourmet cook, and a tireless advocate for children and youth. Her lifelong passion for service and education continues to inspire those around her.
Dr. Grant-Mitchell has also dedicated herself to advancing educational opportunities outside the classroom. She served on the Board of Little Black Pearl Workshop, where her expertise greatly enhanced the organization’s youth educational programs. Her guidance was instrumental in the successful establishment of Little Black Pearl Art & Design Academy, a high school focused on fostering creativity, innovation, and academic excellence. As a member of the steering committee, she played a pivotal role in proposing and shaping the vision for a school serving underserved and marginalized youth on Chicago’s South Side under the Chicago Public Schools umbrella.
In her distinguished career, Dr. Grant-Mitchell held the position of Chief Specialized Services Officer for Chicago Public Schools, the nation’s third-largest school district. In this capacity, she led groundbreaking initiatives to ensure equitable access to education for students with disabilities, advocating for their needs and empowering them to thrive in and beyond the classroom. She retired from this role in June 2008, leaving behind a legacy of transformative leadership and dedication.
A proud native of Chicago, Dr. Grant-Mitchell is a product of the Chicago Public Schools system, having attended Burnside Elementary and Harlan High School. Her commitment to education and her community has been a driving force throughout her career, making her a veteran educator whose work has profoundly impacted the educational landscape for over three decades.
NONA HENDRYX
Nona Hendryx is a trailblazing artist whose six-decade career seamlessly spans music, theatre, visual art, and technology. Renowned for her smoky vocal range and fearless approach to social issues, love, and politics, Hendryx first rose to fame as a founding member of Patti LaBelle & the Bluebelles, later known as Labelle, the groundbreaking R&B group inducted into the R&B Hall of Fame in 1999.
Hendryx’s dynamic solo career positioned her as an art-rock and new-wave icon, resulting in eight studio albums, Grammy-nominated hits like “Rock This House” with Keith Richards, and collaborations with legends including Prince, Peter Gabriel, Laurie Anderson, Talking Heads, and Cameo. She also made her mark in film and theatre, contributing to Oscar-nominated Precious and the musical BLUE, written by Charles R. Wright. Nona has produced and collaborated in the works of a new generation of artists as well as co-writing songs and appearing on the Terri Lyne Carrington Grammy Award winning, Mosaic Project with Esperanza Spalding, Cassandra Wilson, Diane Reeves and Sheila E.
Beyond music, Hendryx is an activist and innovator. She’s advocated for women’s rights, criminal justice reform, and HIV/AIDS awareness, and founded the nonprofit SisterSMATR.org to empower young women of color in Science, Math, Art, Technology, and Robotics. She has collaborated on projects at the intersection of fashion and technology, working with designers and technologists like Nick Cave and Takahiko Tsuchiya.
As an Ambassador for Artistry in Music at Berklee College of Music since 2011, Hendryx mentors students in electronic production, music theatre, and ensemble performance, helping shape the next generation of artists. Nona Hendryx’s artistry and vision continue to inspire, bridging music, technology, and activism into a powerful legacy of transformation and innovation.
ROCHELLE KEMP
Rochelle Kemp, former owner of Flavor Restaurant, is a seasoned entrepreneur and consultant in the restaurant industry. For over eight years, she led Flavor Restaurant, a beloved dining destination in Richton Park, Illinois, known for its fusion of Southern and Caribbean cuisine. Under her leadership, the restaurant gained widespread acclaim, including features on Check, Please! and other media outlets, solidifying its reputation as a culinary gem in Chicago’s south suburbs.
Now retired from restaurant ownership, Rochelle has transitioned into a successful restaurant consulting career, leveraging her expertise in business operations, menu development, and customer experience to help emerging restaurateurs thrive. Her passion for food and community remains at the heart of her work as she continues to guide and mentor the next generation of culinary entrepreneurs.
HOLLIS KING
Hollis King former vice president and creative director at the Verve Music Group, the largest jazz record label in the world. He was responsible for art direction of all CD packaging, logos, advertising, point-of-purchase and signage. King worked at several design studios before entering the music industry King has received numerous achievement awards and citations from Communication Arts, How, Print, AIGA, Graphis and the Society of Illustrators, as well as five Grammy nominations.
Worked on Zora Neale Hurston “Their Eyes Were Watching God”, Set Design for “Afropop Series” Public Television, Creative Direction and set Design for August Wilson American Century Cycle at the Greene Space NPR. Recent work includes “Etienne Charles “San Juan Hill” Geffen Hall. New books include “Imprinted Illustrating Race” Norman Rockwell Museum. “Our Open Caskets to the World” Billie Holiday coffee table book.
Currently, Hollis runs his own creative company, sits on an executive board in New York, Creative Direction at The Billie Holiday Theater and regularly lectures about creative, and photography, at Advertising agencies, the School of Visual Arts, FIT, Pratt Institute, Art Directors Club, Society of Illustrators, Stella Adler Acting Studio.