Alan Sharpe was recently named the inaugural recipient of the Alan Sharpe Award, created by the Center for Black Equity and DC Black Pride to honor cultural contributions to the LGBTQIA+ community.

His work began in 1970 as a freshman film student at Boston University and continued in Washington, DC, where he co-founded a theater company that became African-American Collective Theater (ACT). In the early ’90s, ACT shifted its mission to focus exclusively on LGBTQ themes.

Over three decades, Sharpe, an HIV+ artist, has written and directed 120+ plays, films, and a web series celebrating Black LGBTQIA+ life. He is a founding member of Brave Soul Collective and an active member of APEX, UPU, NPX, and the Dramatists’ Guild. His short play Bedtime Story was featured in Houston’s 2019 Fade-to-Black Festival. He received a 2018–19 DC Commission on the Arts Fellowship and was selected for Arena Stage’s 2019 Playwrights’ Arena program.

Ayesis Clay is an actress, director, and teaching artist. Her original productions, Standing on the Edge and Sculpting Clay or How I Became Mother of Unicorns (solo show), have toured locations across the US. Ayesis is an inaugural member of the Assistant Director Fellowship for People of Color (Adventure Theatre) and has directed for schools, theaters, and community organizations. 

Using the Arts as a catalyst, Ayesis helps overwhelmed and disenchanted educators REENERGIZE their love of teaching, REACTIVATE their innate creativity, and REJUVENATE their emotional wellness.

Caleen Sinnette Jennings has had seven plays published by Dramatic Publishing Company, and her play Classyass appears in 7 play anthologies.  She has been nominated for 5 Helen Hayes Awards and has won awards from The Actors’ Theatre of Louisville and the Kennedy Center.  

Plays in her Queens Girl Trilogy have been produced nationally and her children’s play, Darius & Twig did a Kennedy Center national tour in 2017.  She is Professor of Theatre Emerita at American University where she taught theatre for 31 years. Jennings has been commissioned to write for The Kennedy Center, Arena Stage, Signature Theatre, Imagination Stage, Roundhouse Theatre, Everyman Theatre, and South Bend Civic Theatre. 

She has been a faculty member of the Folger Shakespeare Library’s Teaching Shakespeare Institute since 1994, and she is Senior Consultant to the Director of the Folger Shakespeare Library. 

Chad Harper was born in Cleveland, Ohio, educated at Morehouse College, mentored and molded by New York City and cultured around the world. Harper began his life in Hip Hop as a Break dancer in Junior High School, followed by becoming an MC (rapper) in high school. Harper today is an educator, Hip Hop artist, humanitarian, music producer, song writer, videographer, video editor and Founder and CEO of Hip Hop Saves Lives (HHSL). Harper has combined his two passions, Hip Hop and community service to create a curriculum that teaches humanity through Hip Hop. Harper founded HHSL based on the Gandhi quote “Be The Change You Wish To See In The World”. Seven years after founding HHSL, Harper was honored by Gandhi’s Ashram as a guest speaker in 2014. Harper has traveled to 60 plus countries exploring cultures, absorbing wisdom and mentoring youth through his HHSL curriculum. HHSL is here to reinstate the original purpose of Hip Hop, which is Peace, Love, Unity and Having fun.

Dan McCreary is the head of AI at Tiger Graph and an AI strategist with extensive experience in high-performance computing and advanced databases. His career began as a VLSI circuit designer at Bell Labs and with the UNIX operating system creators. He also worked with Steve Jobs at NeXT Computer and founded his own consulting firm, growing it to over 75 employees. 

Dan played a key role in creating the world’s largest knowledge graph at a healthcare company. He co-authored "Making Sense of NoSQL" and frequently blogs on AI strategy. Dan has been closely following the growth of knowledge graphs and generative AI and is a passionate advocate for ChatGPT.

Charles Reigeluth is internationally known for his work on instructional theory, learner-centered education, and systemic change in public schools. His research focuses on paradigm change in education, high-quality instruction design, and technology systems that support personalized, learner-centered models. Since 2001, he has worked closely with Decatur Township Schools in Indianapolis to support transformative educational practices. 

Dr. Reigeluth has authored 11 books and over 160 articles and chapters, with two books earning "Outstanding Book of the Year" from AECT. He has led numerous funded projects and co-founded AECT’s Division for Systemic Change. His honors include AECT’s "Distinguished Service" award and BYU’s "Honored Alumnus" award. Helping schools achieve dramatic, sustainable improvement is his life’s work.

Dr. Dwayne Wood, Associate Professor at National University, is a renowned educator and instructional designer. His expertise lies in creating highly effective and engaging pedagogical methods, designing effective and engaging curricula, creating learning materials tailored to diverse audiences, and designing educational experiences for adult learners.

With a distinguished background in military service, Dr. Wood brings a unique perspective to the world of education, blending discipline and innovation to create transformative learning experiences.

At the heart of Dr. Wood's mission lies a belief in the transformative power of education to shape minds and change lives. Through his proactive approach and innovative curricular designs, he is not only shaping the future of education but also empowering others to realize their dreams and aspirations.

Dr. Giani Clarkson is a chemist, educator, and mentor known for pioneering programs in District of Columbia Public Schools that have boosted test scores and helped students succeed. A proud graduate of Dillard University, he earned his master's and doctorate from Concordia University. 

His mantra is that every child deserves the chance to build and achieve their dreams, a belief that shapes his teaching style—innovative, relevant, and fun. Recognized for his work in civic engagement and mentoring, Clarkson has received multiple Teacher of the Year awards and the Michelle Obama Award for excellence in teaching civic duties. 

He is a Ford’s Theatre National Oratory Fellow and has presented on topics like police brutality and gun violence. Clarkson is also a featured editorial writer and serves as a Board of Trustee Member at Ford’s Theatre. He believes in empowering students and celebrating their success, no matter their background.

Dr. Ilke Demir is a Senior Staff Research Scientist at Intel, specializing in generative models, deepfake detection, and 3D vision. She earned her B.S. in Computer Engineering from Middle East Technical University and her M.S./Ph.D. in Computer Science from Purdue University, where she pioneered research in proceduralization. 

Her postdoctoral work at Facebook with Ramesh Raskar led to the development of generative street addresses, earning global attention. Dr. Demir’s work spans VR, geospatial AI, and large-scale 3D reconstruction. 

She leads research at Intel Studios, home to the world’s largest volumetric capture stage. With publications in top conferences (SIGGRAPH, CVPR, ICCV), she also organizes key AI workshops and has received numerous awards. 

A long-time advocate for women and underrepresented groups in STEM, she continues to shape the future of ethical and creative AI.

Roy Clariana is a tenured professor in Learning Design and Technology at Penn State University, where he's taught since 1997. Before joining academia, he worked in corporate training and educational software. Originally from Arkansas, Roy started his career as a high school math teacher and later spent five years in Kenya with the Peace Corps, teaching biology and training future volunteers. 

He also worked as a project director in Oxford, UK, for an educational software initiative and received a Fulbright research award in Finland. A quantitative researcher, his recent work includes a National Science Foundation project exploring how implicit concept structures in texts impact brain activity and eye-tracking. 

Roy’s current NSF project has developed GEEKS, a browser-based tool that provides students with knowledge structure feedback on their writing. GEEKS can be used across subjects and age levels without the need for a training set.

Eric Ruffin is a prolific director with recent regional credits including Shutter Sisters (1st Stage), Stirring the Water (Kennedy Center), Mountaintop and A Raisin in the Sun (Lyric Rep), Marys Seacole and Fabulation (Mosaic), and Black Nativity (Theater Alliance, 11 Helen Hayes nominations, 3 wins). Other highlights include Sarafina! (Kennedy Center/Mann Center), Topdog/Underdog (Luna Stage), and work at Crossroads, New Federal Theatre, Studio Theatre, and Imagination Stage. He’s directed extensively at Howard University’s Ira Aldridge Theatre and Rutgers Theatre Company.

Ruffin founded The Acting Studio and Newark Youth Ensemble and led NJPAC’s Young Writer Workshop, and has taught at Howard, Duke Ellington School of the Arts, and Rutgers. He holds a BFA in Theatre Arts from Howard University and an MFA in Directing from Rutgers University.

Farah is a stylish poet, artistic leader, and breast cancer survivor who uplifts others through writing and public speaking. As Artistic Director of Young Playwrights’ Theater in Washington, DC, she empowers youth to discover the power of their voices. A Kilroys’ List playwright, her work has been featured at Arena Stage, The Kennedy Center, Round House Theatre, and universities and festivals along the East Coast.

She co-founded The Saartjie Project and Wild Women Theatre, and has served on Theatre Washington’s Advisory Board and the Helen Hayes Awards Committee. 

Farah lives by the affirmation: “I am love, power, resilience, compassion, beauty, intelligence, and vulnerability—ever-evolving with infinite possibility.” She credits her strength and creativity to God, family, ancestors, and mentors who have shaped her journey.

Fatima Quander is an accomplished actor, director, and theatre educator with over 20 years of professional experience. A proud member of AEA and SAG-AFTRA, she has performed with The Kennedy Center, Everyman Theatre, Rep Stage, Theater Alliance, Folger Theatre, and more. Her commercial work includes campaigns for Toyota, Under Armour, and CareFirst. 

Fatima teaches Acting for Live Digital Performance at the University of Maryland, College Park, and has taught at UMBC and Howard Community College. She has directed productions with UMD, Transformation Theatre, and FRESHH Inc., where she led The Vanguard ensemble for Black women actors. 

Her specialties include Black theatre, Hip-Hop and Devised Theatre, dialects, and digital performance. 

She holds an MFA from the Actors Studio Drama School at New School University and a BA from Beloit College.

For over 20 years, Goldie E. Patrick has been a passionate force in theatre, working as a writer, director, and cultural worker. A Howard University (BFA) and Columbia University (MFA - Playwriting) graduate, she brings a holistic, culturally inclusive approach to storytelling. 

Known for her work in TV writers' rooms and new play development, Goldie’s “triple threat” artistry allows her to interrogate character, story, and structure with depth and innovation. Her work amplifies the voices of Black womxn and girls while challenging traditional forms and aesthetics.

As founder and Producing Artistic Director of F.R.E.S.H.H. Inc Theatre Company, Goldie gained international recognition for creating bold, culturally grounded programming. She continues to serve as a professor and creative partner to various institutions and organizations, shaping the next generation of storytellers.

Helynsia Brown is the founding Head of Technology at Women Donors Network. Prior to this role, she served as the Director of Technology at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, and as the first Chief Technology Officer at the National Museum of African American History and Culture. 

Her career in technology began in the U.S. Air Force as an IT Specialist and has also included significant positions at various federal agencies, including USAID and the Department of State. 

Originally from Albuquerque, NM, Helynsia now resides in Atlanta, Georgia, where she enjoys spending time with her family, including her two dogs, reading, and following all things basketball.

James J. Johnson (J.J.) is an actor, writer, and teaching artist whose work thrives on stage and screen. He has performed with Arena Stage, Woolly Mammoth, Ford’s Theatre, Mosaic, and more. 

In 2023, he appeared in Sweat at Santa Fe Playhouse. J.J. is the creator of the solo show Conundrum and playwright of Central Time, commissioned by Mosaic Theatre. He co-wrote award-winning short films Silent Partner and Speak Up Brotha; the feature film version of Silent Partner wrapped in 2024. 

He teaches acting at Theatre Lab DC, narrates audiobooks for the Library of Congress, and is a co-founder of Galvanize DC, a support network for Black theatre artists. 

He is a proud member of SAG-AFTRA and AEA, and holds a BFA from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Jared Redick is an award-winning, sought-after master teacher, choreographer, and coach whose leadership has shaped the global dance community.

A third-generation ballet dancer, Jared blends a deep respect for classical traditions with an innovative approach to contemporary work.

He currently serves as a full professor and Assistant Dean of Dance at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA), one of the nation’s top conservatories.

Jared’s accolades include the UNCSA Excellence in Teaching Award and international recognition as a juror and master teacher. Currently pursuing an MBA, he continues to innovate at the intersection of dance education and leadership.

Jose Moreno graduated from Harvey Mudd College and began his tech career at Microsoft, working on services for over 500 million users. At Netflix, he contributed to features like "skip credits" and technically led the Account Sharing initiative, helping Netflix add over 40 million new subscribers over the following 12 months.

As founder and CEO of Neulight, Jose now focuses on transforming education through technology. His company’s product, IntelliTier, leverages AI to empower educators to provide personalized student support, aiming to make a positive impact in education.

Keith Hamilton Cobb, a graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, is known for his dynamic work onstage and in television. He most recently portrayed Troy Maxson in Fences at Crossroads Theatre and is the award-winning playwright of American Moor, which ran off-Broadway in 2019 and is now part of the Folger Shakespeare Library's permanent collection. 

Keith is the director of Project Untitled, a company focused on socially just approaches to humanities education and theater-making, and leads The Untitled Othello Project, in residence at Sacred Heart University. 

Through this initiative and his play American Moor, he explores race and Shakespeare’s legacy, often speaking at institutions nationwide. Recent engagements include the 2023 Blackfriars Conference, Arts Transcending Borders at Holy Cross, and residencies at Weber State and Sacred Heart University.

Keta Newborn entered theatre in 2006 after 12 years as a computer engineer—and following a life-altering battle with a brain tumor that caused memory loss, mobility challenges, and forced her to relearn basic skills. Determined to live a fully functioning life, she’s spent the last 22 years reinventing herself and building a respected career in the arts. 

For over 18 years, Keta has worked in theater as a Stage Manager, ASM, Venue Manager, Production Assistant, and Light & Sound Board Operator. She’s known for her attention to detail, strong communication skills, and ability to collaborate with diverse teams. Keta has managed productions with children, young adults, musicals, and dance performances. 

As a freelance artist, she’s worked across the East Coast and aims to expand her reach across the U.S. and internationally, with aspirations to branch into TV and film.

Lynne Streeter Childress is a playwright, actor, teaching artist, singer, director, and the founder and artistic director of Building Better People Productions! Her show, “We Got It!: A Show About Empathy”, is among several of BBPP’s shows that are currently travelling to schools in Maryland and surrounding areas. 

This is her 25th year in professional theater, with much of that experience in theater for young audiences.  This includes performing at the Kennedy Center, Arena Stage and Adventure Theater, and teaching for institutions like the Folger Shakespeare Library. 

Through all those experiences, Lynne has seen firsthand how theater can communicate the most important things in the clearest and most interesting of ways, especially to young people. Lynne lives in Annapolis, MD with her husband and son.

Michael J. Bobbitt is the Executive Director of Mass Cultural Council, where he has spearheaded initiatives like the first Racial Equity Plan, securing $60.1M in pandemic relief, and crafting the FY24-FY26 Strategic Plan. Previously, he served as Artistic Director at New Repertory Theatre (MA) and Adventure Theatre-MTC (MD). 

In 2023, he was appointed to the Massachusetts Governor’s Advisory Council on Black Empowerment. Michael’s arts management and race equity training include Harvard, Cornell, and LEADBoston. 

Recognized for his directorial and choreographic work, Michael has been honored with the Kennedy Center Gold Medallion, Boston’s Most Influential Men of Color, and numerous awards, including the Excel Leadership Award and the Emerging Leader Award. His written works have been published by Concord Theatricals and featured in national and international festivals.

Michael Lavine is a music director, vocal coach, pianist, and singer who has worked all over the world. He conducted a Stephen Schwartz concert featuring Ben Vereen, Paul Shaffer, Alice Ripley, and more, and produced Rediscovered Hamlisch, a CD of previously unrecorded Marvin Hamlisch songs featuring Kelli O’Hara and other Broadway stars. 

Michael has music directed The Little Mermaid at Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma (starring Emily Skinner), Billion Dollar Baby (with Kristin Chenoweth), and Carmelina Off-Broadway. 

He’s performed at the Kennedy Center, regularly plays for the Outer Critics Circle Awards, and gives masterclasses internationally on song performance and auditioning. A Columbia University graduate, he also owns one of the world’s largest private sheet music collections.

Nadia Duncan is an actress, singer, dancer, and certified classical Pilates instructor based in New York City, where she seamlessly merges her love for storytelling and wholistic wellness. 

Whether under the lights or in the studio, Nadia believes in the transformative power of art and movement, fostering creativity in her acting and vitality in her teaching. When she’s not performing or guiding clients, she can be found exploring NYC’s vibrant arts scene, studying new movement modalities, or advocating for the intersection of mental and physical well-being in the creative community.

Naila Ansari Carbonell Catilo (she/her), a Buffalo native, is an award-winning choreographer, director, and performer. She holds an MFA in Dance from the University at Buffalo and is a former principal dancer for the August Wilson Center Dance Ensemble, named “Top 25 Dance Companies to Watch” by Dance Magazine. Naila has performed with the Lula Washington Dance Theatre and worked with renowned choreographers like Robert Battle and Camille A. Brown.

As an Assistant Professor at SUNY Buffalo State College, she merges artistry and scholarship, facilitating conversations on race and Black performance. Her choreography has been showcased at colleges, professional theatres, and commercial projects. Naila’s work "Mine Eyes Have Seen" was performed at the Kennedy Center in 2018. Her forthcoming book, The Movement of Joy, explores the performance of joy through oral and movement histories. She is also the Dance Director for Ujima Company, Inc.

Nwabisa Plaatjie is an independent producer, theatre-maker, and director based in Cape Town, South Africa. Holding an MA in Theatre and Performance from the University of Cape Town, her work blends traditional storytelling with plays that challenge systemic discrimination in theatre. She has created nine original works, two of which have toured internationally. 

Her latest play, Ziyana, was supported by the International Network for Contemporary Performing Arts and Georgetown University. Nwabisa is a 2020/21 Mandela Washington Fellow, IETM Global Connector (2022), and ISPA Global Fellow (2022 and 2023). From 2018-2022, she coordinated the relaunch of the Baxter’s Masambe Theatre. 

In 2023, she launched the An Artist Is Made project, celebrating community and cultural capital through plays, workshops, and archiving, funded by the National Arts Council.

Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich is the award-winning author of several celebrated children’s books, including Operation Sisterhood, It Doesn’t Take A Genius, Makeda Makes A Birthday Treat, and Someday Is Now: Clara Luper and the 1958 Oklahoma City Sit-Ins. 

Her debut novel, 8th Grade Superzero, and co-authored work Two Naomis earned national acclaim, including NAACP and IRA honors. Her nonfiction titles, Saving Earth and The Sun Does Shine (Young Readers Edition), have been recognized by YALSA, SLJ, and more.

A contributor to collections like We Rise, We Resist, We Raise Our Voices, she has written for outlets such as PBS Parents, Read Brightly, and Right On! Magazine. A member of The Brown Bookshelf, she champions Black and Brown voices in children’s literature.

Psalmayene 24 (a.k.a. Gregory Morrison) is an award-winning playwright, director, and actor, currently the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Playwright in Residence at Mosaic Theater. His work includes The Blackest Battle (Theater Alliance) and The Freewheelin’ Insurgents (Arena Stage). As a director, Psalm has helmed productions at Studio Theatre, Ford’s Theatre, Mosaic Theater, and Theater Alliance—winning five Helen Hayes Awards for Word Becomes Flesh. 

He hosts Psalm’s Salon at Studio, an interview series celebrating culture through a Black lens. His plays include Les Deux Noirs and The Frederick Douglass Project. A leading figure in Hip-Hop Theatre, he created a hip-hop children's trilogy at Imagination Stage and has received honors from the NEA, Doris Duke Foundation, and more. Also an actor (The Wire, Ruined), he’s a member of Actors’ Equity and SDC. 

Sam Lewis is an omni media artist and designer—meaning if he’s heard of it and can get his hands on it, he’ll try to make something compelling out of it. His wide-ranging skills include corset making, leatherworking, quilting, furniture making, blacksmithing, costuming, prop making, and set design. He recently created sets and props for a Jazz Nutcracker in Austin and is currently designing costumes for a neo-Victorian project. 

Before the pandemic, Sam co-founded and managed St. Elmo Soundstage, a film, video, and audio studio in Austin, TX. Since then, his creative focus has shifted to personal photo and video projects, emphasizing storytelling, teaching, and inspiration. He’s also the producer of Fine Beats and Cheeses, a podcast celebrating not-so-guilty pleasures.

W.Ellington Felton has long been described as a renaissance man and a

ranter of his own thoughts, but if you talk to him or see him perform, it may all

make sense. He is a DC native and son of jazz pianist Hilton C. Felton Jr., and

heavily influenced by his surroundings.

He has performed and taught with Arena Stage’s Living Stage Theatre Company, and co-founded the hip-hop soul group The Crossrhodes with Raheem DeVaughn. Felton’s musical and theatrical collaborations include icons like Common, Chris Rock, Meshell N’Degeocello, and Dave Chappelle.

A dedicated single father and DC resident, he shares his talents through oratory workshops at Ford’s Theatre and continues to create across mediums. His acting credits include the film Love Dot Com (Prime Video), The Empty Walls, and a recurring role in Season 2 of Hush on ALLBLK. Felton remains a compelling voice, blending truth, artistry, and advocacy.

With over 28 years of experience in education and youth development, Wil Green II is the Owner/Operator of Tremani Solutions, LLC, an educational consulting firm focused on building cultural and racial literacy and addressing conflicts in schools. 

Recent roles include Assistant Dean of Community Relations at the University at Buffalo, Director of School & Community Partnerships at Canisius University, and Regional Office Director at the New York State Network for Youth Success. 

Wil has also served as East Zone Leader for Say Yes Buffalo. Recent speaking engagements include presenting at the 6th Annual Teaching Black History Conference and moderating at the Olmsted Parks Conservancy. Wil has been featured on the Buffalo What’s Next podcast and led workshops for Say Yes Buffalo’s Employer Training Series on racial justice.