Roger R. Blunt is Chief Executive Officer of Essex Construction, LLC. He is a civil Engineer and a Nuclear Engineer, registered professionally in New York State and the District of Columbia. A West Point graduate, he holds two Masters Degrees in Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Doctor of Public Service Degree from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
Board Officers
Roger R. Blunt, MG(Ret.) – Chairman
Antoinette Ford – President
Regan L. Ford – Secretary
Board of Directors
Anne Ashmore-Hudson
Darlene Brown
Charles H. Fuller, Jr.
JC Hayward
Dorothy McSweeny
William F. McSweeny
Russell Williams
Doris Wooten
Antoinette Ford, President
Antoinette Ford’s professional experiences have included entrepreneurship, corporate executive, federal government appointee, politician and Oceanographer. Toni currently functions as a Multi-Door Dispute resolution mediator for the DC Superior Court and the Founder and Executive Director of The Double Nickels Theatre Company, Inc.
Toni has earned an MBA from the Harvard Business School, a Fellowship to the Harvard University Institute of Politics, an MS from The American University, a BS from Chestnut Hill College, a National Science Foundation Fellowship to Stanford University in Oceanography and was selected as a White House Fellow. She is the founder of the Black Women’s League and published her first novel, “Bye Willie,” in July of 2012. She has been celebrated as one of the Top 100 Minority Business Executives in a six-state region of the United States. Most recently, she received an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Chestnut Hill College.
Regan L. Ford, Secretary
Regan Ford is a top-notch management professional with more than 15 years experience implementing creative strategies and solutions related to project design, project management, project implementation and human resources.
Ms. Ford received her Bachelor of Arts degree (Cum Laude) from Villanova University. She is currently pursuing her Masters of Arts degree from Corcoran College of Art and Design in Washington, DC and was selected as a Graduate Fellow of the ArtReach at the Town Hall Education Arts & Recreation Campus (THEARC). She is a Board Member of the Double Nickels Theatre Company, Member of the One in a Million Campaign Committee at the THEARC and a Board Member of the American Society of Interior Design (ASID), Corcoran College of Art & Design, Student Chapter.
Anne Ashmore-Hudson
Anne Ashmore-Hudson is the former chair of the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities. A clinical psychologist and social worker, Ashmore-Hudson was in private practice for more than 25 years. She is the founding president of Urban Psychological Associates in Brookline, MA. She is a member of the Advisory Board for the Washington Ballet. She has published articles in several magazines and journals and is a popular guest lecturer, panel participant and media consultant.
Dr. Ashmore-Hudson was a visiting Fellow of the W.E.B. DuBois Institute at Harvard University, a visiting scholar at the School of Social Work at Howard University, and has taught at San Francisco State University and Boston College. Her numerous honors include receiving the Clark-Atlanta University Civil Rights Award and being named YWCA Volunteer of the Year in Cambridge, MA.
Anne Ashmore-Hudson received a Bachelors of Art degree from Spelman College in Atlanta and a Master’s degree in psychiatric social work from Simmons College in Boston. She attended the University of California at Berkeley, earning a master’s and a Ph.D. in clinical psychology.
Darlene “Star” Brown
Darlene “Star” Brown is a native Washingtonian and graduate of Ballou Senior High School. She proudly served her country for twelve years in the Unites States Navy. She began working for the Historical Lincoln Theatre in 1995, where she currently functions as the General Manager. She also manages an usher company at DAR’s Constitution Hall for all events.
In the Spring of 2011, Star Brown was recognized by the City of Washington, DC with a Mayor’s Proclamation declaring a “Darlene Star Brown Day” for her longevity of service and commitment to the success of the Lincoln Theatre and its surrounding community. She has worked with talented musical groups and artists from all over the world, including providing executive assistance to one of Tyler Perry’s production promoters. Star was the company manager for Bishop TD Jakes “Woman Thou Art Loosed” production that toured the United States. She was acknowledged by Tyler Perry for her assistance with the live video taping of his theatrical “I Can Do Bad All By Myself”, which was held at the Lincoln Theatre.
Charles H. Fuller, Jr.
Charles H. Fuller, Jr. is a playwright, writer of fiction, and essayist. As a playwright, he is one of America’s most innovative and provocative voices. Fuller’s contributions range from cofounding and directing the Afro-American Arts Theatre in Philadelphia, and writing and directing “Black Experience” on WIP Radio in Philadelphia, to writing Pulitzer Prize-winning plays. Although the literary world recognizes him as a great playwright, his literary career began with poetry, short stories, and essays. Theater came after he realized that his short stories were filled with dialogue.
In addition, Fuller’s four-year experience in the U.S. Army in Japan and Korea created the images of military life revealed in many of his works, including The Brownsville Raid and especially in the Pulitzer Prize-winning A Soldier’s Play. Fuller’s Zooman and the Sign won him an Obie. Mr. Fuller was the second black playwright to win a Pulitzer Prize for drama. He has had an impact on subjects discussed in theater and his work is increasingly appreciated by audiences who cross traditional cultural boundaries.
JC Hayward
Dr. JC Hayward has been consistently rated one of the top journalists in television. With almost 40 years experience, she has volunteered her services with many non-profit organizations dealing with the elderly, teens, cultural, and social activities. For over 30 years, as a reporter and anchor for WUSA Channel 9 in Washington DC, JC has become one of the most familiar faces in the city. She was named a Washingtonian of the Year by Washingtonian Magazine and received the prestigious Board of Governors Award. She was inducted into the DC Hall of Fame and in 2011 was inducted into the National Association of Black Journalists Hall of Fame. She currently serves as Vice President of Media Outreach for WUSA- TV9.
Dr. Hayward has hosted her own talk show, produced documentaries, reported on local, national and international stories, and anchored the news with both warmth and seriousness. She has won Emmy awards for her acclaimed documentaries on Ugandan refugees, “We Shall Return” and “Sahel: The Border of Hell” early in her career and later for “Somalia: The Silent Tragedy” which received international recognition.
Dorothy McSweeney
Dorothy McSweeny is Chair Emeritus of the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, serving 12 years as Chair, Vice Chair and Commissioner. She is Vice Chair of the regional Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation and board member of the national Americans for the Arts. As a 40 year resident of Washington, DC, she is committed to arts education and advocacy and access to the arts for all ages. In addition, on April 10, 2011, Mrs. McSweeny was inducted into the Washington DC Hall of Fame.
William F. McSweeney
William F. McSweeny is a Presidential Trustee of the John F. Kennedy Center and is Life Trustee of Meridian House International and The Ford’s Theatre Society. He is also trustee of the Shakespeare Theatre. He is currently a Director of Chevy Chase Bank FSB and Chair of its Community Committee. He also chairs the Cultural Crossovers Foundation. Long active in educational activities, Mr. McSweeny is a Senior Overseer of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and a Board Member of the MIT Cooperative Concepts Board, as well as a Director of the Joint Center for Economic Policy.
Mr. McSweeny had an extensive career as a reporter and a war correspondent for 25 years, winning many awards around the world. Active in the Civil Rights movement in its early days, he co-authored “Go Up for Glory” with his friend basketball superstar Bill Russell which has been selected as a Modern American Classic. A combat soldier and later officer in the Korean War, he helped Chair the Korean War Memorial in Washington D.C. and is Treasurer of the Botanic Garden at the Capital. He co-chaired the opening of the museum of the American Indian at the Smithsonian.
Russell Williams
Russell Williams joined American University’s School of Communication after an illustrious career in Hollywood, where he won two Academy Awards for his sound work on Glory and Dances with Wolves. He is an experienced producer, and his work has brought him honors and recognition from the mayors of both Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles, from the American Film Institute, and from Cal State Northridge, Howard University and American University. He has taught at UCLA, USC and Cal. State Northridge.
Doris Wooten
Ms. Wooten has had a varied career as a Federal Government Executive, Administrator, Licensed Social Worker, Training Officer, and Contract Compliance Officer. She served as NY Regional Administer, U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment Standards Administration from April 1982 to retirement – completing 25 years of service. She is currently a home-based travel consultant and CEO of Africa-Tour-Rific, which organizes group tours worldwide.
Ms. Wooten is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and is on the Board of Directors, Harlem YMCA; Board Vice President, Heritage, Health and Housing Inc.; First Vice President, International Board of Directors, Africa Travel Association, (ATA); member, Caribbean Travel Organization (CTO); and Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA). Ms. Wooten holds a BA degree from Morgan State College, a MSW from Howard University and completed the manager’s course at the Federal Executive Institute, Charlottesville, VA and the Senior Managers in Government Program at Harvard University.