Board Members
The IAAS was initiated by an ethnically and geographically diverse group of people with a desire to bring diverse literary voices and resources into our communities. Representing the business, artistic, teaching and literary communities, our board members have always believed that a need exists to provide literary artists and the public with dynamic programming outside the traditional constraints of mainstream media, thereby filling a void in print, television and on the internet, making multicultural literature and literacy more accessible than ever before. Our Board is committed to introducing new and diverse literatures and multicultural literary resources into the public discourse by providing programs that educate and inform all aspects of the population from varying and diverse backgrounds – from the poor and underprivileged, to the privileged yet undereducated.
Gabrielle David
Board Member, Chair
Gabrielle David is a poet, writer, photographer, artist and musician. She has worked as a desktop publisher and word processing specialist for the past twenty years, both at Fortune 500 firms in the NY/NJ area, and through her former company, Chimeara Communications, Inc. She was a partner of hotshots unlimited photography, a photo studio specializing in portraiture, fashion photography, publicity photos and special events, which led to a successful photography exhibit sponsored and held at the Langston Hughes Community Library & Cultural Center in 1986. Gabrielle has published several essays on multicultural literature and published the poetry collections: this is me, a collection of poems & things (CCI Books, 1994); and spring has returned & i am renewed (CCI Books, 1995). Her work was published in Paterson Literary Review, Journal of New Jersey Poets, AIM Magazine, and phati'tude Literary Magazine. She has appeared at numerous venues, including St. Mark's Church, Oded Halahmy Foundation for the Arts, Barnes & Noble (Edgewater, NJ), Asian American Writers' Workshop, Fordham University and Rutgers University. As editor of phati'tude Literary Magazine, Gabrielle has produced and/or performed in numerous "phati'tude” readings and has served as literature coordinator for Langston Hughes Community Library’s successful literature series, "New American Writers of The 90's.” She is also Executive Producer and Co-Host of phati’tude Literary TV Show (formally known as "phatLiterature”) and is currently working on her Masters in Communications at New School University in New York. Gabrielle leads the IAAS Board in Board matters and assure that Board Members fulfill their responsibilities in governing the IAAS. Gabrielle can be found on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and MySpace.
Angela Sternreich
Board Member, Secretary
Angela Sternreich brings to the IAAS an extensive business background. She has worked as Office Manager and Operations Manager at several internationally known companies in New York and Los Angeles, and has worked at major law firms in New York City as Word Processing Supervisor and a paralegal. The total sum of her work experience includes managing and training support staff, fielding technical inquiries, providing administrative and computer support, and the development and implementation of departmental policies and procedures. Angela was a contributing book reviewer and copy editor for phati'tude Literary Magazine, previously served as Production Manager for the IAAS and was a producer, scriptwriter and narrator for phati’tude Literary TV Show (formerly known as "phatLiterature”), Episode No. 10: "Behind the Scenes @ phatLiterature.” She is a producer for Queens Public Television (QPTV) and is currently developing an office services business, which she plans to launch in 2010. As Secretary, Angela's wide ranging responsibilities includes playing a critical role in fostering communication and diligence through proper management and utilization of important legal records. Angela can be found on Facebook and Twitter.
Lynn Korsman
Board Member, Treasurer
Lynn Korsman is a Senior Consultant who is responsible for analyzing bankrupt and distressed companies at FTI Consulting, Inc., one of the leading providers of forensic accounting and litigation support services in the US. Prior to joining FTI, Lynn worked at Houlihan Lokey, an investment bank, where she performed valuation and advisory services to various clients. A native Minnesotan, Lynn received her B.S. in Finance from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. She obtained a University of Wisconsin Foundation grant to travel to Belize for a one-month internship at the marine reserve, where she worked with local educators to develop an awareness campaign to encourage sustainable use and conversation of Belize’s marine and coastal resources. Lynn currently volunteers with Minds Matter of New York City, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to transform the lives of accomplished high school students from low-income families by broadening their dreams and preparing them for college success. Lynn oversees IRS reporting requirements and NPO accounting standards, evaluating organizational and managerial performance, determining/forecasting the IAAS’s cash flow and developing fundraising presentations. Lynn can be found on Facebook and LinkedIn.
Kenneth Campbell
Board Member
Kenneth Campbell has served an office services manager for over 25 years, managing facilities and office support services, including use of the facilities, supplies, purchasing, and high-quality software projects. Ken’s previous work experience includes working for a number of accounting firms, notably Samuel M. Fisher & Co., Certified Public Accountants while majoring in accounting at Drexel University, when he became interested in office automation and the computerization of office services. He worked as an Output Management Associate at One Beekman Insurance Company, where he was responsible for supporting a customer base of more than 300 company employees and managed a team of 20 in the Philadelphia regional offices, as well as provides support for the company's field offices and specialty business units in operation of online shipping systems. He is currently working in Mail Room Operations at Philadelphia Insurance Companies. Ken is responsible for organizing and coordinating office operations and procedures that ensure the IAAS’s organizational effectiveness and efficiency. As a board member, Ken was instrumental in helping to finalize and distribute phati’tude Literary TV Show (formerly known as "phatLiterature”) to public access and college television stations across the country.
Joan Edmonds-Ashman
Board Member
Joan Edmonds-Ashman earned her B.A. and M.S.Ed. from City College, and is a N.Y.S. licensed Teacher and Counselor with a specialty in family/relationship counseling. She joined the faculty of LaGuardia Community College (CUNY) in 1973 and has served as the Coordinator of Extended Day Counseling, followed by Director of Counseling and Chairperson of the Counseling Department for the Division of Academic Affairs. She also teaches Oral Communications, Sociology of the Family and New Student Seminar. Joan previously worked at Columbia University, and the State University Urban Center in Manhattan; a Teacher-Trainer for Behavioral Research Laboratories; and an Associate for the Board of Education’s College Bound Program. She helped the IAAS acquire and then managed interns from Mount Vernon High School on phati’tude Literary TV Show's set (formerly known as "phatLiterature”). As a board member, she was also instrumental in helping to finalize and distribute phati’tude Literary TV Show to public access and college television stations across the country.
Shirley Bradley LeFlore
Board Member
Shirley Bradley LeFlore is a published and
oral poet/performing artist, with an extensive
background in administration and instruction in
higher education. Having taught at various
colleges and universities throughout the country,
formerly an adjunct professor of women and ethnic
literature at the University of Missouri, St. Louis,
Shirley is currently an adjunct professor at
Lindenwood University, teaching a
creative writing cluster. A woman of many
"firsts,” Shirley is one of few poets willing to
collaborate with musicians, dancers, film
producers and visual artists; and is one of the
first artist/writers in the Missouri school
districts to conduct writing labs and creative
writing workshops for grades K-12. She has read
and performed her work on stage, television and
radio; and has published in numerous anthologies
and magazines. As a spoken word artist, Shirley
blends the vocal texture of her poetry with the
music giants of jazz, blues, gospel/spirituals
and classical music, and is featured prominently
on "J.D.
Parran and Spirit Stage
Stephanie Agosto
Board Member
Stephanie
Agosto, poet/activist and single mother of twins,
is a dynamic force in the ongoing struggle for
civil rights, cultural awareness and community
activism. She received her A.A. from Queensborough Community College,
attended Hunter College and Film & Video Arts
in New York City to study Film Production; and
went on to produce and host the poetry series,
"Universal Beats,” a weekly series on Manhattan Neighborhood Network
(MNN). As a poet, her poetry has published in
the US as well as abroad in poetry compilations,
anthologies, art books and periodicals; and she
has performed at numerous venues throughout New
York City. Stephanie has worked in the health
field for a number of years in New York, notably
for Dr. Louis Parrish, who ran one of the city’s
first prominent HIV/AIDS practices. She also
worked closely with politicians to help pass
legislation bill HR 1709, which recognized the
important role of dietary supplements in
America’s health care system. When Stephanie
relocated to Florida, she became a licensed
Realtor and is currently working for the Bill
Ucci Team of Keller Williams in Central Florida.
She continues her volunteer work by helping the
Hispanic Health Initiative located in Central
Florida (which provides free mammograms for women
without medical insurance); and to Hogar Crea, a
rehab treatment center. She will publish this
year in an anthology of Puerto Rican Women Poets
with Boricua
College and hopes to finish her spoken word
album later on this year. Stephanie initially
appeared as a guest on the premiere season of
phati’tude Literary TV Show
(formerly known as "phatLiterature”) and
co-wrote, produced and performed with Michael
Bynum, "phatLiterature’s theme song." As a Board
Member, she was instrumental in helping to
finalize and distribute phati’tude Literary
TV Show to public access and college
television stations across the country. Stephanie
can be found on FaceBook.
Robert Coburn
Board Member
After receiving his B.S. at Dartmouth College, Robert Coburn has spent most of his professional life in the sales/consulting role with various fortune 100 companies such as Ortho McNeil Pharmaceuticals, Purdue Pharmaceuticals, Canon Business Solutions and Office Depot and is currently a Senior Account Executive with Ricoh Business Solutions in Virginia. His primary goal has been to help companies achieve Business Process Improvement initiatives with a special focus in the pharmaceutical and IT sales solutions industries. Although the corporate world has and now continues to command his professional attention, his passion for education has also driven him to champion the learning process available to children and young adults. He recently taught school at the elementary, middle and college levels while in the Master’s of Education Program at The City College of New York, CUNY, before relocating to Virginia. As a board member, Robert is participating in the development and implementation of phati’tude Language & Literary Arts Curriculum, once again connecting him to the pedagogy of educating young minds via traditional and innovative modalities. Robert can be found at LinkedIn.
Tonya Foster
Board Member
Tonya Foster is the author of poetry and prose
that’s appeared in an assortment of journals and
zines, including nocturnes, Callaloo,
Traffic, Lungfull, DrumVoices, the Hat, Gulf
Coast, etc. Tonya was an Art/Poetry
columnist for the Poetry Project Newsletter
and has published non-fiction essays in NY
Arts Magazine, NYFA Quarterly and The
Poetry Project Newsletter. Her work has also
appeared in the anthologies:
Free Radicals: American Poets Before Their
First Books
Michelle Aragón
Board Member
Michelle Aragón is a senior management professional with over 25 years experience in advertising. Fully bilingual and with expertise in the U.S. Hispanic Market, Michelle has extensive experience developing brand-building, award-winning advertising and promotional campaigns. Michelle’s ability to combine creative thinking with consumer-driven strategies has resulted in securing market leadership positions for many products and services. Her work has garnered awards including the Clio, the Telly and the International Radio & TV Awards. During her tenure at Conill Advertising, one of the first Hispanic ad agencies in the U.S., she spearheaded campaigns for blue chip clients such as McDonald’s, Pfizer, P&G, Helene Curtis, Pepsi, Toyota, Metropolitan Life Insurance, Western Union, Banco de Ponce and Citibank and Miles Corporation. She was a driving force in getting companies such as McDonald’s to add English-language Hispanic creative to the marketing mix. Michelle also co-wrote and produced the first Spanish-language TV spot to run on a General Market network for McDonald’s, which won the first "Se Habla Español Award” for best TV commercial. She left Conill Advertising as Vice-Chairman, Chief Creative Officer and in 1995, founded Aragón Advertising, a consulting business that grew into a full service advertising agency. Michelle, a fine arts painter (http://aragonfineart.com) and graphic artist recently created Art Scene Today, a website that gives emerging artists exposure through themed online juried competitions and exhibitions. As Director, Marketing Communications, Michelle is responsible for the development of an effective, comprehensive and branded marketing communications program that will advance IAAS’s successful programming efforts in the New York (Tri-State) area into a national and international market.
Naydene Brickus
Board Member
Naydene Brickus is an Information Technology and Services consultant who works at major Fortune 500 companies in the Tri-State area as a project manager. She designs, manages, configures, analyzes, diagnoses and deploys critical technology projects. She attended Columbia University to further her training and in recent years, Naydene has worked at companies such as Cline Davis & Mann, Adobe Systems, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, JPMorgan Chase and TD Bank. She recently founded KeyTech Communications, a technology advisory service that specializes in web design, web development, interactive marketing and search engine marketing, and social media strategies. Naydene is responsible for designing, developing and maintaining the IAAS’s web-based applications and training its staff in new technology. Naydene can be found on LinkedIn.
Nikita Hunter
Board Member
A native of Detroit, Michigan, Nikita Hunter
received formal arts training at Interlochen Arts Academy (a high
school for the arts), and majored in painting at
Syracuse
University, completing her B.S. at the
Crouse/Shaeffer School of Visual and Performing
Arts at Syracuse University. She is currently an
Art teacher for the Department of Education and
recently completed a Masters of Science of
Children of Special Needs and Early Childhood at
Long Island University. Nikita’s
works and announcements have been published in
numerous prestigious publications, and her
paintings have been displayed in juried shows and
exhibitions that include New York University;
Rush Arts
Gallery; Restoration Center for Arts and
Culture’s Skylight Gallery, SONYA/Brooklyn Academy of Music
Group Show. Her work was used by the Cleveland Public Theatre to
advertise the play "Venus
Andrew P. Jackson (Sekou Molefi Baako)
Advisor for the IAAS Board
Andrew Jackson has been Executive Director of Queens Library’s Langston Hughes Community Library & Cultural Center for 29 years. He is responsible for the overall budgeting and administration of the library as well as proposal writing for and coordinating its cultural arts program. He earned a B.S. in Business Administration from York College, CUNY and a Master of Library Science from Queens College, Graduate School of Library and Information Studies (GSLIS). Andrew recently worked as a Training, Development, and Operations Consultant (2005-2008) to Roosevelt Public Library, and is currently an Adjunct Lecturer at CUNY’s York College and Queens College-GSLIS. A published author, essayist and lecturer, he has dedicated his life to community building and empowering youth. Known as an "activist librarian,” Andrew has received recognition for his community service and has won numerous awards. He regularly participates in career days and speaks to students on Africana history and culture, encouraging young people to read, use libraries for empowerment and consider librarianship as a fulfilling career. He is an executive board member and past president of the Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA) and a member of the American Library Association (ALA). Andrew also serves on a number of boards, including Chair, Board of Trustees, The Renaissance Charter School; and Co-Chair, Queens Borough President’s African American Heritage Planning Committee. The IAAS has had a long history with the Langston Hughes Library in that its phati’tude programming was developed under the Library’s program, "New American Writers of the 90s.” As an Advisor for the IAAS Board, Andrew brings his unique knowledge and skills in the nonprofit arena to help the IAAS’s board members effectively govern the organization.
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