Writer

Taj Shareef

 Taj Shareef is an LA/NJ based writer/VO artist. I have always loved great stories, as I found myself glued to the TV for countless hours watching everything from All in the Family to X-Men. As I dove further into fiction I found the literary works of Octavia Butler, Ray Bradbury, Toni Morrison, and Stephen King pivotal to my lens. I obtained a B.A. in Communications and Radio Production from Delaware State University.  

His eclectic interests and desire for inclusive storytelling have led to opportunities to co-write for queer Black LGBTQ scripted series Love @ First Night with ...

Emma Wilcox

Emma Wilcox is the Gallery Director at Gallery Aferro, where, with co-founder Artistic Director Evonne Davis she has designed and implemented hundreds of exhibits, public programs, educational initiatives, public art projects as well as more than two dozen publications. Addressing barriers to full cultural participation by historically underserved populations has been an overriding concern throughout the gallery’s fifteen years of existence, during which time we have earned 5 consecutive citations of excellence from the NJSCA. Many of our efforts have been highly collaborative in nature, ...

Larry Lyons

 Larry Lyons has lectured and taught courses in 20th Century American literature, sociology and composition at Rutgers and Princeton University. As an independent consultant, he provides­ writing, editing and creative services for clients in education, public relations, non-profits and the arts including: branding, campaign design, communications strategy, copywriting, grant writing, archival research, and volunteer management. He is also the founder and creative director of Brick City Varsity, a Newark-based photography studio and vintage clothier. 
 
 

Walter Newkirk

 Walter Newkirk owns Walter Newkirk Public Relations LLC. A graduate of Rutgers University in New Brunswick NJ, Mr. Newkirk was the first openly gay Arts Editor of The Rutgers Daily Targum, the daily newspaper on the New Brunswick campus from 1975-1976. As a college journalist he interviewed Pat Loud of the landmark PBS TV series An American Family, and the actor Divine for The Rutgers Targum.

Mr. Newkirk was the Project Director of the film lecture series The Changing Stereotypes of Women Black and Gays in The Cinema, sponsored by Rutgers University and The New Jersey Committee...

Angela Raine

 Angela Raine was born and raised in Newark, after her parents moved up from the South. The last of six children, she attended Central High School and worked in various agencies in Newark doing HIV prevention and establishing transgender support groups. She continues to do transgender outreach work, and volunteers at the Newark LGBTQ Community Center. Married to writer T.T. Wardell since 1998, she has published Newark’s first transgender-owned and –edited magazine La’Raine since 2006.
 

Jerri Mitchell-Lee

 Reverend Jerri Mitchell-Lee is a native of Brooklyn, New York. As the daughter of a Career Army Officer she has lived all across the United States and has been a long time resident of New Jersey. Reverend Lee has a passion for serving and continues to do so as a health educator, mental health counselor, and workshop trainer within and outside of Unity Fellowship Church Movement. She received her education at Sterling College, University of Kansas, Rutgers, University of Medicine and Dentistry, Newark, N.J., Howard School of Theology (Sat. Program) and Newark School of Theology. Reverend Lee...