Advisory Board
Cheryl L. Davis received a Writers’ Guild Award for her work on the daytime dramatic serial As the World Turns and was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for her work on that show as well. She is currently writing for Law & Order: SVU on a freelance basis for its history-making 21st season. Cheryl received the Ed Kleban Award for her work as a musical theater librettist, and her musical Barnstormer, written with award-winning composer Douglas J. Cohen, received a Jonathan Larson Performing Arts Foundation Award under the auspices of the Lark Play Development Center. She serves as General Counsel for the Authors Guild.
Jeryl Prescott Gallien is an American actress, best known for her role as Jacqui in the AMC series The Walking Dead. In 2019, she had series regular role of Madame Xanadu in the short-lived DC Universe series Swamp Thing. Most recently, Judge Martha Ross in BET’s Original Series All the Queen’s Men.
Andrea Nickey Hardon is an outstanding educator at the Atlanta Neighborhood Charter School. She received her B.A. in Physics from Emory University and her M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction from Georgia Southern University. Her areas of expertise include science and math instruction, International Baccalaureate Leadership and coaching/mentoring novice educators.
Karen L. Lewis’ plays have been performed at the Spoleto Festival USA and off-Broadway. George Sand: A Passionate Cantata was commissioned by Pendragon Theatre in Saranac Lake, N.Y., and produced at the Invisible Eye in Arizona. Years of soap opera writing has resulted in five Emmys and four Writers Guild of America awards. Lewis is a member of The Writers Guild of America and the Dramatists Guild
Carolyn Pierre-Outlar is a Physician assistant turned screenwriter and she has drawn from her own experience in the medical field for a comedy in the works at NBC. Pierre-Outlar has teamed up with The Daily Show correspondent Roy Wood Jr. on the untitled series, which is in development at the broadcast network.
Emma Graeber Porter is the Founder of Graeber Consulting Inc., in 1984, which provides business management consulting services. She has served on the Boards of Luther College, Decorah, IA and the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (LTSP). She also serves as a Board member of Lutheran World Relief, the international, pan-Lutheran nonprofit organization that helps families in the world’s poorest communities build the resilience they need to thrive.
Ted Rucker, III is a Certified Public Accountant with experience in auditing, financial reporting, budgeting and cash management. Strong analytical, technology and communication skills with a track record of achievements in accounting and project management.
Shirley Vernae Williams has worked in media and entertainment as a producer and director for over 10+ years. She's produced over 140 hours of television for major networks, developed over 20+ series for major brands across all industries including Cadillac, CDC, AT&T, Ikea, Ritz and helped launch one of Vice Media's largest digital channel’s for Black women. Shirley won several awards, was nominated for an Emmy and her content has received over 80 million views. Her media agency, Willie B. Media, specializes in content creation, building audiences and helping businesses monetize their media.