The mission of the Carver Community Cultural Center is to celebrate the diverse cultures of our world, nation, and community, with emphasis on its African and African-American heritage, by providing challenging artistic presentations, community outreach activities, and educational programs.
The Carver Development Board is a 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to undertake fundraising activities and to provide financial, programming, and advisory support to the Carver Community Cultural Center through a diversity of fundraising activities benefiting the Carver School of Visual and Performing Art’s programs, including artist residencies, master classes, workshops, camps, gallery exhibitions, community art classes and Youth Matinee Series.
Sandra Pratt is originally from Oakland, California. She relocated to San Antonio in 1992. Sandra has been in the Real Estate industry for 17 years and is currently the CEO and principal of Shiny Penny Property Management Group. She holds a degree from the University of Texas San Antonio. She is also a graduate of the American Academy of Crisis Counseling and works with various community-based organizations. Sandra served in the United States Air Force as an Intelligence Officer and received numerous awards and decorations during her twenty-year career. She is an Honor Graduate from the Academy of Military Science. In addition to her service on the Carver Development board, Mrs. Pratt has served as Area Director of Toastmasters International and currently serves as president of What It Takes To Succeed (WITTS), a non-profit mentoring and coaching organization designed to empower individuals by facilitating skill set discovery and personal growth. Sandra and her husband Bryan have lived in San Antonio for 25 years and have three children.
George A. Williams, Jr., Ph.D. serves as the Vice President for Student Affairs and Assistant Professor at Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, Texas. Dr. Williams earned his bachelor’s degree from Bethune-Cookman University, master’s degree from the University of South Florida, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree, with distinction, from the University of New Mexico (UNM). Dr. Williams has held positions as a special education teacher and Academic Student Success Manger by managing the academic accommodations of university students with disabilities.
Dr. Williams has presented and served as a guest lecture at the state, regional, national, and international levels addressing topics such as diversity, leadership, and cultural responsive teaching. Among many earned academic accomplishments, such as Teacher of the Year with the School District of Hillsborough County and recipient of the Presidential Luminaria award for diversity, Dr. Williams has also served as a community trailblazer. He fulfilled positions as an international board member of Delta Alpha Pi Honor Society, president of the New Mexico Association on Higher Education and Disability (NM-AHEAD), and a school board member for the Las Puntas Charter School. Currently, Dr. Williams is completing three successful terms as treasurer of the Texas Council for Exceptional Children, serves as chair of the Scholarship Committee with the San Antonio Dr. MLK, Jr., Commission, board member of the Carver Development Board, and board member of the Healy Murphy Center.
Dr. Williams vowed to make a difference in the lives of youngsters. From the start of his career in educating children with disabilities and children that demonstrate school dependence, his personal motto has been for them to Own the Knowledge.
Ronnie Ford is the Sr. Manager Risk Finance at Valero Energy Corporation. She earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of Texas at San Antonio, Masters of Business Management from the Our Lady of the Lake University, and a Doctoral of Education in Inter-Disciplinary Studies (Conflict Resolution, Human Resources, and Training and Development) from Nova Southeastern University. She possesses a Construction Risk Insurance Specialist designation, a Management Liability Insurance Specialist designation, and Brokerage License for Property & Casualty. She has been with the company since 2002 and has held various positions in Refinery Accounts Payable, Retail Accounting, and Capital Assets. Prior to joining Valero, she worked in various roles Senior Accountant for Coca-Cola, Accounting Manager/Supervisor La Quinta, Lead Accountant Humana, and Accountant Titan Insurance Company.
Jeff Banks is currently Director, Client Data Services for Facebook. In this role, he leads a talented team of program managers and business analysts supporting Facebook’s sales and service data quality. Prior to Facebook, Jeff held executive positions at General Motors and USAA. He is also a United States Air Force veteran, serving for nearly 8 years.
Originally from Vidalia, Louisiana, Jeff graduated from Southern University-Baton Rouge with a degree in Biological Sciences. He also has a Masters in Management Information Systems from Northwestern University.
Jeff has 2 daughters, Khoi and Sydney. He has a love for the arts and is excited to serve on the Carver Development Board.
Cheryl Elise Davis was born in Moscow, Idaho to the parents of William Conan and Ocia Jenkins Davis.
At the age of 3, the family moved to Portland, Oregon where she attended Shaver Elementary and was an honor student at Fremont Jr. High. At Fremont, she held membership in the science club, ski club; studied piano and violin and was second violinist in the Portland Jr. Symphony Preparatory Orchestra. The family moved to San Antonio. She attended Judson High School and pursued the science/math tract.
Upon graduation from Judson High School, she attended Our Lady of the Lake University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology/Chemistry.
A special EPA Research Fellowship from the US Environmental Protection Agency was an added incentive to attend Prairie View A&M University to pursue a Master of Science degree in Environmental Toxicology.
She became a research assistant in the Department of Microbiology at UTHSCSA; and later that year joined the staff of Shaw-Hawn Laboratories at the University of Alabama at Birmingham working on “The genetic manipulation of HIV.” She was accepted into UAB’s School of Dentistry and graduated with the Doctor of Dental Medicine degree. As a student she presented “The phylogeny of plasmid-containing S. mutans strains from American Blacks,” at the IADR Annual Meeting in Chicago, Illinois.
She was commissioned in the USAF, stationed at Laughlin AFB, Del Rio, TX and Kadena AFB, Okinawa, Japan. Upon discharge, she held an Associateship with Dr. Joe B. Whitley and an adjunct Professor at Northwest VistaUniversity to pursue a Master of Science degree in Environmental Toxicology.
She became a research assistant in the Department of Microbiology at UTHSCSA; and later that year joined the staff of Shaw-Hawn Laboratories at the University of Alabama at Birmingham working on “The genetic manipulation of HIV.” She was accepted into UAB’s School of Dentistry and graduated with the Doctor of Dental Medicine degree. As a student she presented “The phylogeny of plasmid-containing S. mutans strains from American Blacks,” at the IADR Annual Meeting in Chicago, Illinois.
She was commissioned in the USAF, stationed at Laughlin AFB, Del Rio, TX and Kadena AFB, Okinawa, Japan. Upon discharge, she held an Associateship with Dr. Joe B. Whitley and an adjunct Professor at Northwest Vista Community College before accepting the position of Contract Dentist at the Correctional Health Services/Bexar County Jail.
On November 1, 2006 she opened her office, Cheryl E. Davis, DMD, PLLC, Family Dentistry, 210 Chestnut Street, San Antonio, TX 78202 in Historic Ellis Alley Enclave, San Antonio, Texas.
Presently, she is a member of Texas Business Women, American Association of University Women, American Dental Association and Seattle Study Club. She serves on several Boards—Our Lady of the Lake University Advisory Board, Chrysalis Ministries and Women’s Global Connection
Cheryl enjoys snow skiing, reading, playing the piano, traveling and spending time with family.
Ofayo “Brad” Kingsberry is a Senior Program Manager for Ajanta Consulting, LLC. He provides personnel oversight for a team managing the Air Force’s Software development facility located in downtown San Antonio. He oversees all aspects of program activity including budget, schedule management, data management, proposal development and other related activities.
Brad retired from the Air Force in 2019 after twenty-six years of active duty. He enlisted in 1991, and achieved his goal of being commissioned in 1999, following his graduation from Troy State University-Montgomery. He has served in a variety of leadership roles, including Officer-in-Charge Classified Systems, Operations Officer, Exercise Planner, and J6 Director of Communications. He has completed tours of duty in the Pacific and European theaters at the squadron, group, wing, and major command levels.
Brad and his wife La Tonya have been married for 29 years. They are the parents of three amazing children, Alayshia, Jaymes, and Reign.
Delores Lenzy-Jones is Chief Financial Officer (CFO) & Treasurer of CPS Energy, where she oversees CPS Energy’s Accounting & Finance functions. In this position, she is responsible for Accounting & Financial Reporting, Corporate Financial Planning, Cost Management & Operational Excellence, as well as Capital Markets & Cash Management, Strategic Pricing & Cost Recovery, and Enterprise Risk Management.
Delores is a results-driven global finance executive with extensive experience proactively implementing finance, audit and accounting solutions at Fortune 50 companies. She has the unique skill of being able to translate complex issues in simple terms by addressing the most critical issues in creative ways with analytical rigor and precision. Throughout her career, she has effectively communicated across all levels of the company to deliver excellent operational and financial performance in complex, fast-paced and matrixed work environments.
Prior to joining CPS Energy, Delores served as Vice President of Finance & Accounting at BGIS, a data center and facilities management company. She has experience at Microsoft and Dell Inc. and her background also covers the utility industry, with 10 years spent at the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) as Transmission & Energy Services Business Manager, Lease Administrator and Senior Accountant.
Leaving a place better than she found it is one of her core values. As an active community leader, serving others is a part of her DNA. In addition to her work experience, Delores has served on the Board of Directors of Any Baby Can, President and Trustee for the Dynamic Urban Opportunities Foundation, Inc. and President & Chapter Co-Founder for the National Black MBA Association, Austin Chapter.
Delores earned an MBA and BBA in finance from St. Mary’s University and is a graduate of Harvard’s Executive Education Program. She earned a second BBA with a concentration in accounting from UTSA. She is a Certified Public Accountant, Certified Internal Auditor, Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) and a Distinguished Toastmaster.
Delores is native Texan and enjoyed growing up in San Antonio, TX. She is married to Dr. Cornel Jones, aka “Mr. Wonderful”. Delores enjoys traveling and has traveled to 75+ countries, and 6 continents.
Evelyn Miles Rivera is a Senior Manager of Treasury at NuStar Energy L.P. She has worked for both Valero and NuStar Energy for a combined service of 20 plus years with the companies in various departments from Accounting, Internal Audit, Marketing and now Treasury. She graduated from University of Texas at San Antonio with BBA in Accounting and obtained her MBA from Webster University. She has been a member of the San Antonio’s Association for Financial Professionals since 2010. She was the Supervisory Chairperson for the Synergy Federal Credit Union from 2007 – 2014 and has been a director on the Credit Union’s board since 2015. She served as a board member for San Antonio Independent Living Services (SAILS) from 2012- 2014. She is currently a member of the NuStar Energy’s employee volunteer council and has mentored students in elementary through high school. She and her husband Michael have two children.
Nishell Robinson, a dedicated banker for 20 years, currently serves as a Business Banker at Comerica Bank. Nishell works with personal account holders as well as small business owners to determine their needs. She specializes in developing and deepening full relationship banking to include personal and small business loans, lines of credit and depository solutions for her clients. She is very committed to her clients and long term client relationships that she’s developed over the years. Nishell also serves as a Board Member for Ella Austin community center on the Finance Committee. Nishell has a very strong since of self and is very committed and involved with her church and community events in the San Antonio market. Ms. Robinson has an undergraduate degree in Psychology from Wayland Baptist University.
Sherri Stallings is currently Senior Director, Technology Sourcing at Visa. In her role, she manages the Technology Labor Category and all associated contracting activities supporting Visa’s Chief Technology Officer. She has held Procurement leadership positions with USAA, Limited Brands (Victoria’s Secret, Express and Bath & Body Works) and Nokia.
Prior to working in Procurement, Sherri worked as an Educator for seven years. She held elementary school teaching positions in both Wellesley, MA and Plano, TX.
Sherri was born in Newark, NJ and is a graduate of Rutger’s University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication. She also holds a Master of Arts in Teaching from Simmons College in Boston, MA and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Dallas.
Sherri has also held Executive Board positions with Jack and Jill of America, Inc. North Suburban Dallas Chapter. She served as Editor and Publicity Chair for a total of six years.
Sherri lives in San Antonio with her husband Herry and their two daughters.
Danielle Campbell Steans began her dance training at age 4 in Kansas City and at age 14 was awarded a scholarship to attend the Walnut Hill School for the Performing Arts in Natick, MA. There she was a member of the National Youth Ballet for two seasons. Throughout her career, Mrs. Steans has enjoyed performing with many ballet companies and has had extensive experience working with young dancers. In addition to her impressive professional career, she is the only fully Certified American Ballet Theatre Instructor and only African American female Director of a ballet school in San Antonio. Founded by Danielle Campbell Steans, San Antonio Ballet School offers the highest caliber of training and believes every child can dance and should be afforded that opportunity regardless of ability, age or ethnic background. In addition to leading San Antonio Ballet School, she is a dance instructor at the University of the Incarnate Word and serves on the board of the Carver Community Cultural Center. Mrs. Steans proudest accomplishments are being a wife and mother to her husband, Drew and their two sons, William and Grant.
Antoinette F. Winstead, a tenured full-Professor at Our Lady of the Lake University, is the Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and the Program Head for the Mass Communication and Drama programs. She has a B.F.A. in Film/Television Production from New York University, a M.F.A. from Columbia University in Film and a M.A. in Literature from Our Lady of the Lake University. She teaches screenwriting, playwriting, directing, acting, and digital film production courses at the undergraduate and graduate level. She is also an author, poet, and playwright. Her poetry and short stories have been published in various journals and anthologies, and her plays have been performed at various theaters, including the San Pedro Playhouse/Cellar, Steven Stoli Playhouse, Jump Start Theater, and Overtime Theater. Her full-length family drama, Common Ground, premiered 2009 in Austin, Texas. While her primary interests are writing and film, she also enjoys directing and acting for theater. She has directed over a dozen plays, most recently Fat Pig; Oleanna; and Doubt. For her direction of A Raisin the Sun, she received a 2006 ATAC Excellence for Directing Award. For the Carver Theater, in 2015, she also directed “A Tribute to Maya Angelou: A Celebration of Poetry, Literature, Music & Dance,” a regional showcase featuring an array of performers and politicians. As an actor, she has appeared in various plays, including A Midsummer Night’s Dream; Mother Knows Best; and Black Lily/White Lily. Most recently, she has appeared as “Artemisia Bowden” in a one-woman show, which she was commissioned to write titled, Artemisia Bowden: The Savior of St. Philips. She is member of the Dramatists Guild, and is currently serving as the President of the Alamo Area Poets of Texas and Vice President of the San Antonio Poets’ Association.
The Carver Development Board invites you to be our partners in ensuring all San Antonians have equitable access to the arts and arts education by participating in our various fundraisers throughout the year. Some events occurring this year are:
A workshop designed to gather women of diverse ethnic and cultural identities to create space together for fostering connection, building community, challenging stereotypes and empowering ourselves and each other.
Panel discussion, poetry readings, music and dancing in celebration of black love, featuring a champagne and dessert reception.
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Venue Location / Date of event
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