Board Members and Staff
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ANGELA ANDERSON
Board Member Angela Anderson is the Community Engagement Specialist for the Community Action Agency. She is also the host of Speak On It. The show is an informational bridge that will connect you to current issues & events of local interest along with health topics and other thought provoking matters. She believes in taking “Out of the Box” approaches that strengthen and improve one’s quality of life through music, drama, poetry and hands-on education. Angela is published writer and poet who has showcased her work and talent as an actress and director in Kalamazoo’s local venues and various places throughout the Midwest. |
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TRICE BATSON
Board Member Trice Batson is the Director of Diversity and Inclusion at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. He previously served as the Coordinator of Diversity and Inclusion and Training Specialist. Included with his experience in diversity training and programming, he has served on numerous committees and is currently the Chair for The Diversity and Inclusion Committee for Equity and Culture. Trice earned a Bachelors degree in marketing from Western Michigan University (1999) and a Masters degree, also form Western Michigan University in Organizational Change Leadership (2019). |
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JOANNA DONNELLY DALES
Board Member Joanna joined the Kalamazoo Community Foundation staff in 2007 as a Donor Relations Officer before being appointed to Vice President, Donor Relations in 2012. Joanna is a member of the Community Foundation’s Anti-Racism Transformation Team. Prior to coming to the Community Foundation, she held development positions in Washington D.C., with the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the American Symphony Orchestra League. In New York State she held development posts at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy and with the Preservation League of New York State in Albany. Joanna holds a BA in Economics from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. She currently serves on the boards of KC Ready 4s and the Downtown Kiwanis Club. She served on the board of the YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo for 9 years, including two as chair, and recently completed her service on the board of the Association of Fundraising Professionals West Michigan. Joanna lives in Kalamazoo with her husband and three sons. |
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AMIN FINCH
Board Member Amin Finch was born and raised in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Amin holds an Associate of Applied Science from Kalamazoo Valley Community College in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management from Eastern Michigan University. Amin spent more than 20 years working in the tourism and restaurant management industry for the Darden Corporation participating in the expansion of several brands, including Red Lobster, Bahamas Breeze, Olive Garden, and Fish Bone. Today Amin is the owner and operator of Finch & Co., LLC, a full-service catering company offering meal preparation, meal planning, event and group catering services, and ServSafe certifications and assessments. In addition to her entrepreneurial work, Amin is the Program and Family Support Coordinator for YWCA Kalamazoo. In this role, she is engaged and fulfilled in giving back to the community while working with children, families, and community members. |
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BRIANNA JACKSON
Board Member Brianna Jackson is a Teen Librarian at the Kalamazoo Public Library (KPL). She was born and raised in Syracuse, New York and moved to Kalamazoo after graduating with a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) in 2020. She enjoys working with the youth of Kalamazoo and being part of community-wide events that bring people together. |
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SHASHANTA JAMES
Board Member Shashanta S. James, Director-Student Financial Aid, Western Michigan University Shashanta James serves as director of Student Financial Aid along with overseeing the Scholarship unit, Financial Literacy services and the one-stop office, Bronco Express at Western Michigan University. She is a visionary with dedication and commitment to higher education which is evident in her acquiring over 35 years of service at WMU. This is exemplified by her passion to create spaces of equity and inclusivity. She deeply believes that awareness creates opportunities. Mrs. James has collaborated on local, regional, and national levels with individuals and organizations to design, implement and present on various leadership and financial literacy programming. She completed an institute on Cultural Competency along with a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion certification and facilitates workshops to educate and advance our community. Western Michigan University is very dear to her heart as she is a double Alumnus, met the love of her life there, supported her sister, eldest son, and niece to also graduate from WMU. She is a golden life member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. In her free time, she loves to travel, bake, try new recipes, and make memories with her husband and two sons. |
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DR. KRISTINA WADE
Board Member Dr. Wade is an Assistant Vice President and a Fraud Analyst with PNC Bank in the Underwriting department. Over the last 23.5 years, Dr. Wade has held various positions within the organization. Since 2016, Dr. Wade has also been an Adjunct Professor with the Gainey College of Business with Spring Arbor University. Dr. Wade is a graduate of Walden University with her Doctor of Business Administration with a Leadership Concentration. Prior to that, achieving a Master of Business Administration from University of Phoenix. With graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Management with a minor in Business Administration from Cornerstone University. Accompanied with academics, Dr. Wade is a proud member of Delta Mu Delta – Nu Rho Chapter of the International Business Organization. Also, a proud member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Incorporated and a former Rhoer Advisor with the organization. |
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TINA WADE
Board Member Albertine Wade’s childhood dream was to become a classroom teacher. After being accepted by Western Michigan University (WMU) in 1966, she moved to Kalamazoo and attended WMU from (1966-1969). She graduated from the University of Missouri with a Bachelor of Arts in Education and taught grades 5-6 for two years (1971-1973) in the Kansas City, Missouri Public Schools. Upon returning to Kalamazoo , she began teaching in the Kalamazoo Public Schools {1974}, grades 4-6. After receiving a Masters of Arts in Education from WMU (1979), she was hired as an Instructional Specialist (1992-1996). She began teaching Advanced English, Creative Writing and Social Studies, grades 7-8, at Hillside Middle School (1997-2006). Albertine retired (2007) from Kalamazoo Public Schools. Currently, she is a mentor to youth participating in Kalamazoo’s Reading in Motion. |
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BOB WALLIS
Board Member Bob Wallis joined the SHARE board in 2022. He is a consultant with businesses and non-profit organizations on strategic IT, project management, talent development, and productivity. He is also a professional musician and since 2018 has been running the Kalamazoo Academy of Rock, an extracurricular music program that works to develop a lifelong love of music for youth in the Kalamazoo region. Bob is a graduate of WMU, where he met his wife, Beth. They have lived in Kalamazoo since 1994 and have two children, Lucy and Duncan, who are both graduates of Kalamazoo Public Schools. |
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CHIANTE' LYMON-HAMILTON
Executive Director - Staff A Detroit native, Lymon moved to the Kalamazoo area to attend Western Michigan University. In 2018, she graduated as a full-time, first-generation college student with dreams of becoming an Attorney General and running her own non-profit. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and a double minor in Communication and Sociology. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, has served as the former Student Body President of WMU, Homecoming Queen, and institutionalized voter registration at WMU for students to understand the importance of civic engagement. Lymon leaves her role as Social Media and Technology Specialist at the Kalamazoo Defender, where she was previously a legal assistant and the board liaison and facilitator for the office’s Anti-Racism Team. |
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CURTIS BELL II
Member Emeritus Appointed to Kalamazoo County Probate Court, 2005 the Honorable Curtis Bell serves in the Family Division of the Circuit Court. He was managing partner in private practice at a law firm located in Kalamazoo, 1994-2005, an adjunct professor at Western Michigan University, Haworth College of Business, and a former Oshtemo Township Deputy Supervisor. Judge Bell served as president of the Kalamazoo County Bar Association, from 2008-2009, president of the Southwest Michigan Probate Judges Association, from 2007-2008, and secretary from 2006-2007. Judge Bell became a member of the Board of the Southwest Michigan Black Heritage Society in 2007 and continues emeritus status with SHARE. |
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EDWARD PARHAM
Member Emeritus Ed is a graduate of Western Michigan University where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Health Care Administration in 1977. Ed has served as Technical Director of Cardiac Laboratory Studies and Administrator of Borgess Medical Center. Upon retirement in 1983 he established Physicians Planners Consulting where he served as medical consultant to numerous medical practices throughout southwest Michigan. Ed has served on the board of directors of several organizations, including the State Hospital, the Youth Advancement Academy, the Douglas Community Association, and Allen Chapel AME Church. In 1981 Ed co-founded the 100 Men of Kalamazoo, an organization devoted to serving as examples and mentors for young African American men. |
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ROMEO PHILLIPS, PHD
Member Emeritus Dr. Phillips has been a member of the Kalamazoo/Portage community since 1968 when he accepted the position that led to his becoming the first tenured African American professor at Kalamazoo College. He has played an active role in community arts and political organizations, having served as the president of the Kalamazoo Chapter of the NAACP, as a member of the Portage City Council, and as a performer in the Kalamazoo Bach Festival, the Kalamazoo Singers, and other music ensembles. Dr. Phillips was a founding member of the Southwest Michigan Black Heritage Society and continues his emeritus status with SHARE. |
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Janay Brown
Oral History Archivist JB is a Kalamazoo native, presently attending Western Michigan University. She is currently a junior majoring in African American and African Studies, with a minor in Psychology. She also serves on the executive board as Vice President of the Kalamazoo Promise Scholars at WMU, a registered student organization on campus of which she is a founding member. She enjoys working with youth and is led by her principal belief of holding space for all. |
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Christa Stewart
Administrative Assistant Christa Stewart is a dynamic individual who graduated from Western Michigan University. Christa's journey at WMU has been characterized by her unwavering commitment to fostering a sense of community and inclusivity. As the former Vice President of the organization "You Beautiful Black Women" (YBBW), Christa played a pivotal role in carrying forward the organization's mission, originally founded by Ms. Terri Houston in 1990. YBBW, established to create unity among African-American women, evolved into a recognized student organization at WMU in the fall of 1994. Christa's tenure as Vice President witnessed the organization's commitment to inclusivity, opening its membership to all students, regardless of race and gender. The organization's goal was not only to culturally enhance WMU's campus but also to raise awareness within society. Christa's leadership extended beyond YBBW as she took on the role of Resident Director, where she orchestrated events to foster a sense of belonging and camaraderie among all residents in her complex. Her dedication to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment reflects her passion for community building. |