Board Members and Staff
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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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BYRON FOSTER
Board Member Byron was born in Brooklyn, New York, and raised in Queens, New York. He attended Howard University in Washington, DC and Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, New Jersey, from which he earned a BS degree in Business Management. He served his country in the US Air Force and is a Vietnam veteran. Byron's professional career has consisted of human resources positions in major corporations, executive search vice president, managing director of Inroads, Chicago, and student advocate at Kalamazoo Community College. In addition, he managed independent consulting projects on career transition coaching and training, valuing differences workshops, diversity training and professional development program design and facilitation. Byron and his wife volunteered at Borgess Hospital (Prior to Ascension) and continues to volunteer as-needed. He presently is a board trustee at Ministry with Community, Goodwill of Southwest Michigan, Society for History And Racial Equity (SHAREY. He is a community representative for Police Cadet Training at KVCC and serves on the Kalamazoo Community Foundation's Community Investment Committee. Byron and his late wife have parented four children and are grandparents and great-grandparents. |
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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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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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KEVIN PETERSON
Board Member Kevin Peterson, MPA (he/him) serves as a Philanthropic Advisor at the Kalamazoo Community Foundation (KZCF) where he advises individuals and organizations in navigating their philanthropic journeys by listening, guiding, and connecting them to further resources. Prior to his time at KZCF he served as a fundraiser for a nonprofit focused on families facing a housing crisis and as a nonprofit consultant at the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy at Grand Valley State University (GVSU). Kevin earned a Master of Public Administration degree with a concentration in nonprofit management and leadership, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in public and nonprofit administration with an emphasis on community development and planning and minors in legal studies and urban and regional planning, from GVSU. Beyond his formal education, he is certified through BoardSource as a nonprofit board consultant. As an active member in the nonprofit community, he currently serves as the Principal of Peterson & Co. Philanthropic Consulting, as a board member for Grand Rapids Public Library, and as an Adjunct Professor, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses on nonprofit management, grant writing, and strategic philanthropy and grantmaking. |
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ED STINSON
Board Member Ed Stinson is an “almost” fully retired CPA, spending most of his 43 years in public accounting at Gould, Stinson & Comer, PC, in Kalamazoo. He has served multiple local non-profit organizations, currently including board membership of the Children’s Nature Playscape, the nation’s first natural urban playscape (adjacent to Bronson Park). Ed is a 1982 Hope College graduate, obtaining his CPA in 1984… the same year he married his wife, Margie. They have three adult children. Ed has woven learning about racism into many vacations: Civil Rights Museum in Memphis; Martin Luther King Museum in Atlanta; four straight days at the African American Museum in DC; Black Wall Street in Tulsa; Whitney Plantation near New Orleans; and to the many historical markers and museums in Berlin, Germany. It is this last item that encouraged him to join SHARE, that Germany’s brutal history is not hidden or erased, but remains in the open for ALL generations to learn and remember. |
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MICHAEL BEYENE
Board Member Michael Beyene was born and raised in Kalamazoo, Michigan’s Northside neighborhood. He is a versatile educator, designer, and communications specialist with a Bachelor’s Degree in Media and Information and a minor in Game Design and Development from Michigan State University. Michael has a strong background in instructional design and digital media, serving as an Instructor at Western Michigan University since early 2024, where he teaches Game Art courses, and as an Adjunct Instructor at Kalamazoo Valley Community College since, teaching creative digital art, art history, and creative business courses. Beyond academia, Michael has also serves on the board of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo, where he helps foster community engagement and support for local artists and creative initiatives. |
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STEFON HEMPHILL
Board Member Stefon Hemphill is a Human Resource Professional for Target as well as a Swim Instructor for Bronson. Additionally he sits on the board for the YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo where is apart of their DEI committee. Stefon obtained his bachelor's degree in human resources in 2018 and his master's degree in public administration in 2021, both from Western Michigan University. During his time at Western Michigan University he was a member of Delta Sigma Pi Fraternity as well as Cheerleader on the Western Michigan Cheer team. He and his wife are both native to Kalamazoo where they were also Kalamazoo Promise Scholars who met at Maple Street Magnet School. |
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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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JANAY BROWN
Oral History Archivist - Staff 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 - Staff 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. |
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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. |