EXECUTIVE AFFILIATE MEMBERS & BOARD MEMBERS
DAVIES CHIRWA
DAVIES CHIRWA BIOGRAPHY
DAVIES CHIRWA is a multi-award-winning Global Ambassador for human empowerment, Media expert and a visionary serial entrepreneurship. He is the Founder of Channel A TV/ DC Productions Media Group and a Celebrity Film Producer. His exclusive Media Productions include the prestigious documentaries featuring President Obama, NFL Super Bowls, MTV Awards, BET Awards, U.S Soccer, NBA, Seattle Seahawks, UW Huskies Football, Seattle Sounders, We Day, AVP Volleyball, FIFA Soccer plus many more.
GREG TAYLOR
Greg Taylor has established a reliable track record in the community as a civic leader, community enrichment strategist and public relations executive. During the past 17 years, he has provided leadership in the mortgage industry as President of The Advanced Mortgage Group, Inc. Greg provided customer and mortgage services to hundreds of homebuyers with innovation, competitiveness, and integrity – achieving a high level of customer satisfaction. As Branch Manager of Windermere Mortgage Services, Greg continued to offer the highest measure of mortgage programs and customer service in the industry.
In 2007, Greg was elected to the Renton City Council to provide visionary leadership in a community facing mounting challenges and opportunities. In this role Greg is Chairman for the Utilities Committee, Vice Chair for the Finance Committee, a member of the Community Services Committee, and has served on the Transportation, Public Safety and Planning and Development Committees as well.
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GWEN ALLEN
Gwendolyn Cynthia Allen is the Executive Director of Kent Black Action Commission. She was born and raised in Leesburg, Florida by her parents, family-members, neighbors and friends in 1952. She attended Dabney Elementary for 6 years. She went on to the only Black/Negro High School in town, Carver Heights High from 1965-68. In 1968-1970 Gwen was forced, by the new system of integration, to attend Leesburg Senior High School, and was required, by law, to leave all thoughts and customs from the Negro school behind and take on all the white traditions, symbols, activities, teachers and everything that belong to the “white High School and just get along. Well, you can imagine, if you know Gwen at all, that this mindset did not sit well with her and still doesn’t to this day. The hurt and the utter lack of caring to uproot the students from everything familiar, without any preparation or awareness of the forced agendas which she and her classmates had to endure, in order to “get along†in the city during the times of change in the country. Tensions caused by the unfamiliar were the challenge to overcome them and help find a happy medium. She graduated in 1970 and went on to Southern University in Baton Rouge and reclaimed her identity as a strong, beautiful, creative, caring and successful Black woman. Ready to meet the new opportunities head on!
TONY BENTON
Tony B. the founder and CEO of MUSICA Entertainment, LLC, Tony produces an annual music festival showcasing the Northwest’s emerging hip hop scene. He is also creator of the Call to Conscience Black History Month Essay Writing Challenge and producer of the 2006 and 2007 Call to Conscience Black History Month Celebrations in Tacoma , WA. Tony B. is dedicated to being a positive role model, as well as an active member of, the Puget Sound community. He believes in promoting positive changes in the community through an understanding of music and culture.
JESSICA RIGGS (MRS. WASHINGTON-2012)
Jessica Riggs-Hello! My name is Jessica Riggs, and I am happily married to my high school sweetheart Mark Riggs. We have two amazing children Teague and Avery.
I am probably the most glamorous massage therapist you will ever meet! I run my own LMP business Healing Kneads Massage Therapy. I have a heart for the Lord and adore my church. I play softball, ride bikes, and absolutely love to travel. I thrive on new experiences and different cultures. I am heavily involved in my community and hope that I can inspire others to get out and do more in their lives. I am passionate about the “Massage On A Mission” Program and donate my time to helping people in need.
(Website: www.jessicariggsmrswa.com)
BETTY MAKONI
Betty Makoni (BA Gen, Hons) is a gender activist, Founder and Director of Girl Child Network Zimbabwe (GCN) and Chief Executive Officer of Girl Child Network World Wide, an organisation that champions the rights of the girl child in Zimbabwe and world over. She is a holder of two Bachelor of Arts Honours Degrees from the University of Zimbabwe. From 1999 to date, Betty Makoni has mobilised financial resources to build four Girls Empowerment Villages, a unique model that provides safe shelter, healing, and a future to sexually abused girls.
A survivor of rape at age six as well as orphaned at age nine ,Betty fought for her education and to date she has fought for girls in similar circumstances all round the world. She has consistently used her voice to remind policy makers and leaders to change policies, attitudes and laws that are detrimental to the growth and development of the girl child.
BOB HASEGAWA
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Current Office: |
State House – 11 Position 2, Democratic |
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First Elected: |
11/02/2004 |
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Last Elected: |
11/02/2010 |
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Next Election: |
2012 |
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On The Ballot: |
Running, Democratic for State Senate – District 11 |
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Primary |
Aug. 7, 2012 |
ALBERT MENSAH
Rising from his humble beginnings in Ghana, Africa, Albert Mensah has become one of the world’s leading motivational speaker, consultant, and trainer for employees at top companies throughout the United States, Canada, China, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
With an impressive client list that boasts, Starbucks, Nordstrom, Cisco Systems, Mohammed Jalal Group Middle East, Boeing, State Farm Insurance, John Deere Corporation, Bank Of America, and Wells Fargo Bank, and numerous Associations and Educators, he has built a strong reputation among business leaders, corporate executives, and Educators, as the catalyst for driving employee morale, increasing work productivity, and enhancing team commitment through his energizing, inspirational, and often invigorating speaking engagements.
GRACE MASEKO
GRACE MASEKO-CHIRWA is an accomplished international Fashion Designer. She is the Co-Founder of CHANNEL A TV and the C.E.O of GGY Collections based in Seattle, Washington. The name GGY was derived from the names Grace and GlorY, her father’s name. The designer was inspired by her mother who, for many years, was a leader at community centers, teaching local women how to obtain sewing skills for the purpose of building small businesses for their families. GGY Collections is based on self reliance and confidence for individuals who are a part of the main tree of family life. When you look good, you feel good and you bring a positive energy in everything you do.
Nana Osei-Agyemang Bawuah
 Nana Osei-Agyemang Bawuah is a US Citizen by Naturalization, through the marriage to his wife Myra. In Nana’s normal life, he is known as Simon Osei-Agyemang and he works as the Director of Risk Management for T-Mobile USA. Nana’s professional background include working as First Vice President for Washington Mutual Bank, as Vice President at Bank of America, as Vice President at J.P. Morgan Chase. His educational background includes graduate degrees from ColumbiaUniversity (MS. Engineering), Virginia Tech (Master of Engineering), and Carnegie Mellon University (MBA).
Nana is originally from Ghana where he was born and raised until he immigrated to the United States in 1979. Nana is a Chief directly under The King of Ashanti, The Kingdom of Gold. The Ashanti region is the largest administrative region in Ghana. Nana’s title as a Chief is ‘Otumfuo Aboafuohene’. He is a special assistant to the King, and his primary duty as a Chief is to advocate for and solicit new endeavors (business or humanitarian) that will help the King in the advancement of development in the AshantiKingdom. For instance, if a company is seeking to invest in a third world country, Nana will work with them so that they might bring their investment to Ghana, and to the Ashanti region in particular.
DINA PHINNEY
Dina Phinney is the Public Relations Officer of Channel A TV. She is also the CEO and Founder of WeAssistU Foundation, a non-profit focusing on youth empowerment, mentorship and youth sports. As an experienced marketing strategist, she has consulted in many industries including business, sports, music, entertainment, fashion and pageantry. In the last 20 years, she worked as a freelancer in Public Relations and branding for the NFL, artists, various celebrities, and entertainers. With her experience in fashion and pageantry, she also started coaching in pageants.
She is an alumni of the University of Washington Foster School of Business with a degree in International Business and Marketing and served in the CISB Alumni Board for 15 years where she received the Alumni Service Award. She received the 2023 Women of Substance Award for her non-profit work from Ampowering during the Global Women’s Festival. Speaking Danish as a 3rd language, she also completed a Bachelor’s degree in Danish and Scandinavian Studies from the University of Washington. Her passion is travel, philanthropy, sports, music and fashion.
RUSSELL ALFARO
RUSSELL ALAFARO is an international motivational speaker, empowerment ambassador, philanthropist, proud husband and father. His is the Founder of LIFTED HYPNOSIS and “I CAN” Community Development Foundation based in Washington State, U.S.A.
Russell is also the President and C.E.O of Lifted Hypnosis and Wellness Center where they offer a professional approach for individuals, couples, and families that are looking for lasting results of different challenges.
CLARISSE FALANGA
Clarisee Falanga is the Founder of Women in STEM non profit organization. She is a Senior assistant on Molecular Biology / Sciences Faculty /University of Kinshasa. She is an Associate researcher at the Kinshasa General Commissariat of Atomic l’Energy in the fields of Biotechnology and plant mutation breeding;
– Inventor of the “Miravella Hair Cream”;
– Initiator of the SCIENCES & KIDS Programme;
– Initiator of the Celebra Pecunia Platform;
Clarisse is the Winner of the “WOMAN OF DISTINCTION” Trophy 3rd edition 2022 in the STEM category; the “MUASI YA TALO” Award, Â 2022 edition and the “Strong Ladies” Award 2018 edition in the “Pure Sciences” Category, the Certificate of Appreciation of the UN WOMEN DRC, the Honor Diploma Jeunes Espoir awarded by UNESCO-DRC. Â
Dr. JUSTINA MUTALE
Her Excellency, Dr. Justina Mutale has been globally acclaimed as one of the most influential and inspirational African women. In 2012, she was named African ‘Woman of the Year’, sharing a platform with various African Heads of State. Dr Mutale is a global impact visionary leader with over 30 years experience working in the diplomatic and international development setting. She is an international development expert, a human rights activist and gender advocate, in addition to being a philanthropist, international leadership expert, international keynote speaker, international guest lecturer and #1 international bestselling author of: “The Art of Iconic Leadership: Power Secrets of Female World leadersâ€Â and co-author of the highly cerebral book: “Women on Corporate Boards: An International Perspectiveâ€, in addition to contributing to several other global publications and books on leadership, gender, equality, diversity and inclusion, including FORBES Magazine.
SYLVIA LITANA EZOZO
Ms. Sylvia Litana Ezozo was elected to be the Chairwoman of the
African Diaspora Foundation in April 2022. Her role
involves motivating other members to actively participate in and attend
meetings. Ensuring the actions taken are in line with the organization’s
bylaws, visions, goals, and mission. Serving as a primary point of
contact for the ADF key executives and staff members. As
Chairperson for African Diaspora Foundation (ADF), Ms. Ezozo is
working towards moving ADF agenda forward, which is to eradicate
the culture of violence, replacing it with the cultural language of peace
through education, employing the principles of nonviolence organization that seeks to establish a
peace education curriculum throughout all levels of academia and the community at large.
She is also a Global Director Chapter Formation for the African Diaspora Development Institute
