Erica Atwood, founder of First Degree Consulting; Chief of Staff to City of Philadelphia Councilmember Jamie Gauthier. Erica is a mentor, coach, people lover, problem solver and troublemaker who is fiercely committed to black people and believes in honesty from a place of love, being rooted in your purpose from a place of joy and naps.

Betsy Cloues, Esq., Ballard Spahr, (Secretary) is a lawyer who loves all things Philadelphia.

Sannii Crespina-flores (Chair) is the founder of the Un-Inhibited Muse Film Festival, the global youth initiative Do Remember Me and the art collaborative Yram Collective. Sannii uses storytelling, life casting and film to actively advocate for women and youth. For more information visit this link.

Hannah Gillean, Hamilton Lane. Hannah is a finance enthusiast who is passionate about supporting Philadelphia and the arts outside of her day to day job as she believes arts and self expression is an integral part of a robust culture. Hannah hopes to bring her interest in investments and business acumen to support the Barton Foundation’s mission.

Julie Goodman (Treasurer), an Associate Professor at Drexel University, brings enthusiasm, wit, and creativity to the less glamorous aspects of supporting the arts, and believes that everyone has an inner artist ready to burst forth. More info about Julie here.

Jeri Lynne Johnson, is the Founder and Artist Director, Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra. Jeri’s work is the manifestation of her belief that the role of an arts institution is to serve as a facilitator of the creative process for all people and that creative agency is foundational for a functioning and truly inclusive democracy. More information at http://www.blackpearlco.org/

Wit López, is a visual artist, performer, and arts administrator. They are the Artistic Director of Till Arts Project, an arts-services organization serving LGBTQI+ artists in the Greater Philly area. Wit believes that marginalized artists should have support for their practices and equal access to resources as artists from privileged backgrounds.

José Ortiz-Pagán is a local artist, activist & cultural organizer who believes that art is one of the most social connectors. He deeply believes that art has the power to further grow the collective imagination as a tool of change. More info about José here.

Veronica Ponce de Leon Plascencia is a multi-disciplinary artist who teaches folk arts at FACTS Charter School.  I am passionate about children’s arts education that helps them grow up in a loving and just world.  I love making art with everyone out of whatever we have.

Emilee J. Taylor, Adjunct Professor, Moore College of Art and Design, (Co-Chair) is an art educator, visual artist and photographer who is passionate about the education and the inclusion of Arts education in our public schools. She brings with her expertise in education as she was an Art Educator with the School District of Philadelphia for 39 years before retiring. Emilee now works as an adjunct professor in Art Education Department at Moore College of Art and Design. She also works as a support mentor for teachers pursuing National Board Certification working under the direction of Temple University.

Lindsay Tucker So is the Assistant Director of the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy. Lindsay is a native Philadelphian, number cruncher, and arts administrator who believes that access to arts and culture is a powerful tool for strengthening communities. More information here.

Catzie Vilayphonh is an award-winning spoken word poet, writer and performance artist who explores storytelling as a healing medium and addresses issues that confront Asian Americans, especially racial stereotypes, cultural dualities and immigrant/refugee concerns often drawing from personal narrative.