Board Members

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Marvelyn Brown - HIV & Health Expert

Marvelyn Brown, a 24-year-old native Tennessean, was diagnosed with HIV at age 19. Since then she has moved both live and television audiences around the United States with her compelling personal story. Brown has spoken at over 50 colleges and universities nationwide and currently has an HIV-focused blog on poz.com and a lifestyle blog on staying-alive.org. She is currently the CEO and an Independent HIV Consultant for, Marvelous Connections. Her humanitarian work earned her a 2007 Emmy Award for Outstanding National Public Service Announcement. Brown’s autobiography, The Naked Truth: Young, Beautiful and (HIV) Positive, was published by Amistad/HarperCollins in 2008.

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Dechele Byrd - California Public School Liaison

Dechele Byrd has been in education for over 10 years. Serving as a teacher, dean, and currently an administrator with Marina Del Rey Middle School in Los Angeles, California, Byrd realizes that being an educator keeps her close to where the real changes in life take place. It is with great pleasure that Dechele associates herself with groups and organizations that promote a spirit of inquiry and supports the growth of the whole child.

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Kerry-Ann Ellington - Board secretary

Kerry-Ann Ellington is a native of the beautiful island of Jamaica. She moved to the U.S. with her family in 1993. Kerry-Ann holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from the University of South Florida. Being a mother of two, Kerry-Ann strives to be a part of organizations or groups that focuses on the betterment of children.

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Tagan Lee - Entertainment/PR Liaison

Tagan Lee is currently a publicist with Red Sea Entertainment. Red Sea specializes in publicity, marketing, and branding in the African-American community with an emphasis on film, television, and DVD products. Their current clients include (to name a few) Lionsgate, the CW Network, and Twentieth Century Fox.

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Rebekka Hughes-Murphy - Marketing Liaison

Rebekka is the Manager of Events and Promotions for the Bickerstaff Group. Rebekka has been in marketing, promotions, and event planning for over 10 years. She has worked independently for a number of sports agents and athletes on a variety of levels including securing sponsorships and endorsements for special events such as golf tournaments, teaching clinics, charity galas and celebrity basketball games. In addition, Rebekka's experience includes working for the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers, Detroit Pistons, and the AFL's Los Angeles Avengers.