Meet the Board
Discover the faces and talented individuals behind our organization and driving our mission forward.
Meet the Board of Directors shaping our success story.
Iyona Blake
CEO & President
Iyona Blake (AEA) is the 2017 Helen Hayes Award Winner for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical for her role as Caroline Thibodeaux in Caroline, or Change. Iyona has recently been seen in Beauty and the Beast (Mrs. Potts), Crowns (Velma), and Sound of Music (The Mother Abbess) to name a few. Iyona Blake is an expert in amplifying the voices and experiences of African American (and Afro-Latina, Afro-Natives) women. Iyona is a critically acclaimed playwright. Iyona has written and directed plays for children and adults, including Girls of Madison Street, Blight Flight, and her latest piece currently on tour, Diagnosed. Iyona Blake has been called “A Renaissance Woman.” This loving wife and mom, artist, educator, podcaster, playwright, and entrepreneur has been chosen by God to use her voice to heal, empower and elevate. Iyona loves to travel, swim, collect butterflies, and cook. In her spare time, Iyona enjoys watching the Food Network and her favorite game shows.
Michele Cober, ESQ
Executive Director, Legal
Michele Cober is a public policy and legal executive, professional opera singer, and avid health enthusiast. A graduate of Howard University School of Law, she has over 15 years of experience handling complex litigation and regulatory issues, government affairs, and public policy. Ms. Cober also enjoys volunteering to help serve the needs of children, advance the arts, and diversify the legal profession. She is on the Board of Directors and Co-Chair of the Governance Committee for Washington Performing Arts; Executive Board of the Twelve Days of Christmas, Inc., DC Metro Chapter; and a volunteer Legal Counsel for the Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts. Ms. Cober also has a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance and a Master of Music in Opera Performance from the University of Maryland, College Park.
Stacey Thomas
Executive Director, Development
Stacey Thomas is a serial entrepreneur, visionary, and a servant leader. Stacey is a Nationwide Real Estate Investor Residential & Commercial Investments Co-founder of Eminent Estates, and she is also CEO of ST Investments VIP, SUBTO DMV Regional Leader and former senior executive at a Fortune 500 company. She has always been enthusiastic about helping others, equality, and providing outstanding customer service.
Karin Talley
Executive Director, Treasurer
Karin Talley is married and shares four beautiful children with her loving husband. With a heart for service, Karin has worked for close to 30 years as a public servant for the government. She has spent the last twenty years of her career focusing on project management and capital budgeting for a local municipality.
Tori Hawkins-Plummer
Executive Director
Tori Hawkins-Plummer is a native Washingtonian. She completed undergraduate school at Clark Atlanta University earning a BA in Mass Media Arts. She furthered her education by earning an MBA from Trinity University and an MA in Organizational Communications from Bowie State University.
Mrs. Hawkins-Plummer currently manages partnerships and family engagement for DCPS. She began working in education as the Job Developer for the University of the District of Columbia where she managed the Office of Career Services. Shortly after this tenure, she transitioned into the field of Human Resources. She had a lengthy career in human resources management.
Mrs. Hawkins-Plummer has always been passionate about mentoring and community advocacy. Her commitment to her community has been recognized through her consistent mentoring and volunteerism to include organizations such as Everybody Wins DC, College Bound and Covenant House DC. She currently sits on several boards to include William O. Lockridge Community Foundation and the My School DC Parent Advisory Council.