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.

A photo of Iyona Blake.

Iyona Blake

Founder & CEO

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.

Pamela R. Browne, MHS

Executive Director, Secretary

Pamela R. Browne is an experienced mental health professional with over 20 years of demonstrated success as an author, impact leader and strategist. She is professionally astute in human services, behavioral health; emotional intelligence; strategic leadership; capacity building; program design and implementation. She is the proud author of “You Got This!” a journal for intentional living. As an entrepreneur, Pamela is the chief impact leader of Power Up Life Boss a brand that inspires the best version of you through personal growth and professional development. In 2020, Pamela was recognized by Anne Arundel County Government as a recipient of the Michele Obama Leadership Award. Pamela is a native of Annapolis, MD, and advocate for community service. She studied mass communications at Towson University, earned a Master of Human Services degree from Lincoln University, and is currently a doctoral student at Morgan State University.

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.