Board of Directors
connie matthews harshaw, president
Connie retired from the Federal government as a member of the Senior Executive Service (SES) in 2004 after a 30-year career. Her last appointment, as a career civil servant, was with the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) as the Chief Operating Officer. During her tour with NCPC, she became the agency’s first female African-American SES. While at the Commission, she worked with the planners and architects to EXTEND THE LEGACY in the nation’s capital. In addition to serving the agency’s principal management official, she lists as her most important work, the successful negotiation of the site parameters for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in 1999 in our Nation’s capital. She attended Hampton University and transferred to the University of Maryland where she received her BS degree in Business Management and an MBA. She became a Senior Executive Fellow at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and completed the program in 1992. After retirement she formed her own business in Williamsburg, VA and currently serves as a consultant and advisor to several Presidential Appointees from both major political parties in U. S. Agency for International Development Office of Inspector General, Farm Credit Administration, National Mediation Board, Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General and several other agencies in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Her community service includes two terms as the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) Potomac Valley Section’s first elected President (1998-2002), offices with: Colonial Court Appointed Support Advocates (CASA) for abused and neglected children; THIS - an organization serving diplomats and their families, and was an early Female Executive Sponsor for the Office of Personnel Management Women’s Executive Leadership (WEL) Program Candidates. She is a member of The Historic First Baptist Church and has served as the co-chair of the Let Freedom Ring Steering Committee.
Clifton L. Brigham, CPA. MST, TREASURER
Clifton Brigham was raised in a Marine family, and grew up living in California, Florida and Virgina. After graduating from Gar-Field High School in Northern Virginia, Clifton entered the College of William and Mary, receiving a degree in Business Administration in 1973 and a Master of Taxation degree in 1993.
After college, he worked in accounting positions serving as Controller for various profit and non-profit organizations before starting his own CPA firm in 1994. This firm has grown to become Brigham, Calhoun, Whitson & Associates, PC. He is very aware of the financial challenges and other issues facing today’s Churches and Non-Profits.
He has earned several certifications in his career, including: Certified Public Accountant, Certified Management Accountant, Certified Financial Planner, and Chartered Global Management Accountant.
Clifton is a strong supporter of the local community and has served on the boards of several local and national non-profits over the years. He is an active member of his church and regularly volunteers in the area jails. He is also very involved and committed to helping bring the Christian community into greater unity. To see the Church (big “C”), more involved and working together to bring the light of Christ into the city, to address the needs and challenges in every area of society. Especially in the areas of racial healing and reconciliation.
jeanne zeidler, SECRETARY
Jeanne served as Mayor of Williamsburg for 12 years in addition to roles on City Council and Williamsburg-James City County School Board. After serving as president and CEO of the Williamsburg Health Foundation for the better part of a decade, Jeanne retired after seven years. She stated in a news release. “The Health Foundation does so much for so many in our community that it is very hard to leave, but retirement is best for my family.” At the foundation, Zeidler’s accomplishments included expanding the School Health Initiative Program, streamlining the grants process and collaborating with other area organizations to further shared goals. Jeanne counts among her significant accomplishments while with the foundation, the leadership in putting the final touches on their strategic plan. Jim Golden, chairman of the foundation’s board of trustees, said in the release. “That process benefited from Jeanne’s vision and has confirmed the directions she championed. We hope to find a chief executive who can continue to build on Jeanne’s very successful leadership.” She currently works as vice chairwoman of the board for the Greater Williamsburg Chamber & Tourism Alliance.
James Boswell
James Boswell has spent nearly 30 years working at the intersection of business, law, and government. His public-sector employment includes the Office of General Counsel of the US Department of Health and Human Services, and in the private sector he has been employed in various capacities including Chief Legal Officer.
James currently serves as the Chief Strategy Officer for The Williamsburg Institute, a partnership between William & Mary and the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.
James is Chair of the Williamsburg Planning Commission. He also is a member of the Board of Directors of the William & Mary Libraries, the Colonial Williamsburg Art Museums Board, and the Board of the Williamsburg-Peninsula Chapter of the William & Mary Alumni Association.
James graduated from William & Mary with a degree in English and Anthropology, and holds a J.D. from the University of Georgia School of Law, a Master’s degree in Government from Harvard University, an MBA from Eastern University, and a Professional Certificate in Strategic Management from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
ROBERT (BOBBY) BRAXTON
Bobby was born in Hampton, Virginia at Dixie Hospital and grew up in Williamsburg during segregation. He attended the city’s school for African-Americans, Bruton Heights. He lived on Braxton Court, which was named for his family. He attended Hampton Institute (now Hampton University). After four years in the U.S. Air Force, he moved to Maryland, where he had a 40-year career as an engineer with Westinghouse Electric Corporation.
Braxton was elected to the Williamsburg City Council in 2006 and served one term, during which time he worked closely with his fellow city council members and leaders in the community to address the needs and interests of the city. “Bobby played a critical role in the Braxton Court restoration project and was an interface between the city and the neighborhood through his involvement,” said Mayor Clyde Haulman, who served on the council with Braxton. “I think his way of approaching problems and always having the best interest of the community at the forefront made him a great councilor.”
Braxton also became interested in learning more about William & Mary, an institution about which he knew relatively little because of segregation while he was growing up in Williamsburg, during his time on council. He serves on the board of the William & Mary Lemon Project, which seeks to explore the college’s relationship with slavery and the African American community. In addition to his work on the Lemon Project, Braxton has also explored African American history in Williamsburg through his role as chairman of the Board of Trustees of First Baptist Church, which is one of the oldest African American churches in the country. He currently serves on the History Ministry at the First Baptist Church.
Braxton was among the church leaders who spearheaded the “Let Freedom Ring” campaign that launched in partnership with Colonial Williamsburg. Let Freedom Ring, which garnered international attention and brought people from around the country to the church during Black History Month 2016 to ring the church’s bell as a symbolic gesture in support of freedom and equality, was a triumph for Braxton on several levels. As the project lead, Braxton helped coordinate the restoration of the church bell with Colonial Williamsburg and oversaw the festivities surrounding the return of the bell to its steeple.
In recognition of Braxton’s efforts, William & Mary named him the recipient of the 2016 Prentis Award. The award is presented annually to people in the Williamsburg community for their strong civic involvement and support of the university.
MARK L. GARDNER
Mark is originally from Williamsburg, VA. He is a principal at Jaklitsch / Gardner Architects. Located in New York City, Jaklitsch / Gardner Architects is an award-winning design practice and studio that works across scales from product design to interiors to buildings. Mark has led many of Jaklitsch / Gardner’s design initiatives, and works to best understand the role of design as a social practice. His firm has won an AIA National Honor Award and numerous AIANY, NOMA and Architizer design awards. The practice is currently working with a non-profit partner on a Honey Bee Study Center in Dodoma, Tanzania.
Mark is the Assistant Professor of Architectural Practice and Society at the School of the Constructed Environments, Parsons the New School. He was Director of the M.Arch Program from 2017-2020. Mark is on the Board of Advisors for the University of Pennsylvania Weitzman School of Design, where he advocates for issues of diversity and inclusion. Mark is currently helping support the Julian Abele Fellowship at Weitzman, which honors the first Black Architecture graduate from UPenn. He also currently serves on the Board of Youth Design Center (YDC), a nonprofit on a mission to reduce the number of disconnected youth in Brownsville, Brooklyn by lowering their barriers to entry to the STEAM professions and increasing their relevant experience in the innovation economy.
Mark is a 2023 Secretary of the American Institute of Architects, New York Chapter (AIANY) and member Exhibition Committee and Past Co-Chair and current member of the AIANY Diversity & Inclusion Committee, which he helped to restart with Venesa Alicea in 2012. He is a Past President and past Advocacy Chair for nycobaNOMA, the New York Chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects. Mark is a Member of the Van Alen Institute’s Board of Trustees and a Fellow of the Urban Design Forum. Mark received his Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1992 and his Master of Architecture Degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 2000. He is a Registered Architect in Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. He currently lives in Brooklyn, New York with his wife, Margit Detweiler and his rescue beagle, Bo.
TI'JUANA GHOLSON
Ti'Juana Gholson is a dedicated business and community strategist committed to creating lasting, positive change in her community. She leads a dynamic team of professionals who specialize in providing education, leadership coaching, and mentorship to small businesses, with a special focus on women- and minority-owned enterprises.
Ti’Juana co-founded the nonprofit Inner Peace Coalition alongside her husband, Lawrence. Together, they work to provide attainable housing and essential resources to those in need throughout the community. In addition, she is the founder of FamMat Services, a company that offers vital support to caregivers of individuals with mental health challenges and intellectual disabilities.
Her commitment to service extends to her roles on several community boards, including Virginia Peninsula Community College, the Williamsburg Community Action Agency—home to local Head Start programs—and the Williamsburg Community Foundation.
Ti’Juana holds a Master of Arts in Human Services Counseling from Liberty University. She and Lawrence also serve on the executive team of the YJCW NAACP, where Ti’Juana leads the local Women in the NAACP (WIN) committee, advocating for equity and empowerment.
Above all, Ti’Juana is a proud wife, mother of five, and grandmother to four grandsons, finding inspiration every day through her family and community.
GENO GODWIN
Geno is a lifelong resident of the Hampton Roads area. He has been a member of the Historic First Baptist Church since 2009. During his membership, Geno has participated in the Men’s Fellowship, Sunday school and Trustee ministries. He currently serves as a member of the First Baptist Church Director’s ministry.
Geno earned an associate’s degree from Thomas Nelson Community College (now Virginia Peninsula Community College). He went on to earn his B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology and a Master’s in Business Administration from Old Dominion University.
He recently retired from the Newport News Shipbuilding division of Huntington Ingalls Industries after a career spanning more than 43 years which included various roles in design, construction management and systems engineering.
In addition, Geno enjoys investing in real estate. He currently owns and manages several rental properties in the Hampton Roads area.
He is an advocate for community service and has participated in various volunteer efforts including youth and adult tutoring and mentoring. He is a member of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity and has supported a variety of fraternity community service initiatives.
Geno resides in the Williamsburg area with his wife Judy. In their spare time, they enjoy listening to live jazz, theater, travelling and time with family and friends.
ETHELL B. HILL
BIO COMING SOON
Melody Hundley is a native of Williamsburg, Va. and the youngest of nine. In her earliest years, her parents Rev. Mary Ellis and Deacon Andrew Ellis made sure she attended First Baptist Church where she was baptized as a child. Her mother taught her to give to others at very early age. She volunteered in her mother's food/clothing pantry Operation Hope Ministries for over 20 years and served on the Board of Directors. After graduating from Lafayette High School, she entered Norfolk State University on a track scholarship along with two of her high school teammates and 6 other athletes of various sports. It was such an accomplishment, that they were featured in the local newspaper representing Lafayette High School for having nine athletes that received athletic scholarships to the same University. During her collegiate experience, she was active with the Spartan Legion Dance Team and was chosen by her peers to represent the Health and Physical Education Department as one of the Queens on the Homecoming Court.
After graduating college, she worked as a Director and Assistant Director for several childcare facilities in the local area. She then went on to become the Teens and At-Risk Youth Specialist for James City County Parks and Recreation. This position allowed her to collaborate with City Government and School Officials with programs and activities for local at-risk teens. During this time, she began coaching as an assistant for
track and field at Lafayette High School. This later lead to her current role within the building. Over the past 26 years, she has held several key positions; Chairing many clubs along with serving on several Principal Leadership Committees. One of her most impactful duties has been becoming the school’s only qualified Mediator. With this skill set, she is able to foster problem solving and effective communication skills among our students and staff. She is currently the schools game manager (AD’s assistant) which allows her to mentor students and coaches on sportsmanship, and integrity while promoting school spirit/pride.
She has been a certified USA Track and Field Official for over 20 years. and has held the position of Officials Coordinator for the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), and the Coordinator of Officials for Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). She is currently a Head Official in two very prestigious track and field meets that include the Junior Olympics held in various states and the Penn Relays, which is the second largest track and field meet after the Olympics; held in Philadelphia PA. Both annual meets are held over the course of a week. During her officiating tenure, she has received many awards which include the USATF National Track and Field Outstanding Service Award.
Outside of work, Melody and her husband are the proud parents of two daughters, Amy and Amber and one grandson A’Don. They currently own two local business, Unveiled Beauty and Barber LLC and A & C Driving School, which is named after her father (Andrew) and her mother-in-law Cary (C).
Craig was the first African American at Lafayette High School to letter in soccer as a freshman. He went on to play professional soccer in England and eventually returned to coach soccer camps at the college of William & Mary. He studied finance at William & Mary and interned at the Legg Mason Brokerage Firm. Craig later partnered with Pat Faulkner at Wheat First Securities New Town, Williamsburg and currently works as an independent investor and stockbroker. He owns his own home health care company and works with the Veteran's Administration to provide personal care, medical services and transportation necessary to care for our local veterans.
Craig is a member of the soul-funk-rock group Parliament Funkadelic and owns several night clubs in the Williamsburg area. He believes strongly in community service and generously donates his time to several churches in addition to mentoring students at Lafayette and Jamestown High Schools, preparing them both physically and mentally for the rigors of college and ROTC. Prior to his election to the Board of Directors, he was an ardent supporter and promoter of the Let Freedom Ring Foundation.
Barbara is a native of Hampton, Virginia. After graduating from Hampton Institute (now University), she worked as an analytical chemist and instrument engineer for The Dow Chemical Company in Midland, Michigan. She took a leave of absence from Dow to obtain her law degree and graduated from William and Mary Law School in 1984.
Barbara developed a labor and employment law specialty. She practiced law as an in-house attorney with Dow, with a minority-owned litigation boutique in Houston, Texas, and a large global law firm in Washington, DC, before founding BL Johnson Law PLLC in 2016. She also serves as Counsel with Potter & Murdock, a seven-person woman-owned firm with offices in Virginia, the District of Columbia, and Maryland. Barbara is a member of the Michigan, Texas, District of Columbia, and Virginia bars. She assists employers of all sizes in complying with labor and employment law, and serves as an arbitrator and mediator. Barbara has been in leadership positions in several professional organizations
and was elected as a Fellow of the American Bar Association’s College of Labor and Employment Lawyers.
Barbara’s true passion lies in telling an inclusive story about African Americans in this country: the remarkable history she did not learn while growing up just a short distance from where the “20 and odd” Negroes first arrived in English-speaking North America. Barbara is actively engaged with several African American historical societies and participates in efforts to restore historic Black cemeteries in Hampton.
Barbara has served as the President of the William and Mary Law School Foundation Board and as the Vice-Rector of the College of William and Mary's Board of Visitors.
Barbara and her husband, Mike Payne, reside in Alexandria, Virginia.
REV. DR. CARLON LASSITER
Carlon is a devoted leader who integrates faith, technology, and community engagement. As the 10th Pastor of Saint John Baptist Church in Williamsburg, Virginia, he is committed to preserving the church's history while fostering a thriving, empowered congregation.
A native of Williamsburg, Carlon earned a B.S. in Computer Science from Norfolk State University, followed by a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry from Virginia Union University’s Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology.
He further expanded his leadership capabilities through the Senior Executive Leadership Course at UNC Chapel Hill’s Kenan-Flagler Business School. In addition to his pastoral calling, he serves as a Cybersecurity Branch Chief for the Department of the Army, ensuring the security of national defense systems.
Through Lassiter Integrated Technologies, LLC, he provides tailored cybersecurity solutions to religious institutions and underserved communities, aiming to bridge the digital divide with inclusivity and trust. His business acumen extends to Lassiter Investment Services, LLC, which provides affordable housing and short-term rentals in Hampton Roads.
As a member of the Board of Directors for the Let Freedom Ring Foundation, Carlon is dedicated to safeguarding the legacy of The Historic First Baptist Church, 1776.
T. MONTGOMERY (MONTY) MASON
Monty Mason proudly represented the Virginia Peninsula’s 1st State Senate district, including the City of Williamsburg and parts of Newport News, James City County, Hampton, York County and Suffolk. Monty was twice elected to the House of Delegates in the 93rd District in 2013 and 2015 before winning his race for State Senate in a special election in November of 2016.
During his tenure in the legislature Monty worked to improve the child welfare system, protect seniors, serve our veterans, create opportunities for small businesses and improve education for Virginia’s children. He has worked to better the Foster Care system in Virginia by carrying legislation to implement the Families First Prevention Services Act, bringing federal dollars to the Commonwealth for prevention services. No stranger to community service before he took office, Monty has been volunteering and supporting the community for nearly two decades. He is a strong supporter of the College of William and Mary and was honored with the Alumni Service Award in 2018. He was formerly Chairman of the William and Mary Athletic Educational Foundation and Williamsburg Economic Development Authority.
Monty also serves on the Virginia Living Museum Board of Directors, the Let Freedom Ring Foundation, the Statewide Advisory Board for the Sorensen Institute of Political Leadership, the Greater Williamsburg Chamber and Tourism Alliance Board, the Executive Board of Smart Beginnings Virginia Peninsula, and the Advisory Board of Literacy for Life. His legislative appointments include serving on the Rehabilitation and Social Services committee, Agriculture, Conservation, and Natural Resources committee, and the General Laws and Technology committee. Additionally, he serves as Virginia’s legislative representative to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and was recently appointed to the Hampton Roads Transportation Accountability Commission, the State Executive Council to the Office of Children’s Services, and the State Water Commission. He sponsors an annual College Creek cleanup to remove debris and trash from a portion of the creek every April.
Monty’s career in business spans more than 25 years and includes working in real estate with Land America Financial Group and the financial sector with more than a decade at VISA Inc. in fraud and risk management.
Monty is a 1989 graduate of William and Mary where he earned a BA in government. He lives in Williamsburg with his wife, Pamela, who works at the College of William and Mary. They have two daughters, Taylor Anne and Hawley.
CHYNITA L. TURNER-PRYOR
Chynita, a 25-year veteran teacher, is a reading specialist for the York County School Division. She is passionate about student advocacy, empowering educators, and equity in education. She holds a B. A. in Interdisciplinary Studies and a M.S. in Education from Old Dominion University. She also earned a M.A. in Reading, Language, and Literacy as well as an endorsement in K-12 Administration from The College of William and Mary. She received her Reading Recovery certification from Georgia State University and is trained in Leadership Coaching for High Performance, LETRS, and Structured Literacy. Chynita was an adjunct professor at Thomas Nelson Community College for many years and is currently a lead teacher for the Reading Team at Magruder Elementary where she was recently named the 2020 Teacher of the Year.
Chynita reaches out beyond the classroom with her volunteer efforts. She is a member of the Board of Directors for the Virginia State Literacy Association (VSLA) and served as president from 2016-2017. Chynita supports local literacy efforts as a member of the Peninsula and Williamsburg Area Reading Chapter of VSLA. As a member of the Greater Williamsburg Women’s Association (GWWA), Chynita works in various capacities including co-chair of the Cultural Arts Experience summer program held on the campus of William and Mary in partnership with the Muscarelle Museum of Art. She is an active member of the Historic First Baptist Church and serves on several ministries including Sunday School, Praise Dance, and the FBC Hand Bell Choir.
Chynita currently resides in Williamsburg with her husband and dog, Lexi. When she is not teaching or working with volunteer organizations, she spends time with her family in southwestern Virginia.
JOHNETTE GORDON WEAVER
Johnette Gordon Weaver is a lifelong resident of Williamsburg, Virginia, with deep family roots in the area dating back to the 1600s. A proud military brat, she grew up with a deep appreciation for service and resilience. She is a graduate of Hampton Institute, where she studied Political Science and English. Her professional background includes roles as a buyer for Macy’s West and an account executive with BSA Advertising, Inc. in Landover, Maryland.
Johnette has been an active leader in her community, having served as Co-Chair of the Williamsburg-James City County Community Action Agency. She made history as the first African American inducted into the Williamsburg Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). She is also a member of The Women of Color of DAR, The Village Initiative, the NAACP, and serves on the board of Williamsburg Action, a local nonprofit organization.
Johnette is a member of the Historic First Baptist Church and the Hundley History Committee. She currently serves on the Advisory Committee for the African American Heritage Trail and the Williamsburg Descendants Scholarship Program.
Above all, Johnette is a proud mother of three and grandmother of three, with a deep commitment to heritage, community service, and education.