President

Gerald has a Master of Management from University of Phoenix Dallas. Retiree of the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) with 20+ years residential housing industry and mortgage servicing experience. He is now is now a multi-family real-estate investor.

As an artist he has over 30 years theater performance experience. Performed in 22+ Ujima theater productions and various other local theater productions throughout Buffalo. Twice Buffalo Artie nominee for outstanding actor in a play and in a musical. He is also a singer on the Elim Christian Fellowship Church Praise Team. He is a member actor of Ujima Theater Company since 1989.

Vice President

Charles Clark has made a name for himself as an individual that connects with the African American Christian male experience as a man, mentor, information distributor, and life coach. Mr. Clark is committed to doing his part to raise awareness to causes that matter to him and others who are a part of the African American community.   

As founder of Nebo Media Group, home of Brotha Magazine, Charles employs multiple layers of media to create a dialogue among his constituents. Brotha Magazine specifically targets the African American male committed to a Christian lifestyle and is intended as an empowerment tool to comprehensively address, without restrictions, complex issues providing resources to resolve many of life's challenges. In 2024 Brotha Magazine celebrated its 15th Anniversary of publication reaching global audiences.    

In May 2016, Charles became co-owner of The Star Radio, a 24-hour Internet gospel radio station (thestarradio.com) which is the home of Brotha Live (dealing with topics concerning black men), The Daily Mix Show(pop culture politics, current events, arts, and entertainment), Jazz Sessions (music), and RoundTable Consult with Dr. Mark Williams and more.   

Charles Clark is more than an African American male owning several communication resources; he is a man dedicated to his mission and purpose to educate and enlighten us with conversations that lead to positive action for change. 

Secretary

Jim is the founder and President of JRB Insights, a provider of marketing research solutions for Financial, Health Care/Health Insurance, Legal Services, Manufacturing, Non-Profit, Retail, and Utility/Energy organizations. With 20+ years of research experience, Jim works with a diverse portfolio of organizations to craft appropriate research methodologies, design survey instruments, deploy polls and customer surveys, moderate focus groups, analyze research results, and provide reporting, actionable insights, and recommendations.

“I am a life-long advocate for the arts and believe in the power of exceptional and provocative theatre, literature, poetry and music to stimulate a better understanding of others, enhance compassion and ultimately transform lives. I am impressed with what Ujima brings to our community and am proud to serve on the board of an organization that has such a strong collective and artistic vision: Ujima’s unique ability to work together, take responsibility for each other, and create that special magic that flows from love and dedication to the work, the collective, and the audience.”

Jim also serves on the boards of Just Buffalo Literary Center, a non-profit dedicated to creating and strengthening communities through the literary arts, and Empower Camp, a non-profit committed to creating a world where young women radiate strength, have the courage to speak up and are empowered to create the life of their dreams.

Treasurer

Paul is a Buffalo native. He is a graduate of Canisius College and the University of Buffalo Law School (magna cum laude). He joined the firm of Jaeckle, Fleischmann & Mugel in Buffalo upon his graduation from Law School in 1972, and was a partner of the firm from 1976 until 2012. He was a member of the Adjunct Faculty of the University of Buffalo Law School from 1994 to 2020, where he taught courses on corporate tax and non-profit organizations among others. Over the years, Paul has served on the Boards of, and has held leadership positions with, many community organizations, including Canadian Opera Company, Inc. and Shaw Festival Foundation. In addition to his service with Ujima Company, Paul is presently serving as a member of the Board of Directors of Friends of Knox Farm State Park, Inc. and Just Buffalo Literary Center, Inc. He resides in Orchard Park, New York.

Amilcar Hill is a proud graduate of UNC Greensboro and Buffalo State College, and a native of Buffalo, NY. He is also a proud alumnus of St. Joseph's High School, which laid the foundation for his diverse career and community impact. As a professional, Amilcar has made significant contributions to the world of media and community engagement, working as a lead videographer for E Media Studios and Child Development Health Services.

Beyond his technical expertise, Amilcar is deeply involved in his community, contributing his talents as a DJ for high-profile events with the Buffalo Bills, ECMC, Children's Hospital, Buffalo Pride, and many other organizations. His work as a community leader is driven by a genuine love for people, and he approaches every endeavor with a peaceful and caring spirit that reflects his deep commitment to making a positive difference.

Amilcar's values were shaped by the lessons he learned from his mother, visionary Lorna C. Hill, founder and first Artistic Director of Ujima Co. Inc. Her influence instilled in him a sense of creativity, compassion, and a dedication to excellence, which continue to guide him in all that he does. Through his mother's example, Amilcar has learned to balance his professional success with a commitment to uplifting others, always seeking to create spaces where people feel seen, heard, and valued.

Sarah Norat-Phillips is an Emmy award winning broadcast writer, producer and television executive in Buffalo and Detroit.

A trained singer, actress, director and producer, Sarah has over 45 years of work in professional theater and is a multiple Buffalo ARTIE Award winner and nominee.

She recently retired from her position as the Marketing and Operations Manager at Detroit’s Carr Center, one of the oldest African American multi-disciplinary arts organization in the nation.

Sarah is a founding member of Ujima Theatre Company. She returned to Buffalo in 2020 to serve as the company’s Interim Artistic Director following the passing of Lorna C. Hill, the theater company’s visionary Artistic Director. Her tenure as Interim AD concluded in 2024 and she now volunteers to serve as a member of Ujima’s Board of Directors.

Janna Willoughby-Lohr is an artist, speaker, and entrepreneur. Her business, Papercraft Miracles, is an eco-friendly handmade paper art company. Specializing in sustainable weddings, events, corporate gifting, and custom orders, her team creates “miracles” at their solar-powered studio in Buffalo, NY.

She was named 40-Under-40 by Stationery Trends Magazine. In 2021, her team created 500,000 seed bombs for Lowe’s Spring Garden Giveaway. Featured on discovery+, Women in Manufacturing Award winner, NAWBO Top Ten Women Business Owner of the Year (2021 & 2025), 2025 SBA Women-Owned Small Business Person of the Year, and recipient of a Luminary Award from UB for mentoring student entrepreneurs. She’s worked with Pinterest, Twitter, Capital One, and recently created gifts for Lionel Richie and Earth, Wind & Fire.

She hosts the Reach the Stars Podcast, serves on the board of NAWBO Buffalo/Niagara as DEIB & economic development chair, and volunteers with the Stella Foundation Upstate NY Chapter.

Kim Marie McKernan, MBA, MS, is an international marketing leader, facilitator, and founder of Inspired Outcomes Now. With a deep focus on helping businesses thrive through true brand strategies, turnkey websites, and strategic planning, Kim has guided more than 140 organizations and entrepreneurs worldwide using her A Nu Way Strategy process.

Throughout her career, Kim has blended her expertise in marketing, creativity, and facilitation with her passion for empowering businesses and nonprofits grow. As a marketing executive at Moog Inc., she developed the ability to create brand and marketing strategies for even the most complex products with diverse customers. Her credentials include an MBA from SUNY at Buffalo, an MS in Creative Problem Solving from the Center for Applied Imagination, and formal certification as a facilitator in Appreciative Inquiry.

Kim is also a dedicated mentor at Shift/Co, where she supports conscious entrepreneurs who want to make a positive impact on the world.