Board Members

Dr. Patrice Martin is an adoptee advocate and nonprofit management scholar-practitioner with over twenty-five years of experience in grants and program management. Patrice’s advocacy work in the adoptee community started in 2019 after reuniting with her biological family on the hit TLC show “Long Lost Family”. Patrice’s three advocacy pillars in the adoptee community are; Media– ensuring adoptee and NPE voices are their true stories are told, Faith– Patrice is the founder of the grassroots movement the Adoptee Prayer Collective; which holds an online space for Adoptees and others to pray, meditate and hold space with each other before God; Legislation– Patrice uses her voice to advocate before legislative bodies, most recently testifying in both the Tennessee State and Colorado State House of Representatives in opposition to HB 2067 and HB 24-083– a bill that appropriated resources expand the use of safe-haven baby boxes in Tennessee and Colorado. She has made numerous guest appearances on podcasts concerning adoptee rights. Throughout her business career, she has raised the capacity of many multi-million dollar organizations through the implementation of various fundraising, policy, and process management initiatives centered on compliant grants management practices. Patrice has a Doctorate of Business Administration D.B.A. degree from Wilmington University in New Castle, Delaware. an M.S. in Nonprofit Management from the Robert Morris University School of Business, a B.A. in Sociology, and a B.A. in Public Administration from the University of Pittsburgh. As well as an Adjunct Instructor in Business and Social and Behavioral Sciences at Wilmington University. Patrice also remains connected with community initiatives by serving as a pro-bono grant consultant and board member for Court Appointed Special Advocates of Mercer and Burlington County in New Jersey. She lives in Nashville, Tennessee.

Kimberly Kraft McLemore is a distinguished music educator, arts administrator, and passionate advocate for the arts, based in Nashville, Tennessee. Currently in her eighth season with the Nashville Symphony, Kimberly serves as the Vice President of Education and Community Engagement, where she leads initiatives to foster greater access to music education and community impact. Previously, Kimberly managed the Symphony’s nationally acclaimed Accelerando program, which prepares young musicians from diverse backgrounds for careers in classical music. She also co-produced the Emmy Award-winning recording We Are Nashville, a powerful testament to the city’s unity through music. Before joining the Nashville Symphony, Kimberly taught choral and theater arts in the Metro Nashville Public Schools. Her dedication to arts education extended to her work as a member of the Fine Arts Standards Writing Committee for the Tennessee State Board of Education and as an ensemble manager for the Tennessee Music Educators Association’s state conference. From 2013 to 2022, she served as ensemble manager for the All-National Honor Ensemble at the National Association for Music Education National Conference. Kimberly is also a valued member of the Music Makes Us Advisory Council for Metro Nashville Public Schools. Kimberly’s dedication to excellence in music education has earned her recognition from prestigious organizations, including being named one of Yamaha Music’s 40 Under 40 in Music Education and receiving the Country Music Association Foundation’s Music Teacher of Excellence award, highlighting her profound impact on students and the field of music education. Kimberly holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Tennessee at Martin and a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from Pennsylvania State University. In addition to her professional work, she continues to perform as a freelance musician and teaching artist. Outside of music, Kimberly enjoys baking and spending quality time with her husband and two children.

Dr. Terrica Arnold is the Director of Operations, Innovation, and Community Initiatives at the Center for Health Policy, as well as an Assistant Professor of Health Policy. She leads community engagement initiatives, manages the Certificate in Health Policy Program, and contributes to grant writing and research with her team. Dr. Arnold also oversees the CHILL (Choosing How I Lead Life) and YAS (Youth Achieving Success) programs, both designed to reduce youth violence and conflicts in the Nashville community. Her previous work includes the Health Snack Tour Program and Meharry Wellness Club, aimed at addressing obesity and health disparities.Dr. Arnold holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Fisk University, a master’s in educational administration from Tennessee State University (TSU), and a doctorate in Educational Leadership from TSU. With over a decade in higher education, she has specialized in student affairs, enrollment management, health equity, and community-centered minority health research and programs.Beyond her academic roles, Dr. Arnold founded Black Girl Lessons, a nonprofit focused on mentoring young women, with a focus on building resilience in those who have experienced adverse childhood experiences. She also coordinates the LiberTEA Collective Program, The Equity Alliance’s flagship civic leadership training initiative.Dr. Arnold is married and the mother of four children.

Saad is currently the Executive Director at The Forge Nashville from Metro Arts, where he served as Grants Manager. His extensive history within the local arts community, coupled with a deep-rooted passion for supporting artists and creatives, uniquely positions him to lead The Forge Nashville into its next phase of growth and development. A Nashville native, Saad has been an integral part of the city's arts ecosystem throughout his entire life. Coming from a family of creatives, his background spans visual arts, state and local government, management, and technical advisory roles for community nonprofits and artists. Saad's diverse expertise gives him a comprehensive understanding of artists' and arts organizations' needs and challenges.

John Richardson is an accomplished saxophonist and music educator with extensive experience in both performance and the musical products industry. He holds a Bachelor of Music (B.M.) in Jazz Studies from Eastern Illinois University and a Master of Music (M.M.) in Saxophone from the University of Kentucky. During his time at the University of Kentucky, John became an integral part of Lexington’s vibrant music scene, performing in a wide range of genres including rock, R&B, and Americana. He also played with several prominent ensembles such as the John Richardson Quartet, UK Faculty Jazz Combo, the Miles Osland Little Big Band, and the DiMartino/Osland Jazz Orchestra. Following graduate school, John decided to make Lexington his home, where he built a thriving private studio and became deeply involved in music education. He directed the Jazz Arts Foundation Youth Ensemble and served as an adjunct professor for saxophone, winds, and jazz at three local colleges and two high schools. In addition to his teaching, John maintained a busy performing schedule, playing three nights a week while also working at Don Wilson Music. John's career took a significant turn when he was hired as the General Manager of Miles Ahead Music in Louisville, KY. During his seven years there, he played a key role in the company's expansion, helping to open a second location and overseeing substantial growth. This position gave him his first foray into the musical products industry, which would later shape the next phase of his career. In 2014, John transitioned to KHS America, where he began as the Winds Brand Manager. With his deep knowledge of instruments, combined with his performing and teaching experience, he was well-suited to manage the marketing and product development for several brands, including Jupiter Band Instruments, XO Professional Brass, Azumi Flutes, and Altus Handmade Flutes. After five successful years at KHS America, John accepted a position at St. Louis Music as National Sales Manager, a position he held for four years before returning to KHS America as the Artist & Educator Relations Manager, a role he continues to hold today. In this position, John works closely with artists, educators, and industry professionals, further solidifying his reputation as an influential figure in the music products field. “I have been fortunate enough over the years to have great teachers in both music and life. I am deeply thankful to have had so many people guiding me throughout life both personally and professionally.” Outside of work, John is deeply committed to his family, while continuing to perform regionally with a variety of artists and groups. His passion for music remains at the core of everything he does, whether through teaching, performing, or connecting artists and educators to students to solidify his belief that music affects everyone’s lives in a positive way, and we need to make sure every student has the opportunity to experience making music.

Franklin S. Westbrook: born in Buffalo, New York to graduates of Tennessee State University, is a 50 year veteran of corporate America primarily in the automotive sector of industry. His primary education was in the Buffalo public school system where he consistently performed near the top of his class in primarily homogenous environments where Black students had been initially admitted then recently or during his tenure. He was a regular member of the local Boys & Girls Club, YMCA, Boys Scout, National Explorer Club and occasionally participated in Jack-and-Jills events. Mr. Westbrook graduated from General Motors Institute (now Kettering University) with a BS Electrical Engineering degree while also participating in a student coop role at the General Motors Tonawanda Engine Plant, then the world’s largest engine manufacturing facility. Upon graduation he was employed at Tonawanda beginning as an Assistant engineer, and rose to an Asst. Superintendent while experiencing roles in most departments. He achieved an MS Industrial Administration degree from the Krannert School of Management at Purdue University. Mr. Westbrook joined Cummins Engine Company (now CMI) in the Columbus Midrange Engine Plant, starting there as a Facility Engineer, rising to become the acting Plant Manager. There was a short stent at the Ypsilanti Michigan Exemplar fastener plant before he moved to a Plant Manager role in the Fleetguard division of Cummins in Cookeville, Tennessee. He has remained in the Fleetguard division taking on various supply chain roles as it transitioned to a stand-alone company today named Atmus Filtration Technologies where he serves as the Director of New Product Implementation and Project Management Office. Over the years he has held several certifications such as Six Sigma Green Belt, APICS, and PMI Certifications. He has been a member of IEEE, PMI, SME, NSBE and NBMBAA. Mr. Westbrook has been married to Helen J Westbrook for forty four years, herself a GMI Industrial Engineer and MSIE from the SUNYAB. They have four sons, most graduates of HBCUs, and they enjoy nine grandchildren and one great grandchild. Mr. Westbrook is today an enthusiastic bike rider, has also been an award-winning tennis player and has coached, organized or refereed for his sons to achieve state rankings in basketball, table tennis and soccer (where one son played soccer at a collegiate level). He has also been a Cub & Boy Scout den leader. He loves to read, study the history of the African diaspora and travel, most recently exploring the lower Egyptian Nile valley, pyramid complexes in central Mexico, and studying Egyptian holdings at the Louvre in Paris, France. Mr. Westbrook has always had a love for sharing his gifts in the form of teaching and STEM enrichment with students. He was an adjunct professor of Industrial Robotics and Controls at Erie Community College and is presently an adjunct professor at Tennessee State University School of Business (TSU SOB) Supply Chain discipline. Over the years he has been a member of several non-profit Boards including the Bartholomew County Foundation for Youth, Boys & Girls Club and the William R. Laws Scholarship Foundation. He sits on two boards, The Legacy Education Foundation and the TSU SOB Supply Chain Management Board. A life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., he has served in many local roles and Chapter President in three chapters and was President-elect of a fourth. He presently serves on fraternity committees or delegations at the district, regional and national levels and as a collegiate chapter advisor for several local chapters. Interestingly his family has attended Symphony and Philharmonic Orchestras Martin Luther King Jr. birthday performances in three cities (Buffalo, Indianapolis and Nashville) consistently for over 30 years.

G. Preston Wilson, Jr., PhD, the Director of the Fisk Jubilee SingersÒ in the School of Social Sciences and Humanities at the historic Fisk University in Nashville, TN. Dr. Wilson returned to Fisk and to the Fisk Jubilee Singers®, in which he sang under the direction of the late Dr. Paul T. Kwami. He received his Bachelors of Science in Music Education from Fisk University in Nashville, TN in 2010. After graduating from Fisk, Dr. Wilson earned a Masters of Music in Choral Music Education from Bowling Green State University, where he was awarded the Winifred O. Stone Graduate Fellowship, being named the Presidential Graduate Scholar. After graduation from BGSU, Dr. Wilson began teaching at various schools in the Toledo Public School systems. His longest tenure was at Start High School where he oversaw five choral ensembles, the school dance team, and an advisor for the African American Culture Club. He was also the vocal coach and co-director for the Toledo Youth Choir: a community youth ensemble; and taught voice and piano for The Mustard Seed Academy of Arts. Dr. Wilson additionally served on the Music Ministry at Friendship Baptist Church, under the leadership of Bishop Duane C. Tisdale. In June of 2021, Dr. Wilson graduated from the University of Missouri (Columbia), obtaining a PhD in Music Education. He successfully defended his dissertation entitled, Successful Urban Elementary Music Educator: A Phenomenological Investigation; which focuses on the lived experiences of urban music teachers in elementary schools. His research agenda also includes race relations in music and practical application of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Dr. Wilson is the Chair of Diversity Initiatives for TN-ACDA, a member of Steering Committee for the Tennessee Performing Arts Center, and on the Board of Directors for the Nashville African American Wind Symphony, Inc. He also is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Phi Mu Alpha Music Fraternity, Inc., Pi Kappa Lambda, American Choral Directors' Association (ACDA), National Association for Music Education (NAfME), and College Music Society (CMS).