FOUNDING & ADVISORY BOARD

Carla Precht

Visionary Leader in Arts, Youth Development, and Community Empowerment

Carla Precht has spent over 40 years leading arts and youth development organizations. She was the founding Executive Director of the Bronx Children’s Museum, where she raised over $32 million and developed award-winning exhibitions and programs. Carla’s expertise in museum development, education, and community engagement makes her an invaluable contributor to MOJAH

Allan Hope CD, MUTABARUKA

Musician, Actor and Educator

Mutabaruka, a Jamaican Rastafari dub poet, musician, educator, actor, and talk-show host, is celebrated for his profound cultural and social contributions. He developed two of Jamaica's most popular radio programmes, The Cutting Edge and Steppin' Razor, and his work explores themes such as Black liberation, social oppression, politics, religion, and justice. Known as an iconic oral poet, Muta captivates audiences in Jamaica and abroad, using his art to challenge oppression and inspire change.

He has lectured at prestigious institutions, including Stanford University, and narrated Life and Debt, a documentary on global economic policies and their impact on Jamaica. As an educator, he taught African-American studies at Merritt College and continues to share his knowledge through performances and lectures worldwide. His cultural significance has been recognised with numerous honours, including Jamaica's Order of Distinction (Commander Class) in 2016 and a tribute from Senegal in 2010.

Featured in Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations, Life and Debt, and global tributes to icons like Lucky Dube, Mutabaruka stands as a beacon of ethical conscience and social awareness, firmly rooted in the grassroots of Jamaica while influencing audiences globally.

Juliet S. Gray

Independent Museum Consultant / Art Educator / Exhibition Developer / Content Developer / Researcher

Visionary program developer, community facilitator, and museum educator. Exhibit “ideator” that fires the imagination and generates a sense of belonging.

With over three decades of professional experience in the museum field, Juliet Gray began her phenomenal museum career at the world renown Brooklyn Children’s Museum. She has consulted with exhibition and program developers from around the globe—working with a variety of institutions, such as Lied Children's Museum, the National Children's Museum, and the Bronx Children's Museum. Gray delights in creating hands/minds-on spaces that spark joy, encourage play, and stimulate intellectual engagement. Today, with a focus on art education, Gray blends her expertise in educational pedagogy with art history to make art accessible and engaging to all. Throughout her career, Gray has empowered and mentored teachers, parents, students, and community members through her leadership in the field, and her passion for museums and their potential to engage, excite, and inspire is unmatched.

Wayne Christopher Chen CD, JP

Business Leader & Cultural Advocate

Wayne Christopher Chen has decades of leadership across multiple business and social sectors. He is Chairman of Super Plus Food Stores, Petrojam, Southern Regional Health Authority, and Institute of Workplace Education & Development (IWED); President of Jamaica Employers’ Federation (JEF), Immediate Past President of Caribbean Employers Confederation (CEC), member of CARICOM’s Digital Skills Task Force and Human Resource Development Commission.

He is past Chairman of CVM Television, Urban Development Corporation (UDC), National Land Agency (NLA), National Gallery of Jamaica, NCB Insurance, NCB Cayman, and West Indies Trust Company (WITCo); past director of National Commercial Bank (NCB) and Victoria Mutual Building Society (VMBS). He was a founding member of the Caribbean Policy Research Institute (CAPRI) and its first Chairman.

He was Jamaica Observer’s 1998 Business Leader of the Year and is co-author of “Reggae Routes: The Story of Jamaican Music” (1998 Temple University Press) and Executive Producer of Toots and the Maytals’s Grammy-nominated album “Ska Father” (1999).

On 7 August 2024 he was conferred the national honour of Order of Distinction in the rank of Commander “for outstanding contributions to Public Service and Entrepreneurship”.

Herbie Miller

Renowned Cultural Historian, Music Curator, and Composer

Herbie Miller is a cultural historian and music curator specializing in reggae and jazz. As the Director/Curator of the Jamaica Music Museum, he introduced the Grounation series, bridging historical research with contemporary music culture. His work includes managing legendary reggae artists and composing for major Hollywood films.

Dr. Jared Thomas

Adelaide University Coordinator Indigenous Collections and Archives

Champion of First Nations Culture and Global Storytelling

Jared Thomas is a Nukunu person of the Southern Flinders Ranges, Australia, and a Research Fellow at the South Australian Museum. His work focuses on First Nations and marginalized peoples’ interpretative strategies in museums worldwide. He is also an award-winning author and a member of the Creative Australia First Nations Arts Board.

Amina Blackwood Meeks

Master Storyteller, Cultural Advocate & Educator

Amina Blackwood Meeks, OD, BH{M} PhD, is a celebrated storyteller, cultural advocate, and educator dedicated to preserving Caribbean folklore and oral traditions. As a lecturer at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts, she teaches courses on Caribbean Culture and Identity, Ethics, and Creativity.

She is the Founder and Programmes Director of Ntukuma, The Storytelling Foundation of Jamaica, and the Artistic Director of Ananse SoundSplash, an international storytelling festival that successfully led to the proclamation of National Storytelling Day in Jamaica (November 20). Amina’s work extends beyond storytelling—her tenure as Director of the Culture in Education Programme at Jamaica’s Ministry of Education saw the development of Jamaica Day, further embedding culture in national education.

Her powerful stories explore human development, cultural pride, and Caribbean identity. She has performed at storytelling festivals, conferences, and workshops across the Caribbean, Africa, Europe, and North America. Her published works include multiple storytelling CDs, poetry, children's books, and essays on the value of storytelling. Amina has received numerous accolades, including induction into the Caribbean Hall of Fame (2014), the Gold Star of Cayman (2016), and the European Union Award (2020). In 2025, she was honored with the Victor Rhone Ethics Award for her contributions to cultural preservation and education.

Max Earle

Veteran Photographer & Visual Storyteller

Max Earle is a seasoned Jamaican photographer with over 40 years of experience capturing the island’s natural beauty. Specializing in landscapes, villas, and tourism photography, Max has played a pivotal role in showcasing Jamaica’s rich culture and scenic landscapes.

He produced Air Jamaica’s in-flight video magazine for over 15 years, contributing significantly to the airline’s global brand identity. His work also includes TV advertising, documentary production, and creative direction. Max is a skilled shooter, editor, and director, bringing technical expertise and a deep understanding of visual storytelling.

Beyond photography, Max is deeply involved in community initiatives. He is a founding member of The Palmyra Foundation, providing schoolbooks and supplies to thousands of Jamaican children, and Inscape, a nonprofit using photo therapy to support children in need. Holding a BA in Communications and an MA in Advertising and Marketing, he blends artistic vision with business strategy to create impactful visual content.

Datejie Cheko Green

Social Innovation & Impact Consultant

Datejie Cheko Green is a Jamaican-Canadian social innovation and impact consultant based in Kingston. In 2022, she founded Solidarity Conscious Works, a social enterprise dedicated to capacity building and self-reliance in Jamaica.

With a career spanning public-interest journalism, research, and community development, Green has spent three decades engaged in decolonial witnessing, organizing, recovery, and storytelling across Turtle Island, Africa, and the Caribbean—working in five languages. She has contributed to award-winning Black digital humanities history initiatives, including the Colored Conventions Project (USA) and the North Side Hip Hop Archives (Canada), alongside independent research on the history of news and Black journalists' contributions.

Since 2013, Green has worked in social innovation, impact, and accounting, leading initiatives that organize freelance media workers under an emerging social return on investment (SROI) business model. She collaborates with educators, innovators, and entrepreneurs across the arts, digital media, social equity, journalism, digital technology, and agriculture sectors. She is excited to bring her expertise to MOJAH and contribute to its development.

Nicole Pitter-Patterson

Senior Gender, Trade & Financial Inclusion Expert

Nicole Pitter-Patterson is a specialist in women’s economic empowerment, inclusive finance, and SME growth, with over 20 years of experience across the Caribbean, Africa, MENA, and Asia.

She leads gender-focused programs for USAID Africa Trade and Investment (ATI) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). She introduced 2X Global to the Caribbean, resulting in the launch of Portland Caribbean Fund III, the region’s first gender-lens investment fund.

Her expertise spans trade, climate finance, and social enterprise development, working with organizations such as IFC, UN Women, the Caribbean Development Bank, and CARICOM. She has managed projects totaling $20 million, driving financial inclusion and sustainable investment.

Nicole serves on multiple boards, including Caribbean Women in Trade (CWIT) and OWIT UK, advocating for women in leadership and finance. She holds an M.A. in Economics.

Email: pitterpattersonnpp@gmail.com

LinkedIn: Nicole Pitter-Patterson

Virginia Burke

Founder of MOJAH Museum of Jamaican Ancestral Heritage

Virginia Burke is the founder of MOJAH Museum, dedicated to preserving and promoting Jamaican ancestral heritage. With over 20 years of experience in international brand strategy, she has made significant contributions to the marketing and cultural sectors. As the Managing Director of Walkerswood Marketing, Virginia played a key role in building the company’s global presence across markets in the USA, Canada, Europe, and the Caribbean. She also designed labels and packaging, and represented the brand at numerous international trade fairs.

Virginia’s creative talents were further showcased when she designed the Survival newsletter for Bob Marley and Nigeria News in London, catering to the European market. Her role as Director of Bamboula Caribbean Restaurant in the UK reflects her ongoing commitment to Caribbean culture and cuisine.

Additionally, Virginia was a member of the consulting team for the Belize Cacao Sector’s Value Chain Analysis & Industry Strategy, supporting BELTRAIDE in developing policies and mechanisms for sustainable growth in the sector. An accomplished author, she wrote EAT Caribbean and Walkerswood Caribbean Kitchen, both published by Simon & Schuster UK.

Virginia’s academic journey includes studying Graphic Design at Santa Monica College in California and completing a Studio Arts Program at Empire State College in New York. She further honed her skills during an apprenticeship in computer graphics with ATARI and Warner Communications in NYC.

Outside of her professional achievements, Virginia has actively contributed to the community. She was a founding member of Jamaicans For Justice and a member of Woman Inc. She currently serves on the Board of St. Alban’s Primary and Infant School.

Patricia Francis, CD

International Trade & Development Expert

Patricia Francis is the current Chairperson of the Government of Jamaica Trade Facilitation Task Force. She has an impressive background with over 40 years of experience across the private sector, national government, and international organizations.

Formerly, Patricia served as the Assistant Secretary General and Executive Director of the International Trade Centre, President of JAMPRO, and Head of the Secretary General’s High-Level Panel on Women’s Economic Empowerment. She also held the position of Special Advisor to the Executive Director of UN Women.

In addition to her extensive career, Patricia currently serves on several boards, including Jamaica Producers Group, Portland JSX, IESE Business School, Alligator Head Foundation, Rose Town Foundation for the Built Environment, and Whiteshield Partners.

Laleta Davis Mattis

Environmental Law & Policy Expert

Laleta is the General Counsel at The University of The West Indies and an Adjunct Lecturer in the Faculty of Law, specializing in International Environmental Law and Caribbean Law. She has had an illustrious career in environmental governance, having served as a former member of the Legal and Technical Commission and the International Sea Bed Authority. Laleta was also the CEO and Chairman of the Jamaica National Heritage Trust, and previously directed the Legal Regulatory and Enforcement Division at the National Environment and Planning Agency. She is an active member of the World Commission on Environmental Law and was recently appointed to the Jamaican Constitutional Reform Committee in 2023. Laleta’s extensive experience spans across environmental law, policy development, and constitutional reform, making her an invaluable leader in shaping Jamaica's future environmental and legal landscape.

Nancy Burke

Artist, Poet & Entrepreneur

"Inansi" is a mixed media artist and poet, as well as an accomplished entrepreneur. She is the co-founder of Art-Beat, a creative platform dedicated to fostering Caribbean and Jamaican art. As a designer and producer of unique Caribbean and Jamaican lifestyle decorative items, Nancy blends her artistic passion with entrepreneurial spirit. Her work not only showcases her diverse artistic talents but also highlights her commitment to promoting and celebrating Caribbean culture through her creations. With a strong foundation in the arts. Inansi continues to inspire through her work and contributions to the creative industry.

Ambassador Aloun Angela Ndombet-Assamba

(Founding Director - RETIRED)

Aloun Angela Ndombet-Assamba is a distinguished professional whose career spans law, finance, and diplomacy. She has served as Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, High Commissioner to the UK, and CEO of COK Credit Union. Her expertise spans legal affairs, HR, and policy, with a passion for community and cultural empowerment.