Executive Committee
Chair
Victoria Johnson, a born and raised Newporter, was the first female African American High School Principal in Rhode Island at Rogers High School in Newport.
Vice Chair
Fern W. Lima, native of Newport, worked in IT at government facilities in the Newport area. She was the first EEO Officer for the Naval Hospital and ended her 36-year career as Security Specialist for the Naval Undersea Warfare Center. She is currently Chair of the Newport Affirmative Action Plan.
Secretary
Susan J. Barnes, PhD, became an Episcopal priest after 25 years as a scholar, art museum curator and administrator. She retired to Newport in 2018.
Treasurer
John S. Pope, CPA, a specialist in taxation, works for personal and tax-exempt clients.
Laura Clarke is a licensed Mental Health Counselor, recently retired from Thompson Middle School in Newport.
Yvonne Coleman, a payroll and labor analyst, recently retired from the US Naval Undersea Warfare Center in Newport.
Sherri L. Hollins, a graduate of Rogers High School, worked at The Housing Authority for seventeen years. She retired as the finance director for Corcoran Peckham Hayes & Galvin in 2018 after twenty years.
Deborah Jones was born in Newport and recently retired is a certified Occupational Health Nurse for the Department of Defense. She seeks understanding, productive, and ethical solutions for all patients and
acquaintances.
Trinity Kendrick is a preservationist and public historian who has coordinated and curated exhibitions in Newport. She currently works at the Mystic Seaport Museum.
Darthula Mathews is an educational leader and equity advocate advancing student success across secondary and higher education. She serves as a coach with the Great Schools Partnership.
Whitney Slade began his twenty-five years as head of private schools at St. Michael’s Country Day School, Newport. Recently retired from that career, he is now serving as a consultant to small, growing non-profits.
Evan Smith joined the Board after retiring from a distinguished career of thirty-five years with Discover Newport, including twenty as Chief Executive Officer.
Eileen Westgate, a fourth generation Newporter and avid fan of Newport history, is a retired French high school teacher.
Marion White, a licensed architect formerly with HOK as Senior VP for Airport Projects and Planning, Principal on the new LaGuardia Terminal B in NYC, recently consulted for JE Dunn Construction in Atlanta as Design Manager on a Design/Build project for a new Delta Sky Club on Concourse D at Hartsfield Jackson International Airport.
Stephen White, a licensed architect is Dean and Professor of Architecture at the Roger Williams University Cummings School of Architecture. The recipient of several Ford Foundation grants, he is active in community affairs, including co-founding a wide range of partnership initiatives.
James Winters is a retired Newport Police Officer. He is President of the Newport NAACP, an advocate for the homeless, and Executive Director of the Newport Housing Hotline.
Advisors
Dr. Akeia de Barros Gomes, Director of the Center for Black History, Newport
Professor Henry Louis Gates, Alphonse Fletcher University Professor, Director of the Hutchins Center for African and African American Research, Harvard University
Keith Tavares, Director, Capacity Building, Rhode Island Foundation, Providence