Meet those helping to
Share the Rich Story of the Black Race
We couldn't collect, publish and share these stories without our dedicated team of volunteers
Ashton T. Manning
Michala Richardson
My name is Michala Richardson, Grew up in a loving family that supports my dreams. At first, I wanted to create video games of my very own. But I’ve realized that inputting codes into a computer wasn’t my cake and ice cream, so I decided to draw art.
Now working with black Phoenix will help me make that dream into a reality as an illustrator for children’s book
Holly Caldwell
Siara is a digital marketer for a software development company in Philly. She has a deep passion for several social, political, and environmental issues. She chose to volunteer because she believes that elevating black literature and culture is essential for the future of black youth.
Gimbiya Galadima is a fourth-year medical student and creative writer. She is very passionate about African literature. She is an avid reader of writers such as Wole Soyinka, Ngugi wa Thiongo, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Cyprian Ekwensi, Buchi Emecheta, and Chinua Achebe. Gimbiya writes all sorts of pieces, but she focuses on poetry and flash fiction.
Persis Johnson was born in and currently lives in Baltimore, MD. She’s had a passion for art since childhood. She majored in illustration at DCAD from 2016-2018, then MICA from 2018-2020. The subject matters she focuses on are character design, editorial, sequential and food illustration.
Joshua Perez got introduced to media (photography, videography, and design) early on in high-school through his friends. What started out as a hobby turned into a passion and he has since developed many fruitful relationships because of it. He is honored to volunteer for an organization that values storytelling and imagination in youth.
Eldrick Greenaway
Eldrick Greenaway – Lopez, 20, is a young film/tv editor who’s motivated to enhance visual stories through the art of cutting. He taught himself how to edit at the age of 11 and to this day, continues to use his skills to help others tell meaningful narratives that an audience can relate to. Working alongside Black Phoenix Ink, Eldrick plans on improving his craft through hard work and dedication and hopes to help bring smiles to the faces of the children as they read and listen to these wonderful stories.
Ciara Bourne
Jared Daigle
Jared Daigle has been an educator in the Milwaukee area for over 17 years, working as a High School English teacher, a School Counselor, and tutor. He has worked with a variety of age groups in urban and suburban schools. He is passionate about eradicating the inequities that, despite good intentions and concerted efforts, continue to persist in schools. He is also passionate about eradicating the ones that continue to persist in society at large and loves the approach that Black Phoenix Ink is taking: to reframe the perception of what it means to be Black.
I’m a 27 year old soon-to-be first time father to, who I’m already sure will be, an amazing daughter. I was born and raised in a relatively small town in Michigan where I developed a love for music, writing, and political issues. While being cooped up at home during the Covid-19 crisis, I decided to use my new found freetime to volunteer here at Black Phoenix Ink.
Eoghan O'Carroll
Past Volunteers
We love working with you and thank you for your dedicated efforts and commitment to our course.
Thabi is a passionate South African who strongly supports our brand mission & vision.
Her love for stories and curiosity is why she chose to volunteer as she believes her journey and experience as a Black female will be improved by understanding and achieving synchronicity of Thought, Words & Actions.
Robert Wilson
I have been drawing since I was 10 after I read my first comic book. Art has been my life ever since. Portraits, cartoons, comics, graphics, you name it, I enjoy illustrating it. This is all I have ever wanted to do.
