Black Box Press Foundation Team
Board of Directors
Delita Martin
|
Founder & President
Throughout history, the marginalization of Black women has led to problematic representations of their roles within community and family structures, as well as problematic visual and textual representations; thus making it difficult to document their positive contributions within collective systems. Martin’s current work deals with reconstructing the identity of Black women by piecing together the signs, symbols, and language found in what could be called everyday life from slavery through modern times. Martin’s goal is to create images as a visual language to tell the story of women that have often been marginalized, offering a different perspective of the lives of Black women.
Delita Martin is an artist currently based in Huffman, Texas. She received a BFA in drawing from Texas Southern University and an MFA in printmaking from Purdue University. Formerly a member of the fine arts faculty at UA Little Rock in Arkansas, Martin currently works as a full-time artist in her studio, Black Box Press. Martin’s work has been exhibited both nationally and internationally. Most recently Martin’s work was included in the State of the Arts: Discovering American Art Now, an exhibition that included 101 artists from around the United States. Her work is in numerous portfolios and collections.
Delita created Black Box Press Foundation to give ALL artists the opportunity to fund and showcase their amazing work.
S. Brinkley Ruffin
S. Brinkley Ruffin is originally from Augusta, Georgia and has been a life long supporter of the arts. He is a graduate of Morehouse College in Atlanta Georgia with a degree in Political Science. Brinkley also has a Masters in Human Resource Development from Clemson University.
Brinkley has worked in Human Resources for the last 20 years. He currently serves as an executive in the Hospitality industry, while holding previous HR roles in State Government and in the cable industry.
Brinkley on Art and Social Justice…
“Art and social justice have both been a part of me and my family values since childhood. The idea of expression through the performing arts and visual arts was something that has captured my imagination for as long as I can remember. To me, art is where complex creativity meets simplicity. Art can be as unique as a fingerprint, but it’s the collective respect for that individuality that connects us.
“Social justice and equality for all is an ideal that will become reality. Art has a role in helping society realize that dream. As artists continue bringing attention and focus to uplifting our culture through their work it helps us to reflect, live in the moment, and to visualize what can be. I’ve always been driven to support that purpose.”
Brinkley currently lives in Orlando, Florida with his wife, Candace, and their two sons, Bryson and Ellison.
Kevin Kassekert
Education:
BS, Mechanical Engineering – University of Minnesota
MBA, Global Management – University of Phoenix
Residence:
Lake Tahoe, NV
Why is art important in my life?
Art is formally described by Webster as “…something that is created with imagination and skill and that is beautiful or that expresses important ideas or feelings.” One of the most important aspects of this definition for me is the expression of important ideas or feelings. Art allows an even playing field for every single person in the world to express what they view as important or beautiful; regardless of race, gender, religion or sexual orientation. It’s a fundamental aspect of humanity that must be nurtured, supported and grown in every way possible.
Why is social justice important in my life?
Social justice to me requires having an open heart and a focused, firm commitment to fighting for a level playing field for all. It isn’t an end goal, but rather a path of service and a strong belief that all people are deserving of the same level of respect and compassion. I believe it’s important for everyone to leverage their talents and capabilities to assist others. I’m excited to be a part of Black Box Press Foundation where I can leverage some of my skills to advance social justice with an art-based focus.
Reneisha Henry
Reneisha Henry is a business manager and executive team member of Olivier, Inc., contributing to strategic organizational planning. With more than 20 years of leadership experience in the public and private sector, she has built a progressive career with operational excellence at its foundation. Her expertise encompasses legal functions, quality process improvements, evaluating and mitigating risk, and compliance.
Reneisha is a native of Houston Texas, and she began her career with the Attorney General of Texas as a legal assistant. This career track eventually transitioned into management, leading her to champion her leadership and mediation skills. Reneisha successfully managed one of the two top performing offices in the Houston region achieving annual financial goals. With a desire for new professional challenges her career path shifted into the private sector of the construction and project management industry. These opportunities expanded her experience and knowledge in project and contract administration management, proposal management, marketing, and project controls.
Reneisha’ s multidisciplinary professional profile brings integrity and value to organizations. She attended the Center for Advanced Legal Studies for Paralegal Studies. She received a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from the University of Phoenix. She is a proponent of altruism and committed to advocacy, supporting innovative approaches to positively impact social change.
Staff
Cedric A. Martin |
Executive Director
Cedric Martin is a human resources executive that has a passion for people, growing businesses and social justice. Originally from Detroit, Michigan, Cedric went to Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA where he graduated with honors with a degree in finance from Morehouse College, Cedric has also obtained a MBA in Entrepreneurship and HR Management from the University of Pittsburgh, Katz Graduate School of Business.
Cedric has been part of the art world for the past 20 years. He passion for the arts is only matched by his desire to see justice roll down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.
Cedric is honored to be the Executive Director at the Black Box Press Foundation.