MEET THE TEAM
Building Bridges, Inspiring Change:
The Leaders of the African Link Initiative
The leaders and members of the African Link Initiative are the cornerstone of our mission to bridge gaps within the African diaspora and inspire lasting change. Through strategic leadership and an unwavering commitment to reconnecting African descendants with their roots, they drive initiatives that address economic disparities, cultural disconnection, and systemic challenges within Black communities. Their dedication ensures we remain focused on empowering individuals, fostering collaboration, and celebrating the shared heritage that unites us. Together, they guide our efforts to strengthen bonds across the diaspora and create a resilient, interconnected global community.
Shazel Muhammad
Founder & President
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Dahlia Sizer
Board Vice Chair & Acting Chair
Dahlia Sizer seamlessly combines her roles at the intersection of the corporate and entertainment worlds. She is not only the driving force behind Staccato Management, LLC, her own innovative entertainment company, but also a dedicated diversity, equity, and inclusion practitioner at a Fortune 500 company and a philanthropist. With a wealth of experience across industries, Dahlia is a classically trained vocalist that excels as a manager for emerging jazz talents and holds an impressive academic background including a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies (Voice/Urban Studies), an M.A. in Urban Studies, and an M.S. in Human Resources Management Development. Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Business Administration, she is committed to purposeful action, with a vision to leave a lasting legacy for future generations.
Christopher Washington
Nomination / Governance Committee
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Kimberly DiStefano
Nomination / Governance Committee
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Celia Powell
Finance Committee
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Dr. Keith Crawford
Curriculum & Programming Committee
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Leslie Jones-Dove
Fundraising & Revenue Generation Committee
Les Jones (LJ) brings a dynamic blend of entrepreneurial spirit and media expertise to the African Link Initiative board. As the CEO and Director of Sales and Marketing at Fresh Nation Radio WJON and host of The Lesboogie 1on1 Radio Show, Les has cultivated a deep understanding of community engagement through innovative media platforms. His extensive career in radio advertising, including experience at WGBB Radio, reflects his passion for using media to connect and inspire diverse audiences. Les is also the CEO of Fresh Entertainment Media Group and RFC Fresh Records, where he has spearheaded initiatives to amplify voices and stories within the creative industry. With a degree in Substance Abuse Treatment focusing on individual and group therapy techniques from the NYS OASAS School of Alcoholism, Les brings a compassionate perspective to his work, advocating for mental health and wellness and continues to invest his time and talent in initiatives that empower youth and foster positive change in the community.
Marcus Holmes
Fundraising & Revenue Generation Committeeard Member
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Dr. Frankie Alstin-Brooks
Fundraising & Revenue Generation Committee
Frankie Alstin-Brooks PhD, Human Resources Operations, Project Manager at Saint-Gobain, Lives in Chester county PA, went to Gwynedd-Mercy University, I am the Founder/CEO for the nonprofit Jasmyn Sparkles, I was nominated for the Women Make America award in 2024, I love reading, community service and decorating, my areas of expertise are in Project Management, Change Management and Process Improvement.
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Ifé Fatunase
Social Media Committee
Ifé Fatunase is a British Nigerian living in New York City. She is the Multimedia Director at Human Rights Watch, prior to that she founded and ran the production company Middle Table and has a background in producing television news, documentaries and social media content. She has served on the board of trustess and volunteers for several organisations that help people experiencing homelessness or have been recently housed both in UK and US.
Patrick Freeman
Board Member
Patrick serves as a Technical Advisor on youth development at IREX. He is an experienced program manager with a background in international development, philanthropy, inclusive electoral processes, democracy promotion, education, fellowship programming, advocacy and public diplomacy. Born in Ghana, Patrick has lived and worked extensively throughout Africa, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe.
DeJuan A. Brown
Board Member
I am the husband of one, father of six, deeply committed to service.
I lean heavily on two transformative lessons ingrained in me during a
humble start as a 15-year-old busboy at a restaurant called "Spinnakers."
There, I discovered the invaluable importance of humility and selflessness in leadership.
These foundational principles have shaped my approach to everything from driving individual impact to seeking to cultivate environments that prioritize service, collaboration, and continuous growth.
Colin H. Mincy
Board Member
Colin chairs the Workforce Professionals Training Institute and serves on advisory boards for Youth Represent, African Link Initiative (2025), and Hacking HR. He is also a CNBC Workforce Contributor and a mentor through INROADS. A passionate advocate for equity and inclusion, Colin is an INROADS alum and former Director of External Affairs for Jay Williams’ Rising Star Youth Found.
Dr. Christopher Dowdy
Board Member
Christopher Dowdy is a Physician Assistant who believes that patient care should be a health care provider’s priority. Born and raised in New York, Christopher obtained his Bachelor of Health Sciences and Physician Assistant studies at the University of Stony Brook, NY and currently practices as the Chief Physician Assistant of Emergency Medicine in Port Jefferson, NY. Aside from being a medical provider, Christopher is an entrepreneur, a philanthropist, and a globetrotter. During his free time, Christopher travels and seeks out new cultures, adventures, and relaxation. He has traveled to over 70 countries, and he believes in balancing life and most importantly providing community service to others.
Myra T. Briggs, CSC, CSSGB, CDR
Board Member
Myra T. Briggs is a visionary executive in leadership development, talent strategy, and social impact, with extensive experience working alongside nonprofit boards to shape strategic governance and drive transformational outcomes. Her professional background includes significant contributions to the social impact and international development sectors, where she has helped organizations foster inclusive leadership and achieve mission-aligned growth on a global scale. Myra’s commitment to heritage work stems from her service with the Holocaust Museum’s Bringing the Lessons Home program, where she first witnessed how understanding one’s history can shape self-worth and future potential, as a program participant and (later) a volunteer. As a founding ambassador for the National Museum of African American History and Culture, she has further championed initiatives that connect communities to their cultural roots. As a newly appointed member of the African Link Initiative Board of Directors, Myra brings a deep commitment to empowering Black youth by connecting them to their heritage and fostering a sense of cultural pride and purpose. Her work reflects a lifelong passion for breaking generational barriers and creating pathways for resilient, self-assured leadership in the Black community. With her expertise in governance, strategic planning, and resource development, Myra is poised to help ALI strengthen its foundation and expand its reach to transform more lives.
Attorney Wanda Moore, M.Ed.
Board Member
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Dane Peters
Board Member
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Yusuf Ransome, MPH, DrPH.
Board Member
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Together, our team embodies the spirit of unity, progress, and hope for a thriving African diaspora.
Explore our initiatives and join us in making a difference!