2021 Board Members
Joann Frasier Dasent - Founder/CEO
After a longtime interest in art and folk tradition, a passion for community service, founder/artist director Joann Frasier Dasent aka Auntie Jo Jo decided to start a non-profit organization combining her interest in the oral tradition with art, theater and music with the desire to empower youth.
Ronald Dasent - Treasurer/Photographer
Ronald is a manager during the day and a lifelong photographer during his spare time. He has taken countless memorable photos of the youth over the years.
"There is one thing the photographer must contain, the humanity of the moment."
~Robert Frank
Adrienne J. Gaymon - Secretary
A supporter and volunteer of the program since its conception in 2008. Adrienne is currently employed at Myers Elementary School and works with students in the classroom. Adrienne's daughter Jasmine was one of the first youth to be a part of the Sankofa Youth Theatre and Creative Arts.
Welcome Mary Brownell
Mary Brownell is an English and Humanities teacher of middle and high school students. She is also a Reading Specialist and Study Skills Curriculum Consultant, holding an MS Degree in Psychology of Reading from Temple University as well as Developmental Reading Certifications from the University of Minnesota where she earned her BS in English and Education.
Mary is also a professional writer. She has received residences at Hedgebrook Writers Colony for Women in Washington and the Abroad Writers Conference in France as well as being the recipient of NEH fellowships for the study of Petrarch, Milton, and 20th Century American woman writers. She has been awarded funding from the Leeway Foundation of Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania Council of The Arts and the Sophie Dallas Erwin Foundation. Awards include honors by the Yeats Society of New York, Comstock Review, Robert Frost Foundation, National Writers Union, the Ellen LaForge Poetry Prize and others. Her writing has appeared in Yeats 150, American Poetry Review, Pivot, Comstock Review, GSU, Margie, Wind, InkPot, The Same, BigCity Lit and many other journals
Youth Liaisons
Mrs. Martha M. Woods R.N., MS. Psychology
Mrs. Martha M. Woods R.N., MS. Psychology
Mrs. Martha M. Woods R.N., MS. Psychology
A retired employee of the Philadelphia School District she is widowed with three children and one grandson. Since her retirement she has been tutoring children at Pennypacker Elementary School in reading. She loves praise dance and theater. We are blessed to have her as a mentor for our youth. In April 2016 she received The Sarah Bass Allen Award of Achievement.
Lydia Robison
Mrs. Martha M. Woods R.N., MS. Psychology
Mrs. Martha M. Woods R.N., MS. Psychology
Lydia has years of experience contributing to the youth through various camps, classrooms and community based programs. She is the founder of Scene-N-Action Productions Company, Inc. (SNAP C0) which is a non-profit performing arts and outreach program for children. She has a passion for encouraging and impacting youth all over through her God given talents.
Michael Frasier
Mrs. Martha M. Woods R.N., MS. Psychology
Michael Frasier
Imagine being a mailman and having a walking route where you get to hear stories as well as share some in return. "Mike the Mailman" would make a great title for a children's book. Since its conception Mike has been a generous donor to the organization. Look out for his best seller, in the near future.