MEET OUR TEAM !
MEET OUR TEAM !
DWAN HAYES - ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Dwan is a performer, singer, actor, and dancer based in East Orange, NJ. She has trained classically as a singer and actor with a Bachelor of Music in Musical Theater from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. Her performing credits include Motormouth Maybelle in Hairspray, Rosie in Momma Mia, Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar, and Lena Younger in Raisin In The Sun. She has done multiple seasons at Surflight Theater, Laguna Playhouse, and Busch Gardens. She was also featured as a Supporting Vocalist backing Sam Smith at The 60th Annual Grammy Awards. When not on stage, you can find Dwan writing letters to her favorite people and baking something delicious in her kitchen.
GEORGE COATES - DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Pastor George Marcell Coates is a “Son of the Church”. He was born to the Revs. George & Phyllis K. Coates of Greensboro, N.C. He was educated in the Guilford County School system graduating from the historic James B. Dudley High School in 2001. He earned his BA in Sociology from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke in 2005. He earned his Master of Divinity from Hood Theological Seminary in 2014. He was licensed to preach by Genesis Baptist Church- Greensboro NC in 2001 and ordained by the Rowan Baptist Association of North Carolina in 2006. Over the last 30+ years, he has served the church in multiple denominations and congregations as a music minister. He has also served as an associate minister, youth pastor, associate pastor, assistant pastor, and interim pastor in the Baptist Church for over 19 years. One of the highlights of his career was serving the Rowan Baptist Assn. as the Minister of Music from 2001-2005. Pastor Coates also served for three years in the Western NC Conference of the United Methodist Church as the full-time pastor of the Hartzell Memorial and McQueen Chapel Charge in Hickory, NC simultaneously. He currently serves as the Minister of Music for the Greater Bethel AME Church in Charlotte NC where the Rev. Dr. Abdue L. Knox is the senior minister. He is happily married to his college sweetheart, Mrs. Keita N. Coates and to this union, they have three children, the late Nyasha (NEE Ah SHA) Naomi Coates, a precious son Peter Emanuel Coates, and Little Miss Alana Patience Coates. He is civically inclined as he is a member of the NAACP, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Prince Hall Affiliated Masonic Order, and Rotary International. He is a past board member of the Greater Hickory Cooperative Christian Ministries, Hickory Area Ministers Council, Newton Area Ministers Council, and the Greater Hickory Ministerial Alliance. In his spare time, he enjoys martial arts, music, and history. He also has experience in acting and dance with Livestock Community Players and other venues.
PAUL ANDERSON II - PRODUCER
Paul L. Anderson II (PLA2) is a native North Carolinian and a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Pembroke with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education. He is an accomplished conductor, speaker, presenter and teacher. A sought after speaker, Paul has presented on numerous topics in religious, academic, fraternal and corporate arenas. As a musician he has performed as an ensemble member, soloist and conductor at various performances, conferences and festivals across several states and abroad. His passion however lies in reaching and teaching. He has taught, led clinics, workshops and mentored young people from grade school to college. Equipped with adaptability, enthusiasm and a keen sense of empathy and understanding, he hopes to reach his students and fellow man with a message of positivity and excellence. PLA2 serves as chorus and general music teacher at Spring Lake Middle School and young adult ministry coordinator at the Fountain of Raleigh Fellowship.
PERCIVAL MILLINGTON - HEAD CHEF / CONTENT COORDINATOR
Percival Millington is a native from Jamaica Queens, NY. He specializes in Culinary Arts and has over 17 years of experience in cooking many types of food. He enjoys cooking, writing music, drawing, working on cars, and working on computers. Mr. Millington is currently in school for a double major in Culinary arts and Hospitality Management. He has served in the Army National Guard for 4 yrs as a 21b Combat Engineer in the 883rd Sapper company in Winston-Salem, NC.
FOUNDERS/BOARD MEMBERS
FOUNDERS/BOARD MEMBERS
PRESIDENT - Dwan Hayes
VICE PRESIDENT - Percival Millington
TREASURER - Paul Anderson II
HISTORIAN-George Coates
SERGEANT AT ARMS - Myles Arnold
ADVISORS- Sandra Hayes
Judy Mina- Ballard
Carrie McKnight
BOARD MEMBERS - Ayzha Frazier
Brandon McClain