Former Virginia Gov. L. Douglas Wilder was the first African-American to be elected governor in the U.S., leading the commonwealth of Virginia from 1990 to 1994. As governor, he was commended for his sound fiscal management and balancing the state budget during difficult economic times. Financial World magazine ranked Virginia as the best managed state in the U.S. for two consecutive years under his administration. He served as lieutenant governor from 1986 to 1990.

Serving as a state senator representing Richmond from 1969 to 1985, Wilder became the first African-American state senator in Virginia since Reconstruction. During his five terms as state senator, he chaired committees on transportation, rehabilitation and social services, privileges and elections, the Virginia Advisory Legislative Council and the Senate Steering Committee, which appoints committee members. He successfully sponsored Virginia’s first drug paraphernalia law and the compulsory school attendance law.

Other legislative achievements as state senator include providing state health care coverage for sickle cell anemia patients, toughening penalties for capital murders and prison escapees and expanding low- and moderate-income housing. For eight years, he persisted in sponsoring legislation that eventually led to establishing a state holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Biography taken from IMDB.com George Zouvelos - Biography - IMDb

George Zouvelos is a SAG-AFTRA / AEA actor that was born, raised, and lives in New York City. He is 6'4+, of Greek ancestry, with an ethnically ambiguous appearance, and maintains multiple accents capabilities. George is a multi-award-winning actor, screenwriter, and director of independent television and films.



He studied Adler, Meisner, and Chubbuck - Stanislavsky Method acting; and finished his studies at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in New York City. George constantly seeks to perfect the craft of his acting by continuously studying with other actors, acting coaches, casting directors; and acting studios every chance he gets.



George served as a Judge for the Daytime Emmy's at the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. He is a member of NYWIFT New York Women in Film and Television.



He also earned his 'Filmmaking' diploma from the New York Film Academy, NYFA, and a Bachelor of Arts degree from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City. He is an accredited New York State bounty hunter / bail enforcement instructor.



George has decades of real life professional experiences as his earlier careers include him being a New York City Paramedic, in law enforcement, a private investigator; and as a bounty hunter.



George speaks, reads and writes Hellenic Greek fluently, and his surname is pronounced (Zoo' vel os)

- IMDb Mini Biography By: Brittany Doyle

Amber Gil was born and raised in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. At the age of 3 she began figure skating and shortly after she began competing. At age 16 Amber had to retire due to an unresolved lower back injury. Her passion for her sport led her to begin her professional coaching career, at age 17. Amber is a USFS & PSA Professional Figure Skating Coach for 21+ years, also she is a National level Coach. She coaches out of Glenview Community Ice Center in Glenview Illinois in conjunction with World & Olympic Coach/Choreographer Rohene Ward. In addition, Amber has her Associates Degree from Harper College in Palatine Illinois. She resides with her husband and children in Elgin, Illinois. 

Annette T. Thomas has been teaching Vaganova Methodology for over 30 years throughout the United States and abroad. Originally trained at Carnegie Hall by the late Maria Nevelska of the Bolshoi Ballet, she also trained with Ana Garcia of the San Juan Ballet Company, Marguerite De Anguera and Mme. Alexandra Danilova of the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo during her time at the Connecticut Regional Ballet Company. Annette has traveled the world gaining extensive training, teaching and performance experience in various forms including Contemporary, Jazz, Flamenco, International Folkloric, Character Dance, and Bharatanatyam.

 

Annette also studied the pedagogy of Russian Classical Ballet with Mme. Nevelska and under the tutelage of her mother who studied ballet pedagogy with the famed John Barker. She received her Certificate of Completion of the First Class Pedagogical Course for the Study of Classical Ballet in 2005 from one of America’s leading pedagogues Dr. Peggy Willis-Aarnio.

 

Annette’s primary focus and proven forté is the meticulous training of teaching the fundamentals of the first year of Vaganova methodology.  As it is this first year of training which is foundational to all ensuing work. She has devoted her life’s’ work to training teachers and coaches this vital work.  She has authored 2 books and a video on the biomechanics of classical movement specifically for figure skaters and is the former director of the Russian Ballet program at Brookfield Centre for The arts. Annette currently Teaches workshops and on-line pedagogy course through American ice Theatre and is a member of UNESCO CID (International Dance Council)

Charles “Chuck” Hicks is the founder and director of the DC Black History (https://dcblackhistory.com/) Celebration Committee which celebrates black history year-round.  He is a community activist focusing on issues that directly affect the community. Hicks serves on several Martin Luther King Jr. committees providing guidance, leadership and support.  His work includes serving on the executive committee of the Martin Luther King Jr. DC Support Group, Inc.and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Award Committee. Hicks co-chaired the DC Host Committee for the dedication of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial.  He was co-chair of the DC Host Committee for the opening of the new National Museum of African American History and Culture. Hicks is also a member of the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Hicks is also a member of the DC Commission on Aging and the newly appointed DC Commission on African American Affairs.  He also serves on the Commission on Black Men and Boys under the purview of the Honorable Eleanor Holmes Norton. He is also a devout member and trustee at Greater New Hope Baptist Church in Ward 1. Hick co-hosts with Joni Eisenberg the “Heal DC” radio broadcast on WPFW 89.3 FM. His service to the community also included work as the coordinator of labor for the District of Columbia for the Million Man March in 1995. Hicks was also a member of the 50^th Anniversary of the March on Washington Committee. He is the president of the Robert “Bob” Hicks Foundation which advocates for human and civil rights. 

Hicks is also a proud member of the NAACP.  He is also well known for providing 35 years of service to the DCPublic Library’s Black Studies Center. Hicks is a supporter and advocate of the African American Civil War Memorial &Museum. He is also founder of Bread-for-the-Soul Toy & Book Party – an HIV and AIDS organization which provides toys and books for Christmas to children whose parents have HIV/AIDS and to children who are diagnosed with HIV.

He is the former president of the AFSME District Council 20 and is a current member of the retirement chapter.Hicks continues his work as a member of the DC Democratic State Committee and is a dedicated member of two organizations that advocate for statehood for the District of Columbia – Stand Up! for Democracy in DC (Free DC) and DC for Democracy. Hicks is a member of the Waterside Tenants Association where he advocates for tenants’ rights and information transparency.  He is widely recognized for his support for the arts and community programming. Hicks is also an active member of several study groups.



Chuck recently received the 2017 Community Cornerstone Award from DC Councilmember Anita Bonds.