Trystin Kier Francis
(Interim Chair)
Architectural + Interior Designer, and Visionary Entrepreneur
Trystin Kier Francis is a multi-faceted architect, designer, and entrepreneur whose work seamlessly blends cultural storytelling with modern innovation. With a career spanning architecture, interior design, and product development, he is the founder and design principal of House of Kier (HOK)—a creative studio that produces luxury plateware, retail collections, and compelling media content. Born and raised in New York City, Trystin’s journey has been marked by resilience, transformation, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
Trystin is a three-time HBCU graduate, holding a Bachelor of Arts in Communications, a Master of Architecture, and an Executive MBA. His professional experience spans technical design, project management, and education, having served as an adjunct professor for nearly a decade before stepping into secondary education administration. In 2024, House of Kier debuted its first product line, "Equations in Africa," an exquisite bone China plateware collection inspired by the intersection of history, art, and African heritage. This launch marked a significant milestone, leading to a prestigious invitation to the Kaleidoscope Exhibition at renowned luxury retailer Bergdorf Goodman, where House of Kier is now a vendor.
Donyelle T. Marshall
Business Consultant
Donyelle T. Marshall is a second-generation Washingtonian who has been immersed in the arts and entertainment space for over 40 years, beginning as a multidisciplinary artist and photojournalist. photographs are included in The People's Archive at DC Public Library, illustrating the District of Columbia’s local history and culture. Now a global business analyst and arts advocate, Marshall brings extensive experience at the intersection of creative industries, finance, and public policy. As Principal of REEDAPOINT LLC, he advises artists, entertainment executives, and cultural organizations on business development, tax strategy, and revenue diversification, with a particular focus on advancing the creative economy. With a career spanning leadership roles at the Florida Office of Film and Entertainment and esteemed cultural institutions like The Kennedy Center and the National Gallery of Art, Ms. Marshall has shaped policy and managed multimillion-dollar incentive programs that support artistic and economic growth. A trusted voice in the industry, Donyelle has contributed insights at major forums including the American Black Film Festival, NPR’s Jazz Night in America, and the Urban Film Festival.
Ms. Marshall remains deeply committed to championing arts advocacy, empowering emerging talent, and expanding access to resources that sustain creative communities worldwide.
Grant Emerson Harvey
Theatre Administrator and Educator
Grant Emerson Harvey is a seasoned theatre professional, educator, and arts administrator with over 15 years of experience in the performing arts. With a BA in Theatre Arts from Morgan State University and an MFA in Acting from The Actors Studio at Pace University, Grant has dedicated his career to fostering creativity and nurturing talent in diverse educational settings.
Grant's teaching portfolio is extensive, having instructed courses in Theatre History, Acting, Scene Study, and Sound Design at renowned institutions including Towson University, New York University (Atlantic Studio), Atlantic Acting School, New York Film Academy, and AMDA. His work has spanned across the United States and internationally, enriching students from the DMV area to California and Taiwan. Currently, he teaches at Morgan State University, where he continues to inspire and mentor emerging artists. Grant's professional journey has also seen him excel as a stage actor, with notable roles on stages up and down the East Coast; most recently on stage at Everyman Theatre in Baltimore, MD.
In addition to his academic contributions, Grant is the Programs Manager for Theatre Major LLC, an education consultancy that supports high school students as they navigate the college application and audition process for theatre programs. His role involves strategic planning and program development, ensuring that students are well-prepared and confident in their artistic pursuits.
Beyond the classroom and stage, Grant Emerson Harvey is committed to building bridges between education and the arts. His work is centered on creating opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and growth within institutions and the broader community. Emphasizing the transformative potential of the arts in education, he is dedicated to fostering environments where creativity can thrive and lifelong learning can flourish
Tashira Halyard
Lawyer, Equity Consultant, Multi-Platform Digital Creator
Tashira Halyard is a reformed attorney, multi-platform content creator and activist. She's a graduate of Georgetown University Law School and has a professional background as a child welfare attorney, public policy expert and racial justice trainer. She started her lifestyle blog, Politics and Fashion, while in law school as an outlet that combined her passions for justice and creative expression. Throughout the years, Politics & Fashion has become a home for Black women and femmes to find style and self-care inspiration, including her viral White Toenail Season rants on bodily autonomy. Today, she is a solopreneur who wears many hats including equity consultant, YouTuber, podcaster, content creator and most importantly, breast cancer survivor. She's been featured in the Washington Post, Washingtonian, Essence and multiple local news outlets. She, her fiancée and highly disobedient dog live in Alexandria, VA.
Derrick Taylor
IT and Financial Management Advisor
Mr. Derrick Taylor is an experienced Public and Private Sector strategy, assurance, information technology (IT), and financial management (FM) advisor. He is a graduate of Hampton University, a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated, and currently publicly serves as a Senior Program Manager with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) United States Secret Service (USSS).
His comprehensive portfolio focuses on delivering leadership, strategy, program management, assurance and compliance, audit management, policy management, robotic process automation (RPA), FM solutions, business process reengineering (BPR) and business process management (BPM), IT operations and integration, system and process implementation, contract acquisition and management, business proposal development and review, community service, and youth athletic training. He became a champion of comprehensive diversity and inclusion based on his socialization, collegiate matriculation, and professional collaboration and continental U.S. (CONUS) or domestic travel.
During his 16+ year Public and Private career, he obtained multiple Public Sector and Department of Defense (DoD) professional internal controls, IT assurance, and leadership certifications. In the last five years he has sat on multiple DoD audit panels and completed the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL) DoD DSS, now DCSA, Leadership Development Program and Graduate School USA Executive Potential Program (EPP) Leadership Development. Additionally, Mr. Taylor has led organizational teams and chaired committees in college, his social fraternity, local public-school classrooms and school boards, residential real estate, community organizations, youth sports, entertainment and promotion companies, and church. He has gained direct financial services experience and investment opportunities from working with his licensed financial advisors and hosted multiple community knowledge sharing events. Mr. Derrick Taylor’s diverse professional experience makes him well-versed, capable of bridging gaps, and a thought leader of the future.