Commissioners

Curtis Ward, Chair

• Former Ambassador of Jamaica to the United Nations (Security Council), is an Attorney-at-Law and Consultant, specializing in national and international security law and policy
• Adjunct Professorial Lecturer, George Washington University/Elliott School of International Affairs; and Adjunct Professor, University of the District of Columbia
• Chairman, Caribbean Research & Policy Center

Joseph E Baptiste DDS, FAAID, MAGD

• Colonel USAR Ret.
• President JB Dental Implant Center
• Chairman/Founder National Organization For the Advancement of Haitians (NOAH)
• President/Founder Haitian Diaspora Federation (HDF)

Donald Bridgeman

• Former Director, Human Resources Management, Prince George’s County Government
• Past Executive Director, Access Housing, Inc., Washington, DC

Gabriel Christian

• Trial Lawyer with Gabriel J. Christian and Associates, LLC
• Founder of Renewable Energy Alliance (now Sustainable Star, LLC)
• President of the Dominica Association of Washington DC, 1992-1998

Dr. Karen Francis

• Senior Researcher, American Institutes for Research (AIR)(2005- present)
• Ph.D., Howard University, Sociology, Concentration: Medical Sociology
• American Sociological Association (2006 – present)
• Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (lifetime membership)
• Board of Governors, University YMCA, Champaign, IL, 1997–1998
• Jamaican Women of Washington (JWoW, Inc.), Vice President 2006-2008

Neil Mattei

• Radio Host, WEAA, Morgan State Radio
• Co-Founder of the Trinidad and Tobago Association of Baltimore
• Advisory Board Member of DC Carnival Association and Caribbean Association of Baltimore

Shanta Ramsom

• Partner, Law Offices of Ramson & Associates, LLC
• Board Member, Caribbean Research and Policy Center

Dr. Ludmilla Wikkeling – Scott

• President, Public Health Alumni Chapter, Morgan State University
• CEO, The Bryant Group, LLC
• Project Coordinator, Suriname Telehealth Exchange Platform
• Former Legislative Assistant, Congressman John Conyers, Jr. and Policy Associate, National Minority AIDS Council

Suzanne M. Williams

• Program Manager, Recreational Therapist with United Medical Center
• resident- 2010-2012: Caribbean Council of Prince George’s County
• Board Member-2010-2013: Caribbean American Intercultural Organization
• Artist Director- 1997-present:, La Musicale DanceWorks