Stewards of Legacy
Tallal Elboushi (Chairman) is Vice President of Total Rewards at Rexford Industrial, with over 20 years of leadership experience in compensation, benefits, and HR operations across industries including music, retail, healthcare, and technology. As a Board leader, he brings strategic insight and a global perspective on organizational stewardship. “Tallal ensures we think not just about legacy, but about sustainability,” notes Co-Director Johanne Bryant-Reid.
Walter K. Evans is Chief Operating Officer of The Barthwell Group, where he manages operations across finance, technology, and human resources. Since joining in 2006, he has guided the firm’s growth into a trusted adviser for Fortune 100 companies, national philanthropies, and the U.S. Marine Corps. A Stanford graduate and DBusiness “30 in Their Thirties” honoree, Evans is also a world traveler and avid art collector, with works by Hughie Lee-Smith, Claude Lawrence, and artists from South America, Asia, and the Caribbean.
Johanne Bryant-Reid, a retired executive from Merrill Lynch, has served the Foundation since its earliest days. A collector and advocate, she first joined the Board in 2000 and has worked to ensure the Foundation’s longevity. Her insight as a patron and cultural leader anchors the Board’s work.
Mickalene Thomas, internationally celebrated contemporary artist, is known for her monumental collage paintings and groundbreaking explorations of Black identity, femininity, and power. Her work is represented in the permanent collections of institutions including MoMA, the Whitney Museum, and the Smithsonian. As a Board member, Thomas brings both her artistic vision and her advocacy for representation, echoing Bearden’s own innovations in collage and storytelling.
Sheila Rohan, dancer, artist, and executor of the Nanette Bearden Trust, links the Foundation directly to Bearden’s family legacy. She was a Principal Dancer and Ballet Mistress with the Nanette Bearden Contemporary Dance Theatre and a founding member of the Dance Theatre of Harlem. Rohan has been a vital voice in both governance and the arts.
Leaders in Arts & Education
Jessica L. Porter serves as the Lila Harnett Executive Director of ArtTable, a worldwide nonprofit dedicated to advancing the leadership of women and nonbinary professionals in the visual arts. Porter has dedicated her career to supporting artists and strengthening institutions through her work as a nonprofit leader, contemporary gallerist, art dealer, art advisor, and curator. Her strategic vision and commitment to equity enrich the Foundation’s work.
Rhonda Mims, founder of Mims Lab and longtime corporate and nonprofit leader, brings expertise in strategy, governance, and philanthropy. Her career has spanned business, law, and social impact, and she continues to champion diversity, inclusion, and community leadership at the Foundation.
Darryl Crompton, JD, MPH, a retired attorney and general counsel, has led a career at the intersection of law, health, and education. His thoughtful leadership helps ensure that the Foundation continues to operate with integrity and vision.
Dr. Imani E. Lewis, a practicing periodontist in Washington, D.C., brings both professional expertise and a younger generational voice to the Board. His dedication to mentorship and community engagement reflects the Foundation’s commitment to education and the future.
Advocates & Visionaries
Eric Shiner, President of Powerhouse Arts and former director of The Andy Warhol Museum, is a curator, writer, and arts leader with a deep commitment to cultural preservation and community. His global perspective enriches the Foundation’s programs and partnerships.
Ronald Jackson, multimedia artist, has been a voice for the Foundation for more than 25 years. His commitment as both an artist and Board member reflects Bearden’s own belief in the power of art to tell human stories.
Alva G. Greenberg, philanthropist and independent curator, brings decades of experience supporting artists and cultural organizations. From 1997 to 2009 she ran ALVA Gallery, a contemporary art space in New London, CT, dedicated to promoting mid-career artists across disciplines. A recipient of the Connecticut Governor’s Patron of the Arts award, Greenberg’s advocacy for artists at every stage of their careers continues Bearden’s own emphasis on nurturing creativity.
Akosua Barthwell Evans, PhD, founder of The Barthwell Group, has built a career in management consulting and higher education. She is also one of the founders of MoMA’s Friends of Education, reflecting her deep commitment to expanding access and representation in the arts, and was named a 2025 Yale Medal recipient, the highest honor awarded by the Yale Alumni Association. This recognition celebrates her decades of exemplary volunteer service, including her leadership with YaleWomen, her service on the Yale Alumni Association Board of Governors, and her work revitalizing the Yale Club of Michigan. At Yale Law School, she co-founded the Warner Thornton McGuinn Scholarship Fund, which continues to provide support for underrepresented students. Her insight into governance and organizational leadership strengthens the Foundation’s long-term sustainability.
Emilie de Brigard, an independent scholar, contributes her expertise in cultural history and education. She serves as Vice President of the Board of the Amistad Center for Art and Culture, further underscoring her commitment to preserving African American cultural legacies. Her long involvement with the Foundation reflects a deep dedication to scholarship, and through research and mentorship she strengthens the Foundation’s role as a bridge between Bearden’s legacy and future generations of scholars.
Irie K. Harris is an accomplished leader in project management, administration, and motivational training. The founder of IRIE Incorporated and a seasoned speaker and consultant, her name itself embodies the Jamaican expression “Irie” — meaning “everything is alright” — and she carries that philosophy into her leadership at the Foundation.