BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors at the African American Museum of Rhode Island brings together passionate and experienced individuals dedicated to preserving and promoting the rich history and culture of African Americans in our state. Their leadership ensures that our programs and initiatives continue to inspire, educate, and empower future generations.
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Wendy Wallace
Wendy Wallace is a dynamic, people-centered leader with over 20 years of experience in engaging communities and stakeholders across Rhode Island and the United States on critical issues in education, law, healthcare, and youth programming. As the Director of Civic Engagement at Brown University, Wendy plays a crucial role in shaping the university's community engagement strategy. She leads transformative initiatives such as supplier diversity, inclusive pathways, college access programs, and workforce development opportunities, all aimed at empowering individuals and inspiring collective action for a more just and equitable society.
In addition to her role at Brown, Wendy is a dedicated Career Coach, Educational Consultant, and Adjunct Professor at CCRI. With a passion for helping others achieve their full potential, she has coached, mentored, taught, and placed over 700 professionals in fulfilling careers. As a native Rhode Islander, Wendy deeply values the rich culture of her community and is committed to fostering its growth and success.
Robert L. Bailey
“First of All, Servants of All, we Transcend All” is the Alpha Phi Alpha motto. This motto represents the Fraternity’s history, mission, and charge. As a member of the first intercollegiate fraternity founded by African American Men, Robert L. Bailey, V has been very proud to exemplify these characteristics his entire adult life. As a husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, relative, friend and leader; Robert has remained committed to providing resources and support to children, youth, and families through partnerships with many organizations across RI.
Robert is a Providence Public Schools and University of Rhode Island graduate. As a grammar school student, he was one of several students that was bussed to desegregate Providence Public Schools in 1967 - 1971.
Over the past 25+ years, Robert has worked in the non profit sector providing educational, social, political, and economic resources and services to those that are in need.
Manager of Client Services for Justice Assistance/CORES Program, Robert serves Men and Women that have contact with the judicial systems. The primary focus is on Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. Our wraparound resources and services clinical employment/education, community health care worker/peer recovery and life skills development.
Helen Baskerville-Dukes
Helen Baskerville-Dukes is a native of Providence, Rhode Island. She is currently serving as the Executive Director of the Mount Hope Community Center, one of Rhode Island’s oldest black organizations. Her leadership at Mount Hope Community Center in continuing the legacy of building self sustainability and economic empowerment for the residents in the historically black community. Helen has implemented programs that foster financial freedom, health equity and a deeper understanding of self-worth.
Helen also serves as the Board Chair of the Juneteenth RI Committee and brings over 20 years of community experience advocating for education and equity. She has extensive skills in event planning and as part of her leadership role at Juneteenth RI, she has grown its annual festival from hundreds of participants to over 6,000 participants within four years.
She resides in Providence, RI with her husband Tyrone and their daughter.
Susan Pires
Susan M Pires is a Rhode Island native born to immigrant parents from the islands of Cabo Verde. She graduated from Providence College and later obtained her Juris Doctorate from Suffolk University Law School. She has been a practicing attorney in the State of Rhode Island for more than 20 years. Professionally, she is an active member of Thomas Gallogly Family Court Inns of Court and is a founding board member of the Cape Verdean American Lawyers Association.
Aside from her practice, Ms. Pires has been active in the community through various organizations for over 30 years. She serves as Chairperson of the Rhode Island Cape Verdean Heritage Committee, a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority Inc.® The Links, Incorporated™. Ms. Pires has held board positions on the CACD, Providence Inner City Arts and The George Wiley Center. Since high school, Ms. Pires has been acknowledged for her dedication to the community. Ms. Pires has a 21-year-old daughter, currently a senior at Davidson College. Her mother resides in Sao Vicente, Cabo Verde. She credits her elders for her service to the community and hopes to set the same example to the younger generation today.
Tiara Mack
Tiara is a formerly low-income Black, queer, educator and activist. Raised in the metro Atlanta and South Carolina, she moved to Providence in 2012 to attend Brown University where she earned her bachelor’s in Public Health. In 2020, she unseated a 30-year incumbent to become the state's first openly queer Black elected state senator. As a directly impacted person, she understands that we need bold, visionary leaders to center real people and stories in every piece of legislation.
In her time in office, she had been a champion for LGBTQ+ rights, working families, housing and tenant rights, and expanding abortion access in Rhode Island. Since 2021, she has passed bills that have expanded abortion access to Medicaid recipients and state employees, a process to seal eviction records, critical childhood lead safety bills, and made Juneteenth a paid state holiday.
She serves on the Senate Commerce Committee as Secretary and as a member of the Housing and Municipal Government Committee and the Education Committee. She is a Board Member of the RI Abortion Fund and commissioner of the RI Commission on Prejudice and Bias.
Gloria Johnson
Gloria L. Johnson is a seasoned professional in the housing sector, with over 25 years of diversified experience encompassing banking, mortgage, lending, risk management, and housing. A proud native of Providence, Rhode Island, she has dedicated her career to empowering people to create the life they want.
Currently serving as the Assistant Director of Loan Servicing at Rhode Island Housing, Gloria plays a pivotal role in overseeing loan servicing operations, ensuring compliance, and doing everything possible to keep people in their homes. Her expertise in risk management and operations has been honed through her previous positions at Santander Bank, where she served as Operations Manager and Risk Analyst. In these roles, she demonstrated exceptional leadership and analytical skills, contributing significantly to operational efficiency and risk mitigation strategies.
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Gloria is not only committed to her professional responsibilities but also deeply invested in community service. Her ten-plus years of dedication to various organizations reflect her passion for social equity and community empowerment. She currently contributes her skills and insights as a board member at several key organizations, including YouthBuild Preparatory Academy, A Sweet Creation, and the Community Action Partnership of Providence. Through these roles, she actively supports initiatives that foster education, job training, and community development. Moreover, Gloria is an engaged committee member with the Swearer Center at Brown University and serves on the Community Advisory Board of Women & Infants Hospital. Her active participation in these committees underscores her commitment to fostering partnerships that bridge community needs with institutional resources. She believes that collaborative efforts are crucial to addressing the challenges faced by underserved populations in her community.​
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Through her professional journey and community involvement, Gloria L. Johnson exemplifies what it means to be a dedicated housing professional and community collaborator. She continues to leverage her extensive expertise and passion for service to create impactful change in Providence and beyond, championing initiatives that promote housing stability and community growth.