The Katherine Dunham Centers for Arts & Humanities Board of Directors

Marie-Christine Dunham Pratt, Honorary Chair, is the daughter of Miss Katherine Dunham and Mr. John Pratt. As such, she is Miss Dunham’s living legacy.

Leverne Backstrom Wizard, KDCAH Chairman, Pro Tem, joined the board in 2005 and is a 9th grade Language Arts teacher at East St. Louis Senior High School. She is a member of the East St. Louis Federation of Teachers, Local 1220 and a former organizer for the Illinois Federation of Teachers. She was asked to join the board because she is the president of The Olivette Park Neighborhood Association. As a resident of the neighborhood, she has been active in the community through The Trinity United Methodist Church since 1960. The OPNA has championed community gardens, and several community and economic development projects. It recognizes that the Dunham Museum positioned in its neighborhood is unparalleled as a tourism development magnet. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Kansas Wesleyan University, Salina KS. Leverne is a talented, recorded vocal artist, preferring to sing sacred music.  

Riley L. Owens, III: A former 5-term Mayor of the City of Centreville, IL, Owens is a semi-retired consultant, entrepreneur, visual artist, and inventor. When this US Air Force Veteran doesn't have a sculpting knife, hammer and chisel or paint brush in his hand, he manages the R. Lawrence Company. With his BS in Urban Planning from SIU Edwardsville, Owens, during his first term as Mayor co-founded the National Conference of Black Mayors. He held many positions on the board of directors and was instrumental in launching the World Conference of Black Mayors. Owens attended the Leadership Institute for Mayors at Clark University and has traveled extensively to Europe, Africa, Asia and South America to promote the development of national and inter-national trade. He was elected the chairman of the East St. Louis Area Development Gateway Coordinating Council and served on the 50th anniversary of Brown vs. Board of Ed. He has served on the KDCAH board since 2006.  

Johnny E. Campbell founded Campbell LLC, Certified Pubic Accountants and Management Consultants over twenty years ago. He had been a partner with the Washington, Pittman and McKeever, CPA firm for over ten years prior to opening his own accounting firm. For approximately ten years before he entered public accounting, Campbell served as Comptroller for St. Clair County, Illinois government. A native of East St. Louis, Campbell attended Lincoln Senior High School and is a GED graduate. Campbell obtained his BS in accounting from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville and went on to achieve a MBA from St. Louis University. Campbell is a Charter member of the Metro- Lions Club, a member of the Southern Cross lodge; Tyree Consistory and The Aahmes Temple. His professional affiliations and memberships include the Illinois Society of C.P.A.’s, the Missouri Society of C.P.A’s; the American Institute of C.P.A.’s and the Government Finance Officers Association: A.I.C.PA: and the Government Audit Quality Control Association.  

Irma G. Golliday, Executive Director, East St. Louis Park District: Irma joined the Board of KDCAH in 2005. She is an elected board member of East St. Louis School District 189 and serves as Secretary of the Board of Education. Golliday is also an elected Village Trustee in the Village of Alorton, IL. She was appointed Commissioner for the St. Clair County Parks Grant Commission, a Board Member with Southern Illinois Healthcare Foundation and former appointed Trustee of the Metropolitan Community College. She received her formal education at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville majoring in Business Administration. She is married to Eddie Golliday, a local businessman. Prior to accepting the position with the East St. Louis Park District, Irma was the Southern Region Coordinator for the Illinois Secretary of State's Organ and Tissue Donation Program. The entrepreneurial spirit also exists in her. She and Eddie were the owners of Golliday's Catch-of-the-Day Restaurant and Alorton Hardware. They are the owners of Golliday Rentals Agency located in Alorton, IL.

Gordon Bush, joined the board of KDCAH in 2011. He has served more than 40 years as a public servant, with 32 of those years as an elected official. That service includes St. Clair County Assessor, two-term mayor of East St. Louis, East St. Louis Building Commissioner, East St. Louis City Treasurer, and St. Clair County Board of Review. During his tenure as mayor, Gordon Bush was elected president of the National Council of Black Mayors.

Gordon Bush is also a decorated U.S. Army veteran with 29 years service. Upon his retirement, Lieutenant Colonel Bush received the U.S. Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Meritorious Service Medal. During a ceremony at the White House, President Bill Clinton presented Dr. Bush with a “Certificate of Appreciation” honoring his distinguished military career. Gordon Bush is also active on numerous boards and organizations including the NAACP, Shriners International, and the United States Army Reserves Officer Association. In 2006, the Gordon D. Bush Elementary School in East St. Louis opened in his honor. He is a lifetime member of the SIUE Alumni Association and received the SIUE Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1996. He is also a member of the 2009 SIUE Alumni Hall of Fame.

Theodore J. Wofford, Architect: Wofford received his BA from Washington University in St. Louis in 1953, and following military service, returned home to join the firm of Murphy & Mackey, Architects. that association lasting nearly 50 years ended in the partnership of Murphy Downey Wofford and Richman, Inc. Architects. When his partners retired, he dissolved the firm and began practicing as an individual, allowing him to resume an active interest in painting, drawing and sculpture. A champion of regional urban planning and civic causes with service on many boards and commissions: his long and personally costly battle to save the St. Louis Arena as a world-class aquarium, his concepts for the East St. Louis and St. Louis riverfronts, successful efforts to save the Wainwright Building and many other studies to try to resolve regional crises, are now part of the archive of his, and his firm's work, at the Mercantile Library. Early in the 1990's his interest in East St. Louis drew him to Miss Dunham and he found in her limitless vision, a wise kindred soul and a dear friend. She asked him to serve on her Board where he has remained for many, often turbulent, years. He is now involved in the efforts to secure her legacy for the future. His architectural designs have included fifty libraries, 100 religious structures, innovative medical and educational facilities, and many master plans, including that for Sangamon State University (now the U of I, Springfield). A number of his buildings now enjoy "landmark" status (a somewhat disturbing, though gratifying fact), as do his internationally recognized restorations of the Missouri Governor's Mansion carried out through five administrations, and the Shrine of St. Joseph - a pro bono project now in its 34th year. Mr. Wofford is committed to the preservation of our rich heritage and a sense of cultural continuity, and the power of art and our urban environment to change and enrich lives.

Lonnie Mosley, joined the Board of K.D.C.A.H in the beginning of 2012. Lonnie Mosley is a member of the St. Clair County Board Finance Committee, Property and Recreation Committee, Chairman of the Trustee Committee,  Chairman of the Transportation Committee and a member of the Executive Committee. His Biography will be available soon. 

Deletra M. Hudson, joined the Board of K.D.C.A.H. in the beginning of 2013. She has more than 20 years of professional experience in accounting, finance, budgeting, and administration with public and private companies. Deletra is the City Manager for the City of East St. Louis, IL. During her tenure in municipal government, Deletra Hudson has earned her reputation among public administrators for creativity and innovation. She has a vision to assist in developing the rebirth of East St. Louis. Hudson earned a Master of Business Administration in Finance from Webster University. She has added structure to operations of staff at City Hall, integrity to the work of the City and developed better working relationships with other communities and agencies working with the City. In effort to make for a better East St. Louis. Mrs. Hudson has collaborated with other agencies to foster growth and development. Proof of rebuilding relationships can be seen with the construction of the Jazz at Walter Center Senior Living Project (Housing Authority), demolition of structures on Collinsville Avenue (EPA and St. Clair County), rehabilitation of structures throughout the City (HUD-Neighborhood Stabilization Funds), and School Resource Officer Program (School District #189) just to name a few. Hudson mission is to continue to bring projects to the City that will foster growth and prosperity for the community and it's citizens. 

Marty Crawford, joined the Board of K.D.C.A.H. in the beginning of 2013. Marty was inspired to join the Board after touring the museum for the first time and realizing the great number of historical artifacts it has within it. Mr. Crawford grew up in Centreville and has worked for Centreville Township for over 31 years. He has also served on the Cahokia School Board for 11 years until he was elected to the St. Clair County Board. He served as Precint Committeeman for Precint #3 in Centreville Township for 16 years. Mr. Crawford is a family man and loves his wife and two children dearly. Mr. Crawford vision is to see the works and accomplishments of Miss Katherine Dunham be placed in surrounding districts curriculum. Targeted districts are District 187 and 189.  (Photo coming soon)