Voza Rivers

Voza Rivers, an IMPACT Repertory Theatre co-founder, is a leading African–American theater, music and events producer. Throughout his career, Rivers has worked with talented artists such as Nancy Wilson, Nina Simone, Ruby Dee, Luther Vandross, James Brown, The Count Basie Orchestra, Boy George, Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Miriam Makeba, Kool and the Gang, Hugh Masekela, Boyz II Men, Tony Bennett, Anita Baker, Max Roach, Gloria Lynne, Yolanda Adams, Mary J. Blige, Dionne Warwick, Cissy Houston, Manhattan Transfer, Toni Braxton, Rachelle Ferrell, Al Jarreau, Grover Washington, Jr., and Stevie Wonder. He received a Grammy nomination for the Broadway musical Sarafina! and produced the Obie award winning play A Huey P. Newton Story at the Schomburg Center in New York City.

Presently, Rivers serves as Chairman and CEO of VOZ Entertainment Group; Executive Producer of New Heritage Theatre Group New York City’s oldest Black not-for-profit theater; and Chairman of the Harlem Arts Alliance, a service organization of 400 members including not-for-profit, and for-profit cultural organizations, performing and visual artists, universities, churches and museums. He is also Co-Chairman of the Board of Directors for Community Works serves 150,000 New York City students and adults.

Jamal Joseph

Jamal Joseph is a writer, director, documentary filmmaker and professor at Columbia University ’s Graduate School of the Arts. Joseph, a former Black Panther Party member, is the co-founder of The International Black Panther Film Festival. Joseph has directed over 25 feature films and documentaries, including Heal the Rainbow, What ‘Cha Gonna Do About Hate and Kayla’s Story for the CitiKids Foundation, and the feature documentary Hughes’ Dream Harlem. Joseph executive produced a spoken word CD: The Rose That Grew From Concrete with Afeni Shakur, which featured performances by Sonia Sanchez, Quincy Jones and Danny Glover. Joseph’s is a three-time winner of the National Black Programming Consortium’s Prize Pieces Award, a two-time winner of the Black Filmmaker Hall of Fame Award, a winner of the International Film and Video Association Award, and a recipient of the New York Fine Arts Fellowship.

Joyce Walker Joseph

Joyce Walker Joseph began her career as a model gracing the covers of Essence, Seventeen and Vogue magazines and as actress with the legendary Negro Ensemble Company. She was in the original Broadway casts of Hair and Konge’s Harvest. Off-Broadway starring roles include Runners, Twenty Year Friends and Beyond the Call of Duty. Her film and television credits include The Education of Sonny Carson, Willie Dynamite, Drive By: A Love Story, Paid In Full and Hughes Dream Harlem. Joyce is an award-winning playwright whose credits include Games, Ash and Pass Perfect. She is a resident writer, producer, casting director and acting coach at New Heritage Theatre Group.

Raymond “Ray Jay” Johnson

Raymond Johnson (“Ray Jay”) is one of the co-founders of IMPACT Repertory Theatre. Raymond graduated from of the “Famed” Laguardia Music and Art High School in New York . He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work and over 25 years’ experience in youth development and leadership training. He has used the skills he attained in music and theater to engage youth and provide them with meaningful services. Raymond is currently the Director of the Isaacs Center Beacon Program and Host of Manhattan Neighborhood Network’s public access television show “Let’s Tell it Our Way.” He has performed on stage in the play ASH by IMPACT co-founder, Joyce Walker Joseph, and appeared in the public film, You Can Prevent TB, and documentary films Burning Sands and Camp Minisink, both written by IMPACT co-founder, Jamal Joseph. Ray Jay has been a member of the Order of the Feather Fraternity for more than ten years and founded its graduate chapter.

Courtney A. Bennett

Mr. Courtney A. Bennett p layed a critical role in acquiring rehearsal space for the program in IMPACT’s early stages. He currently works as the Director of Community and Government Relations at the New York City Mission Society. Outside of work, he serves as the Chairman of the Order of the Feather Fraternity, a community-based organization dedicated to building character and moral values in young men. He also is a formidable multi-percussionist covering a range of styles including Jazz, Gospel, R n’ B/Funk, Fusion, Classical. His awards include: NYC Comptrollers Commendation for Service (2004), Our Lady of Charity Man of the Year Award (2000), Community Service Achievement Award from New York City Council Member C. Virginia Fields (1998), and the Congressional Achievement Award from U.S. Congressman Floyd Flake (1987).

Alice Arlen

Alice Arlen is an author, screenwriter and grandmother who has been nominated for an Academy Award. She is on the board of the Cissy Patterson Foundation as well as other boards.