The Vernita Gray Council is a passionate and dynamic auxiliary board made up of influencers and innovators who want to help further the mission and vision of Howard Brown. Named after Vernita Gray, the Council honors a longtime champion of the rights of LGBTQ people, African Americans, and women who served as a community volunteer, donor, and advocate. Through the council, members grow in their understanding of the health disparities facing the LGBTQ+ community and the resilience of LGBTQ+ people.
As a group, the Vernita Gray Council supports advocacy opportunities, champions and attends agency events, raises funds to support Howard Brown’s mission, and grows awareness of the work of the agency in the community.
Drake Nickell
Council Chair
(he/him/his)
Jamie Umanzor
Council Vice Chair
(she/her/hers)
Josh Bradley
Development Committee Vice-Chair
(he/him/his)
Ken Mejia-Beal
Membership Chair
(he/him/his)
Michal Sered-Schoenberg
Membership Committee Vice-Chair
(she/her/hers)
Mel Parks
Outreach Committee Chair
(He/Him/His)
Tracey Baker
Council Member at Large
(She/Her/Hers)
Katie Bean
Council Member at Large
(they/them)
Stefanie Clark
Council Member at Large
(she/her/hers)
Mo Green
Council Member at Large
(he/him/his)
Dylan Haessly
Council Member at Large
(She/Her/Hers)
Zach Nicolaides
Council Member at Large
(he/him/his)
Kelly O’Brien
Council Member at Large
(he/him/his)
Trevor Rayhons
Council Member at Large
(he/him/his)
Starane Shepherd
Council Member at Large
(he/him/his)
Jeremiah Stevens
Council Member at Large
(He/Him/His)
Mike Mazzeo, PhD
Vice Chair at Large for Board of Directors, Board Liaison to the Vernita Gray Council for Philanthropy
(he/him/his)
Steven Solomon
Staff Liaison for Vernita Gray Council for Philanthropy
(he/him/his)
Interested in Joining the Council?
Questions? Please contact Steven Solomon (Senior Individual Giving Officer), at StevenS@howardbrown.org.