Raye Jones Avery
Raye Jones Avery has accumulated 35 years of public service focused on arts-based community development, education equity, reproductive justice, and urban policy with Community Action of Greater Wilmington, Delaware Planned Parenthood, United Way of Delaware, Christina Cultural Arts Center and Kuumba Academy Charter School. Currently, Avery volunteers on the boards of Kuumba Academy, the Wilmington Center for Education Equity and Policy, Elevate Vocal Arts Academy, Delaware Theater Company, the Redding Consortium, and is a charter member and past president of National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Delaware Chapter. Avery hosts a jazz series at the Delaware Art Museum curated by Jonathan Whitney. Valley and Lillian Rice (parents) were both educators in Wilmington Public Schools. Mr. Rice taught math at Bancroft for 24 years leaving a rich, unsung legacy. Mrs. Rice taught early learners at Mary C.I. Williams, Lore and Shortlidge Elementary Schools. As a creative, Avery has self-produced two vocal arts recording projects- “Sistah Girl’s Lament” and “Between”. A beloved “community mother”, her birth children are Brandy, Bankole, Ara and Fela Osimokun and Brandon Valley Jones.
Lynne Howard
Lynne Howard has over 30 years of leadership experience in Delaware’s government and non-profit sectors, focusing on legislative affairs, policy analysis, strategic planning, and education. Her government roles included Advisor on Family Issues for Governor Tom Carper, Chief of Staff for Wilmington City Council, and Chief Human Resources Officer for County Executive Chris Coons. In the non-profit sector, she served as Executive Director of the Delaware Association of Rehabilitation Facilities. As CEO of Lynne Howard Consulting, she advanced Kuumba Academy and Christina Cultural Arts Center’s vision for a world-class educational system in Wilmington.
A graduate of Spelman College and George Washington University, Lynne serves as the Mitchell Center for African American Heritage Co- Chair, on the Delaware College Scholars Board of Directors and on the Delaware Judicial Nominating Commission.