Meet The Team
Patricia Diggs
Executive Director Operation Backlot
Patricia Diggs is a communication specialist with 25 years’ experience in television, radio and public relations Los Angeles and Washington DC. She gained her broadcast experience in Los Angeles and in Washington DC as Senior Media /Marketing Executive at Tucker McKenzie a communications firm developing corporate, non-profit and national association accounts for the National Educational Associations, the Smithsonian Institute, the Washington Post, Presidential Convention and Presidential Inaugural Committee. Ms. Diggs received a White House invitation for young professional to participate in briefings on policies and initiatives and was honored at the United States Marshals’ Diversity Day Program. Ms. Diggs has traveled to England France, Spain and Italy on various writing assignments and project developments. She created a book publishing company, The Publishers Group and published Bronzeville, A Milwaukee Lifestyle a research project that explores the “Great Migration” of African Americans to the North. Ms. Diggs created and co-produced with MPTV-PBS, funded by the Annie E. Casey Foundation “Punching In” a documentary about the transitional challenge of a manufacturing city to a new global marketplace. She continues to develop media projects and forums in Washington DC and Los Angeles with Operation Back nonprofit apprenticeship program for transitional youth in Los Angeles and Atlanta and Lessons From the Front Lines an International Speakers Forum.
Academic Advisers
Dr. Karen McRae
Dr. McRae serves as Interim Chief Executive Officer of the National Organization of Concerned Black Men and is the first female to hold this position. She is also Principal Consultant of the TMK Group Inc., a niche market strategic communications and public affairs consulting firm based in Washington, DC and Los Angeles, CA. Previously, Dr. McRae served as Chief Operating Officer of the National Congress of Black Women (NCBW) and Global Fundraising Director of Church World Service (CWS). Prior to CWS, she served executive director, Afghan Women’s Writing Project; executive director of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and
executive director of the Association for Study of Afro-American Life and History (ASALH), the organization founded by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, founder of Black History Month. She has also served as executive director of one of the nation’s leading organization comprised of senior African American corporate executives of Fortune 500 companies. A native of New Jersey, she has served as a public-school educator, deputy city manager and adjunct professor of American Government and Public Policy at several colleges and universities. As a consultant Dr. McRae has worked with many national organizations creating innovative partnerships with major corporations, small businesses, elected officials and community leaders throughout the United States and abroad. She has also served as a campaign strategist and fundraiser for the DNC, DSCC, DCCC and other statewide and local political campaigns and organizations.
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Contact/Bookings
8201 Corporate Drive
Suite 11250
Landover, MD 20785
info@cbmoa.org (Email)
240/828-8106 (Office)
Dreka Shevon
Dreka Shevon is an award-winning storyteller who grew up in Mississippi where she received her B.A degree in Film from the University of Southern Mississippi. Dreka has worked in the Broadcast and Film Industry for over 15 years. In 2013, she launched and headed the Commercial Production Dept. at an NBC Affiliate in Memphis, TN. After resigning to devote her energies full time to the development of Prime Stone Media, LLC, Dreka has since developed several platforms and PSAs to bring awareness to a variety of socially significant subjects such as women issues and child abuse. Her film "The Companion," won BEST NARRATIVE SHORT FILM at the Miami Women’s International Film Festival. It also screened at several other festivals including Martha Vineyards African-American Film Festival and Holly Black Film Festival in Hollywood. She inspired a movement of independent filmmakers in Mississippi after producing her first feature film in 2007, "Ready for Love." Through her story telling, Dreka seeks to open the door and spotlight the struggles and issues of contemporary America.
Clement Gibson
Clement Gibson specializes in brand marketing and writing/storytelling. He is originally from Monrovia, Liberia, but was raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Gibson is an alumnus of Columbia University, Jackson State University, Long Beach City College and North Country Community College where he earned a Master's of Science in Strategic Communication, a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Mass Communication: Media Arts & Journalism and two Associates Degrees in Business Administration and Communication Studies.
The Liberia native has helped over 12 startup companies and individual clients launch their business and grow their brand while serving as a consultant, and digital content creator for websites.
Lauren Raphael
CEO / Founder S.T.E.P. Academics
Lauren Fofana is a recognized leader in the community who plans and executes opportunities for students to succeed academically. She is especially passionate about helping families whose finances interfere with getting the professional services that their children need and deserve to have. S.T.E.P. Academics Inc. is an academic enrichment company that has been providing tutoring services since 2002. To date, “S.T.E.P.” has provided tutorial support to over 22 schools and over 1,500 students (Grades 1 – 12) in the critical areas of Mathematics and Literacy skills which are applied across the curriculum.