Black Funding Matters E6
This episode of Racism in Small Business and Arts focused on funding issues for people of color with businesses in the arts space. Tobie Stein, Author, Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Performing Arts Workforce, and sociologist provided insight into the issues with mind-numbing data showing the inequity in funding, and insight on solutions. Toni Yuille Williams, of talk show Brooklyn Savvy is not stranger to the massive barriers experienced by African-Americans in the arts, and why the arts are critical to EVERYONE.
Regular panelist, and owner of Emerson Theater Collaborative and The Sedona Arts Academy, Camilla Ross, shares her trials and tribulations preventing her from growing her theater company. Camilla’s shows center around the exact issues we experience as a society as a whole from suicide to historical pieces, such as Harriet Tubman. When audiences walk away from a performance, the economic ripple continues for the local communities. Karen Loomis, of No Moss Brands included similar statistics experienced in other industries for African-Americans. Listen. Reflect. Act.
Brooklyn College is a four year college and graduate school and part of the City University of New York college system.
Tobie Stein, Ph.D. is a two-time Fulbright Specialist (Israel and Taiwan), a member of the Diversity Scholars Network at the National Center for Institutional Diversity, University of Michigan, and a member of the American Sociological Association. 
She is the author of five books, including Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Performing Arts Workforce (Routledge 2020) and Leadership in the Performing Arts (Allworth Press (2016).
Connect with Tobie on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Antonia (Toni) Yuille Williams is the director of Regional and Community Affairs, Corporate Affairs for Con Edison Company of New York, Inc. In this capacity she develops the strategic direction for the Brooklyn Public Affairs department, of one of the nation’s largest investor-owned energy companies. Her responsibilities include government relations, corporate community relations, media relations, employee communications, volunteerism, and special events.
Toni joined Con Edison in 1988 where she was Manager of Public Information, shortly thereafter; she was promoted to the Director of Public Affairs position with the Company. Before joining Con Edison, she was the founding Director of the Human Resources Administration’s first Voucher Day Care Program. In that capacity, she was responsible for the administration of an $8 million dollar day care reimbursement program. The Citywide program included 140 private day care centers throughout the 5 boroughs, which provided thousands of families with subsidized day care.
Toni is the creator, on air personality and executive producer of Brooklyn Savvy, a Talk Show which airs three times a week on NYClife channel 25. NYC Media is the official TV, radio and online network of New York City informing, educating and entertaining New Yorkers about the City’s diverse people, and neighborhoods, government, services, attractions and activities. Brooklyn Savvy explores topical issues related to women. She has developed a library of content of over 250 episodes, and has a very active social media presence. As a result of this work, Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s Commission of Women’s Issues honored Toni at their Annual Women’s History Month Program in 2011 for her part in shaping the dialogue around women’s issues. Her video was screened in NYC taxicab fleets. Mrs. Williams also received a Telly Award for excellence in community programming for her work on The Brooklyn Reporter Roundtable. 
Toni is involved in many community activities. Currently, she is on the boards of the Brooklyn Public Library, Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation, Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation, The Brooklyn Arts Council, BRIC Art Media, New York City Technical College Foundation Board, American Heart Association-Brooklyn and The Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College. She was also appointed to the Mayor’s Panel on the Role of Brooklyn in the 19th Century Abolitionist Movement. She is a member of the Brooklyn Chapter of the Links and she is the Former First Vice President of Jack & Jill of America Brooklyn Chapter.
Toni is the recipient of numerous community award recognitions. The former Borough President of the Borough of Brooklyn Marty Markowitz awarded her with the highest honor a leader can receive the“Outstanding Brooklynite Award,” given only to those who have made an outstanding contribution, and provided exemplary service to the Borough. She is the recipient of the prestigious Corporate Citizen of the Year Award from the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, Progressive Democratic Political Association’s Woman Leadership Award, Top Women in Business, Schneps Communications, the Community Leadership Award from Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, the Corporate Cultural Leader of the Year from 651 Arts, the Community Service Award from Church Women United, the Business Leader of the Year Award, from the National Negro Business and Professional Women’s Club, the Community Capacity Builders Award from the Technical Assistance Center, and the Community Service Award from the Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew.
She was one of the Grand Marshal’s for the West Indian Day Carnival Association’s Labor Day Parade. She was the recipient of the Council of Jewish Organizations Community Service Award. The Harlem YMCA’s Black Achievers’ in Industry Award, the National Caribbean Review, Women of the Year Award, the Junior League’s Most Spirited Brooklynite Award, YWCA’s Woman of Distinction Award, Directions for Our Youth, Navigator of the Year Award, The Hospice of Greater New York Community Leadership Award, NYPD – 88th Precinct Council, Community Leadership Award, The Passover Spectacular’s Community Vision Award and many others citing her contributions to the Borough.
Toni has been featured in numerous articles in Our Time Press, Harlem Times, Brooklyn Spectator, Courier Life Publications and Industry Magazine. She has presented at conference workshops, and seminars.
Toni graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst and completed a graduate degree in Health Services Administration from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and completed certificate programs in Corporate Community Relations and Social Responsibility at Boston College and Community Negotiations at Harvard University. Toni has also served in an academic staff position at the University of California at Berkeley. She is an Adjunct Professor at St. Francis College. Toni is a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Art.
Connect with Toni on LinkedIn and follow Brookly Savvy on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Camilla Ross is the President and Chairman of Emerson Theater Collaborative, Inc., Producer and Actress (Portray’s Harriet Tubman – Harriet Tubman’s Dream written by Lisa Giordano). She is also the President and Chairman of the Sedona Arts Academy.
“To be a catalyst for social change is really where it’s at for me,” Camilla said. “I believe theater should always be a venue for social change. I love the art of live theater and love what it does to the human soul and spirit. It moves us to look at life differently. To leave off the rose-colored glasses and really see the human condition.”ETC is a shining example. Founded in 2008 to give voice to actors’ innate talent for character development, Camilla has since produced more than 20 inspired, original performances. Emerging and professional cast and crew have blossomed under her guidance. And together they’ve created profound, can’t-ever-forget shows that illuminate social issues, and transform audience curiosity into concern and action. 
Camilla has a deep well of experience and mentorship to tap into for her ETC roles—from her days at Emerson College and then in regional theaters and commercials. Among her favorite portrayals? Capturing the heart, spark, and essence of Harriet Tubman in the one-woman show Harriet Tubman’s Dream. Camilla is also deeply involved with youth, their visions for social change, and the desire to see the world as a stage of peace. To that end, she’s a tireless advocate for children and adults with Asperger’s Syndrome. She gives kids and teen real-life theatrical experience through ETC’s Summer Youth Program and enlivens their eagerness to learn about the history and genuine heroes through ETC’s school programs. Camilla is a steadfast suicide prevention advocate too, helping teens and adults avoid this tragedy and move forward to a happier, more positive future.
Camilla has taught business courses part-time at Three Rivers Community College since 2005, Sat on the Emerson College Alumni Board for ten years, and is past president of the Connecticut Alumni Chapter. In May 2014 Camilla was honored by the Writer’s Block of New London, Conn., for her past work as an instructor. In June 2013 she was named Woman of The Year by the Women’s Network of Southeastern Connecticut, and she’s been featured in many periodicals for her community service. In 2019 Emerson Theater Collaborative was nominated as Collaborator of the year in Sedona AZ. A veteran of the U.S. Navy and member of Kappa Beta Delta, Camilla earned her BA in Performing Arts: Acting from Emerson College in 1985 and her MBA in Finance from Baker College in Michigan.
Connect with Camilla on LinkedIn and follow ETC on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Karen Loomis, Oracle and Founder of No Moss Brands, is no stranger to the impact of racism; not only in her personal life, but professional life as well. In 2000, Karen moved from Spokane, Wa to Phoenix, AZ to find better opportunities as promised by the fifth largest city in the U.S. With only 2% AA, Spokane proved to be a challenging environment, as is Phoenix, with only 6% AA. 
Karen has never shied away from the many barriers racism presented. She has always felt her extensive education and professional experiences could overcome these often invisible challenges.
Unfortunately, institutional racism has proven to be too big of a hurdle for one person to take on. Using No Moss Brands as the vehicle, Karen will use her voice to open the eyes of others who are willing to join all People of Color on this journey to change. You in?
Connect with Karen on LinkedIn and follow No Moss Brands on Twitter and Facebook.
