BOARD OF DIRECTORSRonnique Hawkins – Is the Executive Director of Learn My History, and is a film producer and entertainer who uses personal experience as inspiration for upcoming programs, movies and organizational projects.
As a young woman of color, Ms. Hawkins longed for inclusive historical education. Despite this, she began painting historical figures on canvas and clothing throughout her life and helped address this challenge through movements for equality. She continued her quest through the Arts, singing with artists of various genres and is featured on music productions including the 2006 James Brown Tribute Album dedicated to the beloved iconic musician. She studied acting from top New York schools and appeared on various television shows. She is also a model with a history of projects via the fashion world which crosses over to activism in global awareness for Breast and Prostate Cancer. As an activist, she has been involved in programs for local radio stations, The United Nations and The National Voting Rights Museum in Selma Alabama, and spoken at various venues. In 2003, Ronnique was requested to assist with the production of a work in progress “The Untold Story of Emmett Louis Till”. This film revealed uncovered information, which among other factors ultimately helped reopen the 1955 Human Right's case of the 14 year-old martyred child. This case garnered global awareness and Ms. Hawkins considers accompanying late pioneer journalist Ed Bradley, the CBS film crew and her production crew to Mississippi as one of the most special moments of her life. In 2005, this film which she serves as a producer was nominated for an Emmy award. Long before the U.S. Senate apologized in 2005 for blocking federal anti-lynching legislation, Ronnique started her campaign in 2003 to assist families. In 2003, she founded two charitable non-profit 501(c)(3)s, and recognizing the need for Multicultural Youth Empowerment through intergenerational mentoring, she now focuses on her beloved 'Learn My History' non-profit. By design, this intergenerational program transfers knowledge, toward a greater appreciation while encouraging youth to be leaders not statistics. Ronnique is the producer of a 30-minute educational piece called Learn My History…From the Past to the Present, which includes unreleased words and footage from the families of Emmett Till, Sean Bell (2006 NYPD "50 Shots" victim) Frederick Douglass IV, Ida B. Wells Barnett, The 3 Civil Right’s Workers, the late greats Ossie Davis and Carolyn Goodman, The Central Park 5, (New York's Central Park jogger case) Executive Dir. of the NY MLK Center Cliff Frazier, respected Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Hip-Hop musicians, authors, multicultural activists and educators. Learn My History projects are in the works that embody our mission, and showcase younger generations through various mediums and honoring youth and inspirational individuals for positive achievements. Derrick Love – Mr. Love is a world traveler with a background in marketing, and has served as first Lieutenant in the Air Force. With over 10 years working in the entertainment business, he also served as vice president of the community neighborhood block board association with the missions of bringing together young people in an organized fashion to become home owners who care about their neighborhoods and community who want change. Perhaps the proudest examples of his work, are with children in Long Island New York teaching in areas of scholastic and physical education, specializing in assisting students with their mathematical and reading skills. Mr. Derrick Allen Love understands the need for youth empowerment and has been an esteemed example who serves in his community and the thousands he’s come across domestically and internationally. Carton Ridenhour – Known globally as the iconic entertainer and educator 'Chuck D', this multi-award-winning author, lecturer and musician advocates many prevalent fields. Founder of the legendary rap group Public Enemy, this world traveler, meticulously evaluates educational differences in many countries. With these findings he lectures world-wide as a prominent figure who's helped change the music industry for the better. For over 16 years, he has been a requested speaker in over 250 Universities in the US, The UK, Germany, Denmark, The Netherlands, Moscow, Japan, China, France, and Brazil in schools, cultural and technology events. New York Times named Public Enemy among the “25 Most Significant Albums of the Last Century.” In May 2005, The US Government’s Library of Congress included their album ‘Fear of a Black Planet’ in a list of “50 recordings worthy of preserving in the National Recording Registry.” Their 1988 album ‘It Takes A Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back’ is credited as the greatest Hip-Hop album in history, and the group credited as the most influential Hip-Hop group in history. He collaborates with artists outside his genre, including Isaac Hayes, John Mellencamp, and U2, and has recorded and composed many film soundtracks. Mr. Ridenhour is a spokesperson for many peaceful organization and an artist transcending all color lines. PUBLIC ENEMY IS NOW INDUCTED INTO THE ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Chanie Moskowitz – Mrs. Moskowitz is a beautiful family oriented woman who knows the value of helping to better non-profits with good intentions. She has always taken a liking to projects geared toward children and youth, and has been a sounding board for people with questions who may not know where else to turn. Although her schedule would rival most Presidents around the world, she always makes time to assist those in need wishing to make a difference in their community. The accounting profession is a gift to Mrs. Moskowitz, yet her skills go much further than that. Knowing the importance of sustainability, she was able to help Learn My History pursue it's missions of Youth Empowerment in different ways and levels of thinking. LMH is grateful that she knows its missions have multicultural inclusions, that look beyond religion and culture. Victor Andrews – Is a Motivational DJ and Radio Personality who is also visually impaired. It never prohibited him from achieving his goals of being well-known through radio, TV and more. Victor has always referred to Stevie Wonder, Jose Feliciano and Ray Charles, as these award winners never used vision challenges as an excuse to join the music world they loved, using it as a vehicle to transcend age and color-barriers. Victor is a new generation role-model for perseverance. He knew that the bar for certain equipment visually impaired people use, must be raised to compete with sited people earning the same living. Raised in Brooklyn, by 6 years old his music passion began in his Grandmother's church. The booming drum percussion led to interest in other instruments, and he was playing congas there by age 12. He then played trap drums, and soon Victor at 12, was heading toward a music career. He furthered these gifts by engineering live sound. Before a microphone could think of feeding back, Vic was on it! Entering radio in 2005, he noticed his equipment was out of date, and he began updating the computers and music selection audio boards with MediaTouch that other engineers used. Victor: “When I was young, there was no organization like Learn My History that included the visually impaired, and treat us like the educators we are; just like sited people. I’m so inspired to spread this word! If it weren’t for the Exec. Dir. Ronnique, I wouldn’t connect with great cultures of people, who like me want future generations to have great mentors. I had MOPD (Mayors Office for People with Disabilities.) ... Although I'm a mentee who inspires younger generations, I consider Ronnique a mentor of mine." Victor is truly the most spirited individual you could ever meet, if you're lucky! |
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