Our Board, Founder, and Staff

At Black Spectrum, we boast a team of participants who are dedicated to performing arts. Learn more about our board, our staff, and our founder below.

A smiling man wearing glasses, a dark fedora hat, and a gray sweater with a white shirt underneath. He has a gray beard, a silver ring on his finger, and is resting his chin on his hand.

Carl Clay, Founder

Carl Clay is an award-winning producer, director, writer, and creative visionary whose work in theatre, film, music, and community arts has impacted audiences nationwide for decades.

As the Founder and Executive Producer of Black Spectrum Theatre Company, Mr. Clay has produced more than 300 theatrical productions throughout New York City and across the United States, helping establish Black Spectrum as a respected force in Black arts and cultural programming.

A multidisciplinary storyteller, Mr. Clay has written, produced, and directed over 20 short and feature-length films showcased at national and international film festivals. Through Black Spectrum Theatre, he has also trained more than 1,000 aspiring actors and creatives while helping launch the careers of numerous performers in theatre, television, and film.

In addition to theatre and film, Mr. Clay has produced more than 30 live jazz concerts featuring acclaimed artists including Roy Ayers, Carl Thomas, and Roberta Flack.

His work has earned numerous honors, including an Audelco Award for Deadwood Dick, Legend of the West, ASCAP Lyricist recognition, PBS National Black Programming Awards, and multiple civic and cultural achievement recognitions for his contributions to the arts and community.

Through his leadership and creative vision, Carl Clay continues to preserve and elevate Black storytelling, artistic expression, and cultural engagement for future generations.

"I offer my shoulder for the new generation of artists to stand on, as I have stood on the shoulders of my ancestors and mentors!" - Carl Clay

Everett Hopkins, Esq. 
Board Chair, Attorney at Law

Gil Finch
Board Member

Antoinette Brown
Board Member

Gloria Thomas
Board Secretary

Board of Trustees

Faye Yelardy
Board Member

Deborah King-Dorman
Board Member

Carl Clay
President /Founder Writer, Producer, and Filmmaker

Bob Law
Chairperson (Emeritus), Producer and Host of Syndicated Radio Program, and Community Activist

Arthur French
Vice Chairperson (Emeritus), Founding Member of the Negro Ensemble Company, Recipient of 1997 OBIE Award for Sustained Excellence of Performances

Timothy James
1st Vice Chairman (Emeritus)

Chris Curry
Board Member (Emeritus)

John Howell
Board Member, CPA (Emeritus)

Jack Seng
Treasurer, (Emeritus)

Administrative Staff

Carl Clay
Founder, Executive Producer / CEO

Nena Rollins
Marketing Director—Senior Staff Member

Vanessa Caesar
Director of Operations

Barbara Ottley
Executive Assistant & Office Manager

Roman Khukhashvili
Controller

Ashlee Doyle
Marketing Director—Senior Staff 

Michelle Burns
Volunteer Coordinator

Donald Taylor & Michael Turner
Maintenance Facilitator

Artistic Staff

Bette Howard
Resident Professional Company Director

Derek Galloway
Technical Director

Fulton Hodges 
Adult Training Classes