Advisory Board
Artists Rock The M-I-C, has an amazing advisory board with extensive expertise and experience.
Chairman and Entrepreneur
Ken Burwell
Ken Burwell is the Chairman of the A.R.M. Advisory Council. Ken is a native of Long Island, New York, a proud Mason, and a Veteran of the United States Navy. He is a passionate leader with more than 30 years of experience in corporate security and protections. Ken has vast knowledge in economic communications and development along with a background in operations and finance. Ken is a local business owner serving the Atlanta community and serves as the Director of the BNI Atlanta Chapter. Additionally, Ken has partnerships with several non-profit organizations where he builds team approaches to address community issues with a focus on youth and children. He serves tirelessly coordinating and participating in events that benefit those in the most need in our communities including placing in a 2015 5k run to benefit homeless students.
Musicial Director,
Producer,
Programmer, &
Keyboardist
Morris Hayes
Morris Hayes grew up in the small town of Jefferson, Arkansas. music in the church touched his soul and inspired what would become a life long passion. In 1986, Mark Brown, former bass player for Prince and the Revolution, saw them perform and invited the band to Minneapolis to record a demo. During this time he wrote, co-produced and engineered tracks with Shanice Wilson. Morris got his big break in 1991 when Jerome Benton asked him to play keyboards with the Time. He was hired to replace Jimmy Jam. That year, he toured Asia with the Time.
At the end of the tour, Morris formed a band called “G Sharp and the Edge”. They were the house band for “Glam Slam”, the Minneapolis nightclub owned by Prince. Prince recognized their talent and hired the band to play with Carmen Electra. They opened for Prince on the “Diamonds and Pearls” tour in 1992.
After the tour, Prince asked Morris to play keyboards alongside Tommy Barbarella in his band “The New Power Generation.” During the 10 years he played keyboards for “The N.P.G.”, he came to be known as “Mr. Hayes.”
After leaving “The N.P.G.”, Morris began what was supposed to be a 6-week fill in gig early in 2003 for Maceo Parker. That soon turned into a 2 and a half year stint with the saxophone great. In 2005 he again returned to work with Prince. Mr. Hayes was Prince Musical Director for 8 years.
When not on stage performing with Prince, “Mr. Hayes” produced tracks for television and motion pictures including: Martin Lawrence’s “You so Crazy”, HBO’s Laurel Avenue, Target, & 3M.
Morris has performed live with many of the legends of our time including: Prince, Maceo Parker, The Time, Fred Wesley, George Clinton, Larry Graham, Chaka Khan, Whitney Houston, Herbie Hancock, Kanye West, Elton John, Babyface, Teddy Riley, Carlos Santana, Kenny Loggins, George Benson, Lenny Kravitz, Alicia Keys, Will.i.am, Mary J. Blige, Q-Tip, Mazarati, Janelle Monáe, Tamar Davis, Maroon 5, Shelia E., Eve, Ani Di Franco, Doug E. Fresh, Stevie Wonder, ?uestlove, Kool Moe Dee, Sheryl Crow, Nikka Costa, Gwen Stefani, Eve, Angie Stone, D’Angelo, Common, Shanice Wilson, Mike Philips, Erika Badu, Amy Winehouse, Bono and the Edge, Frank MccCombs, Vernon Reid, Macy Grey, Angelo Moore, Debra Cox, Carmen Electra, Bill Banfield, Mica Paris & Mint Condition and many others.
One of his crowning moments was performing in one of the most memorable moments in Super Bowl half-time history with Prince in 2007.He has also appeared on numerous talk shows and award shows in the United States and abroad.
The multi-talented “Mr. Hayes” has produced tracks for numerous artists and continues to write, produce, compose and record.
Fulton County Sheriff
Ted Jackson
Theodore Jackson is an accomplished senior executive with extensive experience as a field manager and a broad range of experience at FBI Headquarters in national program areas, policy budget, and management. In 1996, Mr. Jackson was selected by the President of the United States to be awarded the rank of Meritorious Executive in the Senior Executive Service of the FBI. A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Mr. Jackson earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in physics from Morgan State University in Baltimore. He is a Vietnam War veteran, having served in the U.S. Army. He attended graduate school at the University of Southern California, Washington Public Affairs Branch, earning a certificate in Public Administration. He is a graduate of the Federal Executive Institute, Charlottesville, Virginia, and the Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government and has received extensive training in crisis management exercises. Additionally, Mr. Jackson is an FBI-trained Hostage Negotiator, General Police Instructor, and Sex Crimes Instructor. Mr. Jackson served as a commission member of the Ohio Police Training Academy, having been appointed by the Governor of the State of Ohio, policy committee member of the Federal Executive Board, President of the Cincinnati Chapter of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), Chairman of the Advisory Board of Aiken Senior High School Career Paths, a member of Hamilton County Chiefs Association, the International Association of Chiefs of Police Association, the American Legion Post 56, Metropol an organization representing Federal, State, local law enforcement and corporate security representatives, Georgia Chiefs of Police Association, Georgia Chapter of NOBLE and the FEI Alumni Association, among numerous other positions. Mr. Jackson served as an executive board member of Metropol, which consist of law enforcement and corporate executives and is Vice-chairman of the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Agency (HIDTA), which is an organization comprised of federal, state, and local agencies addressing drug problems.
Government and Homeless Specialist
Tamura “Tami” Hill Thomas is a motivating leader and public speaker with an emphasis on team building, self-empowerment, and leadership development. She facilitates wellness empowerment, homeless awareness, and strategic building sessions throughout the nation and internationally along with women's health fairs, church retreats, and youth empowerment workshops. Tami is a consultant to high level government officials, executive directors, board members, pastors, and entrepreneurs with a proven record of building community based initiatives and establishing team building approaches. Tami’s dynamic mentorship has led to stronger leadership accountability in government, greater community service organizations, and she is a passionate motivator who is an Evangelist, experienced trainer, professional instructor, vocalist, and choreographer. Tami has received accolades from many community advocates, churches, and several governmental officials including White House Recognitions from President Ronald Reagan, and Vice President Joe Biden for her outstanding work in the area of homelessness and her impact to the lives of those in the greatest need in communities throughout the nation. She is currently one of the homeless specialist for President Barak Obama.
Production Director &
Engineer for Steve Harvey Morning Show
Lance "Catdogg" Crayton
Lance "Catdogg" Crayton is a radio personality, DJ, production director, engineer, and writer as well as Board Technician for the Steve Harvey Morning Show that is heard in over 70 markets. Lance has a passion for music, writing, and entertainment and started as a local DJ in Los Angeles. In 1997 he got his start in the entertainment business as an intern at the legendary radio station 92.3 The Beat in Los Angeles. Lance quickly rose through the ranks to become supervisor of street team promotions. With his great personality and ability to relate to people, Lance was promoted to board technician and eventually on-air talent. He has worked with artist such as Snoop Dog, Kurupt, Xzibit, producer Meech Wells (son of the late Mary Wells), and many others. Lance’s hard work ethic did not go unnoticed and in 2002 he was recruited by The Steve Harvey Morning Show to do street promotions. In 2003 Lance was promoted to Local Commercial Board Tech and eventually went on to become the Syndicated Board Technician as well as Production Director for the Steve Harvey Morning Show.
This began a long tenure with The Steve Harvey Morning Show alongside his mentors Steve Harvey and Rushion McDonald. Faith, morals, and family values are just a few of the traits that Lance possesses and it’s those traits combined with his work ethic that has kept him on a path of success. Over the years Lance has worked on many TV and film projects such as The Steve Harvey Project as well as Steve Harvey's Big Time Challenge where he was an assistant writer.
Since leaving Los Angeles in 2006, Lance has lived in New York and now resides in Atlanta. While in Atlanta and still working for the Steve Harvey Morning Show, Lance has worked at Tree Sound Studio as well as being a liaison for artist and producers in the industry. Lance attended Atlanta Institute of Music and is currently the Play On/Play Off Music Coordinator for the Annual Steve Harvey Neighborhood Awards.
As of lately, Lance has entered the world of philanthropy and he firmly believes learning to help and serve others is not only his mission, but an obligation. He takes pride in being a perfectionist and feels like giving back to those in need should be no different. Martin Luther King once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” Lance has embraced this question and intends to move forward with those words in mind.
Senior Pastor,
Rev. Dr. Gregory A. Sutton
Born in Atlanta, Georgia and raised among great educators, philosophers, and theologians. At the young age of 18, the young preacher was called to pastor a growing metropolitan church, Jackson Memorial, where he has pastored for 41 years. Today, the church has a growing membership of 6,000 plus members. Pastor Sutton is a respected and highly recognized spiritual leader, theological ambassador, religious mentor, and community activist. He is dedicated to the awareness, protection, and spiritual development of youth and is the originator of the theme, “Stop the Violence, Save the Children”. He has developed and implemented various ministries at Jackson Memorial and reaches out to the community locally and regionally through his weekly television broadcast, “Now Is the Time”.
His Outreach Ministry reaches a diverse audience that touches many low income and homeless families. On a daily basis, the ministry participates and assist in reaching out to homeless shelters, families living in hotel apartments and those living on the streets bringing them to the church for services (a hot meal, family recreation, haircuts, clothing and words of encouragement). Accomplished community servant, Pastor Sutton has received many awards, accommodations, and citations. He serves on the Board of Directors of many organizations, as well as, the Board of Ministers of Morehouse College.
Celebrity Makeup
Artist, Stylist, &
Educator Paris Murphy
Ms. Murphy is the visionary behind Eye Candy Glam & Image Studio and creator of Candy Couture Cosmetics. Known as “Duchess of Beauty,” She has extensive work credits in print, film, television, music videos, stage plays and fashion shows. From her business endeavors to her professional and personal accomplishments, Paris continues to reinvest her time and energy back into the community. She was the lead beauty consultant and a sponsor for the Georgia Make a Wish Foundation’s Evening of Fashion and Wishes event, and recently accepted the role as president of the I Will Survive, Inc. Foundation, which is dedicated to increasing breast cancer awareness through education and provides funding for treatments, living costs, ongoing educational training and more to members of lower-income communities and beyond. Paris is also a member of the National Association of Professional Women and Women Flying High, a strategic small business- consulting firm dedicated to increasing women’s share of public and private sector contracts. Paris has received the Phoenix Award, the highest honor an individual or group can receive from the Mayor of Atlanta. The Phoenix Award recognizes outstanding achievements and service to the city, state, nation or world; and she is also a 2014 honoree of the Live Your Legacy Summit.
Pastor Rebecca B Watkins
Rebecca B. Watkins, also known as “Ms. Becky," a Humanitarian and Philanthropist, mother to the nation, and a proud native of Atlanta, Georgia. Mrs. Watkins received her Bachelor of Political Science degree in business and finance law and her Masters degree in business law from Mercer University in Chamblee. Rebecca was called into the ministry and licensed to teach in 1986, under the leadership of Dr. William E. Croom, and in 1994 was ordained and began her pastoral career.
Pastor Watkins is a consultant and Co-Pastor to Pastor Joel Casoria, and by extension, is also a consultant to Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), the largest religious broadcast and television network in the world. She is an assistant to Dr. George E. Holmes, President Barack Obama’s National African American Clergy. She is the publicist for Shelley Garrett producer of the stage plays “Beauty Shop” and Barber Shop”. Not forgetting her own community, Pastor Watkins has housed orphaned children with HIV for over two decades.
Mrs. Watkins' compassion for people and connection to people that enabled her with the resources to become founder of Operation Katrina Care, where she flew over two hundred Hurricane Katrina victims from the Dome in Texas to Atlanta, and housed them.
Over her lifetime, Pastor Rebecca B. Watkins has played many roles, including co-hosting a television show in the 1980’s, having a successful 30 year career as a commercial real estate agent, and working in just about every major position within the US Postal Service. She has organized and coordinated meetings with various interfaith community business leaders and politicians, state congress, city council, governors, mayors, dignitaries and celebrities. She has also been a spiritual mother to many politicians, judges, lawyers, and numerous celebrities.
In all that she has done, above all else, Pastor Watkins consciously always puts God in front of all that she does and her life’s works are a testament to that.
Present-Assistant Pastor to Joel Casoria, Counsel of the International Ministries Loganville, Georgia. Multicultural Ministries 38 countries.
Former Overseer of New Generation Outreach International Ministry (22 churches); Forsyth, Georgia
Retired-Director of Public Relations United States Letter Carrier-Postal Service; Atlanta, Georgia
Humanitarian to the Juvenile’s with HIV (AIDS); Atlanta, Georgia
Present-She is on the board of Atlanta Children Foundation
Director of Operations-Bittersweet Entertainment Atlanta, GA
Bereavement Specialist for Willie A. Watkins Funeral Home (Family owned and operated); Atlanta, Georgia
First African American Woman in the Atlanta Area to put together PGA Golf Tournaments