Community Advisory Board

Devin Chandler

As a 9 year professional open format DJ, my passion for music and the arts has been with me from the very beginning. My knowledge of music started with genres like r&b, disco and pop through members of my family and their varied life experiences. The love for these genres then merged with hip hop and this has continued to transform my life to this day. I love connecting with an audience providing a great time when I’m not lost in music all to myself. There is so much music to explore and I enjoy presenting new sounds and experiences to others to keep passing on.

Matthew Dennis

As a creative, I thoroughly enjoy working to understand culture as it relates to communication to identify the various perspectives that bring each creative idea to life. I strive to help market creatively within a brand or company by being self-motivated, trendy, and cultural. I am satisfied best when I can contribute these real-world experiences to the team and deliver results.

Amber N. Ford

Amber N. Ford is an artist based in Pittsburgh, PA. She holds a BFA in Photography from the Cleveland Institute of Art and is currently a MFA candidate at Carnegie Mellon University. Her work has earned critical acclaim through exhibitions with FRONT Triennial, moCa Cleveland, and Kent State University Museum. In 2024, she was awarded the Emerging Artist Prize by the Cleveland Arts Prize, and named an Artist-in-Residence for moCa Cleveland in 2022. Her photojournalistic credits include The Washington Post, New York Times, NPR, and more.

Yana Glover

Yana G is a Cleveland-native creative and skilled loctician who founded Glo Locs in Lakewood where she has been professionally building and maintaining locs since 2016. As an early collaborator and founding member of the advisory board for Cleveland CROWN Convention, she blends her passion for heritage, haircare, and community connection to uplift local beauty culture with artistry and integrity.

Courtney L. Green

Courtney L. Green is moCa Cleveland’s Special Events & Development Programming Manager. A creative, educator, and strategic planner, she thrives at the intersection of community and connection. With a background in arts education and cultural programming, Courtney brings a passion for designing experiences that foster belonging and inspire collaboration. Her work reflects a deep commitment to creativity as a tool for engagement, ensuring that every event at moCa builds meaningful relationships and lasting impact.

Joshua L. Hill

Joshua L. Hill is the Senior Engagement Officer at moCa Cleveland, where he leads strategies that connect art, community, and impact. He develops partnerships, programs, and experiences that deepen belonging and dialogue across Cleveland’s cultural landscape. With a background in arts management and community health, Joshua’s work centers creative collaboration and equity, bridging artists, neighborhoods, and institutions to make contemporary art accessible, relevant, and transformative for all.

Natasha Lovelace

Natasha Lovelace was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio with family roots in East Cleveland. Shortly after graduating high school in 2005 she joined the Ohio Army National Guard. In 2011 her unit was deployed to Afghanistan where she served in Operation Enduring Freedom. After returning home she began studying psychology and sociology, driven by trauma induced mental health disorders that a rising number of soldiers experience post-deployment. Eventually, she obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology at Cleveland State University and began pouring into her community. In July of 2021 her oldest daughter, Makayla, became a victim of gun violence when she was shot in the head by a stray bullet in East Cleveland. Makayla survived her brain injury and began healing and thriving. This incident motivated the pivot to do work with anyone who have experience violent crimes and not just military members. Currently, Natasha is continuing her education to obtain a Master’s degree in Psychology. She serves on the Board of Directors for Slavic Village Development and continues to help families heal through her work as a Qualified Mental Health Specialist. Natasha sits on the Veterans Advisory Committee with Everytown for Gun Safety and is an active member with Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice. Her goal is to continue to advocate for mental health and gun violence awareness by researching the relationship between the two and fighting for the right to heal. Natasha strives to consistently exhibit the revolution of love through the evolution of herself.

TK Shorter

TK Shorter is a Cleveland-based DJ, creative, and serial entrepreneur who blends music, art, and community to craft immersive experiences. Known for curating vibrant events that bring people together, TK amplifies local voices while fostering inclusive spaces for expression and celebration. Whether behind the decks, collaborating with artists, or mentoring emerging creatives, TK brings energy, vision, and authenticity to every project while shaping a dynamic cultural landscape in Cleveland and beyond.

Dayja Smith

Dayja Smith is a member of ForbesBLK, Founder and CEO of Coko’s Crown and D. Smith Development Co., and a recognized entrepreneur and community leader in Cleveland. She serves as Chair of Professional Development for the Urban League of Greater Cleveland’s Young Professionals, Co-Chair of the Urban Land Institute’s Real Estate Diversity Initiative, and is a Board Advisory Member for the Cleveland Crown Convention. Dayja champions empowerment, equity, and meaningful community impact.

Abigail R. Thomas

Abigail Thomas is a marketing and communications professional who believes every brand has a story worth telling. With expertise in marketing strategy, content development, and event execution, she helps organizations bring their mission, message, and moments to life. Abigail specializes in creating authentic campaigns that foster community, spark engagement, and deliver measurable impact. Purpose-driven and collaborative, she combines creativity and strategy to ensure marketing efforts are not only seen, but genuinely felt.

Aaron D. Williams

"Aawful Aaron"

Aaron D. Williams, professional alias, "Aawful Aaron," is a groundbreaking contemporary artist who masterfully integrates traditional and experimental techniques. His innovative approach combines visual art, music, film, and fashion to create unprecedented cultural dialogue and community engagement platforms.

This cross-disciplinary methodology demonstrates his keen awareness of evolving artistic practices and their role in social transformation. As the founder of artist collective - Young Cleveland Renaissance, his ability to challenge artistic conventions and transform perspectives through visual communication has revolutionized Cleveland's art landscape by bridging subculture and contemporary art scenes.

Williams' artistic excellence has garnered significant recognition through his landmark solo exhibition at moCa Cleveland and installations at prestigious venues, including Cleveland Public Library and Riffe Gallery. His collaborations with major institutions like FRONT International and LAND Studios showcase his growing influence. As Community Liaison at Zygote Press, he continues to push boundaries in artistic practice while making lasting contributions to Cleveland's cultural fabric through innovative community outreach programs