TRAVIS D. WALKER, JD(CHAIR) Born in Urbana, Illinois, was a Political Science major with a Theatre minor at Santa Clara University (SCU). Travis attended Law School at the University of Illinois and graduated with a Juris Doctor in 2003.
While at SCU this young Walker served on various committees, took part in numerous activities and had significant influence in several student organizations. For example, he served on the Multicultural Center (MCC) Programming Board all four years of his SCU tenure. By his sophomore year he became the Co-Chair of the Board (now known as the Assistant Director), retaining the position until his graduation in 2000. Of all his accomplishments at SCU, Walker is most proud of his leadership in the “Unity 3" movement. The 1999 student sit-in was responsible for encouraging the relocation of MCC from out of the Graham Hall Basement into the center of Campus at Shappell Lounge. Upon matriculating from SCU Mr. Walker was awarded the full tuition Lincoln Scholarship at the University of Illinois College of Law. During that three year “return home,” he volunteered for various youth organizations. Additionally, during his summers, he was employed as Coordinator of children’s summer camps for San Jose’s St. Paul’s United Methodist Church and Third Baptist Church of San Francisco’s Being Black is Being Smart. Travis is currently an Account Executive for Enterprise Car Sales. Walker was just awarded The National Republican Congressional Leadership Award for his work in establishing Education Realized and was asked to be on the Business Advisory Council. He was also recently inducted into the Lyons Club of Union City. Furthermore, Walker has found time to continue work as an award winning playwright and screenwriter (see www.AfricanAmericanDramaCompany.org) and will produce his book for the new musical Love Machine in an international Black History Month tour this February. Log on to www.MotownHistory.com for additional information on this production. As the inspired leader of Education Realized Walker says, “What I always send out to Education Realized board members after every email is something I would like to share with you. ‘Through you change will come.’” If you live and believe this, it will come true.
CONTACT: Travis Donnell Walker (408) 230-1443 Email Trav1220@aol.com
MARISSA BROWN (Secretary)Ms. Brown is a 2002 graduate of Santa Clara University, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology and a minor in Ethnic Studies. She is currently pursuing a Master of Arts degree in Education from the University of Phoenix along with a secondary education teaching credential. Ms. Brown is currently working full time as the receptionist for William C. Overfelt High School in San José, CA and part time as a math, Spanish, and English tutor for elementary, high school and college students. She is a very family oriented person, so spending time with and taking care of her family is one of her top priorities. In her spare time she enjoys reading inspirational books and she loves to crochet. She is also a pretty good cook!
DR. ETHEL PITTS WALKER (Member)Dr. Ethel Pitts Walker is a tenured Professor in the Department of Television, Radio, Film, and Theatre at San Jose State University. She teaches in the areas of dramatic literature and criticism as well as performance courses. She also teaches in the African American Studies and the Creative Arts Departments. A native of Tulsa, Oklahoma, she is a graduate of Lincoln University in Missouri, the University of Colorado, and the University of Missouri-Columbia. Her teaching career includes positions at Southern University, Lincoln University, the University of Illinois-Urbana, Laney College, Wayne State University, and the University of California-Berkeley. Ethel and her husband, Phillip, own the African American Drama Company, a 25 year-old professional touring company that specializes in the performance of African American history plays. She has directed over 30 productions. A scene from her 2001 production of LONG TIME SINCE YESTERDAY was featured at the Region VIII American College Theatre Festival. Walker edited an anthology, The New/Lost Plays by Ed Bullins, co-edited the African American Scenebook with Kathryn Ervin, and has been published in several journals, newspapers, and books. She is the founding president of the Black Theatre Network, a national organization of theatricans, past president of the California Educational Theatre Association, past president of the Legislative Action Coalition for Arts Education, and a board member of the California Alliance for Arts Education. In April 21, 2002, Walker was inducted into the College of Fellows of the American Theatre in Washington, D.C.. In 2001, Ethel received the Living Legend Award from the National Black Theatre Festival, and was inducted into the Educational Theatre Hall of Fame. In 2001, she was also recognized as one of the 10 outstanding arts educators in the State by the California Arts Council and was appointed by Mayor Willie Brown, Jr. to the San Francisco Arts Commission. Ethel is a member of the Consortium of Doctors, a national organization of women with doctorate degrees, and a member of the Third Baptist Church of San Francisco where she serves as chairperson of the Educational Ministry Board.
CONTACT: Dr. Ethel Pitts Walker (408) 924-4586
Email ewalker@mail.sjsu.edu
RAM FLETCHER, JD (Member)Ram Fletcher has been involved with and surrounded by educators his whole life. In addition to working in several after-school programs in support of “at-risk” youth, Fletcher has been involved in various forms of tutoring at all levels. Having experienced first-hand both public and private education, he offers an objective and diversified perspective on the respective benefits and drawbacks of each model. Fletcher graduated from Santa Clara University with a Juris Doctor in 2005 and a B.A. in 2001 where he majored in communications and minored in philosophy. He is a member of the California Bar and currently practices law throughout the Bay Area.
LEWIS G. TUCKER, MFA (Member)Lewis Tucker is the product of the Winston-Salem, North Carolina Public Education System, earning a BS in Mathematics at Winston-Salem State University. He gained a position at the city of Winston-Salem where he became head of Audit and Monitoring for the CETA Works program of the Human Resources Department. He was a founding member, playwright and director of the Amani Urithi Players and participated in various positions with local arts groups. Later, after earning a Master of Fine Arts at the University of Oklahoma, he enhanced his performance resume through touring performances with the African American Drama Company of San Francisco. Mr. Tucker has founded several businesses ranging from custodial to office management services and theater arts. Currently, he is teaching Mathematics at Marina del Rey Middle School through the Los Angeles Unified School District. Through MDR he has participated in over 400 hours of educational development in addition to those required and offered by LAUSD. He participates in the Math Science Technology Program as well as the Los Angeles Urban Systemic Program. He has been instrumental in bring technology to MDR and was recently honored for excellence in teaching by the LACTMA. Since his hire at MDR he has taught in the after school programs, Beyond the Bell after school Extended Learning Program, private tutoring, Saturday School and was the coordinator for the school’s Intervention programs. His is now receiving more training in education courses at California State University at Dominguez Hills.
ELIAS FRANCISCO PORTALES, ESQ (Member)Elias was born and raised in San José, California. He attended San José City College before transferring to Santa Clara University where he majored in Political Science. Immediately after graduating from Santa Clara Mr. Portales attended Georgetown University Law Center. He now runs his private law practice focusing on Employment Law and Commercial Litigation in San José. Mr. Portales is active in the community through various outlets including the Santa Clara County Council on Equal Employment Opportunity, the Role Model Program, and La Raza Lawyers of Silicon Valley.
CONTACT: Elias Francisco Portales (408) 834-8833
Email efp@portaleslaw.com
Elias Francisco Portales, Esq. Portales & Associates