MEET THE TEAM

Shana Knight

Executive Director

I have lived in Frederick County most of my life.. After deciding to buy a home here, I knew I had an obligation to make this community a better place for my daughter and for everyone. I serve others for a living at my nonprofit job.

However, with the current social injustices taking place in the country, I felt a calling to do something here in Frederick to make much needed changes. As much as I love Frederick for its diversity, I would love to see wider variety of thriving black-owned businesses. I hope to help others create through offering resources, making connections and providing opportunities to grow.

Jarad Bowens

Deputy Director

I just moved to Frederick in March to be closer to my family. I am originally from Florida and don’t miss the heat. My wife and I just welcomed our first son in 2020. After many years in the DJ and Event business in Florida, I started Benefactor Events to help the community by using my talent for entertaining people and hosting events. Our mission is to help non-profit organizations elevate their events and productions to increase turnout and funds raised. We support the local community in everything we do and it is the core of our company values. I am so thrilled to be a part of S.O.U.L. Street and its mission to support and highlight Minority Owned businesses in the local community. This is the exact kind of work we need more of, and it’s vital to our success as a black community to lift each other up and ensure our united success. I am humbled to be involved and hope to meet each one of you at an upcoming Market!

Catherine Dorsey

Board President

Transplant to Frederick, hailing from Brooklyn, New York. She moved to Frederick to be with her now husband, Corey, who she shares a one year old son with. She is currently the Director of Client Services for The Religious Coalition, a non profit providing shelter and emergency financial assistance for those who are homeless and most at risk of becoming homeless. She also manages their community garden, an initiative started with Hood College in order to provide access to fresh produce and education to low income families living in food insecure neighborhoods which disproportionately affect families of color. Living in a predominantly white community, it was important to her to be a part of the SOUL street initiative so that her son can be exposed to successful, black owned businesses and opportunities which is the legacy she wants to leave behind for him.

Adrian Hawkins

Board Vice President

Owner of Imperial Media and Real Life Memories Captured. Augusta, Ga native. I was stationed here on Ft. Detrick, where I met my wife. I’ve lived in the area since 2012 and made it my home in 2015. My wife and 2 beautiful children are why I am in digital media; capturing those precious moments www.imperialmediapro.com

Natasha Bowens Blair

Secretary

Natasha Bowens Blair is living out her passion on Native Mountain Farm, a women-owned, black-empowered family farm just outside of Frederick. In addition to running her farm business and serving as a founding member of SOUL Street, Natasha has advocated for the empowerment of Black owned businesses, specifically farms and the communities they serve, for the past decade. Her book The Color of Food: Stories of Race, Resilience and Farming features stories and portraits of farmers and food activists from Black, Latina, Asian and Native communities across the country – stories that she’s shared on local and national stages from Hood College to Harvard. Natasha loves nothing more than rooting deep into community to work collaboratively building dreams, fighting for equity, and highlighting the magic and resilience she finds in the land and its people. In her free time, she homeschools her two little ones, homesteads with her husband and is involved with several other projects such as Black Lives Mural- Frederick, Pay it Forward with Flowers, a Regional Herbal CoOp, BCFSN’s Black CSA and formerly the Housing Authority of Frederick’s Community Garden Program.

Terez Dorsey

Treasurer

Did you know over the last two centuries about 90% of the world’s wealth has been created by investing in real estate?

Real Estate is more than a business to me; it’s a passion and it’s about helping people fulfill their residential and investment property goals. My philosophy is simple: I’m the lighthouse that guides people home; the piece in the middle that brings forth a smooth and peaceful transaction. This is done through honesty and integrity in everything I do. I wake up everyday thankful for what I do and my life. My positive attitude is reflected in my personal and business core values and ultimately the success my clients experience having me represent them in their real estate transactions. Let me earn your business and show you what it’s like to be part of a winning team, at Berkshire Hathaway you’ll have over fifty years of experience. Win-Win or no deal is the product of all successful transactions. It doesn’t matter where you’ve been, where you are now…. What matters are your real estate goals and dreams; I’ll be honored to help you accomplish them. Allow me and my team to do the heavy lifting!

Loren Brown

A scientific professional who is an MSAT training specialist for cell and gene therapies. Success and ambition has always ran through my veins and I enjoy helping others succeed. I also enjoy expressing my creativity and striving to make a difference, whether that’s through my profession or just simply spreading positivity to those I encounter.

Alexandra Edwards

I am the owner of A. Marie Events and Photography, the COO of the Slush Tribe and a co founder of the Frederick Food Truck Festival. I love supporting others and my passion is to build confidence in others by providing them tools to create their own business. My social media handles are Instagram: @alexandraa.rosee Facebook: A. Marie Events and Photography website: www.amarieeventsandphoto.com

Michele Forbes

Creator of Michele’s Sea moss. I’ve worked in the Medical Field for 6 years I’m passionate about health. I live by the statement “Health is Wealth”, I love educating others on homeopathic ways on becoming healthier. I’ve traveled to Belize, Central America, and the Caribbean to further educate myself on holistic medicine uses of various plant roots, flowers, barks, seeds, and leaves to aid common ailments and its use as preventatives for major illnesses such as cancer. My drive comes from helping improve the most common diseases in African American Community such as Cardiovascular Disease, Diabetes, Cancer found in the Lung, Breast, Colon, Prostate, Asthma, and Depression.

Evelyn Johnson

Frederick County resident. Born and raised in Montgomery County, she relocated to the area in 2012 after graduating from Howard University, where she received her degree in Psychology. Evelyn currently serves as the Co-Chair of an African American Professional Association for a national healthcare organization. She has a passion for empowering vulnerable and underserved populations to be the best version of themselves, whether it be physically, mentally, or spiritually. Evelyn lives in the city of Frederick with her husband and two children. She is active in the community and is a proud sports, music, and art mom. In her spare time, Evelyn enjoys exploring downtown Frederick, cooking new recipes, and reading autobiographies.

Lorenzo Nichols aka Stitch Early

An artist, graphic & web designer and entrepreneur. He is the Founder of clothing brand ICONNATN, Creative director at Uhrise and one half of The Stitch & Sham Show.