Board of Directors
Patricia A. Franks – CEO & Founder
Patricia is the founder and President of Anointed Vessel Productions (AVP) and serves as the Executive Director of its daily operations. She began playing the piano at age 12 for which she states her music was the lifeline that enabled her to navigate through a tragic childhood. Because of the impact music had on her life, she is passionate about providing youth a platform for creative expression and positive self-identity.
Patricia has performed lead acting roles in stage plays, musicals, and films with various production companies, and has written, directed, and produced a plethora of stage plays for AVP’s after-school performing arts program and its community outreach events.
Patricia received theatrical and stage production training including casting, directing, and producing, she is a member of Urban Playwrights United, a national playwrights organization, and a member of the National Association of Professional Women, from which she received the 2010/2011 Woman of the Year award, she holds a BS Degree in Business Administration and a MA Degree in Organizational Management.
Tanisha Banks – Director, Theatre Arts
Tanisha Banks is proud to be working with Patricia Franks and Anointed Vessel Productions. She started in 2010 as an instructor for our Summer Work Experience Program (SWEP), a paid work experience program for youth ages 16-24, providing them with training and hands-on experience as a Production Assistant, an entry-level position in the Entertainment Industry. Since 2015, Tanisha has served as the Executive Assistant to the Executive Director with the day-to-day Operations, and as Creative Writer for the after-school performing arts educational program curriculum. Tanisha also serves on the Board Advisory Committee as Creative Consultant, writing for and promoting special fundraiser events for the organization. As the owner of her own creative company, GIITA Productions, Tanisha’s dramatic flair and comedic stylings in creative writing and performance art, have given each project a unique signature that has roots in her training as a Theater Major from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Her creative career spans over two decades. From musical productions to improv, creative writing, movement, social dance, emcee, host, and instructor; she aspires to one day add film and television to her creative experience.
Felicia Brown-Smith – Director, Administration
Felicia Brown-Smith most recently served as Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director at Neighborhood Housing Services of the Inland Empire (NHSIE). As an Inland Empire native and local resident, she is a proven real estate professional with a deep passion for connecting key community leaders to catalyze meaningful change for Southern California’s moderate and low-income communities of color. In her previous role, at the County of San Bernardino’s Community Development and Housing Agency, Felicia served as a Senior Housing Project Manager providing subject-matter expertise on policies and best practices for community development and affordable housing. She also efficiently managed the development process and financing for several complex real estate development projects.
Felicia has served in various roles at a number of Community Development Financial Institutions such as LA LISC and Enterprise Community Partners where she led projects that focused on building capacity for affordable housing developers and developing sustainable solutions in affordable housing and economic development. Felicia has been a Licensed Real Estate Broker and Salesperson since 2004 and was the founder and CEO of F. Brown & Associates, Inc. where she negotiated real estate transactions, brokered mortgages, and consulted both companies and individuals in the areas of real estate, tax, and business operations.
Felicia has an MBA from the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business and a BS in business administration from UC Berkeley’s Walter A. Haas School of Business.
Lena M Leatherwood – Director, Finance
Lena has been with AVP since 2010, and in addition to her role as Treasurer, she serves in many capacities including stage manager, hospitality, planning, fundraisers, and instructional aide for the after school performing arts program.
Lena served as the Creative Arts Director for a faith-based organization for which she wrote and directed several plays, and has performed leading roles with various production companies and social organizations.
Lena served as the Executive Director of the Martin Luther King Youth Opportunity Center from which she received the Outstanding Service Award, was commended by the New Jersey State Governor’s staff and local officials for developing and maintaining a quality remedial program, and the Recipient of the “Somerset Youth Federation Patriot Award for community service. Lena holds a BS Degree in Psychology and a MA Degree in Organizational Management.
Maria D. Gallardo – Director, Community Outreach
Maria has a passion for helping people and since 1984, she has been very actively involved in the community providing community outreach to children, youth, and parent groups at schools, community Centers, childcare centers, WIC clinics, nonprofit organizations, churches, family resource centers (FRC) and youth opportunity centers (YOC).
Maria has been with AVP since 2012, and as the Community Outreach Liaison she is responsible for community outreach, public relations and marketing of our youth development programs, recruitment of participants, networking with community partners, attending community partnership meetings for current events, and to ensure quality and relevance of program curriculum for addressing youth challenges.
Brenda Williams – Director, Community Planning Committee
Brenda is very actively involved in the community. Brenda Williams, retired from Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services as a Human Services Administrator after over 42 years of service. Over the years she has participated in additional services in her community in various capacities such as: Coached youth track and field for over 14 years with the Southern California Cheetahs and the Inland Empire Sprinters. Brenda has served as a stage manager for and has Acted in several plays under the direction of Daz Patterson, PNP Production. Brenda Currently sings with the choral group, Blended Sounds of Joy and has sung with the Loveland Church Adult Choir for over 30 years. She is a volunteer manager with the Loveland Jubilee Pantry, a board member of the Special Angeles Foundation and Anointed Vessel . Some fun facts are that she loves to travel (cruising), line dancing and family & friends.
Vacant – Secretary
This position operates as the custodian of the corporation’s records. This duty involves ensuring the organizational records are maintained according to law and are available upon request by authorized board members or executive management. This includes updating the organization’s bylaws and maintaining its articles of incorporation along with keeping accurate and up-to-date records of its membership, board minutes, financial reports and other important documents. This position manages the administrative and general communications of the organization’s board of directors and its executive management staff. Typical duties includes arranging conference calls, answering calls, scheduling meetings, compiling data and preparing reports for the board, preparing or keeping track of board meeting dates, meeting agendas and minutes from the meeting.