The El Paso Black Hall of Fame honors individuals and organizations – past and present who have made significant cultural, educational, economic, civic, and other contributions to the community. Inductees proudly embrace their Black identity, champion justice, and uplift Black culture throughout the borderland. Guided by the principles of Engagement, Empowerment, Economics, Education, and Equity, it recognizes those who lead with vision, preserve our legacy, celebrate our progress, and safeguard the future of our community. More than a celebration, the Hall of Fame stands as a powerful call to action encouraging unity, inspiring leadership, and advancing Black representation in El Paso. Read more…
EPBEC’s Project 2030 is a comprehensive, community‑led plan to empower Black El Pasoans through a single, accessible hub that integrates education and culture, entrepreneurship and finance, health and self‑care, civic engagement and justice reform, and youth/young adult leadership – with dedicated supports for military families and healthy relationships. Anchored by a multi‑use facility (theater, classrooms, fitness, outdoor space, and nonprofit offices), programs range from Black history education, oral histories, and public art to accelerators, capital readiness, supplier diversity, housing and workforce initiatives, health equity, restorative justice, and voter engagement. Our goal is to actualize a complete facility, expand partnerships, and advance policies that deliver measurable gains in economic mobility, educational success, wellness, civic power, and cultural belonging for Black identifying residents across El Paso. If you are interested in assisting us in bringing this initiative to fruition, contact Monica Tucker at monica@blackelpasovoice.com.
Chief Jonathan P. Killings, MPA, FSCEO is a transformative fire service leader whose career reflects dedication, courage, and an unwavering commitment to the community he proudly calls home. Today, as the Fire Chief of the City of El Paso, he stands as the first African American to hold the role in the department’s 140-year history, carrying forward a legacy of service stretching more than 25 years.
Chief Killings began his journey with the El Paso Fire Department in 1998 and proved his leadership at every level. He served on elite operational teams including Mountain Rescue, Urban Search and Rescue, and HazMat, and later shaped the next generation as a Fire Training Captain. His ascent through the ranks led to strategic leadership over Emergency Operations, Professional Development, 911 Communications, and Community Outreach. In 2022, he successfully guided the transition as Interim Fire Chief before being officially appointed to lead the entire department.
His leadership is grounded in integrity, accountability, and a steadfast belief in developing people. He strives to ensure every firefighter is equipped to succeed and empowered to serve with excellence. He has elevated opportunities for women and underrepresented groups, expanding access to rewarding public safety careers and making the fire service more reflective of the community it protects.
Chief Killings knows that leadership is not a solo pursuit. His greatest strength and motivation come from his family. His wife, Amanda, and their children have been his foundation, source of joy, and constant reminder of why the work matters. Every achievement is rooted in their love, belief, and sacrifice.
A licensed Paramedic with a Bachelor of Science in Management and a Master of Public Administration, he continues to champion organizational readiness, innovation, and community trust. His career is far from finished, but his legacy is already clear: breaking barriers, building people, and creating pathways so others may rise.
A proud El Pasoan, husband, father, and servant leader, Chief Killings honors those who paved the way by ensuring the doors he has opened remain open for generations to come.
Dana Harley Boyd is currently serving as the president of Texas Elementary Principals Association (TEPSA). Dana is the 2nd Black president to lead TEPSA in its 100 plus year history—and the first and only educator to earn both Texas Teacher of the Year (2007) and Texas National Distinguished Principal of the Year (2016). In November of 2017 Dana was appointed by the Secretary of Education to serve on The National Assessment Governing Board. In October 2021 Dana was reappointed by Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona for a second term. In September of 2022, Dana stepped down from the Governing Board to care for her father.
With over 27 years in education, Dana currently serves as the Elementary Executive Principal for the El Paso Independent School District, where she coaches and develops campus leaders to strengthen teaching, learning, and school culture across the district.
Beyond the work, Dana is most proud of being a mother to her son, James, and daughter, Janelle—the heartbeat behind her unwavering commitment to students, families, and educators.
A people-first leader, Dana “leads to serve and serves to lead,” uniting teams around high expectations, belonging, and results for every child. Colleagues know her for clear vision, steady execution, and a mentoring style that grows confident leaders. Grateful for every accolade, Dana believes the highest praise belongs to God, who entrusted these gifts to be used in service to others.
Dana’s compass is captured by her favorite Maya Angelou quote she strives to live daily:
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
Dr. Sandra Braham is President and CEO of Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services (JFCS), a $60 million human social services agency with more than 550 employees. Under her transformational leadership, the company has added $28 million in revenue. Gulf Coast JFCS operationalizes over 45 programs covering areas such as child welfare, elder services and housing, behavioral health, workforce development, support for Holocaust survivors and refugee resettlement. She spearheaded the launch of the St. Petersburg Police Department’s award-winning CALL program, an innovative approach to policing that dispatches social workers in response to nonviolent 911 calls. Prior to relocating to Florida, Sandra served as Associate Vice Provost at the University of Texas at El Paso and later spent 10 years overseeing the nation’s largest YWCA.
Sandra was the first African American woman to serve as Board Chair of the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce. Her current Board service includes the Tampa Bay Chamber, the St. Petersburg Area Economic Development Center and Copperhead Charities, host of the annual Valspar PGA Tournament. A member of the advisory boards for HR.com, Florida Insurance Trust and The Leading Edge Practitioner’s Council, Sandra is also active with the national Network of Jewish Human Services Agencies and in May 2024 was honored with their highest leadership award. Sandra was just named a member of Tampa Bay’s Titan 100 CEOs. Sandra’s other honors include “First Lady of African American History” by The Woodson Museum of Florida, Businesswoman of the Year by the Tampa Bay Business Journal, The Tampa Bay Chamber’s Woman of Influence, Five Fabulous Females by St. Petersburg’s Academy Prep school, 100 Black Men of Tampa Bay joined the Women Presidents Organization to honor Sandra with their Women of Color Award, recognizing her significant achievements in business and most recently she was recognized as one of forty-four “Women to Know in Florida”, by Know Women.
Sandra holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Missouri and a master and doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Texas at El Paso. Sandra participated in Leadership Texas, Leadership America, and Harvard Business School’s Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management executive education program. She further studied leadership from the Jewish perspective, which culminated in a 10-day trip to Israel. Sandra has been married to her husband Eric for 30 years and they have three adult children. Her memoir, “An Angel for Detroit,” was released in the fall of 2022 and details her life being born and raised by a mother with schizophrenia, and spending time in foster care. She loves to golf and was featured on a cover of African American Golf Digest Magazine, following an historic trip to Scotland.
Emmerson Buie, Jr., is a Senior Director with Walmart Inc., Facility Security and Technology, Global Security. After retiring from the FBI in August 2022, Mr. Buie brought more than three decades of federal law enforcement and military experience to the private sector, continuing his commitment to public safety and organizational excellence.
Mr. Buie’s FBI journey began in 1992, and over the years, he earned a reputation for integrity, innovation, and community engagement. His career is marked by a series of pivotal leadership roles, most notably as Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of two major field offices.
In June 2017, Mr. Buie was appointed SAC of the FBI’s El Paso Field Office. The El Paso community quickly embraced his leadership, recognizing his dedication to building bridges between law enforcement and local organizations. Under his guidance, the office responded to several high-profile incidents, including the June 2017 kidnapping of a Border Patrol Agent, the investigation into the mysterious death and injury of two Border Patrol Agents, and the tragic 2019 Walmart shooting. Through these challenges, Mr. Buie and his team enhanced communication, strengthened partnerships, and mitigated national security and criminal threats, leaving a lasting impact on the region.
In October 2019, Mr. Buie became SAC of the FBI’s Chicago Field Office, the fourth largest in the country and the largest single executive office. As a native Chicagoan, he was deeply honored to serve his hometown and became the first African American to hold this position. His tenure in Chicago was defined by his commitment to representing his community, friends, and family, and by his efforts to advance the FBI’s mission in one of the nation’s most complex urban environments.
Mr. Buie’s career also included service as the FBI Cyber Division’s Senior Liaison to the Department of Homeland Security’s National Cybersecurity, Communication, and Integration Center (NCCIC), where he coordinated investigations and intelligence-sharing across agencies. He held leadership roles in the Springfield Field Office, including Assistant Special Agent in Charge and Leadership Development Coordinator, and contributed to counterterrorism and weapons of mass destruction operations.
Internationally, Mr. Buie served as Assistant Legal Attaché and Acting Deputy Legal Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in London, where he facilitated collaboration with the Five Eyes Strategic Alliance Council and Serious Organize Crime Agency (SOCA). His work disrupted criminal organizations and led to arrests for public corruption, white collar crime, gangs, drug trafficking, counterterrorism, cybercrime, counterintelligence, WMD, violent crimes, and civil rights violations.
Mr. Buie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Operations, Productions Management from Western Illinois University. He is a U.S. Army Infantry Officer and Desert Storm Veteran, awarded the Bronze Star, Combat Infantry Badge, and multiple commendations for his military service.
Karen Cooper Linen embodies the spirit of dedication, service, and resilience, shaped by her unique upbringing in El Paso, Texas, and a strong family legacy of civic duty. Born an Army brat, her parents settled in El Paso in 1962 after a tour in Germany, laying the groundwork for a life centered on community and equality. Throughout her childhood, while her father completed two demanding tours each in Korea and Vietnam, Karen attended various schools across the city.
A pivotal moment that ignited her lifelong commitment to Civil Rights occurred in 1968. As a young girl, she was asked to leave a private pool with her friend solely because of her race. This jarring experience revealed the prejudices that existed, despite her diverse group of friends. Her father, a man who understood the sacrifices people of color endured, especially having lived through the Depression, vowed to buy a house and build his daughter a pool where she would never be excluded. The family achieved this goal in 1969, moving into a home in the northeast.
This incident, coupled with her family’s philosophy of “you are your brother’s keeper” and the Golden Rule, instilled in Karen a profound passion for helping others. Her childhood home was a place of radical hospitality, often hosting young soldiers far from home or college students who couldn’t afford to travel for holidays. Her father modeled diplomacy and community service, while her mother provided a foundation of unwavering love and strength, “holding down the fort” during the four deployments and numerous TDYs.
Education was paramount in the Linen household. Karen excelled, graduating in the top 2% of her high school class, which earned her admission to The University of Texas at Austin. She pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated in 1978, an organization that remains dear to her heart, alongside her love for the Longhorns. Driven by a childhood dream of becoming a nurse, Karen achieved this goal in 1983, making history as the first Black female to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from her nursing school.
As a dedicated Registered Nurse for forty-two years, Karen’s career included serving as the Chief of Epidemiology at William Beaumont Army Medical Center. Her professional journey was interrupted in 2000 by a life-threatening illness, leading to her medical retirement in 2003. However, her passion for caring never waned; she continues to work part-time as a home health nurse and Nursing Supervisor at Ambrosio Guillen Texas State Veterans Home.
In 2024, her civic passion led her to join the El Paso Branch of the NAACP. Recognizing an immediate need, she is focused on engaging youth to empower them to speak up and advocate for themselves and other marginalized communities. Karen Cooper Linen’s service and leadership have recently been recognized with two significant honors:
Karen is a proud mother of three highly educated daughters and four grandchildren, enjoying family time as the cherished anchor of her life.
Command Sergeant Major (Ret.) Reginald Daniel Sr. dedicated 32 years of honorable service to the United States Army, entering in June 1979. He completed Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training (AIT) at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, as a Cannon Crewmember (13B).
Career and Leadership Roles
CSM Daniel’s distinguished career included a variety of positions of increasing responsibility:
His diverse assignments included tours with the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery (Butzbach, Germany); 3rd Battalion, 319th Airborne FAR (82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, NC); 2nd Battalion, 4th Field Artillery (Fort Lewis, WA); 1st Battalion, 39th Field Artillery (MLRS, Fort Stewart, GA); HHB, 3rd Infantry Division Artillery; and Command Sergeant Major of the 1st Battalion, 10th Field Artillery, 3ID, 3rd Bde (Fort Benning, GA). He also served with Morehead State University (ROTC) Cadet Command and the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy (Fort Bliss, TX) and Command General Staff College (Fort Leavenworth, KS).
Education and Training
CSM Daniel is a graduate of Class 50 of the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy, Command Sergeant Major Course and the Garrison Command Sergeants Major Course. His military education includes the Primary, Basic, and Advanced Noncommissioned Officers Courses, the Battle Staff Course, Survival School, Master Fitness Trainers Course, Airborne School, Jumpmaster School, and the First Sergeant Course, where he was selected as an Honor Graduate.
He holds an Associate’s Degree from Morehead State University, (Summa cum laude), a Bachelor’s Degree from Excelsior College, (Summa cum laude) and an MBA from North Central University, Az. ( Magna cum laude) He was also selected as the “Master Teacher” at Morehead State University.
Awards and Decorations
His military decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star (Operation Iraqi Freedom), Meritorious Service Medal (with four oak leaf clusters), Army Commendation Medal (with a silver oak leaf cluster), and the Army Achievement Medal (with three oak leaf clusters). He is also the recipient of the Honorable Order of Saint Barbara Award and holds the Good Conduct Medal (10th Award), Drill Sergeant Identification Badge, Jump Master Badge, Combat Action Badge, Expert Driver’s Badge, Physical Fitness Excellence Patch, and German Jump Wings, along with numerous Army and unit achievement certificates.
Post-Military Service and Community Engagement
CSM Daniel is currently retired and living in El Paso, Texas, where he is actively involved in mentoring young teens in leadership and life matters. He is a gifted motivational speaker and a well-diversified business owner and professional who is dedicated to giving back to his community and others.
He maintains lifetime membership in the NAACP, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), American Legion Post 267 and 832, and Veterans of Foreign War. He is also a member of the, Noncommissioned Officers Association (NCOA), 82nd Airborne Association, and Veterans at Breakfast, Flags Across America , Mu Beta Phi Military Fraternity Inc, El Paso Sun City Kings . He is a Board Member of the El Paso Center for Diabetes.
CSM Daniel is married to the lovely Marya, and they reside in El Paso with their daughter, Regina. He has four adult sons—Craig, Reggie James, Reggie Jr., and Rodney—and nine grandchildren.
Patricia Marie Hills Davis, M.D.: A Life of Medical Service and Academic Distinction
Born in Washington, D.C., on April 1, 1953, Dr. Patricia Marie Hills Davis’s roots run deep in the American Southwest, as she is a fourth generation El Pasoan who is fluent in both English and Spanish. Her profound connection to her community is matched by a lifetime of academic excellence and professional dedication, following in the footsteps of her parents, Jethro Lee Hills I (deceased) and Frances M. Hills. Dr. Davis is a devoted mother to her son, Matthew Martin Davis, an honors graduate who holds master’s degrees in psychology and counseling, and to her late daughter, Linda Marie Davis.
Dr. Davis’s distinguished educational journey began in El Paso, attending Houston Elementary School and graduating from Austin High School in 1971, where she ranked in the top two percent of her class. Her high school years were marked by numerous accolades, including the National Merit Scholarship Finalist distinction, the DAR Citizenship Award, and being recognized as the Outstanding Female Athlete. She went on to Incarnate Word College in San Antonio, graduating Magna Cum Laude in 1975 with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology. During college, she was awarded the Mother Mary Columkille Academic Scholarship and served as captain of the Varsity Volleyball and Basketball teams, while also being inducted into the Alpha Chi and Kappa Gamma Pi Honor Societies.
Building upon this foundation, Dr. Davis earned her Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston in May 1979. During medical school, she demonstrated leadership as President of the Student National Medical Society and was a Gold Headed Cane Nominee. She then completed a straight Ob/Gyn internship (1979-1980) and her full Ob/Gyn residency (1980-1983) at San Joaquin General Hospital in Stockton, California, serving as Chief Resident from 1982-1983.
Dr. Davis’s professional career spanned four decades, encompassing private practice, hospital leadership, and physician partnerships. After training, she spent her early career in Stockton, California, first as an associate, then as a Full-Time Teaching Staff Attending Physician at San Joaquin General Hospital, mentoring residents while maintaining a part-time private practice. She returned to Texas, running a successful Full-Time Solo Ob/Gyn Private Practice, “The Women’s Health Center,” in Carrollton (1988–1997), and later transitioned to a Physician Partner role with Physician’s Healthcare Association, Inc. (1999–2013). Returning to her hometown, she maintained a solo practice in El Paso before joining the Advanced Center for Women’s Health at Providence from November 2016 until April 2024. Board Certified by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) since 1987, she has held numerous hospital appointments, including Vice Chief of the Department of Ob/Gyn at Del Sol Medical Center, and was honored with the Frist Humanitarian Physician of the Year Award in 2011.
Throughout her accomplished career, Dr. Davis has remained deeply engaged in service. She is a Golden and Diamond Life Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., El Paso Alumnae Chapter, and was recognized as Professional of the Year in 2001 and 2006.
November 2, 2025 she celebrated her 50th college reunion at the University of the Incarnate Word where she became a member of the Golden Spire Society. Her history of dedication, both in medicine and in the community, defines her legacy.
Dr. Adria Dunn-Harris is an accomplished educator, musician, and minister of the Gospel whose life and career exemplify dedication and service. She holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership. She has served 31 years in public education, with 27 of those in the classroom. Dr. Dunn-Harris has inspired generations of students through her unwavering commitment to excellence and her advocacy for fine arts education.
Believing in and having a passion for the transformative power of music, she has established summer music camps and consistently sought ways to make music accessible to all students. As a fine arts music administrator, Dr. Dunn-Harris impacts more lives than she ever imagined. Her leadership and vision continue to uplift students, educators, and communities alike.
Beyond education, she has ministered throughout the United States through both word and song. She has volunteered years of her life helping churches, music departments, and others, including helping distribute truckloads of food to families in need during the COVID-19 shutdown, demonstrating her heart for service and community, reflecting her deep faith and commitment to sharing hope.
At the church level, Dr. Dunn-Harris has served in numerous leadership roles, including:
A professional violinist, Dr. Dunn-Harris has been a member of the El Paso Symphony Orchestra for 35 years and has also performed with the El Paso Opera, Las Cruces Symphony Orchestra, Juárez Symphony Orchestra, and Roswell Symphony Orchestra. She has conducted multiple regional orchestras across Texas and New Mexico. Many of her former students have gone on to become educators, performers, and lifelong advocates for music—often sharing the performance stage with their beloved mentor.
Her professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association (Region 22 Secretary), Texas Orchestra Directors Association, and the American Federation of Musicians.
Dr. Dunn-Harris’s outstanding contributions have been recognized through numerous honors, including:
Her life’s work stands as an inspiration to all who aspire to blend a love for music, education, and faith into a meaningful legacy of service and joy.
Pastor Michael E. Grady is a prominent figure in El Paso, Texas, whose life of over six decades has been defined by unwavering faith, military distinction, and profound community leadership. Licensed and ordained into the Gospel Ministry in 1970, Pastor Grady began his pastoral journey early, always guided by the conviction, “Chosen, For Such a Time as This.”
A native of St. Louis, Missouri, his career includes distinguished service in the United States Army Chaplains Branch, where he retired as a Reserve Chaplains’ Training Advisor. During his military tenure, he earned the Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters and served as Pastor of True Vine Baptist Church in New Jersey while instructing at the Monmouth Bible Institute.
His deep commitment to El Paso began when he was first assigned to Fort Bliss, where he met and married his wife, Jeneverlyn (48 years married). They raised three daughters, Monique, Michelle, and Jacqulyn, and share one granddaughter, Maya.
Returning to El Paso in 2004, Pastor Grady immersed himself in civic and spiritual leadership, becoming Senior Pastor at Phillips Chapel CME Church (where he married his wife in 1977). He served as President of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of El Paso (2005–2010) and was later elected President of the El Paso Branch of the NAACP. In this role, he sought to unite El Paso into a “common-unity” to address civil, social, and economic rights for all.
Pastor Grady’s commitment to justice was tested by the 2019 El Paso Walmart shooting, in which his daughter, Michelle, was critically injured. Since then, he has become a national advocate for common-sense gun control and trauma recovery legislation, testifying at state and national levels. He serves as Chapter Coordinator for Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice and on the Board of Directors for the Border Network for Human Rights, continuing to lead by speaking truth to power, guided by the principle: “Fainting Is Not an Option!!”
Anna M. Harris-Howell is a woman of unwavering faith, resilience, and lifelong service. A medically retired veteran of the United States Army and a proud 28-year cancer survivor, she entered military service in February 1971 as part of the historic Women’s Army Corps (WAC). After more than eight and a half years of honorable military service, she transitioned into a civilian career with the federal government, continuing her commitment to public service until taking an early medical retirement in 1993.
Her entrepreneurial spirit led her to co-manage an Art Gallery and Afro-centric Gift Shop at the Fort Bliss Post Exchange from 1992 to 1996, in partnership with her dear friend Mozell Nervis. She later worked as a substitute teacher for special needs children with the El Paso Independent School District, until she was fully retired in 1996 due to ongoing health challenges stemming from her battle with cancer.
Anna’s academic journey includes studies at El Paso Community College, Kansas State University, and the City College of Chicago (Germany Branch). Despite the physical setbacks life placed in her path, her tireless volunteerism and servant leadership tell the story of someone who truly lives by her motto: “Let my works speak for me.”
She played a key role in reorganizing the Junior Enlisted Family Center at Fort Bliss, where she established the first Thanksgiving Basket Program — a grassroots effort that grew from 28 baskets to over 1,000 annually. She was instrumental in forming forward Family Support Groups for the 108th Brigade and 2/24 ADA Battalion, demonstrating an enduring passion for caring for soldiers and their families. During Operation Desert Storm and Desert Watch, Anna’s efforts earned her the distinguished honor of Fort Bliss Volunteer of the Year in 1997, making her one of the first enlisted spouses to ever receive the award.
DJ Marc X, as he is affectionately known, is a legendary DJ, radio personality, and lifelong mentor whose four-decade career arc, from a self-taught teenage DJ to a celebrated figure in El Paso radio, is a testament to passion and perseverance. Born in East Chicago, Indiana, Marc spent his formative years as a military brat, moving with his family until settling in El Paso, Texas. With his father in the military and both parents working, Marc developed an independent spirit, while growing up with an older brother and younger sister. Marc attended Fannin Elementary, H.E. Charles Middle School, and Andress High School.
The spark ignited when 14-year-old Marc, an 8th grader at the time in middle school, encountered high schooler Mike Allen in El Paso. Marc was immediately captivated by Allen scratching records with two copies of Herbie Hancock’s “Rockit.” The young enthusiast asked to learn the craft. Allen agreed to teach him and ultimately gifted him the equipment. Marc famously transported his first setup home from the parking lot in a shopping basket. His mother, recognizing his positive intent, championed his efforts against his initially skeptical father, laying the foundation for his future.
Starting with House Music, Marc practiced relentlessly – after school, and famously, in the morning: he would practice for 30 minutes at 6 a.m. after his dad left, then help get his younger sister ready for school, and walk her to Fannin Elementary. Though his early turntables lacked pitch control, he honed his blending skills. By his sophomore year at Andress High School, word of his talent spread. He began playing at local backyard parties, securing his first professional gigs.
Marc quickly became a key figure in El Paso’s evolving music scene. A key turning point came when a mentor at KTEP (Renard Johnson) put Marc and fellow DJ Shay on the radio, challenging them to collaborate instead of battle which many wanted them to do and giving Marc his first taste of the airwaves. Graduating from Andress in 1987, Marc’s sister convinced him to cross the border into Juarez, where he gained invaluable club experience, playing alongside DJ Joe. He was later mentored by DJ York at Fort Bliss, who taught him the essential club lesson: the need for a dance-friendly format, shaping Marc’s versatile style from House to Hip to R&B and Neo Soul.
Marc’s creativity extended beyond the turntables. In the mid-90s, he co-founded the rap group 8 Shades of Black with Yohance (DJ Pooh), GNE, and Victor, pioneering unique production techniques. They recorded a track called “Grab the Mic” and shot a music video for it, capitalizing on the local buzz created by Gary Scott and Adrian from Guitar Center, who had launched the cable music show, “Hype Radio.”
The turning point came in 1997 when Marc won the Power 102 DJ competition, earning a spot on the radio – a childhood dream. Despite his time at Power 102 being cut short by industry-wide lay-offs in 2009, he continued to DJ, demonstrating incredible adaptability by shifting to play a wide range of music, from cumbia to country, solidifying over 40 years of service in El Paso’s music scene.
Dr. Bernard F. Samuel is a decorated U.S. Army Veteran, a world-renowned Grand Master of martial arts, and a steadfast community leader whose life is defined by discipline, service, and purpose. Born in Christiansted, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, Dr. Samuel’s journey reflects a profound commitment to mentorship and the empowerment of youth.
His lifelong dedication to service began in 1977 when he enlisted in the United States Army. Over two decades, he rose through the ranks, demonstrating exceptional leadership that culminated in his retirement as a First Sergeant (1SG). A proud Desert Storm Veteran, his military service stands as a testament to his honor and commitment to his country. Not one to rest, he returned to El Paso, Texas, after his military retirement to serve a second time as a Detention Officer for the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, from which he retired in 2009. He shares this legacy of service with his wife, R. Lucille Samuel, a fellow 20-year U.S. Army Veteran, and their daughter, Retired U.S. Air Force Veteran and Life Coach Kametra Marzette, who is married to active-duty Army Chief Warrant Officer Joseph Marzette. They also have a son, Terrence Samuel.
Martial Arts Legacy & Leadership
Known in the martial arts world as SOKE Samuel, he is a true trailblazer. In 1983, he founded the Third Generation Martial Arts Association in El Paso, establishing a full-time karate school that has operated for over four decades. Holding a 10th Degree Black Belt and a Doctoral Degree in Martial Arts Philosophy and Science, his work transcends sport—it is a mission. His unwavering motto is: “Keep kids off the streets, off drugs, out of gangs, and into the classroom.” He employs the self-discipline of martial arts to instill character and commitment in countless youth.
SOKE Samuel’s contributions to the martial arts community have earned him extensive recognition, including multiple inductions into the Martial Arts Hall of Fame (2004, 2006, 2008, 2010), the prestigious USA Karate Hall of Fame (2004), and the Golden Lifetime Achievement Award (2003) from Grandmaster Charles Dixon’s Shinjimasu International Martial Arts Association, one of the highest honors in the art. He continues to reinforce his ambassadorial role through his annual El Paso Karate Tournament and his leadership with the Southwest Karate Alliance Association.
Masonic & Mentorship Leadership
Beyond his martial arts dojo, Dr. Samuel is a highly esteemed leader within the Prince Hall Masonic family across Texas and internationally. He has served in every capacity of leadership, mentoring generations of men in service, strength, and fraternity. Reflecting his deep commitment to youth, he dedicates time each summer as a Counselor and CPR Instructor at the Robert E. Connor Boys Camp, an initiative focused on shaping positive futures for at-risk youth.
With a powerful presence, endless wisdom, and a steadfast spirit, Dr. Bernard F. Samuel continues to impact lives through martial arts, mentorship, and selfless community service—a true master in every sense of the word.
Ron Stallworth (born June 18, 1953) is an American retired police officer, decorated investigator, and author, best known for his unprecedented infiltration of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) in Colorado Springs, Colorado, during the late 1970s. Stallworth was a trailblazer, becoming the first African American detective in the Colorado Springs Police Department. Born in Chicago, Illinois, Stallworth spent his formative years in El Paso, Texas, having moved to El Paso from Chicago in 1957 with his mother to escape the poverty and gang life of Chicago’s South Side. A popular student, he was a 1971 graduate of Austin High School, where he was voted Most Popular Boy his senior year. His family moved to Colorado Springs in 1972, and he joined the Police Department as a cadet that November, marking him as the first Black cadet in the department’s history.
Stallworth quickly pursued his goal of working undercover, starting with an assignment to observe a speech by activist Kwame Ture (Stokely Carmichael). In 1978, he noticed a classified ad seeking members for a new KKK chapter. Stallworth began a nine-month investigation by contacting the group via mail and phone, posing as a white racist. When face-to-face meetings were necessary, he successfully used a white undercover narcotics officer to impersonate him. The subterfuge was so successful that Stallworth personally communicated with then-KKK Grand Wizard David Duke, who apologized for a delay and personally ensured Stallworth’s official, signed Klan membership card was sent to him. Stallworth famously kept the framed KKK certificate in his office for years and still carries the membership card (signed by David Duke) in his wallet. Furthermore, his KKK investigation prevented at least 3 Klan cross burnings.
After the investigation concluded, Stallworth kept his role a secret for years. He transferred to the Utah Department of Public Safety, where he worked as an investigator for nearly 20 years, retiring as a Retired Sergeant with the Utah Department of Public Safety. His extensive work combating gang activity in that state is detailed in his 2024 book, Gangs of Zion: A Black Cop’s Crusade in Mormon Country. Following his retirement in 2005, he earned a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice in 2007. His investigation into the KKK revealed that several members were on active duty with the U.S. Armed Forces, including two individuals posted at NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command), who were subsequently reassigned to remote locations. Stallworth published his autobiography, Black Klansman, in 2014, which became a #1 New York Times Bestseller. His incredible story was brought to the screen in the 2018 Academy Award winning Spike Lee film, BlacKkKlansman, where he was portrayed by John David Washington (son of Denzel Washington).
Stephen “Steph” Twitty is President of Twitty and Associates LLC, a consultancy firm specializing in strategic and operational planning that supports a wide range of clients in the government, corporate,
academic, and non-profit sectors.
Steph is a board director at Karman Space and Defense (NYSE: KRMN), Palladyne AI (NASDAQ: PDYN), Weibel Scientific and Meroxa, Inc. He served as board director and chairman of the board at Nusura, Inc. Steph is a board advisor at Moog, Accelint, Dataminr, HDT-Global, and Raft Inc. He is a senior advisor at the Chertoff Group and Ernst and Young (EY).
Steph retired from the United States Army as a Lieutenant General with 40 years of distinguished military service as an infantry officer in the United States Army. He commanded units in nearly every echelon and served in five combat tours to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait. Steph has served in several strategic level positions in the United States and globally. In his final assignment in the military, Steph served as the Deputy Commander of United States European Command in Stuttgart, Germany.
Steph holds a master’s degree in administration from Central Michigan University, a master’s degree in national security strategy from the National Defense University, and a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from South Carolina State University. He has continued further studies at the Center for Creative Leadership, Executive Leadership program in Greensboro, North Carolina and the University of North Carolina, Kenan Flagler Business School, Executive Leadership program in Chapel Hill North Carolina. He is a Distinguished Fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA). Steph is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
Steph has received numerous awards, notably the Silver Star Medal, our nation’s 3rd highest award for valor, for his gallantry in combat in Iraq. He is enshrined by South Carolina State University as a Distinguished Alumnus. South Carolina Highway 11 which runs through his hometown of Chesnee, South Carolina and the American Legion building in his hometown are named in his honor.
Donald L. Williams is an immensely experienced El Paso-based attorney, U.S. Army veteran, and pioneering community leader. Born in Houston, Texas, on May 22, 1951, Mr. Williams has dedicated his decades-long career to Family Law, military legal advocacy, and civic service in the El Paso area, where he resides with his wife, Ruth Garcia-Ybarra Williams. They share a family of three adult children and four grandchildren.
Pioneering Legal Career and Military Service
Mr. Williams’s professional life is marked by several significant “firsts” in El Paso. He is recognized as the first Black Judge in El Paso, a pioneering achievement he held during his judicial service as a Municipal Family Court Judge (1992-1995) and later as a Family Court Judge (1995-1999) in El Paso County.
His foundation in law was built upon his service as a Captain in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps. This experience, which included serving as the first Senior Defense Counsel at Fort Bliss, provides him with intimate, specialized knowledge of military retirement, deployment, and jurisdiction—a crucial asset for his Family Law clients in the Fort Bliss community. After his Honorable Discharge in 1983, he transitioned to private practice, eventually limiting his practice exclusively to Family Law. He received his law degree from the University of Texas in 1975 and was licensed to practice in 1976.
Education and Early Leadership
Mr. Williams demonstrated exceptional leadership skills from a young age. His high school years were split between Bitburg American High School in Germany (1965-68) and W.H. Burges High School in El Paso, where he graduated in 1969.
His achievements at Burges were extraordinary:
His leadership continued at the collegiate level, as he became the first African American to be elected as President of the Student Government Association (SGA) at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP).
Community Advocacy and Recognition
Mr. Williams is a tireless community advocate, with his service extending deeply into civil rights, veterans’ affairs, and democratic engagement:
The McCall Neighborhood Center is situated in the historic home of Marshall and Olalee McCall at 3231 East Wyoming Avenue in El Paso, Texas. Established in 1983 by the late Leona Ford Washington, the Center functions as a cultural hub, museum, and gathering place for the African-American community and the broader El Paso populace.
Mission and Focus
The Center’s fundamental mission is to facilitate in honoring and preserving Black heritage in the Southwest and to advance the history of the African-American community in an atmosphere that nurtures both the young and old. It operates on a “continual call to community service,” focusing on integrated services that enhance the quality of life for all residents.
The McCall Center’s programmatic focus covers several key areas:
The Center is typically open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with weekend visits by appointment, and admission is free.
The McCall Family Legacy
The history of the Center is intrinsically linked to the legacy of the prominent El Paso residents who owned the home:
The historic stone and rock home built by the McCalls in the Central El Paso area was purchased by the city in 1985 and subsequently became the Center.
Leadership and Community Advocacy
The current leadership continues the legacy of service and advocacy:
Media Recognition
The McCall Neighborhood Center has received significant media attention, notably being featured by local Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) affiliates:
McCall Neighborhood Center Media Links
