2026 UNCF LA Masked Ball

Tabitha Brown is an Emmy Award-winning host, actress and vegan food star who is affectionately known as “America’s mom.” She has provided millions with food for the body and soul with her everyday wisdom rooted in love, kindness, and compassion.

She is a 4 time New York Times Best Selling Author of Feeding the Soul, Cooking from the Spirit, I Did A New Thing (30 days to Living Free),  and Hello There Sunshine, her first children’s picture book. Tabitha is the co-creator and host of her own children’s show, Tab Time, as well as the recipient of several NAACP Image Awards.

She is also the co-founder and CEO of her own healthy haircare line, Donna’s Recipe, and Fragrance company Tab&Chance. She has launched multi-category products with major retailers like Target and McCormick and never fails to bring sunshine to everyone’s home. Her proudest accomplishment that she holds close to her heart is spreading love & joy all over the world.

Valeisha Butterfield is one of the world’s most renowned  women leaders, recognized for her paradigm-shifting impact across tech, entertainment and politics. Valeisha is the founder of SEED Media and Global State of Women, global platforms dedicated to advancing women, families and communities worldwide.

Her cross-generational impact and influence is award-winning, building and shaping some of the most iconic brands of our time, unlocking opportunity and access for more than 1M next generation leaders and counting.

Valeisha currently serves as a Board Trustee at her alma mater Clark Atlanta University, board member at GRAMMY Global Ventures, Honorary Chair of the GRAMMYs Black Music Collective, and a member of the GRAMMYs Television Committee, helping to produce the most highly rated and inclusive GRAMMY awards telecasts in recent history.

Valeisha is the former Vice President of Global Partnerships for Google, Inc., co-President at the Recording Academy / GRAMMYs, Deputy Director of Public Affairs for International Trade in the Obama Administration, and National Youth Vote Director for the Obama for America campaign helping to deliver one of the highest youth voter turnouts in American history.

Valeisha has been honored by ADCOLOR, ADWEEK, Step Up, McDonald’s 365, ESSENCE, EBONY Power 100, The Root 100, and others, including landing the cover of Billboard Magazine.

A proud daughter of public servants, graduate of Clark Atlanta University, and devoted mother, Valeisha is redefining leadership and modern business.

Gregory “Greg” Dulan is a renowned Los Angeles restaurateur and the owner of the iconic soul food landmark Dulan’s On Crenshaw, a cornerstone of South LA dining and culture. Known for its authentic Southern comfort food and welcoming atmosphere, the restaurant has served generations of locals, visitors, and celebrities alike.

Born into a family with deep roots in the food and hospitality industry, Greg was introduced to entrepreneurship at an early age. He worked alongside his parents in several family businesses, including the beloved Aunt Kizzy’s Back Porch, where he developed a lifelong passion for cooking, customer service, and community building.

After graduating from Howard University and spending time working in the banking industry in New York, Greg returned to Los Angeles determined to continue and expand his family’s culinary legacy. In 1992, he opened Dulan’s On Crenshaw, quickly establishing it as a go-to destination for classic soul food favorites such as fried chicken, smothered pork chops, collard greens, mac and cheese, and homemade desserts.

Beyond the kitchen, Greg Dulan is deeply committed to preserving culture and uplifting his community. He personally led and financed a major renovation of the restaurant, modernizing the space while honoring its history through family photos and storytelling that reflect decades of tradition.

Recognized for his contributions to Los Angeles’ culinary landscape, Greg has received widespread acclaim and industry recognition for his dedication to excellence and cultural preservation. Today, he continues to serve not only soulful meals but also mentorship, leadership, and a lasting legacy—ensuring that soul food remains a vital part of Los Angeles history.

Michelle Gaskill-Hames is the President of Kaiser Permanente Southern California and Hawaii, where she leads one of the nation’s largest integrated health care delivery systems serving millions of members across both regions. In this role, she oversees health plan and hospital operations, working with medical leadership and care teams to advance high-quality, affordable, and equitable care for diverse communities.

Michelle began her career as a registered nurse, working at the bedside in a neonatal intensive care unit, where she developed a deep understanding of patient care and the impact of health care disparities. This experience shaped her commitment to improving health outcomes and inspired her transition into executive leadership.

Before joining Kaiser Permanente, Michelle built a broad and distinguished career in health care leadership. She held senior executive roles at several major health systems, including serving as President of Advocate Trinity Hospital in the Advocate Health Care network in Chicago. She also spent significant time in strategic planning and operations consulting with top firms, where she helped health care organizations improve performance, culture, and operational outcomes.

Michelle joined Kaiser Permanente in 2016, steadily advancing through leadership roles of increasing responsibility. In Northern California, she served as Senior Vice President and Area Manager for multiple service areas, Interim Regional Chief Nurse Executive, and Senior Vice President of Hospital and Health Plan Operations, where she also led the organization’s COVID-19 response. In February 2022, she was named Chief Operating Officer and Chief Strategy, Growth, and Experience Officer for the Southern California and Hawaii region. She was appointed Regional President in 2023.

In addition to her operational leadership, Michelle serves on several professional and community boards and is actively engaged in efforts to address health equity, workforce development, and community health improvement.

Michelle holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master’s degree in Health Services Administration from the University of Michigan. She also earned a Project Management Certification from the Harvard School of Public Health.

Founder and Executive Director of SAPPA

Billy Mitchell is an internationally renowned jazz musician and producer, but in the Los Angeles community he is also known as a tireless leader, worker, and advocate for providing high quality music education to inner-city youth.

Born in Tarrytown and raised in Buffalo, New York, Billy tinkered with the piano as a child but did not get serious about music until he entered Morehouse College. While pursuing a political science degree he joined an off-campus jazz band and was soon playing gigs throughout the South.  In 1970 Mitchell moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in music and was soon backing up such artists as Ester Phillips, Randy Crawford, and Linda Hopkins.

He was most recently a member of the “Los Angeles Jazz Orchestra Unlimited,” headed by Jazz legend Kenny Burrell. The Billy Mitchell Group has performed at many international music festivals, and countless club appearances. His solo career has included appearances in film, most notably Clint Eastwood’s “Bird.” His solo recordings cater to both straight-ahead be-bop, and smooth jazz audiences, and his refusal to limit himself creatively has earned him respect from both sides of the proverbial fence.

As a working musician, Mitchell saw that many aspects of success that had less to do with talent and much to do with relationships, preparedness, professionalism, and awareness. His articles and clinics on this topic and his work with young musicians led to the publication of his book, “The Gigging Musician” (Rowman & Littlefield Pub.) which is considered a must-read for artists, teachers, managers, and producers.

Mitchell found it hard to believe that schools were eliminating the arts, the basic components necessary in a child’s overall development. And so, he set about developing simple, common-sense approaches for providing basic music instruction for youngsters in underserved communities. In 2002, he founded the Scholarship Audition Performance Preparatory Academy (SAPPA) which has been the focus of his efforts ever since. His work with youth did not go unnoticed and soon he was consulting for Los Angeles Music Center-Spotlight Awards, Pasadena Unified Schools, California State Summer School for the Arts, and the Compton Unified School District

In 2010 The Watts-Willowbrook Music Academy (Conservatory) was established as a project of the Scholarship Audition Performance Preparatory Academy (SAPPA). The WWMA program is part of the cultural arts strategy that creates opportunities for children who have little access to high quality music instruction. The non-tuition program provides music training in all orchestral string instruments.

The WWMA was inspired by “El Sistema” the world-renowned music outreach and education program in Venezuela and is currently a member of El Sistema USA.

Mitchell has been the recipient of numerous awards, including the Jazz for the Next Generation Award (America West Airlines), Gold Crown Award (Pasadena Arts Council), Local Heroes Award (KCET/Union Bank), Inductee into the California Jazz & Blues Hall of Fame, Jazz Hero Award (Jazz Journalist Association), Nica Award (California Jazz Foundation) and many awards and commendations from the City and County of Los Angeles and the State of California.