We salute the men listed in our annual list of INFLUENITAL BROTHA’S not only for the exceptional in work in their related fields but also for their commitment to uplifting of our people and community.
David Crowley – County Executive, Milwaukee County
As a lifelong Milwaukee resident, County Executive Crowley recognizes that Milwaukee County is truly a tale of two communities. He has lived the pain and struggle that many in our neighborhoods face every day, and he knows the joy of bringing people together to conquer those challenges. The fundamental tenet of Executive Crowley’s administration is to build bridges that bring people together, deliver prosperity for working families, and foster a safer, stronger, and healthier Milwaukee County.
Since being sworn into office in May of 2020, County Executive Crowley led the implementation of the first County-wide strategic plan in 20 years, focusing the County on a vision of achieving racial equity, and by doing so, becoming the healthiest county in Wisconsin. Under his leadership, Milwaukee County has diversified positions, streamlined government services, and delivered investments that are moving the community forward.
County Executive Crowley is working to expand access to mental health services and address the ongoing opioid epidemic throughout Milwaukee. The County Executive believes housing is a matter of public health and is collaborating with partners to build more safe, quality and affordable housing, create union jobs in the trades, and address the root causes of housing instability and unaffordability. Crowley is also committed to tackling the County’s fiscal challenges of tomorrow by securing new investments in public transit, economic development, and local parks.
David is a member of numerous community organizations, including the ACLU, Milwaukee Urban League Young Professionals and the Milwaukee NAACP. David grew up in a working-class family in Milwaukee’s 53206 neighborhood. He attended Bay View High School, and is currently finishing up his degree at UW-Milwaukee. He lives in Milwaukee with his wife, Ericka, and their three young daughters.
Jason Nelson – Gospel Music Artist
Jason Nelson pastors, The Tab, a thriving ministry in Windsor Mill, Maryland. He is also one of the most profound voices in gospel music and has been described as a rare gift to the Kingdom. His sensitivity to the presence and voice of the Lord, as well as his ability to release a sound that can shift any atmosphere is unmatched.
It was Jason’s debut solo project, “I Shall Live” (2005) that affirmed his vocal status and exceptional gifting. His incredible songwriting portfolio and unique understanding of praise and worship also propelled him onto the industry’s watch list. Jason is humbled to be a recipient of the Stellar Award for Praise and Worship CD of the Year (2013) and his full discography is quite extensive. Some of his greatest hits would include “Shifting the Atmosphere”, “Nothing Without You”, “I am” and “Forever”. And now with the release of his newest single, “Residue” (on the Tyscot/Fairtrade Label), Jason’s exceptional voice is sure to continue to have a transformative impact on all who hear.
Amazingly enough, even with such an impressive portfolio, great influence in the industry, and having traveled all over the world, Jason still considers one of his greatest accomplishments to be his family. It is love and support of his beautiful wife Tonya and their two incredible children, Jaelyn Paris and Jason Christopher, that have helped to make this journey such an amazing experience.
Moses T. Alexander Greene – Playwright / Actor
A native of Long Island, New York, Greene is a double graduate of Syracuse University where he holds a Masters in New Media Management and dual Bachelors in African American Studies and Writing for Television, Radio and Film.
Licensed into the gospel ministry in 1999, his life’s purpose is to use his passion for Black culture and history, content creation, and the performing arts as vehicles for ministry and impact. Since 2007, he has served as founder/artistic director of Li V Mahob Theatre Company (formerly Li V Mahob Productions), a nonprofit cultural arts theatre based in Raleigh, NC. The company’s mission is to create, develop, nurture, and celebrate Black storytelling while illuminating works by artists of color and women. His vision as artistic director to provide art and culture experiences in the performing arts, literature, and film that provide spaces for diverse audiences to experience joy, laughter, escape, and the possibilities of transformation. In March of 2025, Greene will direct Li V Mahob’s first fully produced play (in its home state) “The Old Settler” by John Henry Redwood at the Kennedy Theatre of the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Raleigh .
In 2025, he received the BroadwayWorld (Raleigh) award for “Best Performer in a Musical” for his portrayals as Pa/Ol Mister/Ensemble in NCT’s The Color Purple; and, in 2021, he received the BroadwayWorld (Raleigh) award for “Original Script Of The Decade” for his groundbreaking play Pooled: A Gospel Musical Drama. Two years prior, the play was named “one of the 25 best professional Black Theatre productions in the U.S., Europe, Africa and the Caribbean” by the 2019 National Black Theatre Festival and made its sold-out debut on the national stage.
(Pooled: A Gospel Musical Drama follows Delsin Jacobs’ arrival to the Pool of Bethesda and his single-minded determination to be the next person to receive its healing properties. According to legend, the first person to step into the Pool after its waters are touched by an angel (troubled) is healed of any infirmity—physical, emotional, mental, relational, sexual. Driven to receive a healing that enables him to see what his heart looked like before he was sexually abused as a child, it is Delsin’s interactions with others at the Pool that challenges his belief that he’s the only one worthy to be healed.)
When not leading Li V Mahob, he serves as Director of Performing Arts & Film at the North Carolina Museum of Art where he curates and provides artistic direction for all performances, performative art, literary and film experiences in the galleries and throughout its 164 acre Museum Park. In his brief tenure, his passion for cultivate belonging has attracted nationally, regionally, and locally-renowned performing arts and civic organizations as partners (American Dance Festival, Carolina Ballet, Community Music School of Raleigh , Broughton High School Dance, The Justice Theatre Project, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity to name a few) as well as created a residency program for BIPOC artists (the museum’s first Artist/Composer-in-Residence Carolyn Colquitt in 2021 and the museum’s first Master Poet Laureate-in-Residence Jaki Shelton Green in 2022) and special events like the NCMA Freedom Seder and NCMA Groove: The Joy of Latinx Music. Greene is the first African American director (or director of color) in the 78 year history of the institution.
As a servant-leader and change agent, he is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.– Phi Lambda Chapter and chairs its Senior Brothers Caucus and is an active participant in the Triangle Alphas initiatives. As an arts advocate, he has served as chair of the City of Raleigh Arts Commission and was a founding member of Advisory Group for Raleigh’s first Public Art Plan.
Greene is the father of one son, Marchell, and travels the country speaking, performing and inspiring others to use creative writing, performance and artistic expression to overcome fear, negative personal beliefs, codependency, and trauma. His heart is to turn the hearts of children and their fathers back to each other (Malachi 4:6).
Anthony Hall – Recording Artist
A New Orleans native, Anthony Hall emerges as an artist with his music roots in Jazz, Funk and R&B.
His father being locally renowned jazz artist Emile Hall, Jr., afforded Anthony the opportunity to grow up surrounded and influenced by a wide expanse of music. In turn, he has created a unique sound within infusions of both Modern and Classic R&B, Funk and Soul.
Anthony’s vocal texture, tone, and control surprises those who hear him for the first time, placing him squarely in his own lane. He has been blessed to share the stage with numerous artists over the past 20+yrs while also serving as Director of Media and Music in the Houston church community.
Anthony not only sings, but is one of the producers on all of his music and co-owner of Vgn Bae Music Group. With all of his life experience in music as a foundation, he is now stepping out to pursue his dream of being an artist…
On his terms, with his own sound.
Granvel D. Johnson – Author / Educator / Youth Advocate
A Los Angeles native, Mr. Granvel Johnson moved to Durham in 2007 to attend the Divinity School at Duke University, after having spent 18 years in information technology. Originally intending to return to Los Angeles as a hospital chaplain, Mr. Johnson realized his life’s purpose while working for the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Cities Schools Blue Ribbon Mentor-Advocate Program (BRMA). He says, “Other than supporting and encouraging students as they grow into the best version of themselves, I can’t think of any other way I’d like to spend the remainder of my life.”
After seven years with BRMA, Mr. Johnson was promoted to the Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) where he accepted a position as a Senior Administrator, managing Helping Hands—the district’s flagship mentoring program. In 2021, with support from colleagues, he co-founded Sisters Together Achieving Real Success (STARS). STARS supports the district’s female students through mentoring and leadership development opportunities. A graduate of Compton Community College, Vanguard University, and Duke University, Mr. Johnson’s current area of interest is in identity development theory.
He has written four books, including the three-volume series Notes to Our Sons: for the Journey from Childhood to Manhood. He is currently editing his fifth book, The African American Male and the Hero’s Journey: Recovering Our Purpose, Passion, and Power.