Founded in 2014, the Joan Trumpauer Mulholland Foundation began with a goal to preserve, share and continue the legacy of Joan Trumpauer Mulholland. Our goal is to educate people about the Civil Rights Movement and how they can make a difference in their community.

Our mission has expanded since those early days. There are tough issues that we are helping to address in the fields of education and corporate leadership; always with a lens towards empathetic change. Combating inequality and racism, while increasing our collective awareness of honest and truthful history telling lifts everyone. Young and old alike grow as they engage to be part of the solution for a more just society… just like Joan.

The Joan Trumpauer Mulholland Foundation takes a multi-faceted approach through inclusive leadership training, SEL/PBIS professional development, classroom curriculum, documentary films, podcasting, books, speaking engagements, and school assemblies. We cater to the different ways people learn best in order to understand new concepts and reframe old ones.

In addition, we recognize that higher education is a key gateway to economic growth for individuals and society alike. That belief led to our unique HBCU Micro-scholarship Program that has allowed us to impact over 100 students; meeting their immediate financial needs.

Our mission continues to grow because of support of partners and sustaining donors. Please join us in the fight against inequality and start your recurring donation today! Click here to donate.

(Photo courtesy of Eric Etheridge)

Her Freedom Rider mugshot has been called one of the most iconic in American history. By the time she was 23 years old, Joan Trumpauer Mulholland participated in over 50 sit-ins and demonstrations including the Freedom Rides, the Jackson Woolworth’s Sit-in, the March on Washington, the Meredith March and the Selma to Montgomery March. Her path has crossed with some of the biggest names in the Civil Rights Movement: Martin Luther King, Medgar Evers, Fannie Lou Hamer, John Lewis, Diane Nash and Julian Bond to name a few.

In 2023 Joan received an honorary doctorate from Tougaloo College. She is also the recipient of the 2020 Simeon Booker Award for Courage, the 2019 International Civil Rights Museum Trailblazer Award, the 2015 National Civil Rights Museum  Freedom Award, the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated Annual Award of Honor and the Anti-Defamation League Annual Heroes Against Hate Award.

She has appeared in several books including “Coming of Age in Mississippi”, “Breach of Peace”, “We Shall Not Be Moved”, and, “She Stood For Freedom”. She has appeared on television and news programs like the “CBS Nightly News” and award-winning documentaries including “An Ordinary Hero”, PBS’s “Freedom Riders”, “Standing on My Sister’s Shoulders” and the groundbreaking film “Eyes on the Prize”.

LOKI MULHOLLAND
Founder & Executive Director

Loki Mulholland is an Emmy-winning filmmaker, author, activist, and son of civil rights icon, Joan Trumpauer Mulholland. His work has received over 40 Telly Awards and his films on race and social justice issues have won 20 Best Documentary awards. Loki is the author of multiple books including “She Stood for Freedom” and “Get Back to the Counter”. His films have appeared on Showtime, PBS and Amazon where “The Uncomfortable Truth” has been viewed over three million times. Loki is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated and speaks all over the country on issues of race and social justice. In 2023, Loki received an Honorary Doctorate from Ithaca College.

ASHLEY M. JACKSON
Interim Chairwoman Of The Board

Ashley M. Jackson is a seasoned business strategist, community leader, and social impact expert with over 20 years of experience driving growth, innovation, and positive change in various sectors. With a strong marketing, sales, and analytics background, Ashley has a proven track record of success in Fortune 500 companies, including P&G, Coca-Cola Refreshments, General Mills, MillerCoors, L’Oreal, and Unilever.

As a community-focused leader, Ashley is passionate about harnessing her expertise to drive social impact, foster collaborative relationships, and empower marginalized communities. Ashley holds an M.B.A. from Colorado Technical University and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Journalism from Columbia College Chicago.

KISHA SOGUNRO
Board Member

Kisha Sogunro is a dynamic and innovative public-sector leader that has garnered 12 national, state and local awards for her successful projects. Her body of work includes introducing Family Search, the largest genealogical database in the world, to local NAACP chapters to connect families across generations. Additionally, having recruited over 10,000 volunteers, she is internationally recognized for her leadership in community and volunteer engagements.

BK FULTON
Board Member

BK Fulton, born in Hampton, VA, is the founding Chairman & CEO of Soulidifly Productions, a film and media company advancing inclusive storytelling. Soulidifly made history as the first independent company to produce four feature films in its debut year, including River Runs Red and 1 Angry Black Man. BK is also the creator of Mr. Business: The Adventures of Little BK children’s book series and founder of SoulVision Magazine and SoulVision.TV. Formerly a senior leader at Verizon, AOL, and the U.S. Department of Commerce, BK is a ComputerWorld Smithsonian Laureate with works archived at the Smithsonian. He holds degrees from Virginia Tech, Harvard, the New School, and New York Law School. BK is married to Jacquelyn E. Stone, Esq., and they are parents to twin sons, Joshua and Terrell.

KEN BURTON JR.
Board Member

Ken Burton has held multiple high-level positions at Bank of America where he has worked for over 20 years. He is currently the Sales Performance & Support Executive for Bank of America’s Commercial Real Estate Banking business where he collaborates with leaders and partners across the US. A graduate of NC A&T (summa cum laude), Ken has a Master of Business Administration from Duke University, and a Master of Divinity from Virginia Union University. Burton is affiliated with several organizations in the North Carolina and Charlotte communities including the Leadership North Carolina Board of Directors, the North Carolina A&T State University Executive Advisory Board, YMCA of Greater Charlotte, My Brother’s Keeper Charlotte-Mecklenburg, the Reeder Memorial Baptist Church and the Pi Phi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

SHAREEM KING
Board Member

With more than 25 years of experience in professional services, Shareem is a dynamic leader at BDO, advancing organizational success through social impact and community engagement. As a key member of BDO’s Social Impact Team, she helps guide the firm’s corporate social responsibility program, BDO Counts, and champions inclusion by leading both the Multicultural Alliance and the Pride Alliance in her local office—creating spaces that foster belonging, collaboration, and employee engagement.

Beyond her role at BDO, Shareem extends her commitment to equity and empowerment through board service with the Joan Trumpauer Mulholland Foundation and volunteer work with nonprofits across the greater Richmond area. Her leadership reflects a lifelong dedication to initiatives that drive meaningful change and uplift communities both locally and globally.

(Photo courtesy of Eric Etheridge)

LUVAGHN BROWN
Board Member

Mr. Brown is a native of Jackson, MS and has resided in Greenburgh, NY since 1979. A Freedom Rider at the age of 16, he plunged into the Civil Rights Movement after being arrested for sitting at a Whites Only lunch counter at the local Woolworth’s. As a Field Secretary for the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) Mr. Brown worked primarily in Greenwood and Jackson, MS in direct action and travelled the state, working on Voter Registration. He eventually moved to Chicago, IL where he worked with the Friends of SNCC on demonstrations, local politics, preparation for the March on Washington and fundraising. A year later he moved to New York and worked with the local SNCC office and the New York CORE group. Mr. Brown has a Masters Degree in Social Work from SUNY Stony Brook. Currently, he co-chairs the African American Men of Westchester Business Skills Olympics program and was appointed to the Westchester County Human Rights Commission He is a member of the White Plains Juneteenth Committee, and a member of the African American Men of Westchester.

CHERITA WASHINGTON
Board Member

DONTAYE CARTER
Board Member

Dontaye Carter founded Carter Media Group in 2017 to help attorneys use their clients’ stories to drive change, working on high-profile cases such as #SurvivingRKelly, Ahmaud Arbery, and Jimmy Atchison. Before this, he spent over a decade in television news as an Executive Producer, Anchor, and Reporter, later becoming the youngest Director of Public Relations for Georgia’s largest DA’s office. Carter’s expertise in storytelling and advocacy continues to shape impactful narratives through his media firm.

GEORGE MONROE
Board Member

George R. Monroe, Jr., a Charlottesville native and 1998 graduate of Virginia Union University with a BA in Sociology, also holds a Master of Liberal Arts degree from the University of Richmond, where he studied 19th-century racial ideology. With 21 years in finance, he is currently Senior Vice President of Operational Risk Management for a top-10 national financial services firm. A serial entrepreneur, humanitarian, and published author, George has visited over 12 countries to aid those in need and co-authored a nationally recognized white paper on teaching slavery accurately in public spaces. In his free time, he enjoys genealogy, history, gardening, and spending time with his wife of 19 years and their two sons in Hanover County, Virginia.

NATHAN TOLMAN
Treasurer

Nathan Tolman has more than 25 years of senior financial management experience. He has a Master’s of Accountancy from Utah State University and is a licensed CPA in the state of Utah. He has worked in finance for the healthcare, tech, retail and public utilities sectors, gaining diverse experience.

ROBERT HANSON
Secretary

Robert Hanson has almost 30 years of experience driving profitable growth in challenging, competitive and volatile markets. Robert received his BBA from North Carolina Central University and an MBA from University of New Haven. Robert also a military veteran, having served with the 82nd Airborne Division.

JERRY MITCHELL
Civil Rights Advisor

With his work as an investigative reporter, Jerry Mitchell has helped put four Klansmen and a suspected serial killer behind bars. His stories have also exposed injustices and corruption in Mississippi, helping lead to investigations, exonerations, firings and reforms of state agencies. Jerry has won multiple awards including being a Pulitzer Prize finalist and a recipient of the inaugural Medgar Evers Justice Award,

NIKKI WALKER

It’s with profound sadness that we share the unexpected passing of our Chairwoman, Nikki Walker.

Nikki was driven by a passion for justice and a desire to lift others up. She used her talents and voice to confront inequities, champion diversity, and ensure marginalized stories were heard. Whether mentoring, organizing, or simply offering support, Nikki gave her time and energy selflessly. Her warmth, insight, and unwavering dedication left a lasting impact on everyone she encountered, inspiring change in business, community, and beyond.

Throughout her career, Nikki built a reputation as a leader in communications and public relations. She began her journey in New York, working alongside industry leaders Angelo Ellerby and Pierce Matte, before launching her own firm, NWPR. Her agency became known for empowering organizations and individuals through strategic communications. Beyond her business, Nikki contributed her expertise as a Board Member of the Utah Black Chamber of Commerce, where she chaired the Small Business Advisory Committee and worked tirelessly to create opportunities for underserved communities.

Nikki’s love for learning and storytelling fueled her return to the classroom, where she was pursuing a Communications degree at Western Governors University. She firmly believed that education was a lifelong commitment and lived that principle in every aspect of her life. In recognition of her achievements and dedication, she was recently honored with the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award and an honorary doctorate from Empire University.

Nikki leaves behind a mother, sister, two brothers, and her son, Jacob. She was preceded in death by her father and her first child, Vincent D. Miles.

The foundation donated $1,000 to the Nikki Walker Memorial Fund in support of her son and the work she felt so passionate about.