President/Board Chair

Robert Lewis

Robert Lewis is the President/Founding Board Chair of BCIF. Robert has almost 25 years of professional experience working in philanthropy and the nonprofit human and social services sector. In the philanthropic sector, Robert has been responsible for grantmaking for companies such as L.A. Care Heath Plan and the California Community Foundation (CCF). As part of L.A. Care’s Community Benefits Department team, Robert plays a key role in the company’s grantmaking efforts geared toward improving health care access for under-resourced populations and addressing social determinants of health. During his years working at CCF, Robert managed several grantmaking portfolios and was the architect and director of the BLOOM Initiative, a multi-year effort focused on re-directing Black male youth who have been involved with the L.A. County probation system toward improved employment and educational opportunities. Robert has directed multimillion dollar human service programs for agencies such as Prototypes and The Community College Foundation (TCCF), where he oversaw strategic activities for a juvenile offender re-entry program and an L.A. Countywide training program for prospective resource (i.e., foster and adoptive) parents. Robert has served on several boards and formal committees including, but not limited to: Hathaway-Sycamores Child and Family Services, New Earth, Goodwill Southern California, the African-American Board Leadership Institute (AABLI), and KCET. He is Principal Emeritus for NEX-Impact, a boutique management consulting group that provides relevant and culturally competent capacity building and technical assistance services to nonprofit organizations and helps social investors better engage and support nonprofits. He is also one of a select group of trainers for The Grantsmanship Center (TGC), based in Los Angeles, where he facilitates TGC’s hallmark five-day Grantsmanship Training Program. Robert received a bachelor’s in sociology from Occidental College and a master’s in social work with a concentration in administration and management from Howard University. Robert brings various perspectives to his work: investor, “no box” critical thinker, service provider, concerned citizen, and lifelong L.A. resident. These qualities position him as a unique and compelling voice across various L.A. communities, and beyond.

Board Member

Michael Raeford

Michael Raeford has more than 20 years experience in internet company management experience. Michael began his career as an investment analyst with Sloan Financial Group, one of the largest black-owned investment firms in the country. In this role, his portfolio included technology stocks in Africa, Europe, and the United States. Shortly after leaving the investment industry, Michael co-founded and led the technology and product development of three start-up companies: eGames Group – online games (sold to Myspace in 2002), SkillJam – online games (sold to Liberty Media in 2004), and Mood Media – in-store music (IPO’ed on London Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange in 2008). Michael and his partners operate and invest in high growth sectors and currently manage a portfolio of companies which they have started across various industries including elder care services (LiveWell) and healthcare staffing (ATC West). Michael currently leads Player Experience at Jam City, a Los Angeles-based mobile game studio with global reach and the creative force behind 6 of the Top 100 highest grossing games across Google Play and Apple App Store, including Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Family Guy: Quest for Stuff, Disney Emoji Blitz, Cookie Jam, Panda Pop, and many others. Michael earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, with a concentration in Finance from North Carolina Central University.

Board Member

Marvin Boateng

Marvin Boateng is the Director of Lending for the Economic Development Collaborative- Ventura County (EDCVC), an organization that provides technical assistance and access to capital to small businesses in Ventura and Santa Barbara County. Marvin is in charge of lending and oversees ten small business loan funds. Over the past eight years, Marvin has assisted more than 300 businesses to access more than $50 million in capital, creating more than 1,500 jobs and 250 child care slots in high priority areas in Ventura County. In 2013, Marvin was recognized by the Pacific Coast Business Times “40 under 40” for his passion for public service. Marvin is an African American Board Leadership Institute Alumna (AABLI) and a certified Economic Development Financial Professional (EDFP). Marvin earned a double bachelor’s in African American Studies and Economics from California State University, Northridge and a master’s in Public Policy and Administration (MPPA) from California Lutheran University.

Board Member

Damon Haley

Damon Haley is a seasoned Strategic and Creative Thought Partner with more than 25 years experience in the sports, entertainment and consumer products sectors. Damon has mastered the art of designing, developing and implementing campaigns that appeal to consumers, sponsors, clients, partners and investors, all the while attracting targeted audiences and promoting the brand as well as delivering millions in impressions and revenues. Damon has operated his own ‘communication solution’ agency for several years, where he focused on launching new products, consumer activations, theatrical film releases, affinity programs and sports experiences. His portfolio of clients included Nike Inc, PepsiCo Inc and Time Warner, Viacom and Turner Broadcasting Family of Brands and Networks spanning North America, South America, Europe and Asia. Prior to his entrepreneurial pursuits, he served as Sports Director at TroikaTV, Marketing Manager for Nike’s Western Region and rose through the ranks at Chevron in its Treasury, Overseas, Corporate Planning and Investment Strategy Groups. Damon earned a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley and a Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the University of Michigan.

Board Member

Reverend Kelvin Sauls

Reverend Kelvin Sauls is a faith-based community activist and international social and economic justice advocate. He is the former Senior Pastor at Holman United Methodist Church in Los Angeles, CA. Reverend Sauls brings years of experience in, and passion for multi-generational congregational vitalization for meaningful community transformation. Being born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa, his work focuses on the intersection of social justice from South Los Angeles to South Johannesburg. He is an intentional bridge-builder for cross-cultural and multi-ethnic congregational development in racially diverse communities. Hence, his vision has been to reposition Holman as a hub of hope and healing, and a center for wellness and wholeness for local, regional and international communities. In his 20 years of ordained ministry, he has served both local churches and general agencies in the United Methodist Church. Prior to his appointment to Holman, he served as Executive Director for New Ministries in the California-Pacific Conference, Assistant General Secretary for Congregational Development & Racial Ethnic Ministries at the General Board of Global Ministries in New York, and Director for Congregational Transformation at the General Board of Discipleship in Nashville, TN. Reverend Sauls is the co-founder of the Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI), the Priority Africa Network (PAN) and the South Los Angeles Transition Age Youth, Foster Care and Homeless Collaborative. He serves as the co-convener of Justice Not Jails, a program of the Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity. As part of his passion to end homelessness in the City and County of Los Angeles, he serves as a Commissioner on the Los Angeles Housing Services Authority (LAHSA). He lives out his passion for the prevention of, and intervention around HIV/AIDS and STIs by serving on the Board of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation. Whether behind the pulpit or on the pavement, in the streets of protests, or the suites of power, Reverend Sauls is a prophetic, collaborative, and catalytic leader committed to realizing a more just, fair, and beloved world house.

Vice President/Secretary

Melanie Mack

Melanie Mack is the Vice Chair of BCIF. She has more than 20 years of experience as a fund development professional specializing in cultivating high net worth individuals – and project manager/producer of intimate to large scale events having worked for several organizations including Union Rescue Mission, Weingart Center Association, New Directions for Veterans, and Angels Gate Cultural Center. Melanie has an unwavering passion for service to underserved communities (particularly women and girls) and entertainment. She has a practical understanding of challenges and daunting responsibilities of implementing and
executing a vision while delivering measurable results. She has raised $12 million through her sphere of influence. Her duties in leadership include involvement in creating and facilitating strategic plans, soliciting major gifts, and marketing/rebranding. Before entering the nonprofit sector, Melanie raised $1.5 million in venture capital to launch her companies, Power of the Single Mom and Bamflex. Before her career as an entrepreneur, she was a television development executive with Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros., and was part of the original launch team for fX Networks – garnering several awards including a Daytime Emmy and NAMIC award for diversity and inclusion. Melanie is an innovative entrepreneur, strategic thought partner, grant proposal writer, motivational speaker, public relations specialist, and published author of two books. She’s been recognized by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti for her leadership and mentorship in the city of Los Angeles. She is a Forbes contributor, African American Board Leadership Institute Alumna (AABLI), member of International Black Women’s Public Policy Institute; founding executive board member for the Black Cooperative Investment Fund (BCIF). She is also the founder of BrunchNet: A Girl’s Guide to Business, Career, Goals, Life, and Family – a membership brunch club for professional and entrepreneurial women.

Tiana Sanchez

Tiana Sanchez is CEO and Founder of TSI, LLC a Woman-Owned Small Business preparing leaders to achieve next-level results in employee engagement. Her company currently manages a portfolio of clients with a combined net worth of over $100M. For over a decade, Tiana has served as Corporate Trainer and Business Consultant to top leaders in both the public and private sectors across the U.S. She is a #1 best-selling author, producer and host of a global podcast that inspires thousands of people in more than 26 countries. Awarded the “Women of Distinction Award” in 2018 for her commitment to women, community issues, and public service, Tiana has served as a Board Member for EmpowHer Institute and as a Panel Judge for the Youth Entrepreneurial Challenge (YEC) Pitch Contest sponsored by Union Bank. Tiana sustained an impressive and long-standing career in the Retail and Financial industries where she served on the Strategic Planning team for a Teacher’s Credit Union. After eight years in the financial industry, devoid of capital, Tiana audaciously launched her company in 2011. Named 2018 “Best Executive Coaching Program” by HR.com, her company improves business performance through Leadership Development and Executive Coaching for leading brands like Mercedes Benz, Activision, and BuzzFeed. Tiana’s books Undefeatable and The Upside of Failure can be found on Amazon.com.

Joe Huser

Joe Huser is a business attorney with his own practice since 2009. He generally serves in a role akin to general counsel for emerging growth companies, privately held businesses and family offices throughout the Southern California region. He assists in addressing disputes, advising on intellectual property, conforming company legal practices to reduce liability and in reviewing and drafting agreements. Prior to establishing his own law practice, Joe worked for nearly four years in Democratic politics before starting his career as an attorney in the corporate and securities department of Baker & McKenzie. He previously served on the Board of Directors of WeLIFT LA, a nonprofit focused on empowering former foster youth and young adults aged out of the foster care system. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from DePauw University and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Notre Dame. Years ago when Joe learned of the official motto of the State of New York – Excelsior – which means “Ever Upward,” he adopted it as his own. He is a Taoist, an art collector and a frequent traveler. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Joe traveled to Africa on five separate occasions.