The SAAACAM Board of Directors is a dedicated group of community leaders from Central and South Texas. They bring diverse expertise and experiences to collaboratively partner with SAAACAM’s CEO in advancing its mission: to collect, preserve, and share the cultural heritage of African Americans in the San Antonio region. Committed to transparency, integrity, respect, and community service, the board oversees the organization’s governance.
Diverse expertise and experiences
President and Chairman
J Maurice Gibbs
J Maurice Gibbs is the Franchise Owner of Gibbs Financial Group, Chairman of the Historic and Design Review Commission, Deacon, and seasoned board leader advancing cultural heritage, community leadership, organizational growth, and financial innovation.
Secretary/Founding Director
Sallie Edwards Frederick
Sallie Edwards Frederick, retired educator and principal, is a founding director and SAAACAM’s secretary. She holds a Master’s in Education and is a Licensed Vocational Nurse. Married to Rev. Dr. Austin Frederick, Jr., she cherishes her two children, three grandchildren, and her service-driven legacy.
Board Recruitment Chair
Tracy Watts
Tracy Watts is a founding SAAACAM Board member and entrepreneur with 20 years of civic engagement, serving in workforce development, higher education, marketing, and community relations.
Director
Joseph Harrison Jr, PhD
Dr. Joseph Harrison, Jr is the University of Phoenix Lead Faculty Area Chair, retired USAF Medical Service Corps Officer and former Chief of Civilian HR Recruitment for US Army Medical Command.
Director
Dr. Brandi P. Jones
Dr. Brandi P. Jones is a strategist, national thought-leader, and researcher. She hails from California and brings 25+ years of board and community leadership experience.
Director
Valarie Denise White, Ed.D.
Dr. Valarie White brings over 30 years of expertise in learning and talent development. She has served with the SAAACAM Board since 2023 and is passionate about telling the African American stories to preserve our history. A master facilitator, she is widely recognized for her work in leadership development, creating engaging learning environments, and her service to the the city of San Antonio, TX. Guided by her mission to “go teach,” Dr. White believes that education is the key to personal growth and a gateway to economic empowerment.
Director
Kedrick Wright
Kedrick Wright is a Program Manager at Lockwood, Andrews and Newnam, Inc. with nearly 20 years of experience in architecture, construction, and program management. He has led large-scale educational capital programs, including multibillion-dollar bond initiatives, improving and modernizing school facilities across multiple districts.
Director
Steven Darby
Advisor
Bryan Albin Giemza
Dr. Bryan Giemza is a Professor of Humanities and Literature at Texas Tech University, and the former Director of the Southern Historical Collection. A humanist with extensive experience in community archives, he has been involved with SAAACAM since its founding.
