EX-OFFICIO COMMITTEE MEMBER

Bishop John A. McCullough, II is the Senior Pastor of Friendship Christian Church, Gastonia NC. He is a native of Charlotte NC and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Philosophy from Shaw University. He continued his education at Hood Theological Seminary, Salisbury, NC by earning a Master of Divinity Degree.

As a civic leader, Bishop McCullough serves in various capacities in the community. He holds membership with Gaston Together, Gaston County Progressive Coalition, and Gaston Clergy Citizens (GC3). Bishop McCullough is also a board member of the Backpack Weekend Lunch Program of Gaston County. He is the Chairman of the Board for the Fresh Start, CDC, an organization focused on assisting new fathers. He is a past Board Member of the Gaston County Chamber of Commerce and the Gaston 2012 organization.

Bishop McCullough is very instrumental in the improvements of the Highland Community and is one of the sponsors for “Hope for Gaston,” a community revitalization program for the Greater Gaston area that refurbishes homes, provides food, and cloths for families in need.

As directed by the Great Commission to “Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost,” as quoted in Matthew 28:19, Bishop McCullough’s spiritual goals are to spread the Gospel to mankind on all levels, to promote economic development in the community through the Church, and to be used by God as an instrument making a positive impact on those he serves and meets.

Bishop McCullough is married with two (2) young-adult children, and one (1) grandson.

FOUNDER/PRESIDENT

Charles M. Odom currently serves as the City of Gastonia’s Ward 4 City Councilman. He is a retired Field Service Technician from General Electric (GE) Company and has previusly served as a Church Youth Leader, School Mentor and Community Advocate. He also held the position of President to the Highland Neighborhood Association and its Governing Board.

Charles was raised in the Ward 4 Community and felt a need to give of his time, work ethic, energy and passion so as to help make Ward 4 and surrounding Gaston County communities a better place to call home.

He is married and has four (4) adult children and eight (8) grandchildren.

VICE PRESIDENT

Ezekiel Clay Jr., is a Gastonia native and lifelong artist. Ezekiel’s entrepreneuralship has afforded him with the ability to work today as a visual artist specializing in brand identity design with the focus of his creative efforts being on the city of Gastonia.

His vision for the social arts is evident in the Black Lives Matter mural now on dispaly at Erwin Center’s outdoor basketball court., a project that was spearheaded by Ezekiel. Our committee is in the capable hands of this amazing artist and his leadership capabilities.

SECRETARY

Clara Rudisill Odom is a Federal Government retiree. She gained professional experience with the Agencies, General Services Administration and the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission as a Realty Specialist and Contracting Officer with the ability to bind the government in an unlimited contracting amount. She was responsible for leasing commercial office space to house over 250 federal agencies.

Clara is currently serving on the Board of Directors for the African American Museum of History and Culture at Loray Mill (AAMHC).

She is a native Gastonian and a graduate of Hunter Huss High School. Clara received her Bachelor of Science degree in Public Administration from Upper Iowa University at Desmoine, IA. She has a keen interest in learning, teaching and preserving African history. Clara is married and has two (2) adult children.

TREASURER

Ellen Rudisill Austin is a native of Gastonia and a graduate of Hunter Huss High School. She is currently serving as an Executive Assistant at Caromont Regional Medical Center. She has over twenty (20) years of experience as an Executive Assistant and has worked at several church organizations as a Financial Secretary. Ellen brings a wealth of experience gained from the financial industry.

Her greatest passion is the Lord Jesus Christ and ministering to women, encouraging them to have a loving relationship with God. Ellen is married and enjoys the family time that she shares with two (2) young adult children and her grandson.

SOCIAL MEDIA & MARKETING REPRESENTATIVE, ASST TREASURER

Chéz Adams is a native of Tallahassee, FL but joined the Gaston County community in 1990. She is a graduate of Hunter Huss High School and Florida A&M University. Chéz has a strong love for the arts especially instrumental music. She has been a musician since the age of 11 and her son is a musician as well. A quote that she often states is, “A family that plays (music) together, stays together!”

She is an advocate for children and serves on several organizations, committees and boards that support the arts as well as the mental and educational growth of children in Gaston County. In her free time, it is not abnormal to see her doing something along the lines of art: enjoying concerts, listening or playing music, painting, touring art exhibits, taking in a play at the theatre or dancing. She brings a wealth a knowledge in fundraising, social media promotions, and education.

CHAIRPERSON/ART POLICY TEAM

Ina Orr Biggers is a native Gastonian. She attended Highland Elementary School and Highland Junior-Senior High School before graduating from Ashley High School in the first desegregated Class of 1967. Ina was further educated at Winston Salem State University receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Health, Physical Education and Recreation, Science and Mathematics. She also received a Masters Degree in Education from Belmont Abbey College. Ina taught in the Gaston County School System for thirty-one (31) years; as well as teaching a Mathematics class and the G.E.D. program at Gaston College, Upon retirement she worked in various schools as a tutor and mentor.

Ina served as Chief Judge for Precinct Five at the Board of Elections, and has served on the Gaston County Planning Board and Gaston Dance.

Ina is a Board Member with the African American Museum of Art and History at Loray Mill (AAMHC) and volunteers at the Bountiful Blessings Food Pantry, and the Highland Community Organization.

Ina is the recipient of the "Deacon Eugene L. Dee" Award for Service and Commitment to God and Friendship Christian Church, where she has been a member for sixty-two (62) years serving in various ministry areas.

Ina is the widow of the late Mr. James Converse Biggers, Jr. having been married forty-eight (48) years until his death. They have two sons, six grandchildren and one great grandson.

PROGRAM/EVENTS COORDINATOR

Trevolia Funderburke Hill was born in Gastonia NC, and raised in the Highland Community. A graduate of Hunter Huss High School, she next studied Business Administration at Gaston College, Dallas, NC.

Her work experience as Credit Manager expands over 35 + years in the field of credit and finance. Her experience and skills were acquired from Sears--19 years, Belk--13 1/2 years and General Electric--3 1/2 years. Her day-to-day duties included hiring, training, coaching, and performance evaluations.

After retiring from General Electric in 2009, she began mentoring at Rhyne Elementary and Woodhill Elementary Schools.

Her volunteer service is with the following organizations:

Cancer Center of Gaston County

Highland Neighborhood Association (HNA)

Co-chairperson of the Highland Behavioral Health Empowerment Committee

Health Equity Team (H.E.T.), organized through the Gaston Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

Affordable Housing Planning Tool Committee.

She is very active in her church having served as church financial secretary, as well as an advocate for breast cancer awareness. During her leisure time, she enjoys creative craft-making and spending time with her (2) adult children and her (5) grandchildren.

HISTORIAN

Winston Bagley, a native of Gastonia, is a retired Human Resources Manager with more than 30 years in the profession. He spent his career in Human Resources with organizations including Winston-Salem State University, Burke County School System, Gaston County School System, Gaston College, and Philip Morris USA. He received a Master of Social Work degree from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and a Bachelor of Science degree from Western Carolina University. He is a trained arbitrator for the State of North Carolina. He attended Ashbrook High School in Gastonia.

He is an active member of St. Stephens AME Zion Church where he serves as a trustee. He is also a founding member of the Gastonia-Shelby Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.

VOLUNTEER STAFF COORDINATOR

ARTIST & WRITER

Kathleen says that working in healthcare during the pandemic left her searching for a place of healing. She found that art presented itself as a solution and a gift to bring balance back into her life. From that nurturing place, she founded the arts-related non-profit organization, Charlotte Street Art Collaborative. She also became prolific in the production of poetry and artwork and established art connections and friendships through her interaction with the local galleries. These relationships further bloomed into a desire to help others find that same rejuvenation through the arts. She is actively involved as a volunteer supporting various organizations throughout the Gaston and Mecklenburg Counties.

Some of the gifts that Kathleen possesses are a self-published poet, spoken word performer, multimedia abstract artist, program/exhibition organizer, and fantastic leadership abilities.

She received her Bachelor of Language Arts degree from the State University of New York, a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from Carolinas College of Health Sciences, and a Yoga Instructor Certification from Elemental Moon.