Frederika McClary Easley
MCBA President
Frederika McClary Easley, newly elected Vice President of MCBA, Director of Strategic Initiatives at The People’s Ecosystem and Host of The People are Blunt podcast, is a powerhouse at creating and implementing strategy and providing a unique lens that brings an impactful perspective. She pulls from her vast experiences to bring knowledge and efforts that promote harm alleviation, community engagement and inclusivity.
As an experienced strategist with over 15 years in organized labor industries, she analyzes federal and state policies with an equity lens to identify areas of opportunity and advocacy. Additionally, she focuses on stakeholder engagement through leadership roles in industry associations, the creation of thought pieces, interviews, and panel discussions. Frederika is an impeccable resource for campaign development, strategy implementation, policy analysis and creation, addressing health and wellness inequities and equity work. Her work in articulating social inequities and promoting advocacy for change through legislation and the social culture of the cannabis industry has been noted by a host of publications.
Frederika looks forward to working with the amazing leadership team of the MCBA, its members and the broader community to uplift and strengthen local/state efforts and to ensure that the needs of entrepreneurs in this space are not forgotten.
Committee Involvement
MCBA VP and returning Board Member
Council for Federal Cannabis Regulation (CFCR)- Co-Chair & Secretary of DEI & Access to Capital Committee
Equity Policy Roundtable Member
"Change requires intent and effort. It really is that simple." — Roxane Gay
Jessica Lewis MSN, BSN, RN
MCBA SECRETARYJessica, the newly elected MCBA Secretary, was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. She is a Registered Nurse with 6 years of Emergency Room and surgical care experience, who brings a unique blend of qualifications from the healthcare field. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Public & Community Health, a bachelor’s in Nursing, and a Master’s of Science in Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics from the University of Maryland, School of Pharmacy, where she graduated at the top of her class, summa cum laude. Her extensive professional and educational background has positioned her as a dedicated healthcare provider who champions patient advocacy and their complete right to learn, inquire, and use cannabis in their wellness journey if they so choose.
As a decorated and disabled Veteran of the United States Marine Corps and having completed one tour in Afghanistan, she understands firsthand the limitations imposed by federal regulations on alternative treatments with cannabis, to populations that often need it the most.
Jervonne Singletary
MCBA TREASURER
Jervonne Singletary began her career at the New York State Assembly as Chief of Staff where she tirelessly advocated for changes to New York City’s stop-and-frisk policy and other criminal justice reforms. Jervonne was also instrumental in the passage of an Assembly bill that codified the decriminalization of small amounts of cannabis, moving it from a misdemeanor to a violation.
While working at the New York City Economic Development Corporation, Jervonne advanced cannabis legalization and equity planning for the City. She was appointed to the Mayor's Task Force for Cannabis Legalization and worked with the land use and licensing and economic opportunity subcommittees and crafted recommendations that sought to increase opportunity for New Yorkers who had been harmed by past cannabis prohibition.
Jervonne currently works for Parallel as their Senior Director of Government Relations where she develops and implements social equity and diversity initiatives, working with elected officials, regulators, and local community groups. throughout the country.
Mike Lomuto
MCBA BOARD CHAIRMike Lomuto is the Co-Founder of coaching & consulting firm Dao Mastery and Founder of the Equity Workshop Tour. He brings over two decades of cannabis industry experience to his new role as Board Chair of the MCBA. Recently named 2023 Advocate of the Year by Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association, Mike has curated an aligned network while developing policy, educational, and business support initiatives nationwide, all aimed at creating greater equity and inclusivity, at the municipal, state, and federal levels.
Mike is the architect of the National Cannabis Industry Association’s comprehensive DEI Program. Raised in San Francisco, Mike is proud to be of Thai and Italian descent, and looks forward to leveraging his extensive experience and industry relationships to contribute to the growth and impact of the MCBA.
Veronica Castillo
MCBA BOARD MEMBER
Veronica “Vee” Castillo, is the Traveling Cannabis Writer from Miami, Florida. She is an Afro-Boricua: writer, connector, manifestor, and voice for the culture. In 2018 she began trailblazing her way through the country and the cannabis industry using a pen and laptop, to bring to light the hidden gems. Vee focuses much of her work on minority owned in cannabis and legacy to legal.
She started with her personal wellness journey, sharing information on how cannabis helped heal her from chronic migraine, and saved her from the corporate mundane. She has since traveled the nation and Caribbean non-stop for five years, sharing her story and collecting stories from others heralding the glory of cannabis and all its constituents. Vee’s work has been published over 100 times, in 14 publications. Those that know Vee, will say that she consistently keeps the culture in headlines, taps on the shoulders of her fellows encouraging self-advocacy, and forward motion of cannabis and plant-based healing culture.
Rebecca Colett
MCBA Board Member
Rebecca Colett is the Vice President of Operations at MCBA and CEO of CALYXEUM located in Detroit, MI. She is a seasoned Global Consultant and Entrepreneur. With over 15 years of invaluable experience in Organizational Management, having worked with esteemed companies such as Morgan Stanley, GE, IBM, Honeywell, Kimberly Clark, S&P Global, and Johnson & Johnson.
For the past 3 years, she has spearheaded a social equity empowered cannabis business incubator, empowering diverse entrepreneurs nationwide. Her active involvement with organizations like the NCIA, NORML, and MCBA underscores her commitment to advancing equitable opportunities in the industry. In her spare time, she finds joy in serving as a Fitness Coach, Vegan Blogger, Equity Advocate, and Community Leader.
Belicia Royster
MCBA BOARD MEMBER
Belicia reigns from Chicago, IL which is where her tenacity for Diversity Equity and Inclusion work began. She currently oversees Risk Management for a Global Recycling & Renewable Energy firm where she is responsible for North American Operations. From Fortune 500 companies to various municipalities across the United States; she has encompassed over 20 years of Insurance and Risk Management experience. Infusing her profession and knowledge of the cannabis industry. She co-founded Vice Life Ventures becoming the "Vice Life Coach" which has enabled her to provide vital Risk, Insurance & Industry coaching to Social Equity entrepreneurs.
In conjunction with her full-time position, she's also a zealous advocate, lobbyist, and licensee in the cannabis industry. In 2018, her passion led her to create the Social Equity Empowerment Network known as S.E.E.N. A business/ trade association created to work earnestly against the disparities and inaccuracies of justice. Her work aims to ensure sustainability and equitable ownership in this emerging industry.
Antoine Mordican
MCBA BOARD MEMBERAntoine Mordican stands at the forefront of Alabama's medical cannabis industry as the founder of Native Black Cultivation, the state's first certified black-owned medical cannabis cultivation company. Beyond steering Native Black Farm, a hydroponic hemp-growing venture, Mordican is a driving force in the advancement of medical marijuana in the region. He holds significant roles, including the state director of Minorities for Medical Marijuana, where he founded the Alabama chapter. His advocacy has been instrumental, notably addressing the Alabama House of Representatives Health Committee and playing a crucial role in the establishment of Alabama’s Medical Cannabis law.
Mordican’s journey began on the west side of Chicago, from where he relocated to the south seeking enhanced educational opportunities. Initially enrolled in a finance program at Alabama A&M University, he soon shifted gears, graduating with a degree in Electrical Engineering. His academic pursuits continued at Columbia Southern, where he earned an MBA in project management. Mordican's professional path led him from a distribution engineer role in the corporate world to a profound interest in horticulture, specifically cannabis cultivation. His relentless research and innovative experiments in 2020 resulted in a novel hydroponic technique for growing premium cannabis, setting his Birmingham farm apart as a provider of the highest quality, sustainable hemp.
Steven C. Philpott Jr., MS, CSCS
MCBA BOARD MEMBERSteven C. Phillpott Jr. is a researcher, science educator, and entrepreneur driven by a mission to revolutionize perceptions and practices across these industries. With a diverse background spanning military service, sports science, environmental biology, and cannabis research, Steve brings a unique blend of expertise and passion to his role as a board member of MCBA. His journey into the realm of cannabis was sparked by personal adversity, as a debilitating injury during his service as an active-duty Marine led him to explore alternative treatments beyond opioids, igniting a transformative quest for knowledge of both the human body and the plant Cannabis sativa L.
Steve’s experience as a dispensary manager in his hometown of Chicago fueled his drive and advocacy towards a paradigm shift. Through his own experience as an academic researcher and advocate of education, Steve led the first legal cannabis cultivation at an academic institution in the city of Chicago through the Community College Cannabis Vocational Pilot Program managed by the Illinois Department of Agriculture. Through his consulting company, Anzisha, he hopes to continue empowering businesses and brands through education and impactful partnerships, urging a broader appreciation of cannabis as an agricultural commodity and its ability to create economic development and resilience for the communities and businesses that were most impacted by the War on Drugs.
Tommy Ramos
MCBA BOARD MEMBER
Tommy Ramos is the VP of Confident LIMS, the leading lab software in recreational and medical cannabis testing. Tommy has an extensive background in the cannabis industry and has spent the last ten years developing platforms such as Leafly and Weedmaps, and has been instrumental in bringing cannabis education and awareness to the mainstream and pioneering for a more equitable industry. Tommy is proud of the relationships he has fostered in the industry and the work he has done to help break down the stigma against cannabis use and users.
His extensive experience in the evolving cannabis space has also informed his view of the vast disparity between corporate cannabis ambitions and the minority stake. Tommy, a proud Filipino immigrant, is excited to be joining the MCBA and is passionate about amplifying the voices of minorities in the industry.
Tiana Woodruff
MCBA BOARD MEMBERTiana Woodruff is a Social Equity License Recipient in LA, and proud to be the first in her family to graduate college with a communications degree. She has witnessed the war on drugs and seen the destruction it has had on her friends, community, and close family firsthand. She began her career in cannabis as a delivery driver in 2016 but Her connection to cannabis began after the death of a family member from a prescription opioid addiction. Inspired by this personal tragedy, Tiana started Queen Mary; a brand designed for today’s hard-working everyday women. Her goal is to provide a natural alternative to addictive prescriptions.
Queen Mary is a multi-award-winning social equity brand based in Los Angeles. Her approach to creating health-based edibles that include vitamins and adaptogens for a more consistent and controlled effect inspired the Emerald Cup Awards to create a whole new category for Health Conscious products. As a license holder and brand builder, Tiana has experienced firsthand the obstacles that women and Minorities face while trying to build a cannabis business in today’s market. She is Honored to serve on the board of MCBA and hopes her experience can help shape Social Equity programs and policies across the U.S.
Brandon L. Wyatt, ESQ
MCBA BOARD MEMBER
Brandon L. Wyatt Esq., is a decorated army combat soldier and disabled veteran. He received his Juris Doctorate from Howard University School of Law and has served on the MCBA Board since 2018.
Despite being a business attorney, Brandon is dedicated to law and applied sociology in the arena of employment/ labor law, civil rights, disability rights, and Veteran’s health care. Throughout his legal education and career, Brandon has sought and undertaken targeted tasks which have cultivated keen analytical skills, a functional understanding of policy development.
Aliya Nelson
MCBA BOARD MEMBERAliya Nelson, a partner at Greenspoon Marder with over 20 years of expertise in corporate, licensing, and entertainment law, significantly contributes to the firm's Corporate, Cannabis Law, and Entertainment & Sports practice groups. Her practice spans a broad spectrum of transactional, regulatory, and licensing issues for clients across the cannabis, media, technology, sports, and real estate sectors. Nelson's notable roles include serving as a trusted advisor and outside general counsel, leading in mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, equity and debt financing, and other corporate matters.
She has a rich background as a managing principal of marketing and advertising agencies, alongside a commitment to civic and philanthropic endeavors, evidenced by her roles in various organizations and as an educator. Nelson's legal prowess and dedication to the cannabis industry are further underscored by her active participation on the Board of Directors for the Minority Cannabis Business Association, alongside her recognition as a Notable Woman in Law by Crain’s and membership in CHIEF. Her involvement in numerous civic, charitable, and philanthropic organizations demonstrates her deep commitment to community service and professional excellence.