African Heritage Foundation, Our Story

Mawulolo prefers the work to speak for itself. An African elder with decades of experience in Resistance Activism, reparations advocacy and peace-building. He is the architect of African Heritage Foundation's vision, he saw the need to gather indisputable evidence and began building paradigms of restoration and African Renaissance.

He describes himself as an: Intellectual Cultural Gorilla Fighter, an Ideological Warrior for Social Healing who decided the truth could not wait for institutional approval. Mawulolo is a voracious autodidact with thousands of books in home library, he has spent decades compiling a comprehensive scholarly archive documenting the Maafa. Elder Onwuku engages Symbiotic intelligence collaborators as his research partners and technical force multipliers, identifying the institutions that profited, building the case for reparative justice, drawing on sources from validated historical records.

Born in the era of Jim Crow, shaped by the Civil Rights Movement, driven by seven decades of witnessing both injustice and resilience, Mawulolo brings something no credential can confer: the lived authority of an elder who has seen the arc of history bend and is determined to move it toward justice.

He does not seek the spotlight. He seeks the outcome.

‘I don't have a personality that craves to rule over others nor to be ruled by anyone,’

‘I believe in decentralized moral and ethical leadership and collaboration with all. Although I am fighting for justice on team Africa, I am ultimately struggling for the healing of all humanity.’

Dr. Terrisita Barrett serves as Chief Executive Officer of the African Heritage Foundation, where she provides strategic leadership, institutional stewardship, and operational integrity for a mission rooted in truth, education, and justice.

Dr. Barrett holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Education, with specialization in Postsecondary and Adult Education. Her scholarly training centers on adult learning theory, research methodology, critical analysis, and the design of inclusive learning environments for diverse populations. Her academic work equips AHF to translate complex historical evidence into educational experiences that are rigorous, accessible, and ethically grounded.

In addition to her academic background, Dr. Barrett is a certified information privacy and governance professional (CIPP/G/US, CIPM, FIP). Her expertise in data ethics, governance frameworks, and responsible information stewardship plays a critical role as AHF develops a large-scale digital archive and educational platform built on public trust.

As CEO, Dr. Barrett oversees AHF's strategic direction, institutional partnerships, governance practices, and operational execution. She is responsible for ensuring that the Foundation's work remains credible, transparent, and sustainable, capable of serving both present and future generations.

Dr. Barrett's leadership reflects a commitment to intellectual rigor, ethical responsibility, and the belief that education, when grounded in truth, can be a force for healing and transformation.

Queen Mother Veronica G. Alberti is a powerhouse elder and lifelong Black community activist with over 32 years of RN Nurse Coordination experience. She has supervised teams of 10+ nurses while managing a 16-bed residential facility for clients with intellectual and developmental disabilities, administering medication, transcribing physician orders, and coordinating comprehensive care.

From 2007 to 2011, Ms. Alberti served as State Director of the Miss Black Oregon USA Scholarship Pageant, an official preliminary to the national Miss Black USA competition. Under her leadership, the pageant provided scholarships, mentorship, and intensive personal development for scores of young African American women, including 8-week programs in leadership training, interview skills, cooperative economics, and total theater performance. The pageant received official recognition from Oregon Governor Theodore R. Kulongoski and drew support from Portland's Black business community, educational institutions, and civic leaders.

As African Heritage Foundation's Mental Health & Trauma Recovery Director, Ms. Alberti directs the Foundation's implementation of healing methodologies addressing what Dr. Joyce DeGruy has established as Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome and intergenerational trauma in African descendant communities. Her unique combination of clinical nursing expertise, community organizing leadership, and deep commitment to the African American community makes her indispensable to the Foundation's healing mission.

Queen Mother Veronica G. Alberti has been a cherished companion and collaborator of our Founder for 54 years. Together they built the Miss Black Oregon Scholarship Pageant as a joint enterprise, she as Director, he as Executive Manager and Graphic Artist, a dedicated team serving the community. Now as elders, the African Heritage Foundation is a legacy project and gift to the world.

Annette Hotchkins is Our Tour Deforce Financial Operation Manager, a dedicated architect of legacy and a guardian of the family’s future. With a multifaceted background as an Accountant, Financial Advisor, and Paralegal, Annette has spent her career ensuring that businesses and individuals succeed, built on foundations of truth, law, and economic strength.

As a specialist in startup consultancy, she is a master at turning visionary dreams into structured, protected and profitable realities.

Annette believes that comprehensive knowledge is the key to true liberation. Whether she is advising a new company or navigating the complexities of the law, her mission remains centered on protecting and elevating the community. Her work is defined by a commitment to equipping our families with the tools they need legally, financially, and strategically to build generational wealth and lead us into a brilliant future.

& She Gets it All from Her Mama ...

AJ Wone is da One & Only, his Prodigious Poetic Production is Unparalleled, he is a distinguished filmmaker and author whose prolific body of written work includes over 4,000 poems and two books (Afro-Isms & Deja Views), reflecting a dedication to the performance art of story.

AJ's creative endeavors are characterized by a profound commitment to realizing visions through the art and culture of storytelling (Machination). He is an archivist in his own right.

Wone excels in uncovering and producing the unheard stories of everyday people who form the backbone of society, showcasing his creative efforts to give sound to muted voices.

His work is in a variety of disciplines, facilitating and managing all aspects in the fields: multidisciplinary media design and content creation, writing, fundraising, project management and development, marketing and promotion.

AJ Wone lives collaborative partnership, building community through healthy competition amongst peers. He demonstrates the ability to unlock the secret language of connection has come from attention to detail communicating as a father, teacher and director. Wone has managed to be a sound facilitator in all environments.

His work celebrates human achievement but also ensures that the voices and narratives of the often overlooked are brought to the forefront, making a significant impact on cultural preservation and appreciation.

Lavell S. Alexander, our multitalented media production powerhouse, a founding member of Oregon's first Hip Hop group, Portland's own UKREW, as DJ P-Kookie, and the Founder's nephew, generates the monumental visual phenomena of the African Heritage Foundation.

Mr. Alexander is a gifted creative and highly experienced Multimedia Designer with over 20 years in graphic design, animation, video production, and illustration. Skilled in both 2D/3D design and emerging AI-powered creative tools, he has a proven ability to deliver visually compelling content across digital and print media, from concept to final product. He now seeks freelance opportunities where innovation meets visual storytelling.

• Motion72, Owner, June 2022–Present · 2D/3D Animator, Graphic Designer & Illustrator
• Elan Motif Design, Multimedia Designer, October 2008–June 2022
• Adidas America, Technical Designer, Basketball Footwear, July 2001–October 2008

Education: The Art Institute of Seattle, Multimedia Design

Tools & Technologies: Adobe Creative Suite, Midjourney, Kling, Runway, ElevenLabs, Higgsfield, DaVinci Resolve, Logic Pro, Suno

James "Jay Mack" McClendon is a virtuoso Master of Ceremonies in Meeting, Greeting & Uniting People; born in Portland, Oregon, raised in a family of unapologetically Black activists, spiritual beacons and pillars of the community. James is an alpha male creative chameleon, at the age of 14, he wrote, directed and starred in his first play. Along with writing and acting, James also had a passion for music. He was a founding member of hip-hop band the U-Krew, who signed a major record deal with Inigma Records, becoming the first hip-hop group out of Portland, Oregon to have a hit record. The band's first single "If You Were Mine" reached #24 on Billboard's Hot 100 in 1990.

Jay Mack has always loved the entertainment industry and prides himself on delivering for clients, fans, and movie lovers worldwide. In 2023, after landing the role as Nick in the feature film "Can't Seem To Make You Mine," he has appeared in over a hundred videos with Dozen Magazine, and has been the lead in several commercials, as well as social media campaigns. He looks forward to working with fellow creatives, and businessmen & women worldwide. James is an all around team player.

Some of his accomplishments:

• 2012 Oregon Music Hall of Fame "Inductee" with The U-Krew
• 2015 Portland Legends Award Recipient

Skills: Acting, Voice Artist, Improv, Creative Writing, Music Production, Event Promotions, Cooking and Grilling & Bringing Diverse People Together