CTC Jackson Local Advisory Board
Penny Roberts-Cooper
Penny Roberts-Cooper is an Elementary School educator in the Jackson-Madison County School System (JMCSS). She was also the recipient of the Children’s Theater Company’s Henry Box Brown Community Mobilization Grant Award in 2021, JMCSS’s 2022 Elementary School Teacher of the Year, member of the Baha’i Faith….
Wendy Trice Martin
Mrs. Wendellyn Trice Martin is president of The Society for African American Cultural Awareness (SAACA) where she coordinates cultural events for the city of Jackson and the surrounding counties such as The African Street Festival, Harlem Nights, Kwanzaa, Juneteenth, Miss Juneteenth Jackson Scholarship Pageant, and The Gil Scott Heron Project/Concert. She also serves as an Election Commissioner for Madison County.
Patricia Beasley
Patricia is a retired Expert Criminal Justice Professional with valuable experience in every facet of the field. She has resided in four states including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Tennessee. Upon her retirement in 2005, she relocated back to Tennessee, and married a man sent from GOD, the late Eric Maurice Beasley. She is the President of the Eric Beasley Foundation, which was started in honor of her Husband, a Retired United States Marine. Their mission is empowering the community….
Nadia Beard
Originally from Lauderdale County, Nadia Beard now resides in Jackson, TN for almost three decades. She is the oldest daughter of James T. and as Bernadine Beard. Following graduation from North Side High School in 1997, she went on to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from the University of Tennessee at Martin in 2001. Nadia also attended American University in Washington D.C….
Harrell Carter
A Jackson – Madison County native, Harrell Carter attended Saint Joseph Catholic school before attending Jackson’s “Black” public school system. Carter joined the United States Army (Vietnam era) shortly after graduating from Merry High school, and served three years, two of which in Germany.
Carter is a graduate of: Jackson State Community College, University of Tennessee Public Policy Institute,
Tatonia Dunlap
Tatonia Dunlap, CTC Jackson’s newest Local Advisory Board Member, also serves as CTC Jackson’s Stage Manager and Dance Teacher. Tatonia Dunlap believes that the arts are a universal tool for healing. Tatonia is a mother of three boys (ages 12, 13, and 18), from Trenton, TN, and currently resides in Jackson, TN. She uses the visual and performing arts as a way to stay active, as a stress reliever, and to teach self-discipline. Tatonia has a diverse background that includes ministry, business, and community service…
Veronica Sesson
Veronica Sesson is a native of Jackson TN. She is the daughter of the late Moddie Sesson Sr. and Bridgette Sesson. Ms. Sesson works for the Jackson Madison County School System as Assistant Principal of North Side High School. She also teaches Competitive Dance part-time at VSS Dance in South Jackson, TN….
Lachesha Hendrix
Lachesha Hendrix was born and raised in West TN. She was educated in the Dyer County School System & Weakly County School System. She attended Dyersburg State Community College, University of TN at Martin, and Liberty University where she is pursuing her Master’s in Pastoral Counseling. She is a certified Life Coach, Peer Recovery Specialist, and Licensed Esthetician. Lachesha is also a licensed Minister.
Matthew Marshall
Matt Marshall serves as President/CEO of the United Way of West TN. He was formerly Executive Director and Head of School at Hands Up! Preschool, a non-profit Early Childhood Education program. Before that, he spent eight years in Higher Education at his alma mater, Union University, where he did his undergraduate work in Christian Ethics and then earned a master’s degree in Education….
Averri Anderson
Averri Anderson is the Associate Producer & PR Associate for the Children’s Theater Company. She is also a member of the CTC Jackson Local Advisory Board and has served as the Local Liaison for the CTC Jackson Chapter since 2022. Averri is a multidisciplinary artist and former elementary school art teacher. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Visual Arts with a minor in Psychology.