Board of Directors
Meet our senior leadership
Jerlean Noble, President & Founder of Columbia Writers Alliance
Jerlean S. Noble
Jerlean Noble is a 30 year retiree of the Department of Psychology at the University of South Carolina. She is a published author with over 12 published books, 3 which are in the Richland County Library and Greenville Library. She is also the author of Benson’s Bloodline to Freedom’s Trail which she was honored to be the 2023 International winner of the African American Historical and Genealogical Society’s for Historical Fiction.
Vice President
Ida Thompson
Ida Renee Thompson is a veteran educator with both practical and administrative experience in all phases of library media center management, technology education, and distance education at building and district levels. She was a school librarian in Richland One who went on to serve as the district’s media consultant and later as director of Instructional Technology Services until her retirement in 2016. She was recently inducted into the Richland School District’s Hall of Fame.
Parliamentarian
Rochester Baker Sr.
Rochester Baker, Sr. is the Former President of the South Carolina Association of Parliamentarians. He is a member of the National Association of Parliamentarians where he has achieved the status of Professional Registered Parliamentarian.
Quantella Jamaica Perry
Quantella Jamaica Perry was born in Charleston, SC. She began her art of writing through poetry and music at the precious age of eleven years old. Writing gave her an outlet when her life became very challenging and the hurt, she was experiencing was overwhelming.
Secretary
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Treasurer
Rev. Frank Houston
Born in Charleston, SC in 1941. Called to inspirer,called to be use as an empty vessel, called to give some understanding to God’s word. Called to be used where status does not matter but led by the spirit to be aninspiration to others. Throughout my life God has been my everything!
Chaplain
CORE MEMBERS
Dr. Bryan M. Jenkins
New Member - Author
Bryan M. Jenkins, Ph.D., born and raised in Dalzell, SC, is a cultural scholar who received his degree in Communication, Culture and Media Studies from Howard University. His research investigates how media and communication influence the health and well-being of Black and other marginalized communities. Some of his research projects have explored: how media such as the Black Press and podcasts can be used as educational tools for empowerment; the connection between art and health; and the importance of local history and cultural practices (e.g., music) to communities. Besides academic writing, Bryan has always enjoyed creative writing since childhood, but never sought to pursue it academically or professionally. He is now working to pursue writing more seriously and to find ways to blend his research and creative passions.
Kenneth T. Brown, Author
Rev. Louisa Davis Dobbins, Playwright Poet
Dr. Vivian Hudson, Novelist
Rochester Baker, Author
Esther Ruth Sims, Poet
Myra Davis-Branic, Author
Donna Davis, Author
Ruthie Grant, Author
Miriam Gantt, Author
Rosa Bennett, Author
Mikell Snooks, Author, Poet, Inspirational
Missy Sulton-Akinlolu, Poet
Rev. Frank Houston, Author
Holli McEachern, Writer
Shannon Stone, Writer
Ida Thomas, Writer
Tyra Little, Writer
Elizabeth Alexander
New Member - Author
Ms. Elizabeth Alexander is a new author, day viewing her authorship with “In the Eyes of the Beholder.” She is mother to 4 beautiful children, 2 boys and 2 girls. And grandmother of 5. She has been a successful business woman for 18 years and a Christian who trusts God with her future by stepping out on only his Word. She states “God has never failed me yet, and he I know He’s not going to fail me now.” Elizabeth’s book can be purchased from the author or from Amazon.com.