Global Block Foundation

The Global Block Team

Board of Directors

Founder/ Chairman- Hon. George Martinez

The Honorable George "rithm" Martinez is an award-winning artist, activist, educator and a political pioneer of the Hip-Hop community. He is the first Hip-Hop artist/activist elected to political office in the United States and is a former Assistant Director of Intergovernmental Relations for the Office of the New York State Attorney General. George is a former Doctoral Fellow of Political Science at the City University of New York and is currently an adjunct faculty member at Pace University. George is also a founding board member of both the Hip-Hop Association (H2A) and the Blackout Arts Collective not for profit organizations and since 2007, has served as a US Cultural Envoy for the United States Department of State. George has production credits in both radio and television and is a highly sought after public speaker, available for keynotes, lectures, workshops and performance opportunities. To contact or book George click here...

GBF Co-founder/ Vice President- Jelani Mashariki-Yeboah

Jelani Mashariki-Yeboah aka Smash is a long standing community leader and social justice activist with over 10 years experience managing Pamoja House, a 200 bed homeless shelter for men in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn. He began in public service as a volunteer for the Black Veterans for Social Justice Inc. in the late 80's and went on to become a student leader, member of the initial class of VISTA volunteers under the Clinton Administration and a core member of the historic political campaigns of George Martinez. Jelani is the recipient of a Study Abroad Scholarship to Senegal through the City University of New York and holds an Associates Degree from BMCC and a Bachelors Degree from Brooklyn College. He is a DJ, and an actor recently appearing in the Fox Searchlight Release, NOTORIOUS, (2009)

Board Member/ Executive Director - John D. Samuel

Board Member/ Secretary - Christopher Malone, Ph.D.

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Dr. Christopher Malone is the Associate Professor of political science at Pace University in New York and Director of the Pforzheimer Honors College on the New York City campus.  He teaches courses in American Politics and Political Theory.  He was also the founding Director the American Studies Program at Pace. Dr. Malone is a nationally recognized teacher of civic engagement and public values. During the 2000 presidential campaign, he helped produce and appeared in the PBS show for teens In the Mix, which taught young voters about analyzing campaign ads.  In January 2004 the Washington Post identified him as one of the nationis most innovative professors.  Malone has also been quoted in dozens of news articles on presidential elections and has appeared on local New York City television news shows analyzing presidential politics. He is the author of Between Freedom and Bondage: Race and Voting Rights in the Antebellum North(Routledge Press, 2007), and numerous scholarly articles on race and US History, political literacy, and American foreign policy. He holds bachelors degrees from Louisiana State University and Suffolk University, an M.A. from Fordham University, and a Ph.D. from The Graduate School and University Center, The City University of New York. Malone proudly hails from New Orleans, Louisiana.  When he is not teaching or writing, you might find him in the swamps and bayous of southern Louisiana with a fishing pole in his hand. 

Board Member/ Treasurer - Liz Posey

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Liz Posey was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska, She received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology & Pre Medicine Studies from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, OR in 2003 where she was featured in ESSENCE Magazine as one of the "Top 10 Incredible College Women," for her leadership on campus and in the community. Since then she has worked as a policy consultant on youth, health and energy issues. She also worked as a legislative aide for Senator Bettye Davis and as a Retention Coordinator for students of color and international students at the University of Alaska Anchorage. Liz is President of the Anchorage Urban League Young Professionals, the first multi-ethnic charter in the nation. And served as the Project Director for their Youth Civic Engagement Initiative, OurTime 2008. She also serves as Vice Chair of the Health & Human Services Commission for the Municipality of Anchorage and is on the advisory board for the Hip Hop Association. Liz is very involved in various community projects and loves international travel (as a child her goal was to dig a hole to China in her back yard). She currently owns a community development consulting business, Gro::Tuit, LLC.


Executive Block Members

GBF Co-founder/ Director of the Sylvia Center for Black and Garifuna Culture (HN)- Clara Guerrero Martinez

Clara Guerrero Martinez is a Garifuna woman, born in New York and raised in Union City, New Jersey. Clara attended Hampton University and New York University, where she served as an administrative assistant for over 7 years. Clara is a strong advocate for women and is the co-founder and Director of the Sylvia Center in Masca, Honduras. Clara is a mother and Hip-Hop artist who performs as a member of Ground Zero under the name of Sylara.

 Curator, Global Block Writers Collective - Marlon Rice

Marlon Rice, aka "Deuce" has been involved in Community activism and public service for almost twenty years. Brooklyn born and reared, Marlon is currently the Facilities and Event Manager for the New York Society for Ethical Culture. Marlon is also a coordinator for UZIMA Residence - a congregate care facility for people living with HIV/AIDS operated by Black Veterans for Social Justice. Marlon, who attended Morgan State University is also an author. He is looking to launch Global Block Publishing in 2009, with his debut novel Blow One Down. Truly a student of the renaissance of his generation, Marlon is also an accomplished lyricist, fashion model, and sound engineer. 


Global Block - Bolivia - America Larrazabal

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Nacida en La Paz, Bolivia. Divide su tiempo entre, la práctica de la danza, el trabajo en diseño gráfico, la promoción cultural y sus estudios de Comunicación. En su trayectoria laboral estuvo siempre vinculada a instituciones de interés social o cultural, tanto del área estatal o del ámbito de las ONGs. Sus actividades en la danza la aproximaron al movimiento del Hip Hop en Bolivia, a cuya promoción se dedica actualmente, buscando el contacto y la integración de los artistas dedicados a éste género y a otros de interés entre los jóvenes de su país


Global Block Collective Members

Kima Hamilton - Anchorage, AK
Macca Malik - Philadelphia, PA
Victor Mangrobang - Anchorage, AK

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