Our Team.
Meet the creative team behind the making of the film, More Than Our Skin. Click on a team member's photo to read their complete bio!
Our Advisory Board.
Officers
Tonia Magras, Chair
(See bio above)
Vacant, Vice Chair
Margaret Murphy, Secretary
Members
Katrina Christian, Board Member
Katrina was introduced to VITFriends and the North Carolina Vitiligo Support Group in 2013. She attended her first Vitiligo conference in Boston, MA in 2014 and has been actively advocating for Vitiligo since this time. Katrina was appointed by the founder of VITFriends to serve as the co-leader of the North Carolina Vitiligo Support Community group. The purpose of the support group is to empower, educate, and advocate for Vitiligo. Our advocacy and education efforts include, but are not limited to, Women's Empowerment Expo, Carolina Hurricanes hockey game, and the Mechanic and Farmers Bank Community Appreciation Event. During COVID-19, the group has hosted several virtual events, such as Vitiligo Lovers Rock, Mindfulness and Meditation, Kahoot Trivia Nights, and Meet the Doctor/Q&A.
Katrina was diagnosed with Vitiligo in July 2012. She is a wife, mother, grandmother, and is actively involved in her church where she serves on the Praise and Worship Team.
Calvin A. Lindsay, Jr., Creative Consultant
(See bio above)
Mya McKinnon, Research & Production Associate
(See bio above)
Millicent Meadows, Board Member
Millicent Meadows has been with VITFriends since 2009. Her roles within VITFriends Organizations are being on the Board of Directors of VITFriends, Leader of Connecticut VITFriends, and Teen Advisor to VITFriends Purple Patch Teen Group. Having had Vitiligo for 42 years, Millicent remains diligent in advocating and educating about this skin disease through different outlets, hoping for people with Vitiligo to stay encouraged, unwavering and resilient.
Valarie Molyneaux, Board Member
Valarie Molyneaux is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of VITFriends. She is a wife, mother, kindergarten teacher, poet, Licensed/Ordained Minister, Women's Prayer Support Group Leader, Vitiligo Patient ADVOCATE, Global Vitiligo Foundation Member, NIAMS (NIH) Coalition Member, Vitiligo Research Foundation Advisory Member, and community activist.
Valarie is responsible for the overall executive management of VITFriends, including outreach, chapter development, brand development, strategic planning, fundraising, board development, program oversight and the organizational/team management.
Patricia Rossy, Board Member
Patricia Rossy is the Vice President and co-Founder of VITFriends, a patient advocate and part of the international patient organization. Patricia is a wife, mother, and leader of the greeter’s ministry at Bethel Gospel Assembly in New York City.
Patricia is retired and has taking up painting, sewing, and making jewelry.
Alicia Roufs, Board Member
Alicia Roufs is the marketing and public relations director of VITFriends. She is also the Minnesota VITFriends chapter leader. She devotes her time with her family, career, Boy Scouts of America, and community. Alicia is a Vitiligo Patient ADVOCATE, Global Vitiligo Foundation WVD-USA Advisory Committee Member, Incyte Vitiligo Advisory Board, and host of the 2022 World Vitiligo Day USA conference.
Alicia is responsible for all marketing aspects of VITFriends including brand development, onboarding, community relations, social media, and anything else asked of her. She has been with VITFriends since 2016 and has had vitiligo for 44 years.
Lawrence A. Ward, Board Member
Bishop Lawrence A. Ward is the Senior Pastor of Abundant Life Church in Cambridge, Massachusetts, a position he has held since June 1994. He also serves as the Bishop and Presiding Elder of the New England District of the United Pentecostal Council of the Assemblies of God, Inc. As a minister, teacher, and trainer, he is involved with various organizations, including Cambridge Black Pastor’s Alliance and the Black Ministerial Alliance of Greater Boston. He currently serves on the board of Vision New England.
He has served as a former President of the Central Square Minister’s Association, a board member of the Boston Ten Point Coalition, Treasurer of the Black Ministerial Alliance of Greater Boston, Greater Boston Prayer Summit, Riverside Leadership Council, Cambridge Community Television, Boston Youth Ministries Development Project, and the Governor’s Advisor Commission for Responsible Fatherhood and Support.
In April 1984, Bishop Ward accepted the call of God to pastoral ministry. He was ordained in September 1990 and became pastor of the Abundant Life Church in June 1994.
Bishop Ward holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Northeastern University, and a Masters of Education degree from the University of Massachusetts, Boston. He has also completed a three-year internship at the Jack Hayford School of Pastoral Nurture in Van Nuys, California; successfully completed the Harvard Summer Leadership Institute; and has been certified as a trainer for the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE). Additionally, Bishop Ward is a guest lecturer for the Mentored Ministry class and a Course Instructor for the Entrepreneurship and the Church class at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Boston Campus.
He co-founded a consulting business, Wards of Wisdom, with his wife of 33 years, Rev. Dr. Virginia Ward offering training and consulting for churches and leaders seeking change. He is currently attending Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary pursuing a Masters of Arts in Religion in Workplace Theology, Ethics and Leadership.
About Hull Bay Productions.
Since its debut in January 2015, Hull Bay Productions has produced and developed several projects about or relating to the stories and content that fits their mission: to allow voices, underserved or unnoticed, be heard.
Their debut film, 100 Years, 100 Voices of Faith, premiered at the esteemed Roxbury International Film Festival in 2018. Since then, they have worked on several smaller projects while developing their own content on various platforms.
Most recently, Hull Bay successfully executed the 2021 CAPP Convergence – a first ever 100% virtual conference for this client. They are currently in talks for an additional conference to be held in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Hull Bay has also partnered with Centurion Filmworks on several smaller projects, including a tribute to the Wayne Budd; a historical look at the neighborhood in Medford, Massachusetts affectionately known as “The Ville”; and a poetic presentation of Artfelt Words.
Some of our clients include: The Abundant Life Church, Wards of Wisdom Associates, West Coast Media, Community of Apostolic & Prophetic Practice, Financial Education Associates, Thrive and Grow, The City of Cambridge, and WGBH Educational Foundation.
Awards & Accolades
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2023 Award Excellence, The Communicator Awards
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2023 Distinction Winner, The Communicator Awards
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2023 Distinction Winner, The Communicator Awards
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2023 Distinction Winner, The Communicator Awards
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2022 Bronze Winner, The Anthem Awards
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2021 Award Excellence, The Communicator Awards
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2021 Award Excellence, The Communicator Awards
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2021 Distinction Winner, The Communicator Awards
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2021 Distinction Winner, The Communicator Awards
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2021 Official Honoree, The Webby Awards
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2020 Distinction Winner, The Communicator Awards
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2018 Entrant, The Roxbury International Film Festival
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2017 Above and Beyond Volunteer Award, The Abundant Life Church
Tonia Magras has been awarded with several distinctions, including:
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2015 Emmy-Award Nominee Producer/Editor, Outstanding Achievement, Societal Concerns
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2014 Emmy-Award Nominee Producer/Director, Outstanding Achievement, Documentary
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2001 Emmy-Award Nominee Director, Outstanding Achievement in Live Directing
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1999 Emmy-Award Nominee Director, Outstanding Achievement in Directing – Taped
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1998 Emmy-Award Nominee Producer/Director, Outstanding Children & Youth Special
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1997 Emmy-Award Winner Producer, Outstanding Target Audience Program
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1996 Emmy-Award Winner, Producer/Director, Outstanding Children & Youth Special
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1995 Emmy-Award Winner, Producer, Outstanding Documentary Program
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1995 Honorable Mention, Producer, National Black Programming Consortium
