About Us

The Multicultural Alliance® and its programming represent all types of diversity including but not limited to race, ethnicity, age, ability/disability, gender, religion, and sexual orientation. Our goal is to promote an inclusive community, eliminate bias, bigotry, and oppression and encourage understanding and equity of all diversity through shared experiences and educational programming.

The Multicultural Alliance® provides programming and educational forums that address the opportunities and challenges of living in a pluralistic society. The organization promotes understanding and respect among all races, religions, and cultures through advocacy, conflict resolution, and education. In affirmation of the founding principles, the organization exists to promote individual and group dignity, cooperation, mutual understanding, and respect among all peoples.

BOARD MEMBERS

Asra Khan, Chair
Jackie Bzostek, Chair - Elect

M. Sameer Ahmed

Rick Baumeister
Marvin E. Blum
Fernando Costa
Kim Cummings
Jennifer de Haro

Jeanelle Davis

Kelly Hein

JoAnn Jensen

Karen Telschow Johnson

Paul Jung

Jennifer Baggs Kamacioglu
Helen McPherson

Farah Memon

Sheeza Mohsin

Mo Peracha
Ayesha Shafi
Gina Smith
Mary Hallman Smith

Vern Spurlock
Jeff Whitfield

STAFF

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Cheryl Gray Kimberling, PhD | President

Thirty years as an educator in higher education in our community, Dr. Kimberling brings a unique match of talents and abilities to the Multicultural Alliance. Born in Memphis, Tennessee, she completed undergraduate and graduate degrees at the University of Memphis. In 1976 she moved to Fort Worth to attend Southwestern Seminary and upon her graduation from seminary, her professional experiences began as Professor of Sociology at Tarrant County College and then as the Executive Director of the TCC Foundation. She has held administrative positions at Texas Wesleyan University School of Law and The University of Texas at Arlington.

Additionally, she holds an adjunct faculty position at Texas Christian University in the sociology department. In August 2006, she retired from the University of North Texas Health Science Center as Vice President to become the President of the Multicultural Alliance.

Dr. Kimberling is a frequent speaker on diversity and inclusion, and interfaith understanding and collaboration.

Adena Cytron-Walker, MEd | Vice President of Programs

Among her myriad responsibilities at the Multicultural Alliance, Adena Cytron-Walker coordinates Camp CommUNITY; co-facilitates intergroup dialogues; holds workshops on a wide range of diversity issues and develops curriculum. She is a member of the 2017-2018 Leadership ISD cohort; FWISD Race and Equity Committee and Peace Together. Additionally, she manages Destination Imagination teams and teaches Hebrew to second graders.

Adena is the co-author of Intergroup Dialogue in Higher Education: Meaningful Learning about Social Justice. Originally from the east coast, she moved to Tarrant County in 2006. She holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Michigan and an M.Ed. in Social Justice Education from the University of Massachusetts.

Saira Jasmine Hayse, MEd | People's Art Collaborative Coordinator

Saira Hayse is a Senior Global Marketing Manager at dentsu, one of the Big 5 Ad Agencies, and a passionate DEI advocate. In the face of the complex digital economy in which we now live, she is particularly passionate about the increasing global inclusiveness of the world around us from accessibility in design to equity in the workplace. Leveraging 20 years of DEI advocacy experience, when she's not at work you'll find her mentoring and coaching female entrepreneurs and minority-owned businesses to help grow their business acumen, confidence, and leadership abilities.