PRESIDENT: Cheryl Vines
Cheryl is a native Californian and has lived on the Central Coast most of her life.
She grew up in Nipomo, where she resides with her husband of forty years and their dog Luckey. Cheryl enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, dancing, biking and taking long walks on the beach or a country road. She is Owner/Interior Designer of Mesa Design Group, a full service interior and landscape design firm since 2008 (Black owned and operated). Cheryl received her formal education in Interior Design from UC Riverside. In 2022 she established WICK-IT CANDLE CO, which she creates luxury, handcrafted soy candles.
Cheryl is an active member in her community and is one of the founders and a charter member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) SLO County. She is a lifetime member and past secretary, WIN (Women in the NAACP) and Juneteenth Chairperson. Cheryl is passionate about women’s rights and is a strong advocate for our unhoused community.
Past/Present Affiliations:
American Society of Interior Designers/ Los Angeles (ASIDLA) Membership Director -Present, Cuesta College Foundation Board of Directors-Present , NAACP SLO County Branch Co-founder, Past Secretary, WIN Chair and Juneteenth Chair, SLO FOOD CO-OP Board Member-Present, National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) Member, Valley View Thrift Store Board of Directors, Valley View Adventist Academy School Board (three terms), Currently Serves on the Advisory Committee for Allan Hancock College, Santa Maria, CA , Served on the Advisory Board for Westwood College, Upland, CA and The Art Institute, San Bernardino, CA campus.
SYLVIA LAN: 1ST VP
Sylvia Lan is a retired global human resources professional with a history of cultivating programs to build culture and morale and team engagement. Experienced in directing HR, Business Planning, Mergers & Acquisitions, along with preparing organizations towards successful IPOs. Smith College graduate.
RUTH JONES: 2ND VP
SUSAN RODRIGUEZ : TREASURER
“Susan has lived on the Central Coast since 1987. She is married with 5 kids and 9 grandkids. Susan has owned her own Insurance Agency since 2003 in San Luis Obispo. Susan has been a lifetime member of the NAACP SLO Chapter since 2018.”
CHERYL CALDWELL: ASST TREASURER/FREEDOM FUND CHAIR
Born and raised in New York City. Relocated to Florida to care for her parent’s, started a small business and led “Friends In Pink” a Breast Cancer charity that paid for Breast cancer surgery and treatment for under- and un-insured Floridian Breast Cancer patients. Leaving the organization with $1.2 million. Joined the SLO branch of NAACP last year and is the current Assistant Treasurer and Chair of the Fundraising committee.
Felicia Lewis: Secretary
Felicia was born and raised in California. She is an Alumna of both San Diego State University (SDSU) and Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM). Currently, she is a Private Chef and caterer in SLO. In her spare time, she also volunteers for the SLO International Film Festival on the Screening Committee and is the Program Director for SLO in Bloom. Felicia is also a former CIF Basketball and Softball referee and umpire and one of her goals as Committee Chair is to promote the importance of girls participating in sports, fashion, public policy, social activism, fitness, and the arts. Her hobbies are bowling, playing bridge, watching movies and dancing with the ladies at Jazzercise.
JOSH MYERS: Communications
Denise Yaffe, Environmental Justice Chair
Denise is a licensed Professional Engineer with a doctorate in chemical engineering from the University of California, Los Angeles. She has over thirty years of professional environmental experience. She has served as the Environmental Justice and Climate Change Chair since 2023.
Joseph Perez: Health Chair
Mark Skinner: Political Action Chair
Felicia Lewis, WIN CHAIR
Felicia was born and raised in California. She is an Alumna of both San Diego State University (SDSU) and Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM). Currently, she is a Private Chef and caterer in SLO. In her spare time, she also volunteers for the SLO International Film Festival on the Screening Committee and is the Program Director for SLO in Bloom. Felicia is also a former CIF Basketball and Softball referee and umpire and one of her goals as Committee Chair is to promote the importance of girls participating in sports, fashion, public policy, social activism, fitness, and the arts. Her hobbies are bowling, playing bridge, watching movies and dancing with the ladies at Jazzercise.