BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President

Patrice Cathey, MS.Ed., is a Buffalo Native. She graduated from The Buffalo Seminary and earned both her bachelors and masters degrees from Canisius College. She is a Ph.D. Candidate at the University at Buffalo.

She has had experience as an interior designer, performance poet, celebrated author and educator.

She is the Director of The Liberty Partnerships Program at Buffalo State University and the CEO of The Eulis Cathey Jazz Legacy, Inc. and its Jazz Education Academy.

She is the co-host of The Jazz Legacy Hour Saturdays on WUFO.

Vice President

Treasurer

Paul is a Buffalo native. He is a graduate of Canisius College and the University of Buffalo Law School (magna cum laude). He joined the firm of Jaeckle, Fleischmann & Mugel in Buffalo upon his graduation from Law School in 1972, and was a partner of the firm from 1976 until 2012. He was a member of the Adjunct Faculty of the University of Buffalo Law School from 1994 to 2020, where he taught courses on corporate tax and non-profit organizations among others. Over the years, Paul has served on the Boards of, and has held leadership positions with, many community organizations, including Canadian Opera Company, Inc. and Shaw Festival Foundation. In addition to his service with Ujima Company, Paul is presently serving as a member of the Board of Directors of Friends of Knox Farm State Park, Inc. and Just Buffalo Literary Center, Inc. He resides in Orchard Park, New York.

Secretary

Gerald is a Buffalo native and retired real estate professional with 20+ years residential housing industry experience. He is now a multifamily property investor.

As an artist Gerald has 30+ years of theater performance experience. He is also a Member Actor of Ujima Theater Company.

DJ, Multi Media Specialist. Ambassador of Love and Joy!!!

Jim is the founder and President of JRB Insights, a provider of marketing research solutions for Financial, Health Care/Health Insurance, Legal Services, Manufacturing, Non-Profit, Retail, and Utility/Energy organizations. With 20+ years of research experience, Jim works with a diverse portfolio of organizations to craft appropriate research methodologies, design survey instruments, deploy polls and customer surveys, moderate focus groups, analyze research results, and provide reporting, actionable insights, and recommendations.

“I am a life-long advocate for the arts and believe in the power of exceptional and provocative theatre, literature, poetry and music to stimulate a better understanding of others, enhance compassion and ultimately transform lives. I am impressed with what Ujima brings to our community and am proud to serve on the board of an organization that has such a strong collective and artistic vision: Ujima’s unique ability to work together, take responsibility for each other, and create that special magic that flows from love and dedication to the work, the collective, and the audience.”

Jim also serves on the boards of Just Buffalo Literary Center, a non-profit dedicated to creating and strengthening communities through the literary arts, and Empower Camp, a non-profit committed to creating a world where young women radiate strength, have the courage to speak up and are empowered to create the life of their dreams.