CREATE BIRMINGHAM - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
- Community Relations Director ( Retired ), Hope Inspired Ministries
Job Titles:
- Member of the EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
- Secretary / Treasurer / Chief Financial Officer, Giattina Aycock Architecture Studio, Inc
Cameron Sankey is a beloved Birmingham gospel and jazz artist as well as the founding CEO of Playworx Music Group. We joined him in his home studio for a memorable morning of conversation, music, and reflection.
Job Titles:
- Member of the BOARD
- Member of the EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
- Chief Executive Officer of Neighborhood Housing Services of Birmingham
Job Titles:
- Member of the BOARD
- Member of the EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
- Attorney - at - Law, Littler Mendelson
In partnership with Birmingham Corps, DeSean joined Create Birmingham in February 2023 as our Film Office Specialist. He plays an important role in serving as the liaison between film productions, municipalities, and the community. Born and raised in Birmingham, DeSean is now a film student at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, currently studying cinematography and narrative filmmaking with aspirations of directing in the future. He loves Birmingham and film and is thrilled to join the team.
Job Titles:
- Member of the BOARD
- Member of the EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
- Head of Making Life Better Institute, Regions Bank
Job Titles:
- Grants and Development Specialist
Imani Richardson joined Create Birmingham in November 2023 as Grants and Development Specialist. Hailing from Birmingham, she is a graduate of Yale University with degrees in African Studies and Political Science. She brings three years of experience working in the nonprofit sector, having previously served as a Law and Policy Advocate at the Tulane Women's Prison Project. Imani is passionate about using her skills and experience to support the arts and cultural community in her hometown. In her free time, Imani enjoys listening to live music, reading short stories, and exploring art exhibitions.
Job Titles:
- Officer
- Chief Operations and Impact Officer
Jessica Moody, Chief Operations and Impact Officer, has been a key member of Create Birmingham's leadership team for over a decade. She first joined the organization in 2011 as Communications Specialist and has since played an integral role in shaping and expanding its programs. In her current position, Jessica oversees the implementation and impact of Create Birmingham's initiatives, including Creative Entrepreneurship programs, Film Birmingham, Birmingham365, and Community Arts.
A dedicated advocate for Birmingham's creative community, Jessica serves as a resource for visiting filmmakers and productions while also mentoring local entrepreneurs and small business owners. She leads workshops, facilitates strategic planning sessions, and works closely with emerging and established creatives to help them set goals and leverage the support systems available to them. With a deep understanding of the intersection between arts, business, and economic development, Jessica is committed to fostering a sustainable and thriving creative sector in Birmingham.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
- Immediate past Chair
Job Titles:
- Jefferson County Film Strategist
Lee Shook joined Create Birmingham in September 2024 as Jefferson County Film Strategist. A well-known member of the arts, music, and film community around Birmingham, with over two decades of experience advocating on behalf of the Magic City's creative endeavors, Lee Shook has a proven track record for both getting results as well as thinking outside the box when it comes to tackling big projects. Having worked in almost every facet of film production, he has seen the workings of the industry from the inside out. Whether it's making documentary films about legendary Southern artists, pioneering multi-media content for local radio, producing groundbreaking online music festivals, putting together internationally recognized arts events, or capturing historical interviews and live performances around the city of Birmingham, he has repeatedly committed his time, talent and resources to making sure the Magic City's voice is heard well beyond the confines of our home state.
Madi Vordenbaum, Programs Specialist at Create Birmingham since 2023, brings a dedicated community-first approach to programming. An alumna of Huntingdon College with a degree in Communication Studies and a minor in English Literature, she has cultivated her commitment to education and community building through roles on the Experience team at Shipt and in the Office of Public Relations at Lawson State Community College. Madi's passion and expertise actively contribute to Create Birmingham's mission, enriching the city's vibrant creative landscape.
Job Titles:
- Member of the BOARD
- Member of the EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
- Community Initiatives Manager, Alabama Power Charitable Giving
QUANG DO - CEO, President
With over a decade of experience in philanthropy, workforce development, and strategic community investment, Quang Do joined Create Birmingham as the President & CEO in February of 2025. Prior to this role, he led a major revitalization of Central Six AlabamaWorks!, securing national funding and expanding workforce pathways through the City of Birmingham's $10.8 million Good Jobs Challenge Initiative.
Previously, Quang served as a Program Officer at the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham and as Philanthropic Partnerships Director at Resilia, Inc., where he collaborated with major funders to strengthen nonprofit impact. A White House Champion of Change and Aspen Institute Fellow, Quang is also a spoken word artist and arts advocate. He is committed to positioning Create Birmingham as a vital hub for creative talent, championing artists, entrepreneurs, and storytellers across the region.
Job Titles:
- Member of the BOARD
- Member of the EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
- Assistant Professor of Surgery & Plastic Surgery ( Retired ), University of Alabama at Birmingham
Job Titles:
- Member of the BOARD
- Member of the EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
- President, the VAL Group
Job Titles:
- Administrator
- Director of Community Engagement
Viola Ratcliffe is an arts administrator and educator, whose work explores the intersection of art and activism. A native of Montgomery, Alabama; she earned her undergraduate degree in Art History from the University of Alabama and her master's degree in Art History from Bowling Green State University. Viola's career in the nonprofit sector spans over ten years and she has worked for several arts and culture institutions including the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, the Troy University Rosa Parks Museum and Minnetrista Museum and Gardens. In 2022 Viola was named interim director of the Birmingham non-profit Bib & Tucker Sew-Op, a position that she held until 2023. In addition to being Create Birmingham's Community Engagement Manager, Viola is also a facilitator for the CO.STARTERS program.
Job Titles:
- Member of the BOARD
- Member of the EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
- Owner, Eugene 's Hot Chicken