OUR LEADERSHIP
Honorable Mayor Gary Richardson | President
Born in Birmingham, Alabama, Gary Richardson is married to the former Willamena Rambo and is the father of three sons and three daughters. Gary is a 1976 graduate of Jackson-Olin High School in Birmingham, Alabama.
Gary is the oldest of four children, and while attending Jackson-Olin took an active interest in radio, particularly in electronics. Gary obtained his first job in radio in 1977 at WZZK/WJLD.
In 1987, Gary formed Richardson Broadcasting Corporation and acquired his first radio station, WJLD AM 1400, which later became WAYE-AM 1220 in Birmingham, and WIXI AM 1360 in Jasper, AL. Richardson Broadcasting now owns and operates two radio stations, one low-power television station, and two FM translators. A 43-year broadcast veteran, Gary has held every position in radio, both on and off the air, including Chief Engineer (an SBE Certified Professional Broadcast Engineer), drawing on his strong background in electronics, and General Manager, utilizing his leadership and business development skills. Since 1989, Gary has been hosting a daily morning talk program – “The Gary Richardson Morning Show” – and for the past 33 years as a broadcast owner, he has defied all odds in a mega-corporate market, navigating his stations into what has become a powerful influence for progressive development in the Birmingham metropolitan area.
Gary has been a pioneer and visionary in the broadcasting industry. Here are a few of his many accomplishments:
1985 – First to broadcast an FM signal over Cable TV
1987 – At age 30, became one of America’s youngest radio station owners
1989 – One of the first to convert to AM Stereo in Alabama
2003 – “Broadcast Digital Pioneer Award” by Ibiquity Digital Corporation, as being the first radio station in the State of
Alabama to convert to HD.
2008 – Became the first AM broadcaster in the State of Alabama and fifth in the nation to receive an FCC waiver to originate
programming on an FM translator.
Dr. Vanessa Williams-Nash | CEO
Vanessa Williams-Nash is the Founding Chief Executive Officer of the Conference of Black Mayors (CBM). She leads a global network of more than 32,000 mayors of African lineage, which includes over 600 African American mayors across the United States. Under her leadership, CBM has expanded with regional headquarters in Haiti, Nigeria, Jamaica, and the Republic of Colombia, establishing the organization as the premier voice connecting the African Diaspora through the Office of the Mayor.
Williams-Nash has positioned CBM as a trusted partner on the world stage, forging alliances with mayoral associations, presidents, and heads of state across Africa, Europe, South America, the Caribbean, and China. She has organized and mobilized mayors in 38 of the 54 African nations, and she was instrumental in forging a formal partnership between CBM and the African Union, where she also serves as an Ambassador of Goodwill.
Her cultural and diplomatic recognition is equally profound. She was crowned Queen Mafoe Toguong of the Kingdom of Bamougoum, Cameroon, by His Majesty King Moumbe Fotso Mitterrand, an honor that reflects her lifelong commitment to connecting the African Diaspora and strengthening global ties. Following Hurricane Katrina, she secured more than $125 million in New Market Tax Credits from a major financial institution to support the redevelopment and restoration of Gulf Coast communities, demonstrating CBM’s ability to marshal resources for cities in crisis.
A proud alumna of Southern University, the University of Nevada–Las Vegas (UNLV), and the University of California, Berkeley, Williams-Nash is also an ordained minister and the recipient of three honorary doctorate degrees, each conferred in recognition of her global leadership, service, and impact.
dedication to bridging the African Diaspora and fostering
With vision and conviction, Vanessa Williams-Nash (Mafoe Toguong) continues to expand CBM’s role as a beacon of leadership, empowerment, and hope, ensuring that Black mayors and their communities are fully engaged in shaping the future at both the national and international levels. Yet, she considers her greatest accomplishment to be her role as the wife of her devoted husband, Anthony, and the proud mother of her children.
Dr. Dora Y. Muhammad | Chief Policy & Communication Officer (CPCO)
Dora Y. Muhammad is a multidisciplinary artist, transcendent author, and unflinching advocate for women's, children's, and human rights, with over 25 years of experience in government relations, public policy formation, and interfaith theological, as well as relationship-building. She is the founder of The AWARE Project (Advocacy for Women's Activism, Rights & Empowerment) and principal at Creative Grace, LLC. She serves in a voluntary capacity on the Program Board of the Institute of Caribbean Studies as its Ambassador to Women.
She earned a B.A. in Journalism and Documentary Photography, with a concentration in Magazine Production. She worked as an arts administrator for Autograph-ABP (Association of Black Photographers) while studying International Law and Human Rights at the University of London. She has earned a Master's in Public Administration, a Certificate in Ministry and Theology from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a doctorate in Public Administration and Policy.
Among Dora's career distinctions, she is the cherished first female, solo, and youngest editor of The Final Call Newspaper; the first associate director of faith at Planned Parenthood; founder of Virginia's PUSH maternal health coalition where she developed legislation and led advocacy efforts to establish the FAMIS MOMS program to provide prenatal care for undocumented women; and developer and coordinator of the JAB Initiative
Dr. Kimberly Horton-McMorris | Director of Programs
Dr. Kimberly H. McMorris is a purpose-driven leader dedicated to building programs that strengthen communities and create lasting impact. As the Director of Programs for the Conference of Black Mayors, she develops and oversees initiatives that equip mayors, municipal leaders, and their partners with the tools, strategies, and resources needed to advance equity, foster innovation, and expand opportunities for communities across the nation and globe.
Her career spans work as a strategic impact consultant, insurance agency owner, licensed insurance agent, author, and entrepreneur, giving her a unique perspective on program design that connects policy, people, and practice. She is the Chief Executive Officer of Kimberly H. McMorris & Associates, where she champions economic empowerment, resilience, and generational wealth through insurance equity, strategic partnerships, and legacy planning.
Widely recognized as a bridge builder and global connector, Dr. McMorris holds a B.A. in Business Management and a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership.
Taylor I Williams | Director of Youth Programs
Taylor Williams is a dynamic leader who is passionate about empowering communities and fostering positive change. A proud alumna of Clark Atlanta University, and a recent recipient of the 40 under 40 CAU Young Alumni Award.
After graduation, Taylor's commitment to service led her to become the Director of Youth Programs & Initiatives with the Conference of Black Mayors, where she leads initiatives that empower young people through mentorship, education, and global civic engagement. Beyond her professional endeavors, Taylor is the founder of Taylor Williams & Associates, a consultancy specializing in celebrity travel logistics and marketing for entertainers, athletes, and executives. Her philanthropic endeavors extend globally, with initiatives ranging from sponsoring book drives and providing computers to local schools to facilitating access to technology for high school students.
A current MBA candidate at LSU, E.J. Ourso College of Business. Taylor combines business expertise with a deep commitment to service, creating opportunities that uplift our mayors' communities and expand access for future generations.
Deborah Dennis Nyakisinda | Director of African Affairs
Deborah Dennis Nyakisinda is a lawyer, human rights activist, tour expert, and documentary producer whose work is rooted in history, leadership, and social impact. She serves as the Director of African Affairs for the Conference of Black Mayors (CBM), where she builds partnerships between African mayors and the global diaspora, advancing collaboration on governance, sustainability, and economic development.
Deborah has led major civic and cultural initiatives, including national celebrations of independence, large-scale environmental campaigns, and global awareness walks that have mobilized hundreds of participants and attracted the support of government leaders. She is also the creative force behind impactful documentaries on African leadership and history, including features on the legacy of Mwalimu Nyerere and women leaders across Tanzania, reaching national audiences through broadcast and community events.
Her ongoing work includes leading a continent-wide tree-planting campaign aimed at restoring Mount Kilimanjaro’s glacier and producing international documentaries that highlight African leaders and connect their stories to the global stage.
With a legal education and a lifelong commitment to empowering women, youth, and vulnerable populations, Deborah advances CBM’s mission of strengthening African municipalities and building bridges between Africa and the global community.