Board of Directors

Professor Greg Markus, PhD, Board Chair

Gregory B. Markus is a professor of political science at the University of Michigan and a research professor in the university’s Institute for Social Research. He is a past recipient of the Socio-Psychological Prize of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Amoco Award for Excellence in Teaching, and the Tronstein Prize. In 2006-07 he was a fellow of the National Center for Institutional Diversity. Markus attended the United States Naval Academy and San Diego Mesa College before receiving his BA (political science) from San Diego State University in 1970. He received his PhD (political science) from the University of Michigan in 1975. He is a veteran of 15 Ironman triathlons.

Reverend Ronald Davis, Vice-Chair

Director of Evangelization and Social Justice
Reverend Ronald Davis was born in Birmingham, Alabama and was raised in New York where he attended public schools. Rev. Davis received his Masters in Divinity from Princeton and his Doctorate in Ministry from Drew University. He has taught as a adjunct professor at Shaw University, and has pastured at over 4 C.M.E Churches including Hopp’s Memorial C.M.E. in Syracuse, NY, where he was president of ACTS (Alliance to Communities to Transform Syracuse). Currently Rev. Davis is the Episcopal Director of Evangelism and Missions in 7th Episcopal District of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church as well as Pastor of Calvary C.M.E. in Jersey City, New York. He is married to the former Brenda F. Albritton and they have four children.

Ms. Rachael Tanner, Secretary

Rachael Tanner is the executive director of Interfaith Strategy for Advocacy and Action in the Community (ISAAC), an affiliate of the Gamaliel Foundation located in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Rachael was born and raised in Kalamazoo. She studied political science, urban studies, and Spanish at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor; earning her Bachelor’s degree in 2007. During her time at the University, she became active in organizing around the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative, an anti-affirmative action ballot initiative. Through Dr. Greg Markus she became connected with the Harriet Tubman Center. She served in the second class of inerns in 2007, and organized with Sarah Sweeney at Gesu Catholic Church in Detroit, Michigan. Afterwards she returned to Kalamazoo to complete her Tubman fellowship with ISAAC, where she was hired as the organizer in 2008 and promoted to directorship in 2009. Rachael has 3 brothers and 2 sisters, 2 nephews, and one niece. She dabbles in biking, hiking, and is an expert at critiquing movies as she and her friends are watching them.

Reverend Kevin Turman, Treasurer

Pastor, Second Baptist Church
President, MOSES (Detroit Gamaliel Affiliate)
President, American Baptists of Michigan

Father Ted Parker

Priest, St. Leo’s Catholic Church and St. Celia’s Catholic Church