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Who's Who at Streetlights

Adele B. Wilson

Executive Director

Adele joined Streetlights in 2007 bringing with her over 20 years of experience working in the entertainment industry, both in-front-of and behind-the-camera.
She embarked on her Entertainment career at the innovative and irreverent Rhino Records label before embarking on a pathway to performing in and producing theater, television, independent film, and commercials. Adele has appeared on TV (Cheers, China Beach, The Rookie), in Commercials (Cheetos, Hardee’s, Harrah’s),
and independent features (They Shoot Movies, Don’t They?), and cofounded the independent production company, Nobody Productions.

Prior to joining Streetlights, Adele combined her passion for social justice with her production skills when she joined the Entertainment Industry non-profit Mediascope, where she produced social awareness media campaigns and roundtable events for television writers and producers to promote accurate depictions in TV and Film when writing about diversity, violence prevention, drug abuse, and identification and prevention of human trafficking, among others.

“When I came to Streetlights it didn’t take long to know that this is where I belong—and after 17 years, I am very excited about Streetlights’ future. 2020 seemed like it would start a movement that would propel us toward social justice. That movement has sputtered and, despite more than 30 years of or creating careers for those with the least opportunity and the greatest need, equity and inclusion behind-the-camera is still lagging. I look forward to continuing the change that started by Dorothy Thompson in 1992, continuing a legacy of social justice.”

Melanie Mack

Senior Director, Development and External Affairs

Melanie Mack is the Vice Chair of BCIF. She joined Streetlights with more than 20 years of experience as a fund development professional specializing in cultivating high net worth individuals – and project manager/producer of intimate to large scale events having worked for several organizations including Union Rescue Mission, Weingart Center Association, New Directions for Veterans, and Angels Gate Cultural Center. Melanie has an unwavering passion for service to underserved communities (particularly women and girls) and entertainment. She has a practical understanding of challenges and daunting responsibilities of implementing and executing a vision while delivering measurable results. She has raised $12 million through her sphere of influence. Her duties in leadership include involvement in creating and facilitating strategic plans, soliciting major gifts, and marketing/rebranding. Before entering the nonprofit sector, Melanie raised $1.5 million in venture capital to launch her companies, Power of the Single Mom and Bamflex. Before her career as an entrepreneur, she was a television development executive with Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros., and was part of the original launch team for fX Networks – garnering several awards including a Daytime Emmy and NAMIC award for diversity and inclusion. Melanie is an innovative entrepreneur, strategic thought partner, grant proposal writer, motivational speaker, public relations specialist, and published author of two books. She’s been recognized by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti for her leadership and mentorship in the city of Los Angeles. She is a Forbes contributor, African American Board Leadership Institute Alumna (AABLI), member of International Black Women’s Public Policy Institute; founding executive board member for the Black Cooperative Investment Fund (BCIF). She is also the founder of BrunchNet: A Girl’s Guide to Business, Career, Goals, Life, and Family – a membership brunch club for professional and entrepreneurial women.

Karen A. Clark

Board President

SVP, City National Bank – Inclusion Strategies & Business Development

CEO, THEKarenA – Confidence Coach / Singer-Songwriter / Producer

City National Bank Highlights –

Manage 10 employee resource groups
Achieved National Diversity Council's Top Employers of Hispanic Leaders 2021
Achieved Forbes Best Places for Women 2020-2021
Produced the 1st digital marketing series 2016 – 2019 – “Conversations”
Produced 1st business influencer campaign series 2016 – 2019
Launched the 1st company mentoring program 2011-2019 (600 graduates)
Launched the 1st unconscious bias program 2019 - 2020.
Recognitions – L.A. Times – Diversity Equity Inclusion & Access Leader
Savoy Magazine – 2022 - 300 Most Influential Black Executives in Corporate America
Diversity Woman - 2023 Class of Elite 100

THEKarenA Highlights –

Confidence Coach – http://www.thekarenaconfidencecoach.com

Co-proprietor - The Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center (since June 2022) https://tbmpac.com/

Singer-songwriter-producer - https://music.apple.com/tt/album/the-karen-a-clark-project/385711620

Board Service:

President – Streetlights (production assistant training program)

President – Educating Young Minds

Treasurer – PCR Business Finance (capital & advisory services)

Secretary – L.A. Women’s Theatre Festival

Financial Ed Director – (Bill) Duke Media

Board of Directors

Jamie Burton-Oare

Filmmaker

Karen A. Clark, President

City National Bank

Kathryn (Kamil) Canale, Secretary

Bradley & Gmelich

Meredith Fox, Treasurer

The Jennifer Hudson Show

Randy Huggins

Showrunner/Writer/Producer

Linda Horner

Nonprofit Consultant

Roy Jahangard

US Bank

Dimitri Lacey

Warner Media

Max Rutherford

GSD&M

Adele B. Wilson

Executive Director, Streetlights

Who Funds Us

Streetlights has received generous funding throughout our 30+ year history. Major Advertisers and Ad Agencies have contributed through the Commercial Diversity Initiative (CDI). We have received grants from Foundations, Banks, Financial Institutions, and the City of Los Angeles.

Donations help Streetlights graduates stay job ready, and can make a difference between success and failure by providing necessities such as glasses, clothing, groceries, childcare, etc., without which many could NOT finish training or secure a JOB!

Some of our Major Funders and Sponsors include: