EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Bonnie Michelle Cannon is a pioneer of leadership. The first African American women to be elected to the Southampton Board of Trustees, she currently serves on the Suffolk County Human Rights Commission and as chair of the Town of Southampton Housing Authority. A recipient of the Southampton Village Citizenship Award, she has also served on the Southampton Village Cultural Center Board and the Southampton Village Planning Commission. She is the co-founder of the East End African American Museum and Center of Excellence and Coordinator for Neighborhood Community Meetings.

A graduate of Howard University with a degree in Computer Management Information Systems, Cannon spent 20 years in Regional and Senior Staff management positions at Verizon and has been Executive Director of the Bridgehampton Child Care and Recreational Center since 2007. She is a board member of Urban League of Long Island.

CHAIRMAN

Paul Jeffers, Jr. is the Chairman of the Center’s board. His first job was at the Center more than 35 years ago. Before that he had been the president of the Teen Center in Bridgehampton. He has lived his entire life in Bridgehampton and has always been an activist for his community. Paul is dedicated to the Center and the community that it serves.

VICE PRESIDENT

Dan Rattiner is Vice President of the Center’s Board. He is the Founder and Editor and Chief of Dan’s Papers, a popular newspaper that has branched out into events, entertainment and a grand online presence.  He is also the author of fourteen books, four of which were part of a series of books entitled “In the Hamptons” published by Random House and Suny Press.

TREASURER

Jerlean Hopson worked at a small manufacturing company in Sag Harbor for 46 years, starting as Payroll Clerk and retiring as Human Resources Director. Her family moved to Southampton when she was 3 years old but otherwise, has lived her entire life in SH town. She has lived in Southampton most of her life and attended Suffolk Community College and was a member of the First Baptist Church in Bridgehampton. She knows and loves the community. She was a Cub Scout Den Mother and is the Assistant Treasurer for the local chapter of the NAACP.

SECRETARY

Arlean Vanslyke had been a tutor at the Center many years ago for adults learning to read. She retired after 35 years at the Brookhaven National Laboratory. She has lived in Southampton most of her life and attended Suffolk Community College and was a member of the First Baptist Church in Bridgehampton. She served as a Primary Sunday School teacher, President of the Women’s Guild and Director of Christian Education. Arlean knows and loves the community and children. She was executive secretary for the local chapter of the NAACP and a BSA Troop Den Mother.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEMBER

Roger Blaugh was born and raised in the “Great Lakes State”. He grew up in a resort community very much like his beloved Southampton, where he has enjoyed a home for over 30 years. After attending the Royal Academy and Trinity College in London, Roger moved to New York and began a career on Wall Street. In the 20 years that followed, he made his mark in the specialty field of real estate syndications. His background is in finance, real estate, marketing and sales. His interests are in community service, environmental stewardship, local politics, boating, travel and cooking.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEMBER

Dr. Florence Rolston of Southampton, is an obstetrician-gynecologist in private practice. She has served as an advisor to the North Fork Breast Health Coalition and as a former member of the vestry of St. John’s Episcopal Church. She is currently a director at Southampton Hospital and a volunteer with Raphael Medical Missions. She has a particular interest in girl’s education, especially in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEMBER

Rev. Jerome Walker is a minister of the Southampton Baptist Church.  He serves as the Chaplain for the Bridgehampton Fire Department. He and his family are lifelong residents of Southampton. Jerome’s son is a Center- alumni. Jerome joined the board of the Center many years ago.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEMBER

Reverend Tisha Williams is a proud product of Brooklyn, NY. She serves as the Sr. Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Bridgehampton.  She answered the divine call of sharing Christ with the world in June 2008 and was licensed as a preacher and teacher of the Gospel in October of the same year. Reverend Williams was ordained in October 2014. “Reverend Tish” as she is affectionately known, has a servant’s heart and is passionate about ministry and the work that God has called her to do.  She has a special heart for God’s people and a passion for new believers, young adults and women’s ministry.