About us

meet the

Empowering Edu-tainment Encouraging Empowered Storytelling Belonging Good Disruption

DR. TYRHA M.

PhD, MBA

MANAGING DIRECTOR

“The BEST survive no matter where they’re put.”

director of new business development

MARIE’S Wine Bar

Originally, from Cincinnati, Ohio, Sidney L. Warren is the Founder of The Warren Group, LLC. With 17+ years of experience building and leading efficient and profitable business operations in branded concepts, from TCBY and the NFL to Mrs. Fields and Quiznos, Mr. Warren is an unparalleled enthusiastic, resourceful, compassionate and visionary business leader who is quick to grasp new ideas and concepts as well as develop innovative and creative solutions to problems.

Mr. Warren is a proven, focused and experienced entrepreneur with a track record in managing and growing global brands in order to maintain and improve profitability as well as encourage return customers and facilitate business growth. He is also known industry wide as having demonstrated the ability to critically evaluate and respond to rapidly evolving operations in the Food & Beverage, Data Retail Management and Concept Development arenas for traditional and non-traditional retail environments and venues.

As a successful Franchise Developer Specialist as well as a Public Speaker on numerous business topics, Mr. Warren’s consulting company, The Warren Group, works with clients to develop initiatives to foster process improvement directly contributing to revenue growth. The company is at the forefront of delivering an entirely new form of Franchise Business Intelligence (FBI). The Warren Group also leverages advanced operations expertise to implement and execute top-level strategies to generate effective and efficient franchise operating methods and procedure

Currently based in North America, Mr. Warren is very active in his community and the Catholic Church. He is also married to Tyrha M. Lindsey-Warren.

Kathleen

Chief of Staff

Kathleen Crawford is a public relations and special events professional that works diligently to attain the maximum exposure for her clients. As a professional working in PR and Special Events, she has worked with clients such as Verizon Wireless, BET, CURLS, Russell Simmons ART for Life, and The Future Project, increasing their presence amongst their targeted audiences and creating experiences that media have successfully covered. A snapshot of her media placements and sponsorship include: ABC’s Here and Now and NBC’s Positively Black in New York City, CNBC’s Street Signs, MadameNoire.com, Vibe Vixen, Essence, The Source Magazine, Black Enterprise Magazine, OPI Nail Polish, POP Chips, The Network Journal, and Forbes.com. Ms. Delva is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University holding a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications, with a Concentration in Public Relations.

Favorite Quote:

“The height of your accomplishments is determined by the depth of your convictions.” – William F. Scolavino

Managing Director

Performing Arts & Non-Profits

As a Julliard Drama graduate and trained MBA executive, Ms. Timm brings this extraordinary combination and her enormous passion to advance the greater good to her work at L.A.I. Communications. Ms. Timm has experience working with the Theatre Communications Group (TCG) to create the United States Status of the Artist report for UNESCO. As a recipient of the national TCG New Generations Emerging Leader Award, Ms. Timm was involved in all aspects of management at Anne Bogart’s ensemble theater, SITI Company. With the Cincinnati’s Fine Arts Fund, now known as ArtsWave, Ms. Timm provided administrative support for the National Arts Marketing Project. She also continued her collaboration with the Arts Services office by helping to establish the Virtual Arts Incubator. Ms. Timm has spent several years working with Harvard Graduates as the Admissions and Membership Representative of the Harvard Club of New York City. She was also a core company member of the Juggernaut Theatre Company in New York City. Ms. Timm is fluent in German and is an active member of cincideutsch.

Favorite Quote:

“Creativity is intelligence having fun.” Albert Einstein

Creative Director (Emeritus)

Managing Director of Government Relations and Community Development

Dr. Denise McCray has over 35 years of experience in government, management, and community engagement in the private and public sector. She has served as a Consultant for the Office of the Mayor for the City of Cincinnati and assisted with the strategic plan and development of goals for the Cincinnati C.A.N. Commission. In addition, she has provided consulting services with the cities of Detroit, Michigan; and Camden, New Jersey in the areas of pay equity and human resource assessments. As the Special Assistant for External and Community Affairs to Mayor Michael R. White, Dr. McCray was responsible for coordinating and implementing projects for the City of Cleveland. She directed community projects, served as a liaison to the corporate and civic community, lobbied for conventions, and worked with members of the Mayor’s Cabinet and City Council to facilitate projects and other government related activities.

Managing Director of Events and Entertainment Productions

Assistant Creative Director

Managing Director of Customer Experiences

Driven by a Family legacy of entrepreneurship in emerging markets, Aniceto Charles, Jr. is known as an innovative and successful Waco entrepreneur. His current restaurant, Tru Jamaica, located in East Waco, aims to tantalize Texan taste buds with authentic Jamaican cuisine. Mr. Charles in known throughout the Waco community for his strong organizational and project management talents, complemented by a friendly and approachable demeanor. He excels in multitasking, demonstrating a proven ability to manage multiple projects while remaining composed under pressure. As the owner of Tru Jamaica Restaurant and on the management team for MARIE’S Wine Bar and MARIE’S Bistro, Mr. Charles is experienced at bringing innovative and profitable restaurant concepts to fruition with great style and flair.

Creative Director

Managing Director for Digital Storytelling and Organic Growth

As a Julliard Drama graduate and trained MBA executive, Ms. Timm brings this extraordinary combination and her enormous passion to advance the greater good to her work at L.A.I. Communications. Ms. Timm has experience working with the Theatre Communications Group (TCG) to create the United States Status of the Artist report for UNESCO. As a recipient of the national TCG New Generations Emerging Leader Award, Ms. Timm was involved in all aspects of management at Anne Bogart’s ensemble theater, SITI Company. With the Cincinnati’s Fine Arts Fund, now known as ArtsWave, Ms. Timm provided administrative support for the National Arts Marketing Project. She also continued her collaboration with the Arts Services office by helping to establish the Virtual Arts Incubator. Ms. Timm has spent several years working with Harvard Graduates as the Admissions and Membership Representative of the Harvard Club of New York City. She was also a core company member of the Juggernaut Theatre Company in New York City. Ms. Timm is fluent in German and is an active member of cincideutsch.

Over the past 20 years, Ms. Cole has skillfully developed multi-million dollar revenue-generating opportunities and audience-building partnerships for targeted markets around content strategy; she has held executive-level content positions at leading media corporations such as AOL, Time Inc., Latina Media Ventures, Fairchild Publications and the now defunct, Vanguarde Media. She was one of the founding editors of Time Inc. and Essence Communications’ joint venture, Suede magazine, was the former executive editor of Heart & Soul magazine, and was the founder of AMBERmag.com, the first online beauty destination for women of color. As founder, she successfully created distribution partnerships and activated beauty college tours and social events for the site’s sponsors, including CVS, MIZANI, Dr. Miracles and IMAN cosmetics. Her freelance articles about beauty, hair, health and entertainment have appeared in The New York Times and The New York Post, and in Elle, InStyle Weddings, Essence, Heart & Soul and Vibe magazines. Ms. Cole is a graduate of Parsons School of Design and holds a Master’s Degree in Publishing from Pace University. She currently sits on the Foundation Board of Directors for New York Women in Communications, as Vice-President Development, is a member of Advertising Women in New York, and has taught graphic design to students at Harlem School of the Arts.

Art and Creative Director

Pinda D. Romain has dedicated her energy and imagination to creating branding campaigns in traditional and new media. She specializes in art, photo direction, digital and graphic design. Pinda is also an accomplished editorial and packaging designer with a passion for logos, invitations, and cultural storytelling! As a well sought-after Art and Creative Director, Pinda worked at ESSENCE magazine in New York City for over seven years where she guided the brand through redesigns and many franchise launches; she focused on fashion, beauty, relationships, and healthy living departments. As an independent designer, Pinda counts TIME Inc., Essence, Susan L. Taylor, Jen M.R, Doman, Beauty Beat NYC, Mikki Taylor, The Sud Bar and NYC Mission Society as some of her clients. Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Pinda received her Master’s degree at Pratt Institute and did her undergraduate work in Houston, Texas.