Our People
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Sickle Cell Research Support Foundation's arts and music programs focus on the wellness benefits arts and music provide to children and adults. Our goal is to improve wellbeing for children and adults living with chronic illnesses like anxiety, depression, pain and sickle cell disease.
Expert Advisory Network
Our Advisors provide additional expertise and specialized knowledge in finance, marketing, arts and management.
Bobrie Jefferson Benton
Marketing and Promotions Director (former) WBLS New York and Majic 102 Houston
LaBarbara Dean, M.Ed., Curriculum Design and Educational Diagnostician
Andrew Nishikawa, PhD
The Arts Institute
Melodie Wade
Senior Vice President of Marketing and Social Media, Houston Museum of Natural Science
Dorothy Simpson
ExxonMobil Human Resources (former)
Financial Officer
Arthur C. Smiley, III
Finance Officer
Arthur manages the finances of the Sickle Cell Research Support Foundation. He is a CPA and currently Board President of the Harris County Industrial Development Corporation. Arthur is the former Chief Financial Officer and Chief Auditor of Houston METRO with responsibility for budgets totaling more than $1 Billion annually. During his tenure, Metro received numerous awards in the financial sector for excellence and transparency. Arthur also volunteered his financial services to United Way as Chair of the United Way Special Funds Organizational Review Team and as a member of the United Way Organizational Review Team.