Myrtis Bedolla is the proprietor and visionary founder of Galerie Myrtis, an emerging blue-chip gallery specializing in works by African American and African Diasporic artists. With a career spanning over three decades as a gallerist, art advisor, and curator, Bedolla has made significant contributions to the art world.
Bedolla’s curatorial work and scholarly contributions earned her an Honorary Doctorate in Fine Art from the Maryland Institute College of Art. She also received a Governor’s Citation from Governor Wes Moore, underscoring her profound influence in the art and culture realm and establishing her as a distinguished curator and scholar.
Among her notable educational achievements, Bedolla holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Maryland, University College. She received her curatorial training at the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, Maryland, and earned certificates in Cultural Theory for Curators and Curatorial Procedures from the Node Center for Curatorial Studies, Berlin, Germany.
Board Appointments: Association of Art Museum Curators & AAMC Foundation Trustee (former); University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC), Arts Program Chair; and the Municipal Art Society of Baltimore City.
Professional Memberships: ArtTable, Association of African American Museums (AAAM), and the International Fine Print Dealers Association (IFPDA).

Stevenson A. Dunn, Jr., Co-founder and Co-owner, The Bishop Gallery

Stevenson A. Dunn, Jr. is a dynamic entrepreneur deeply immersed in the art world. Seamlessly navigating roles as a gallerist, curator, art advisor, and co-owner of The Bishop Gallery in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, Dunn has passionately fostered the gallery into a global beacon for the art community. The gallery proudly exhibits a diverse array of artistic expressions, from uplifting emerging talents like Sophia Victor, an SVA Professor, to collaborating with the estate of Harlem Renaissance luminary Lois Mailou-Jones. Notably, The Bishop Gallery has left an indelible mark on history by introducing Jean-Michel Basquiat's iconic artwork to HBCUs and the Smithsonian’s NMAAHC.

With over a 15 years of dedicated experience in fine arts exhibitions and programming, Dunn has curated powerful exhibitions featuring artists from six continents. As a true collaborator, he has engaged with esteemed institutions such as the Smithsonian, U.S. Congress, and the Armenian Museum of America, extending his influence globally through co-curating exhibitions in the United States and Switzerland. An accomplished speaker and commentator, Dunn has left his mark on prestigious institutions, including Harvard University, Parsons College, and the US Naval Academy. His insightful perspectives have not only found a platform on news programs, including appearances on MSNBC's Squawk Box, but have also been recognized by industry authorities such as The Art Newspaper and Hyperallergic.

Valerie Francis, Co-owner, Founding Director, Knowhere Art Gallery

In a world where artistry intersects with technology and entrepreneurship, Valerie Francis emerges as a dynamic force, shaping her journey with creativity, innovation, and global vision.

Valerie’s career commenced at Hunter College CUNY, where she pursued a BFA, initially aspiring to delve into architecture and interior design. However, fate steered her toward an unexpected opportunity in Information Technology within a global healthcare company. Despite initial apprehension, she embraced the challenge, leveraging her leadership and strategic skills to excel.

During her tenure at Sanofi, Valerie rose to prominence, spearheading strategic initiatives in Information Technology. Her achievements were further complemented by an MBA in Marketing from Rutgers University. Prior to her departure, she led digital and data analytics for global solution center teams across North America, Latin America, and Asia—thriving in a multicultural, collaborative environment.

Valerie’s path has always been one of bridges—between art and technology, heritage and innovation, self-expression and leadership. With a foundation in fine art and a deep understanding of the power of creative expression, she has spent her career advocating for visibility, access, and voice.

Knowhere Art Gallery was born from that vision: rooted in humanity, community, legacy, and the belief in what’s possible. Informed by her ancestral ties to Martha’s Vineyard and a professional journey that spans continents and disciplines, Valerie founded Knowhere to create space—both literal and conceptual—where underrepresented artists are seen, stories unfold visually, and cultural narratives are honored. Through her curatorial practice, she is intentional about building bridges between artists, collectors, and institutions, and about positioning contemporary art as a vehicle for connection, reflection, and change.

Since its inception in 2019, Knowhere Art Gallery has achieved remarkable success. With three captivating exhibits in its first year, the gallery quickly established itself as a distinctive destination for art enthusiasts. Expanding its reach, the gallery opened a second location on Martha’s Vineyard, the Center of Knowhere—further cementing its reputation as a beacon of artistic excellence.

Its influence has been recognized through invitations to host the In the Paint art program sponsored by the Los Angeles Lakers and exhibit at SCOPE Art Fair during Miami Art Basel from 2021 through 2023. One of the gallery’s most significant milestones occurred during its fifth year with its participation during the 60th Venice Biennale—an international honor that underscored Knowhere’s global standing in contemporary art.

To date, Valerie has curated over twenty exhibitions and presented more than thirty artists, shaping a vibrant, inclusive platform that celebrates diverse voices and narratives in contemporary art.

George R. N'Namdi, CEO, N'Namdi Center for Contemporary Art

Art dealer and educator George R. N’Namdi in Columbus, Ohio; his grandfather, Rev. Langdon E. Johnson was a noted businessman and “race man” in West Virginia. N’Namdi's father, George R. Johnson, a postal worker, helped N’Namdi’s mother, Ima Jo Winson Johnson, open three beauty shops. Fascinated by earning money, N’Namdi worked several jobs while attending Felton Elementary School, and Franklin and Champion Junior High Schools. N’Namdi graduated from Columbus East High School in 1965. Changing his major from accounting to education, N’Namdi graduated from Ohio State University in 1970; he earned his master’s degree in education and another in psychology before obtaining his Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Michigan in 1974.
In 1970, N’Namdi was appointed regional education director for Head Start in Southwestern Ohio. When he moved to Ann Arbor in 1972 to work on his graduate degrees in psychology, N’Namdi became involved with the Black Student Psychological Association and cultural thinkers such as Geneva Smitherman and Niara Sudarkasa. During this period, N’Namdi and his wife changed their surnames to N’Namdi, which means “father’s name lives on” in the Ibo language of Eastern Nigeria. In the mid seventies, N’Namdi served as a therapist at Milan Federal Prison and taught courses at the University of Michigan. In 1978, N’Namdi and his wife Carmen founded the Nataki Talibah School House; the Detroit based independent grade school, named for their late daughter, consistently outperformed local and state schools while teaching transcendental meditation and emphasizing the arts.
N’Namdi began collecting art in 1968; with a partner, in 1981, he opened Jazzonia Gallery. In 1982 N’Namdi launched his family based G.R. N’Namdi Gallery; he later expanded his holdings to include galleries in Chicago and in New York City. N’Namdi’s son, Jumaane, manages the Chicago gallery and his daughter, Kemba, helps with the Detroit site. While exhibiting the works of artists Hughie Lee Smith, James VanDerZee, Allie McGhee, and Barbara Chase Riboud, N’Namdi is creating a $3 million dollar complex in Detroit’s Cultural Center arts district.