Pastor Charles Atkins

Charles Atkins, Jr. was raised in Camden, New Jersey.  After graduating from Camden High School, he went on to Haverford College in Pennsylvania.  While there, Rev. Atkins spent an influential year abroad studying Sociology and Developing World Economics at L’Universite de Montpellier in South France. Upon his return from living and working in the music industry of Paris for several years, Rev. Atkins enrolled in Princeton Theological Seminary (PTS) where his studies focused on youth ministry, missions and ecumenical movements.  He received a Master of Divinity Degree, a Master of Arts in Religious Education and was ordained for ministry.  Rev. Atkins currently works as a full-time Chaplain with the N.J. Department of Corrections stationed at Garden State Youth Correctional Facility, where he has developed several programs to teach incarcerated youth and young adults methods of overcoming inner and outer violence through the practical application of spiritual principles.  more...

Pastor Chris Armstrong

 Christopher Dion Armstrong is a Singer, Song Writer and Producer who started singing at the early age of 5. His Grandmother was a piano player for a local church in his home town, and at that church he was often asked at a young age to sing for the congregation, this planting in him the love of singing. Coming from a musical family, Grandmother (Piano), Father (Bass), and Mother (Singer), he was always around music. Born in the 70’s era, he grew up on such singers such as, Peabo Bryson, Jeffrey Osborn, and Donnie Hathaway. Christopher started his journey to becoming an entertainer in Jr. High school when he was asked to sing lead in his school talent shows. Emulating such groups as New Edition, Troop, and The Jackson 5, he knew he was destined to be on the stage. On his journey, he sang with many groups, groups that performed with artist such as Genuine, Jahiem, Silk, Chante Moore, and the legendary Delfonics, he also performed at the world famous Apollo Theatre. Loving the stage, he and his group decided to record an album in which they were signed to a record deal, but in the midst of recording, the record label went belly up, ending their chance for stardom, the group came to an end but Christopher never gave up his dream. With a call to ministry on his life, he gave up singing R&B and started singing to glorify the name of the Lord. Still loving the R&B sound, he started blending soul music with a spiritual message, classifying his sound as Gospel Soul. Christopher has performed in the gospel realm with Tye Tribbett and Martha Munizi. His acting credits consist of, The Blacks in Wax Museum, We Praise you Name and many more. He attributes all his blessing to God.         

Rochelle Richardson

Rochelle M. Richardson Rochelle was raised and educated in Trenton, New Jersey.  She developed a passion for the Performing Arts during her adolescent years. Those years through college afforded her the opportunity to develop her craft by training and performing in community based theaters and dance companies. At the College of New Jersey she majored in Recreation Administration and participated in the Langston Hughes Players as well as choreographed for the Dance Team on campus. In 1978, Rochelle Richardson began her work in theater at the age of thirteen with the Player’s Company.  She was trained in all aspects of theater by the senior members who also served as her mentors. At Player’s Company, Rochelle was trained as Properties & House Manager and Assistant Lighting and Sound Technician. She choreographed and performed in “Blues for a Gospel Queen”, “Tambourines To Glory” and “Poetry In Motion”. Rochelle’s credits also include appearing in “Crimes Of the Heart”, “It’s Showdown Time”, “Inacent Black and the Five Brothers”, “A love Song for Miss Lydia”,“First Breeze of Summer”, “Simply Heavenly”, “Babes in Arms”, “Room Service”, “Hollywood Hustle”, “Stories about the Old Days” and “The Butterfinger Angels”. She performed in “A Visitors Blessing” and “My Brother, My Sister, Forever” with Teel Productions. Most recently, she staged managed “Dat Boy Crazy” with C-Line Entertainment.

In addition to the theater, Rochelle also served as founder, director and choreographer for the Young Adult Dance Theater, Assistant Administrator and Choreographer for Capital City Dance and Osmosis Dance Duo.  Rochelle is currently the founder, director and choreographer for Dance in the Spirit & Dance Ministries United. This ministry is commissioned to mentor Christian dancers.  It provides technical and spiritual support to dance leaders and ministries. It also serves as a dance network connecting ministries in fellowship and Kingdom Building.

Rochelle is a member of True Servant Worship and Praise Church, where Bishop E. Earl Jenkins is the Senior Pastor. She’s currently serving as their Dance Leader/Choreographer and Creative Arts Director.  Rochelle is also a team member of the Caribbean Christian Dance Network in Nassau, Bahamas where Dr. Ann Peterson-Higgins is the founder. CCDN is an International Dance Conference that draws dancers from all around the world. She’s a staff member and conference teacher for Eden Christian University located in Plantation, Florida. She’s been blessed to have had the opportunity to train and choreograph for local and other dance ministries and conferences abroad.               

Rochelle is happily married to Deacon Joseph Richardson. She’s also the proud mother of Andre and Brianna Richardson.  Rochelle and Brianna are a mother and daughter dance team who are blessed to have traveled nationally and internationally teaching and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the Ministry of Dance. To God Be the Glory!

Tracy Daves

Tracy Daves is a gifted singer that has ministered through song throughout her life as a long time member of  Shiloh Baptist Church. She is the Director of the Teen Choir Ministry at Shiloh where she also shares her gifts with the Women’s, Generations and Voices Of Christ Choirs. Tracy is a praise dancer with Anointed Praise of Shiloh. Tracy has acted in three of Wayne Teel's productions including We Praise Your Name, Deaconess Willie Mae's Last Will and Testament and A Senior Moment. She has also performed in Shiloh Liturgy, Praise and Worship ministry productions including it's annual Christmas Celebrations. She has also shared her talents behind the scenes.

Wanda Cooley

Patrick Hall

Patrick Hall This is Patrick Hall’s 17^th production.  Most were performed at the Mill Hill Play House including his casting in the original Thanks for Giving under the direction of the late Donald Jones.  He has also appeared in Two Trains Running, No More Secrets, Happy Endings and Day of Absence; (his favorite).  Patrick has a love for the theater and all creative arts.

He is the owner of the Wacky Gym Sports and the Anew Christian Spiritual Center both located in West Windsor.  A resident of Pennington, Patrick was raised in the Wilbur Section of Trenton after relocating from his birth place of Birmingham, Alabama.  He is the fourth of five children born to Dorothy Hall and the late David Hall.  He is a graduate of Trenton Central High School, the Cittone Institute and Mercer County Vocational / Technical School.  In Pennington, Patrick and his wife, Patricia, are the parents of five children, Robert, Anthony, Mariah, Patrice and Connor.  He has one grandson, Jayvon.

Wayne Snead (Jason) accredits his introduction to theatre as of 1973 to TCNJ Associate Prof. and Pulitzer prize writer, Donald T. Evans. Soon after, he became a member of the Trenton State College Langston Hughes Players. As a member of the Langston Hughes Players, Wayne played the roles of Sam in "Sugar Mouth Sam Don't Dance No More"; Sheldon Forrester in "Trouble in Mind"; and Cliff Dawson in "In The Wine Time". In 1979, Wayne became a member of the Players Company of Trenton, New Jersey. His work with the company includes: Sam Green in "The First Breeze of Summer", Mr. Richardson in "It's Show Down Time", Percy in "Innocent Black and the Five Brothers", Capt. Davenport In "A Soldier's Play", Gabriel in "Fences", Rev. Avery in "Piano Lesson", Walter in "A Raisin In The Sun", and Maxwell in "Blues For A Gospel Queen". He has also performed as Henry, Seabee, Chorus in "The South Pacific" with the Cock and Bull Dinner Theater and Chorus in "Pippin" at Rider College. Wayne has a host of additional characters to his credit and he believes none of which could have been accomplished without our Savior, the Almighty God and the support of his wife and three daughters. Wayne Also played Joe in “A Visitors Blessing”.

Doreen Griffin

Doreen Griffin - Doreen Griffin's acting studies started at the Herbert Bergdoff Acting Studio in NYC; Currently a Theater major at MCCC earning an FAA. Doreen was featured in an independent  film called the “Motherless Child” which was featured at the 2007 Philadelphia film festival. Since 2006 Doreen has been invited all over the United States to perform her self-created portrayal of Rosa Park, a  presentation, “She’s got a ticket to ride.”©    Appearances have included the 2007 National Women’s Convention in Washington, D.C. and Quality Inn, in Orangeburg, S.C. Democratic political fund-raising event. In December 2008 she was invited to perform as Rosa at the “Rosa Parks Library, in Montgomery, Alabama to commemorate the 53rd anniversary of the Montgomery Bus Boycott with a Radio interview and local television coverage.

MCCC - Studio Theater 2007 Seven Sins, (John Brown’s Bodies).

2007 Kelsey Theater, Dangerous Women 2 (performance for Zora Neal Hurston).

April 2008, Performed in Macbeth at Kelsey Theater as the character of “Hecate”, and “Macbeth” in one scene.  Directed by Jody Person.  

October 2008, Through Our Eyes, (Written, Produced and Directed by Alan Rosan) Allies Incorporated. Performed at Kelsey Theater, West Windsor, NJ. Role of “Karen” a special education teacher. 

October 2009, Thanks for Giving, (Written by Donald D. Jones and Director by Frank Bridgewater).  Mill Hill Playhouse, Trenton, NJ.  Role of “Judy Mercedes”.

Mitzi Hightower-Teel

Mitzi Hightower-Teel is one of 5 siblings born to Mary and Alonzo Hightower of Trenton, New Jersey. She is the wife of Wayne Teel and a loving and caring friend to many. She was educated in the Trenton Public School System and received her Baccalaureate degree in Physical Education and Health from Elizabeth City State College in North Carolina. During Mitzi’s attendance at Trenton Central High School her athleticism was revealed. She became captain of the THS cheerleading squad during her second year of cheering, and served as captain of cheerleading throughout her years at Trenton Central High School and Elizabeth City State College. She was also a member of the track team during her high school and college years. While in college she added gymnastics to her athletic repertoire and became a member of the Swing Phi Swing Social Fellowship, Inc. After college, Mitzi was hired by the Trenton Board of Education and assigned to the Physical Education department at Dunn Middle School where she has been teaching for over 20 years. Mitzi quickly developed a love for her job and students. She coaches track and cheerleading and started the Dunn Middle School Dancers, and Double Dutch Team, which has won the city double-dutch tournament 7 straight years. Mitzi has modeled for Barbizon, John Robert Powers and Stacy’s. She has danced for the Capital City Dance Troupe and is currently the director of The Anointed Praise, praise dance troupe of Shiloh Baptist Church. Her charisma and dedication has grown the praise dance troupe from 4 to almost 30. Mitzi is also the proprietor of Shape It By Mitzi, which offers aerobics and step classes at the Trenton YWCA. Throughout college, Mitzi was honored with Most Athletic, Most Popular, Best Dressed, Most Talented and Miss Cheerleader and Swing Phi Swing awards. In 1995 she was awarded the Governor’s Teacher award for teacher of the year and was awarded a 2003 City of Trenton Black Image Award for her contributions to the performing arts Mitzi’s love for the Lord propelled her to become involved in many of ministries at Shiloh Baptist Church.

Cathy Malloy

Bria Richardson

Brianna Richardson - Brianna was born and raised in Trenton, New Jersey. She’s 18 years old and a freshman at Kean University. She’s Majoring and plans to graduate with a Doctorates degree in Psychology.

Brianna’s journey in the arts began at the tender age of two. She did professional print modeling with New Talent Management for Toys R Us and McCrory’s store catalogues. At age five thru eight she took dance classes with the Hammond-Phelps Center for Dance. And thereafter, she began training for the Ministry of Dance. Her commitment and dedication to ministry has afforded her the opportunity to travel, teach and minister together with her mother Rochelle Richardson.

Brianna is a choreographer for Dance in the Spirit & Dance Ministries United. This ministry is commissioned to mentor Christian dancers.  It provides spiritual and technical assistance to dance leaders and ministries. It also serves as a dance network connecting ministries in fellowship and Kingdom Building through City events (i.e., Church Services, Heritage Days Celebrations, Spirit Walks and Prayer Marches).

Brianna is a member of True Servant Worship and Praise Church, where Bishop E. Earl Jenkins is the Senior Pastor. She currently serves as the Youth Dance Leader and Choreographer and Ladies In Waiting.

 Brianna is also a team member of the Caribbean Christian Dance Network in Nassau, Bahamas where Dr. Ann Peterson-Higgins is the founder. CCDN is an International Dance Conference that draws dancers from all around the world. She’s been blessed to have had the opportunity to train and choreograph for local and other dance ministries and conferences abroad. Most recently, she performed as a dancer in ‘Dat Boy Crazy” with C-Line Entertainment.           

Brianna has volunteered for the city of Trenton’s Recreation Department, Isles, EducationWorks, Trenton Board of Education and the 4-H Adventures Program. She’s also a member of the City of Trenton’s Mayors Youth Council.

Brianna’s hobbies include dancing, singing, swimming, traveling and spending time with family and friends.

Bria believes that she can do all things through Christ who strengthens her! To God Be The Glory!

Fred Hoagland

Fredrick Hoagland is the son of Frederick Daron and Brenda Hoagland. He currently attends Trenton Central High School. Fred recently appeared in Rev. Atkins Gospel Hip Hop nominated video and wants to continue pursuing an acting career once he is finished with high school. “He knows that with god all things are possible” that why he wants to continue his dream of becoming a well-known, well-respected actor. Like other teens, Fred enjoys playing sports and likes to chill out with his friends during his spare time. He would like to dedicate his performance to his late cousin Tanishia “Redd” Langston.

Pastor Elise Armstrong

Pastor Elease Armstrong is a graduate of Trenton Central High School. She received her BA from Northwood University in West Palm Beach Florida. Pastor Elease is married to Christopher D. Armstrong. They are founders of Shepherds Gate Discipleship Ministries (www.sgdmnj.org) and the proud new parents of Christina. She is best know for her singing, and was a featured singer in “A Visitors Blessing”. She has also published a book of poetry titled “The Knowledge of Perfection”.

Nikol Alexander Floyd

Nikol Alexander-Floyd is Assistant Professor of Women’s and Gender Studies at Rutgers University-New Brunswick.  A lawyer and political scientist, she studies workplace discrimination and harassment, contemporary Black and U.S. politics and public policy, and popular culture.  A sought-after lecturer, Dr. Alexander-Floyd has been a featured speaker at fora and symposia at a number of colleges and universities, including Bryn Mawr College, Northwestern University, Prairieview A&M University, Princeton University, and Syracuse University, among others.  As part of her courses, she teaches trial advocacy and formal debate and argumentation, and brings to this production a background in humorous and dramatic interpretation and performance.  Dr. Alexander-Floyd previously participated in A Visitor’s Blessing by Teel Productions as an announcer and background vocalist.  She is a member of Shiloh Baptist Church of Trenton.

Greg Henderson

Gregory Henderson is a resident of Trenton New Jersey. He is a member of the choir at Cadwalader Asbury United Methodist Church. He was born in Harlem New York, raised and educated in Bristol Pennsylvania. That is where he was bitten by the show biz bug. Although it was only a small part in an elementary school play, it was enough to let him know he liked being on stage. But acting wasn’t the only thing about the stage that he enjoyed. Music was where he found the way to truly express his self. He began playing drums in Jr. High School.  As an accomplished drummer he has recorded in some of the top recording studios in the tri state area, and performed on stages across the country touring with various artist and bands. One of which being The Music Machine. It was in that band where he became friends with Wayne Teel .  In addition to being a musician he has been a model and designer of custom clothing which he began doing in the mid 70s. Married with a beautiful wife and family, it’s come full circle. From a phone conversation with Wayne he’s back on stage. 

Coker A. J. George Jr.

Coker A. J. George Jr. My life has been quite the storybook up to this point.  I was born in Monrovia, Liberia, June 13, 1985 to Rev. Dr. Coker A.J. George Jr. and Patience George.  The early beginning of my life was pretty much an introduction to civil war and social unrest.  The Liberian quo took place the summer I was born, in which the national government was overthrown by a military leader.  Being culturally a true African American, my ancestors being free-slaved that left the United States of America during the American Colonization society, my family faced the threat of persecution by the overthrowing government.. We would later move to Memphis Tennessee where my parents were able to further their education.  I begin my education in America through the public school system and then spend my middle and high school years in Catholic education.  The foundation the Catholic school laid for me was instrumental in making me who I am today.  I grew up in one of the toughest parts of town, North Memphis.  The violence and gang situation in the city was on the rise and the only way to avoid being involved was becoming active in athletics and leadership programs.  My father ran an after school program at the church and from time to time we would go to Boy’s and Girl’s and play ball and things of that nature. My middle school and high school years were when I really started to understand myself as an individual.   I graduated among the top of my class as an honor student and decided to attend Huston-Tillotson University on a full soccer scholarship, after turning down several soccer, track, and football scholarship.  Life in Texas was great; I was able to social network and get to know everyone that where important in every arena.  From entertainment to politics I was able to rub shoulders with the best.  One of my greatest achievements and fond moments was working with the Obama campaign and becoming a precinct captain as well as secretary of precinct.  On campus Coker was the life of everything, as un-deliberately as I am; I just love people and they love and gravitate back to me. When I graduated in May of 2008, I had several job opportunities in several arenas, politics, athletics, and law school being one but I made up my mind that I wanted to give back from the roots which I had come from.  All I had in mind was working with young people because I was able to work for the Boy’s and Girl’s Club in Austin and was able to run a similar program through my university called My Brother’s and Sister’s Mentorship Program, which I was the assistant director.  I help my professor start the program and it immediately took off.  My love for giving back and care for our young people who are in fact the future led me once again to the Club, where I knew I would be able to share my young energetic wisdom with the kids and the young people after I moved to New Jersey this summer.

Charles Atkins, Jr. cont' These programs have included a faith-based creative arts program through the NJ Juvenile Justice Commission, as well as a re-entry initiative called the “Logos Formula for Integrative Nourishment”—an initiative that has been recognized by the NJ Department of Corrections and the New Jersey Correctional Educators Association as an effective curriculum for teaching the importance of gaining (and maintaining) holistic health and life purpose during incarceration and after release.  His work was featured by the World Vision Report in November 2007.  (www.worldvision.org/worldvision/radio.nsf/ stable/ wvradiostory_111107_charlesatkins).

                Additionally, Chaplain Atkins assists Rev. Darrell Armstrong at the Shiloh Baptist Church of Trenton, NJ, as an Associate Minister of Missions and Evangelism—with an emphasis on the impoverished, the incarcerated and international outreach.  He also serves as the moderator of the New Name Alliance, Inc., a non-profit association of artists, educators, motivational speakers and mentors, who produce recorded and live:  sermons and speeches; inspirational art; and mentoring programs (“The New Name Project”).  These activities seek to help disadvantaged children and young adults to find a “new name” according to their life purpose.  He also serves as a teacher, seminar leader and music producer for this group. ( www.NewNameX.org ;  www.youtube.com/newnamealliance ). 

                Minister Atkins is committed to initiatives of justice, enlightenment and empowerment that concern the impoverished and the incarcerated.      He has been helpful in several movements for social justice in New Jersey—including his work with Camden Churches Organized for People.  A group based in Camden, NJ that was able to help bring $175 million in redevelopment funds to Charles’ home city.  He also served on the Executive Committee of New Jerseyians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty—a group that helped New Jersey to be the first state to legislatively abolish the death penalty.  Charles is a member of the Mercer County Coalition for Restorative Justice with whom he became certified in victim-offender mediation. This certification has led him to be a facilitator in NJDOC’s Focus on the Victim Program—a course that helps inmates gain deeper understandings of the perspectives of crime victims. 

                Since Charles is trilingual—speaking English, French (fluently) and Spanish (proficiently)—he has been blessed to preach and teach all around the United States and the Caribbean.  He has worked for the spiritual empowerment and the socio-economic development of people in Central America, Africa, Europe, and the Caribbean (Jamaica, Cuba, and Haiti).  In addition to sermons he also offers seminars on topics that include: the personal and communal effects of incarceration systems; hip-hop culture & music; gang culture & violence; victim-offender mediation; interfaith dialogue; and concepts of integrative nourishment.

                Mr. Atkins is also currently serving as the host and narrator of the nationally distributed American Public Television series called “Beyond Theology” ( www.beyondtheology.tv )—an investigation of interfaith dialogue and the intersection of faith and public life.  In recognition of his work as program host, Charles was nominated for a 2008 Emmy Award by the Heartland Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

                Charles currently resides in Camden County, NJ with his wife Margaret and three children.