An independent board of trustees governs the assets and funds of the Community Foundation of Greater Flint (CFGF). Trustees are selected for their knowledge of community needs and their professional expertise. CFGF announces the appointment of six community members to its governance board. Joining the board in 2021 were Joel Feick, Morris Peterson, Jr., and Ezra L. Tillman, Jr.
Joel Feick is an award-winning reporter and news anchor, and a community advocate for people with disabilities. He currently serves as Director of Development and Chief Storyteller for The Disability Network. Joel retired from local television after 35 years in broadcasting as a reporter and news anchor. In 2005, Joel won the Emmy Award for Best Consumer News. He currently resides in Grand Blanc Township.
Morris Peterson, Jr. is a retired professional basketball player who played 11 seasons in the National Basketball Association. A graduate of Flint Northwestern High School, he played college basketball for Michigan State University where in the 1999-2000 season he led the Spartans to the national title as Big Ten Player of the Year. Morris is an entrepreneur and president of the Morris Peterson Jr. Foundation, a public charity focused on giving back to Flint youth.
Ezra L. Tillman, Jr. is an ordained and professionally trained minister currently serving as Senior Pastor of First Trinity Missionary Baptist Church in Flint. He is a renowned Baptist pastor and is active in numerous Baptist organizations at the national state, and local level. The Flint Water Crisis was his first vision of taking his ministry outside the four walls of the church to offer hope to Flint residents. His efforts were successful in making sure clean water was provided to residents on a weekly basis. Pastor Tillman is committed to engaging the community in missionary work and community outreach.
Elected to the board in 2022 are Ishika Gupta, Dawn Hiller, and DeAndra Larkin.
Ishika Gupta is a senior at Grand Blanc High School and has served on the Community Foundation’s Countywide Youth Advisory Committee for six years. Ishika believes passionately in social progress and working for the common good. Her own personal experiences drive her advocacy work. She is a talented, intelligent student with the charisma, confidence, strong values, and respect for others to make a huge difference in the world around her. Aside from academic excellence, Ishika is involved in many other activities such as participating in four sports including swim and dive, track and field, wrestling, and basketball. She also participates in student government, the national honors society, and club green. Outside of school she manages her own tutoring business and serves in many capacities on other committees volunteering her time and talent.
Dawn Hiller is a retired community volunteer and a resident of Flushing. She served on the Flushing Area Community Fund Advisory Committee for nine years, serving as chair for the past two years. Dawn has worked closely with Community Foundation staff, providing needed volunteer assistance during the Flint Water Crisis. In 2020, Dawn established the Flushing Urgent Relief Fund in response to the pandemic, recognizing the urgent needs among Flushing area nonprofits.
DeAndra Larkin currently serves as Chief of Staff to the Office of the President at Mott Community College, working collaboratively with the College’s Executive Cabinet to achieve the College’s strategic plan goals and develop and manage strategic partnerships. Prior to accepting this position at MCC she held positions with the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce and Whaley Children’s Center. DeAndra earned both a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Central Michigan University. She is active in the Flint community, currently serving on the Hurley Board of Managers and the Flint River Watershed Coalition Board of Directors. In addition, she is Chair of the Community Foundation of Greater Flint Women & Girls Fund Advisory Committee, and a member of the Zonta Club of Flint.
About CFGF:
The Community Foundation of Greater Flint partners and leads by influencing and connecting generosity to Genesee County needs. CFGF helps donors support the causes they care about, today or through their estates. CFGF serves Flint and all of Genesee County including its community funds in Clio, Davison, Fenton, Flushing, and Grand Blanc. Its supporting organization, the Foundation for Flint, stewards the Flint Kids Fund in response to the Flint Water Crisis. Learn more at www.cfgf.org.
