Meet The Team

Cristina D Whitlow

Founder/ Executive Director

Executive Director, Ambassador Arts Academy
Champion for Creative Equity & Youth Empowerment

Cristina Whitlow is a visionary leader, producer, and advocate dedicated to uplifting underrepresented voices through the power of media arts. As the Executive Director of Ambassador Arts Academy, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Cristina has made it her mission to unlock opportunities for youth in underserved communities by providing access to high-quality education in film, television, music, dance, AI, and digital media.

With over 20 years in the entertainment industry and events, Cristina Davis Whitlow has become an esteemed entertainment industry producer. She is the CEO of Ambassador Entertainment Group where she started her career as a personal manager. Her producing background includes celebrity panels, live shows, film festivals, award shows, television shows, and films.

Under her leadership, Ambassador Arts Academy has grown into a transformative space where creativity, mentorship, and career readiness intersect. Through year-round programming—including the acclaimed Youth Documentary Film Camp—Cristina empowers students not only to learn the craft, but to tell their own stories, shape their futures, and impact the world.

Cristina’s work extends beyond curriculum. She is a builder of partnerships, a passionate fundraiser, and a tireless advocate for equity in education and the arts. Her approach is hands-on, heart-led, and deeply rooted in community.

By championing the voices of the next generation, Cristina Whitlow is ensuring that no dream goes unheard—and no talent goes unseen.

Lepang Ferguson

Branding & Communications

Lepang Ferguson is an author, designer and artist and founder of Lepang Ferguson International, a Media and Luxury Investment Company based in Johannesburg and Gaborone. She is a former Student Ambassador for Canberra under the Australian Capital Territory, a Junior Chambers International Honoree for the Young Outstanding Persons of the World and Young Creative Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, as well as a Mandela Washington Fellow 2015 and YALI Regional Advisory Board Member. Lepang successfully created global brand and communications strategies for various global firms in Germany, USA, Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa.

Lepang was the Head of Ceremonies & Protocol for the 2nd African Youth Games and has hosted various events including Mosadi; Celebrating Batswana Women through the Arts, Mascom Yellow & Black Fashion Shows and The Wine & Jazz Festival. Lepang has previously worked as a development consultant with the First Lady of Zimbabwe, Auxilia Mnangagwa to develop WE Hub and 100 Women Scholarship Fund.

Lepang Ferguson

Branding & Communications

Robert C. Riley stars as Michael Culhane on The CW’s hit series Dynasty, portraying a former Carrington chauffeur turned billionaire businessman determined to champion justice and Black excellence. Originally from Flatbush, Brooklyn, Riley was raised by his Trinidadian mother and grandmother, with deep roots also connecting him to Barbados through his father.

A graduate of Brooklyn Technical High School, Riley earned a B.A. in Theatre from Lehigh University. His early career included roles in independent films, commercials, and national stage productions, including August Wilson’s Fences and Joe Turner’s Come and Gone. He made his Broadway debut in the acclaimed revival of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, followed by a role in Lombardi opposite Judith Light.

After moving to Los Angeles, Riley transitioned into television and film, landing key roles in Single Ladies, Hit The Floor, and Greenleaf, among others. His film work includes The Perfect Match, The Bourne Legacy, and Bad Dad Rehab. As a creative force beyond acting, Riley has directed music videos and produced a cultural docu-series through his company Hollywood Massive, highlighting Caribbean festivals and global traditions.

Robert C. Riley

Camp Ambassador & Instructor

Crystal DeVone

Camp Mentor

Crystal DeVone aka DJ C. DeVone is known for her craft in the music and audio industry spinning internationally in Africa, Croatia, and Hong Kong to name a few.

With a natural ability to move a crowd through musicality and performance. The DJ, Personality, Event Curator and Mental Health Advocate has been highlighted on life and beauty blogs, The Tyler Perry Show, Essence Magazine, Nylon Magazine, Bravo and quoted as one of the “Best Dressed DJ” on Fox News DC.

DJ C. DeVone’s clear devotion and desire to constantly learn has garnered the attention of industry heavy-weights and has led her to high-profile gigs spinning at the Essence Festival in New Orleans and opening for artist like Adele, Kendrick Lamar, SWV and Janelle Monae.

Her love for music stemmed at a young age and heightened when she was accepted to the High School of Music & Art (LaGuardia HS). It was there that she perfected her ballet, modern, hip-hop, and African dance skills, and truly adopted her eclectic taste in music.

After graduating from Howard University she spent her day-time working on high-profile events as an Event Professional in New York, California, Miami, China and London for private wealth investors and spent her nights wowing crowds at open mics, recording demos, and running the doors at New York City’s most notorious nightclubs. Being constantly surrounded by music and events she observed the reactions on the dance floor, her desire to take DJing seriously was finely tuned. She suddenly found herself as a student of the craft, studying alongside the best DJs in New York and bringing events to life!

Felina Martin

Sponsorship Coordinator

Felina develops the sponsorship investment strategy for Ambassador Arts Academy to include asset creation and sponsor engagement. Martin’s career in the nonprofit industry spans over 2 decades with leadership roles with the YMCA, March of Dimes, and Florida Chamber of Commerce. She earned a Bachelor's Degree in Marketing from the University of West Florida.

Felina is also the Co-CEO of Be. in_ marketing, an event marketing company that she launched with her son in December 2022. She is also the designer and artist behind Pamoja na, a wearable art clothing line, and the author of Sunshine in Hell.

Javanna is a singer, actress, writer, and overall entertainer. Raised in Clayton County, Javanna found her love for acting, and in Church, she found her passion for singing. She is a graduate of Georgia Southern Armstrong campus, majoring in Theatre and minoring in Africana Studies. She is currently studying film at the SAE institute in Atlanta. She is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Javanna believes that the performing arts should be used to tell stories “For us, by us".

In her free time, she gives back to her community through community service and being a mentor for youth whenever she can. She lives by the African proverb, “Until the lion tells the story, the hunter will always be the hero”. She plans to bring our stories to every platform so that we can all see the lion within ourselves.