Church Leadership

Dzidzor (Jee-Jaw) is an African folklore, performing artist, author, and curator. Dzidzor’s style of call and response has combined traditional storytelling in Afro-folklore and Poetry Slam through a sonic experience. Dzidzor is moved by the responsibility to alarm the power/abundance in the midst of bodies while creating a practice of care and freedom through creativity. Dzidzor is the founder of Black Cotton Club and partners with Grubstreet, ICA Boston, and Boston Public Schools to teach creative empowerment workshops in Boston.
 
Born in Italy, to Ghanian Parents and raised in North Carolina. She’s immersed herself in merging cultures from the South to Ghanian culture. Dzidzor has released a book of poems entitled, "For Girls Who Cry in Yellow" inspired by childhood experiences, healing, and womanhood. Dzidzor has been nominated twice, for a Boston Music Awards. Dzidzor released her debut EP  entitled, “bush woman” on April 10th, 2020 and is currently working on songs that you can find on streaming services everywhere. (Photo by: Sir Abstraxxx @sirabstraxxx)
Website: www.dzidzor.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/dzidzorazaglo

 Jeff grew up in the midwest and New Jersey. He moved to Boston with his wife Ellen in 1981, and they built a house on Mission Hill in 1986 where they raised their two sons and have lived ever since. Jeff has been a hazardous waste management consultant, a church administrator, and a non-profit leader, most recently at the Emmanuel Gospel Center in Dorchester. Jeff enjoys tennis and paddle tennis, sharing good food and wine, hanging out with friends and family, and visiting his and Ellen's three grandchildren in York (UK) whenever they can.

Turahn (Rahn) Dorsey is the husband of New Roots AME Pastor, Mariama White-Hammond, a member of the church's founding design team and currently serves on the steward board.  A proud Detroit native, Rahn has served Boston communities in a variety of capacities.  Rahn is currently the Chief Impact Officer at Eastern Bank Foundation, Board Chair at Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology and a member of the Movement Family Farm collective.  Rahn also served as the City of Boston's Chief of Education from 2014-18.  If you hear Prince, J Dilla or any jazzy vibes in church, it is Rahn's fault.

LaTasha (a/k/a/ Tasha) is originally from  Georgia, and moved to Boston in 2004.  She worked in the non-profit and higher education sectors before shifting her professional focus to working towards equity so that everyone—especially people from underserved communities like hers—has the skills and resources needed to successfully pursue the opportunities she hoped for as a kid.

Tasha is a loving daughter/sister/aunt/friend who enjoys spending time with loved ones, attending visual and performing arts events, and traveling to learn about/explore different cultures. She is also an admitted serial hobbyist (who will learn how to sew and play guitar someday) and bookworm. Her passion for reading and writing started as a child and continues to this day.

Marianne was born in Scranton, PA and moved to Boston when she was four years old. Marianne’s heart and passion for social justice began at a very young age as one of the first VISTA (Volunteers in Service of America), in the country. Like so many of her generation, her life’s work was informed by the civil rights, anti-war, and feminist movements. Now semi-retired from her 20 years of service as Interaction Institute for Social Change (IISC’s) executive director, Marianne looks forward to grounding her passion and activism for racial. economic justice, equity, and climate change, in the New Roots community, the neighborhood, and the city.  Marianne loves reading, art, design, yoga, cooking, walks by the ocean, and most especially hanging out with her six children and 9 grandchildren.

Ada grew up in New York City and lived in Providence, Rhode Island before moving to Boston in 2018. She is an elementary educator, currently teaching in the Boston Public Schools. She has worked in K-8 classrooms, as a curriculum developer, and as an educational researcher. Ada is passionate about educational justice and finding freedom through teaching and learning of all kinds. Ada loves to be outside, swim, cook and share food with friends, and sing in groups.

Rose J. Percy is a Haitian poet, troubadour, and calligrapher living in Arlington, MA. She holds a Master of Sacred Theology and Master of Divinity from Boston University School of Theology. Rose writes a newsletter called A Gentle Landing,  which features essays and poems for restless dreamers.  She is also the cohost of a podcast called Black Coffee and Theology, which centers Black contemplative spirituality. Rose loves gathering around good food and discussing great books.

   

Rev. Mariama founded New Roots Church in 2018. She is also an advocate for climate and social justice; speaking all over the United States. She is an avid runner, enjoys gardening, and being in nature.