Board of Directors
Ashley C. Battle
Board President Ashley C. Battle is a groundbreaking filmmaker and music producer from Chicago, Illinois. Ashley’s passions led her to study audio engineering and music production at The Institute of Production and Recording in Minneapolis, Minnesota. After obtaining her Bachelor’s Degree in 2011, Ashley began filming music videos for local Minneapolis talent. In the following years she landed an internship with Schumacher Camera in Chicago. Ashley has worked as a Director of Photography, camera operator (DP’s) in the production industry, while simultaneously directing and shooting quality independent projects for clients nationwide, including Miller Lite and Delta Airlines. She has also worked on projects as either a camera Operator or Assistant Camera for big names such as Fox, Hallmark Channel, HBO, ShowTime, NBC, Nike, Adidas and many more. Ashley has served as Board President of Melt Mag since 2017. 
Tiffany Onyemaobi, Esq.
Board Secretary Tiffany is a native of Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood and a 2005 graduate of Gwendolyn Brooks College Preparatory Academy. She graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in International and Area Studies from Washington University in St. Louis in 2009, and with her Juris Doctor from the UIC John Marshall Law School in 2014. Currently, Tiffany is a business and intellectual property attorney from Chicago’s South Side. She currently serves as the principal attorney of her own law firm, The Law Office of Tiffany Onyemaobi, Esq. Prior to starting her own firm, Tiffany served as an Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Chicago from 2014-2019. Tiffany handles business formation, non-profit formation, copyright and trademark registration, contract drafting, editing, and negotiation. She has served as secretary of Melt Mag since 2018. |
Rachel Gadson
Board Vice President Rachel Gadson was born and raised on the Southside of Chicago. She attended Florida A&M University graduating magna cum laude with her Bachelors in Graphic Design. She also studied internationally at Studio Arts Center International, in Florence, Italy. With a portfolio that spans across varying industries with clients like Jewel Osco, PNC Bank, Hilton, Samsung, and GitHub, Gadson now dedicates her time on creating access for more Black and Brown creatives to have the same experiences she has had and beyond. It is this sole reason that she co-curates events such as SWAN Day Chicago, a celebratory event that honors and recognizes Black women, interdisciplinary artists. Taking on the role of Managing Director of The Bronzeville Incubator, Rachel continues to deepen her commitment, creating space for Black entrepreneurs and artists. Rachel's personal and professional goals are to develop and curate concepts that are direct representations of marginalized communities. Rachel has served as Board Vice President of Melt Mag since 2017. 
Michael Jue
Board Treasurer Michael Jue is a native and Chicago based portrait photographer and designer with a 15+ year background in business development. Michael photographed national and local weddings, non-profit events, and cultural influencers through the Chicago-land region. Michael’s mission is to capture the intricacies of expression while highlighting a personal narrative through visual imagery. Applying both digital and printed images to various platforms, Michael has found a way to empower clients to feel more in tune with self and visual expression. Moving from photography to event management and consulting, Michael co-founded a multicultural professional networking organization called Prīvit. Michael's work with Prīvit provides a platform for leaders and influencers who are making positive impacts in their communities. Mike has served as Board Treasurer it Melt Mag since 2018. |
Sheri K. Lewis, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Dr. Sheri K. Lewis, native to Chicago’s South Side, is a passionate advocate for social justice and Black girl advocacy. She attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for undergrad majoring in Gender and Women’s Studies and pursued both Masters of Art and Doctorate in Educational Policy Studies and Organizational Leadership. At the university, Dr. Lewis fell in love with a Black girlhood collective entitled Saving Our Lives Hear Our Truths (SOLHOT), where she worked with African American teen girls for several years enhancing literacy, self-efficacy, and social development.
Continuing to apply her program development and engagement skills, in 2016, Dr. Lewis co-founded Melt with former teen girl participants, Rachel Gadson and Ashley Battle. As a recent contributing author in The Black Girlhood Studies Collection, Dr. Lewis foregrounds Black girl stories and lived experiences through Melt magazine. In her chapter, she contends that Melt serves as a viable creative platform and research methodology. As the Executive Director, Dr. Lewis’s mission is to generate resources, opportunities, and access for Black girls to be seen, heard, and valued.
Executive Director
Dr. Sheri K. Lewis, native to Chicago’s South Side, is a passionate advocate for social justice and Black girl advocacy. She attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for undergrad majoring in Gender and Women’s Studies and pursued both Masters of Art and Doctorate in Educational Policy Studies and Organizational Leadership. At the university, Dr. Lewis fell in love with a Black girlhood collective entitled Saving Our Lives Hear Our Truths (SOLHOT), where she worked with African American teen girls for several years enhancing literacy, self-efficacy, and social development.
Continuing to apply her program development and engagement skills, in 2016, Dr. Lewis co-founded Melt with former teen girl participants, Rachel Gadson and Ashley Battle. As a recent contributing author in The Black Girlhood Studies Collection, Dr. Lewis foregrounds Black girl stories and lived experiences through Melt magazine. In her chapter, she contends that Melt serves as a viable creative platform and research methodology. As the Executive Director, Dr. Lewis’s mission is to generate resources, opportunities, and access for Black girls to be seen, heard, and valued.
Melt Mag Team
Sheri K. Lewis, Executive Director
Lashunda Martin, Lead Content Advisor
Diakira Brown, Lead Content Advisor
Ingrid Nelson, Lead Graphic Designer and Instructor
Lashunda Martin, Lead Content Advisor
Diakira Brown, Lead Content Advisor
Ingrid Nelson, Lead Graphic Designer and Instructor
