Reverend 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...

Wayne Snead

Wayne Snead 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.

Rochelle Richardson

Rochelle M. Richardson was raised and educated in Trenton, New Jersey.  She tapped into a God given gift of acting and dancing during her adolescent years. Those years through college afforded her the opportunity to develop her craft by training and performing with community based theatre and dance companies. 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 Props & 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”. 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.

Francis Thomas

Francis Thomas began his work in the theater with the Langston Hughes  Players while in undergraduate school at Trenton State College. While there, his work included roles in Coin' A Buffalo, Simply Heavenly and Dream on Monkey Mountain. He joined the Players' Company shortly after its creation in 1975 and performed in It's Showdown Time (Change of Mind) ,Ceremonies in Dark Old Men, Tambourines to Glory; Blues for Mister Charlie, What the Wine Sellers Buy, Street Sounds, One Monkey Don't Stop No Show, Death of a Salesman, The Sty of the Blind Pig, Matters of Choice, The First Breeze of Summer, A Love Song for Miss Lydia, Home, Stories About the Old Days, Ceremonies in Dark Old Men and Two Trams Running, which he also directed. He began his directing career in 1977 with the production of The Past is Past, and went on to direct the company's productions of No Place to be Somebody, Purlie Victorious, Freeman, The Show-Off, In The Wine Time, A Soldier's Play (co-directed with Pamela Smith Chambers), Ties That Bind, The Piano Lesson and Two Trains Running. Francis joined Evans and several Players' Company members to play the lead in To Kilfa Mockingbird, a production directed by Don for Mercer County Community College. For many years, Francis served as the company's Business Manager.

Wanda Cooley

Wanda J. Cooley was born to the late Rev. Henry Cooley, Sr., and Marie Jenkins Cooley.  For over forty years, she was a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana.  In September 2005, she became a resident of Plainsboro, New Jersey, after evacuating the city of New Orleans due to Hurricane Katrina. Wanda began her singing career with her siblings “The Cooley Family”, and later received further vocal tutelage from Mrs. Patricia Sallier Seals, Vocal Music Instructor in New Orleans, Louisiana.  For several years, she sang, recorded music, and traveled extensively with the Raymond Anthony Myles Singers.  Wanda sang backup for and with many other renowned artists such as Albert Hadley and the Gospel Soul Children, Vicky Yohe, The New Orleans Baptist Association Mass Choir, and countless others. After surrendering her life to Christ, Wanda’s menial vocal ability was endued with power from on High, causing her vocal ability to develop into “The Spirit of Worship”.  Difficult experiences in her life have been used to catapult her ministry in song to a new level.  Wanda also had the privilege of sharing the Word of God with others by co-hosting a weekly television broadcast with Strong Faith Church of New Orleans. Still today, her love and passion for the Word of God has not diminished. Currently, she worships with Shiloh Baptist Church of Trenton, New Jersey, where she operates as Youth Choir Director, as well as a member of the Women’s Choir.            

Tracy Daves

Bria Richardson

Brianna Richardson is 15 years old and a tenth grade honor student at Trenton Catholic Academy. Her 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 Kmart. At age five thru eight she took 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 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. 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, Member of the Teen Choir, Ladies In Waiting and the Production Team. 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.   Brianna is a volunteer for the city of Trenton’s Recreation Department, Board of Education and the 4-H Adventures Program. Brianna’s hobbies include dancing, singing, swimming, traveling and spending time with family. Brianna plans to attend college and become a licensed Psychologist.

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 cousineTanishia “Redd” Langston.

Minister 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.

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.