OUR MISSION
THE BASIL AND BECKY EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION (501(c)3) makes history and culture exciting and relevant to present and future generations who deserve to know on whose shoulders they stand. We recognize that African American history and culture are part of a larger, interconnected experience in the diaspora. We “fill in the gaps” of history and “relocate” these experiences from the “margins to the main pages” of global human consciousness.
OUR MISSION is to educate current and future generations, primarily through audio visual storytelling that illuminates the cultural and historical experiences of African Americans and peoples of African descent.
Who We Are
Gregory S. Cooke
Gregory S. Cooke is the Founder and President of the Basil and Becky Educational Foundation (BBEEF). As a career educator, World War II historian, and documentary filmmaker, his mission is simple: “Helping to relocate African Americans from the margins to the main pages of American and global history.”
Our first completed project is the critically acclaimed documentary, Invisible Warriors: African American Women in World War II, the illuminating story of 600,000 “Rosie the Riveters” — Black women who overcame racism and sexism to help win the war while opening doors of opportunity for all future generations of African American women.
Sabrina Young
Sabrina, CRM Program Manager, is a Veteran of the United States Air Force and United States Air Force Reserve. Sabrina currently works at Penn Medicine as a CRM Program Manager and volunteers as a team leader for the Marketing department’s DEI Committee. Sabrina has a deep commitment and passion to serve others as demonstrated through her years of military service as well as volunteer service to various non-profit organizations. Sabrina earned her BS from Bellevue University, and MBA from St. Joseph’s University.
Krysta Jones
Krysta Jones, Program Manager, Basil & Becky Educational Foundation, is a strategic leader dedicated to the Basil & Becky Educational Foundation’s mission of fostering education through film and honoring National Black Women’s Labor Day. As the Founder of Vote Lead Impact, she bridges the gap between storytelling and systemic change.
Krysta’s leadership spans global and national levels. She serves as International Director of Programs for Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and Co-Chair of the Eastern Area Legislative and Public Affairs Team for The Links, Incorporated. Her legislative expertise was sharpened as a former aide to Congressmen Jim Moran and Don Beyer, following her Peace Corps service in Paraguay.
A seasoned media voice, Krysta hosts the podcast Linked in Impact and is the former host of the local independent TV show A Seat at the Table. She is also the author of the children’s book Ella Goes to City Hall, which inspires civic engagement in youth.
At the Foundation, Krysta leverages her political acumen and media experience to amplify the contributions of Black women and educate the community through powerful visual narratives. Her work ensures that representation is not just seen on screen, but felt in policy and labor equity.
Dawn Chitty
Dawn Chitty is the Director of Education at the African American Civil War Museum where she has worked since 2010. Before joining the staff at the museum, Dawn was a Curriculum Specialist and Social Studies teacher serving school districts in South Carolina.
Dawn specializes in 18th and 19th Century education and historical interpretation. She has developed interpretive programs in colonial life, chattel slavery, and archaeology for several historic sites in the Charleston area, and operated a successful tour company specializing in low country African American history called “Low Country Walks.”
She holds degrees in Anthropology and Education and holds a Doctorate in Education in which she focused her research on the topics of museum curriculum and pedagogy about slavery and abolition in the United States. As a doctoral student, she learned a great deal about the importance of historical memory and its connection to inclusive pedagogy. Therefore, she dedicates her time to initiatives and organizations that center diversity, equity and inclusion in curriculum and interpretation practices.
Surayyah Colbert
Surayyah Colbert is an attorney with over 12 years of experience in revenue cycle management, and has the privilege of teaching dance part-time. She has had a legal fellowship with a global organization that strives to protect people in poverty from violence, and currently works to support the educational and vocational pursuits of high school students. Surayyah graduated from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College with a BA in Psychology and a BA in Dance. She then went on to earn a JD from the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law, followed by an LLM in Law and Economics from George Mason University School of Law.
Surayyah serves in her church and the community in different ways, and has had the honor of being on various nonprofit boards. She lives in Alexandria, VA and enjoys spending time with her friends and family.
Elrod Owusu
There are only three things that have made every year a success: putting a smile on someone’s face, giving a helping hand, and eating a slice of tres leches cake. When I am not enjoying these guilty pleasures, I am a first generation, Ghanaian-American living in Philadelphia, PA. Here, I pursued and currently hold a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Environmental Engineering from Drexel University. As an environmental engineer, I currently design green stormwater infrastructure through Philadelphia’s Green City, Clean Waters Initiative. This initiative helps fulfill the city’s federal obligation to the Clean Water Act of 1972, which aims to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity
of the nation’s waters.
OUR VISION
THE BASIL AND BECKY EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION wants to use our platform to connect educators and filmmakers, and “movers and shakers” who want to record and share their cultural, historical, and uniquely personal experiences, on a global stage.
- We emphasize that African American history and culture are interconnected with the larger American and diasporic experience.
- Our mission reflects our commitment to inclusiveness and cooperation with all peoples, regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, or sexual orientation.
- We emphasize the importance of African American history and culture as being part of the larger American experience.
- We have a commitment to audio visual historical education.
- We recognize the interconnectedness of all things that we do.
- We demonstrate social responsibility and ethical behavior in our activities.
- We approach all of our activities and partners with purpose and mutual respect.
Special Recognition
THE BASIL AND BECKY EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION and our film Invisible Warriors: African American Women in World War II received the Certificate of Congressional Recognition for outstanding achievement, service, and public distinction.
Watch a preview of the film Invisible Warriors: African American Women in World War II.