Tony J. Dickerson, Founding President, 2018
Dr. Tony Jean Dickerson is the Founding President of the Akoma Ntoso Modern Quilt Guild of Central Indiana. Tony began sewing at the young age of 6yrs old receiving her first sewing machine for Christmas that year. She is a product of Home Economics, 4H and a family’s love for sewing. After 31 years in various levels of education in the Kansas City, Missouri area, Tony Jean moved with her mother back to Indianapolis, IN the summer of 2017.
Even while pursuing a Doctorate of Education in Education Leadership and Policy Studies from Kansas University, Tony Jean longed for the comradery of fellow creatives that a quilting guild brings. When she found that the only guild specifically targeted to persons of color was some 126 miles away in Fort Wayne, IN, she enlisted family and friends and started one! Incorporated April 7, 2018, Dickerson envisioned Akoma Ntoso as an avenue to get family, friends and community members hooked on the beauty of quilting, the power of socialization, and the satisfaction of self expression.
While she does utilitarian quilts for family and friends, she has also joined in the quilting community’s efforts to use quilts to honor our political, social and literary heritage. She has shown quilts at the National African American Quilt Convention in Lawrence, KS, Brown v Board of Topeka Museum in Topeka, KS, and Tuskegee University in Tuskegee, Alabama. Some of these themes were to honor Zora Neale Hurston, Tarana Burke (Me, Too Founder), and her family ancestors. Dr. Dickerson has served as a member of Indiana Humanities’ Racial Equality Speakers Bureau since 2023. He main topic is “Black Quilters: Hard Topics, Soft Blows” which highlights concepts and images from Dr. Tiya Miles’ book “All That She Carried: The Journey of Ashley’s Sack, a Black Family Keepsake” which was a 2023 One State, One Story selection.
E-mail: akomantoso4@gmail.com
Kita Blount Duncan, Treasurer and Founding Charity Program Coordinator, 2018
Kita Duncan was born and raised in Brooksville, Florida. She graduated from Arlington High School here in Indianapolis, is a LPN, and is currently pursuing her RN degree in a very rigorous program at IVY Tech. She and her husband are the parents of three young adults. Her interest in giving back to charity goes back for more than a decade. Her background is in dementia care for the elderly, and she regularly participates in activities for Alzheimers and Lupus awareness. Kita has shown her work along with her guild members since the 2019 Women’s History Month Exhibition “Strength, Courage and Dignity” at St. Luke Methodist Church in Indianapolis, IN.
E-mail: nikkib362@gmail.com
Melody Tharpe, Secretary, 2020
A native of Indiana, Melody Tharpe was born and raised in Indianapolis. Melody is a 1994 Purdue University graduate who has a passion for reading and travel. A dedicated educator with life and job experience outside of the education sector, she is now seeking a variety of avenues for creative exploration and expression. She challenges everyone to come along for the learning!
E-mail: melodytharpe@gmail.com
Alnita Renee Lee, Founding Member, Secret Santa and Retreat Activities Coordinator, 2018
Alnita R. Lee was born and raised here in Indianapolis, IN. She is however, a graduate of Center High School in Kansas City, Missouri. She earned her Associate’s Degree from Indiana Business College here in Indianapolis and continues her career in the healthcare field. Nita, as she is affectionately called by family, has gone “all in” and has created a sewing room in the lower level of her home. She has shown her work every year along with her guild members beginning at the 2019 Women’s History Month Exhibition “Strength, Courage and Dignity” at St. Luke Methodist Church in Indianapolis, IN.
Email: alnitalee43@gmail.com
Mira Jean Duncan, Founding Youth Ambassador, 2018
At just 18 years old, Mira received her first sewing machine and took her first sewing lesson at the tender age of 8! She is a recent graduate of Victory College Prep High School and will be an incoming freshman at Marian University in Indianapolis. She has begun to grow an impressive stash of fabrics and can’t wait to help our guild bring quality programming to our young members from across the metropolitan area! Mira has shown her work along with her guild members since the 2019 Women’s History Month Exhibition “Strength, Courage and Dignity” at St. Luke Methodist Church in Indianapolis, IN.
Former Board Members
Verna Moore, Treasurer, 2019 – 2025 (also a 2018 Founding Member)
Vanita Ann Powell, Founding Treasurer, 2018 – 2019; Deceased February 2019