Commissioners
Commission Members
Chair:
Luis McSween (Trinidad and Tobago, Prince George’s City)
Ambassador Luis McSween is the Co-Founder and President of CariBeat LLC – the leading Caribbean Lifestyle Company in the US. Founded in 2007, CariBeat delivers extraordinary Caribbean-style events, destination marketing services, cultural performances, culinary-cultural tours, cuisine, décor, and apparel to audiences around the world. CariBeat is also the exclusive agent, in the US and Canada, for bp Renegades Steel Orchestra, the world’s most-awarded steel orchestra. Commissioner McSween is also a senior airline and aviation executive. With more than 35 years of experience in the field of Airline and Airport Management, he has served in several senior executive positions at US Airways (now merged with American Airlines) as Senior Director of Flight Operations, Senior Director of Crew Administration, and Senior Director of Crew Planning, as well as Director of Sales and Marketing for the Latin America and the Caribbean, Director of Customer Service, and Director of Crew Scheduling.
Vice Chair:
Samantha Howard (Puerto Rico, Prince George’s County)
Samantha Howard is a seasoned professional with over 18 years in higher education as a community liaison, specializing in Prince George’s County’s Hispanic/Latino population and community partnerships. Her dedication to fostering strong community relationships is unwavering. Before joining the County Government, Samantha served for over 15 years as the Coordinator of Recruitment and Community Relations at Prince George’s Community College. She championed underrepresented student populations, formed valuable community partnerships, and expanded recruitment opportunities for Hispanic/Latino residents. She notably advocated for inclusive language in the college’s application process and initiatives to eliminate out-of-state tuition for undocumented County residents and DACA recipients. Samantha’s passion for serving the Hispanic/Latino community is evident in her words: “I am genuinely excited to take on the role of Latino Affairs Liaison. My dedication to this community has driven me throughout my career, and I eagerly anticipate leveraging my experience and leadership for the betterment of my community.” Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Samantha has lived in Prince George’s County since 1989. She earned her Associate of Arts in Communication/Speech from Prince George’s Community College and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from the University of Maryland Global Campus. She has received numerous accolades, including Mentor of the Year and Envision Success Star. In her leisure time, Samantha enjoys traveling with her husband and four children, attending cultural events, and the theatre. Her commitment to the community and rich professional background make her an invaluable asset to Prince George’s County and its Hispanic/Latino community.
Members:
Ken Alce (Haiti, Baltimore City)
Ken Alce, from Haiti, obtained his JD and LLM from Georgetown University Law Center and is an award-winning corporate and finance attorney who has excelled in both the public and private sectors. Alongside his legal practice, he is a real estate developer and accomplished musician. He has a history of service through his church, community initiatives, and his beloved Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Rooted in his Haitian heritage and driven by a passion for community uplift, Ken is committed to ensuring Maryland’s Caribbean communities are both seen and heard.
Dr. Melissa Buckley (Jamaica, Baltimore City)
Dr. Melissa E. Buckley is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Social Work at Coppin State University. A licensed social worker and Womanyst theorist, she is committed to justice, equity, and liberation through education, research, and advocacy. Born in Toronto, Canada, to Jamaican parents and living in the U.S. for nearly 30 years, she brings a transnational lens to her work on Black fatherhood, intersectionality, and liberatory social work practice. A proud descendant of her Jamaican Maroon mother, Dr. Buckley carries forward a legacy of resilience, resistance, and freedom that shapes her scholarship and leadership. She also serves as a Commissioner on the Maryland Commission on Caribbean Affairs, promoting representation, engagement, and collaboration across Caribbean communities. A devoted member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., she values wellness, service, and balance. She finds peace in watching old sitcoms, joy in spending time with family, and freedom riding her Harley- Davidson motorcycle on journeys that have taken her as far as Texas and Maine, embodying the spirit of movement, power, and liberation.
Gabriel Christian (Dominica, Prince George’s County)
Jeminima Darbouze Davis (Haiti, Howard County)
Anderson A. Jean (Haiti, Baltimore City)
Anderson A. Jean is of Haitian descent and spent his formative years in Connecticut and in Florida. He graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a B.A in Political Science and obtained a master’s degree from St. John’s University in Queens, New York. He teaches U.S & World History and lectures about the constitution and international relations. He looks forward to serving his fellow Marylanders.
Dr. Maxine Kellman (Guyana-South America, Howard County)
Winsome Leslie (Jamaica, Baltimore County)
Dr. Winsome Leslie is currently President and CEO of DevSolutions Consulting, LLC., a firm providing advisory and consulting services that increase access to finance for micro and small businesses in the U.S. and across the Caribbean. She serves on the Advisory Committee of the Inter-American Foundation, advancing community-level economic development throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Dr. Leslie’s leadership has been recognized with several multiple awards, including the prestigious Antonio Ortiz Mena Award from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) for her contributions to the institution’s work in the Caribbean, and the Women in Business Trailblazer award for her work promoting access to finance for minority businesses in Maryland. Dr. Leslie has Ph.D. and Masters degrees in International Relations from Columbia University, and a B.A. in Economics with honors from Barnard College.
Cylia Evonne Lowe (USA, Baltimore County)
Habacuc Petion (Haiti, Wicomico County)
Dr. Carla Sewer (U.S. Virgin Islands, Somerset County)
Dr. Elaine Simon (Islands of Antigua & Barbuda, Baltimore City)
Dr. Elaine Simon migrated to the United States from the twin Islands of Antigua & Barbuda in 1969. She matriculated in New York City, Washington D.C. and Baltimore Maryland. Elaine is a mother of three and has resided in Baltimore, Maryland since 1973. She has been an entrepreneur for 42 years. Amongst her many accomplishments, Dr. Elaine Simon served as a Maryland State Board Inspector of Cosmetology, Education Technician for Johnson Products Company, Chicago, and owner and operator of Scooter G-Records & Touch of Paris Coiffure Salon. She is the organizing founder of BACO, 1997 (Baltimore Association of Caribbean Organizations) and president and event planner of Caribbean American Carnival Association of Baltimore, Inc. Also, she is presently a board member of The Arena Players. Active in her community and political issues, she served as the community liaison for State Senator Larry Young, and as assistance office manager for Delegate Melvin Stukes.
Kassandra Tucker (Guyana, Harford County)
Kassandra Tucker is a dedicated business professional and community advocate, boasting over 22 years of experience in real estate mortgage lending and credit underwriting. As a seasoned subject matter expert, she possesses exceptional knowledge in credit analysis, property financial analysis, closing, and loan documentation with regional and national real estate firms. Throughout her career, Kassandra has developed, organized, and implemented internal underwriting procedures for loan programs offered by prominent entities such as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, and Ginnie Mae FHA. In addition to her extensive background in real estate, Kassandra Tucker has a wealth of experience in the Caribbean hospitality industry and has actively served on local boards and community organizations. As the Commissioner for Caribbean Affairs within the Maryland Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives, she brings this diverse expertise and dedication to her role. Kassandra is characterized by her humility, strong work ethic, and a continuous desire to improve as a leader through hard work and intellectual curiosity. She is committed to leveraging her experience, expertise, and skills to make a positive impact in the community, advocating for the voiceless, promoting Caribbean culture, and empowering women across various local and community organizations.
