Barbara has served as a member of the Charter Oak Cultural Center’s Board of Directors since 2018, but has been working with Charter Oak since 2010. Barbara is active in their gala planning committee, and has appeared several times as one of the guest readers for their Read It & Sleep program.

Barbara has been working with children and families for over twenty years. Barbara currently works as the Director of Early Childhood Initiatives for the Connecticut Network for Children and Youth where she coordinates the Connecticut Children’s Collective. Barbara’s work throughout the greater Hartford area is how she became familiar with Charter Oak, and it was soon after that she began to admire and respect the work of Donna Berman, Susan Mazer, and the whole team.

Barbara is passionate about supporting teaching professionals, community organizers and leaders, parents, caregivers, and children as they realize their full potential. Barbara holds a Master’s degree in Education with a concentration in early childhood education from the University of Hartford, and a Bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in psychology from Central Connecticut State University where she earned her certification in secondary education as an English teacher.

Barbara has two grown sons, a baby granddaughter, and a large circle of family and friends for whom she is immensely grateful.

JD, The University of Connecticut School of Law ‘22

My name is Ree Morrow. I have been a member of the Charter Oak Board since January 2021. 

I became involved with Charter Oak as their financial statement auditor in 2014. It was apparent how much Donna and her team loved their work and were enthused by the programs they provide for the community. Upon leaving my role as auditor, Donna approached me to become a member of the Board of Directors. I did not hesitate. It brings me much joy to hear each month about the amazing work the Center is doing, and to contribute in any way I can. I currently live in Louisiana, with my husband, our 2-year-old daughter, and our dog. I work remotely as Director of Finance & Accounting for a CFO and accounting services firm, with a focus on non-profit organizations.

Delmarys Serrano brings over two decades of community activism and organizing, as well as lived experience to the Charter Oak Board. She also serves on the Board of Directors of Hartford Parent University (HPU). Delmarys Serrano is the lead parent at From Pain to Parenting formally known as the Child Safety Forward Parent Group. Ms. Serrano has also been a Girl Scout leader and delegate for a number of years. Ms. Serrano is a certified Triple P (Triple P Parenting) Facilitator, holds a certification for People Empowering People, through the University of Connecticut, and participated in a Family Development Credentials Training program.  She began attending classes at Charter Oak in 2006, where she felt an immediate connection as she improved her English skills. In turn, she was motivated to pursue her degree. Ms. Serrano earned an Associate Degree at Charter Oak State College. Ms. Serrano is the proud mother of four children. Over the years, her children have been able to attend Charter Oak’s art classes such as piano, ballet, orchestra, band, poetry, and many more.

Performer, choreographer, educator, and published author Rachna Ramya Agrawal is a North Indian classical dancer. In addition to her dance degrees, Rachna holds an MBA from the University of Hartford and a Master’s in Hindi Literature from Delhi University. She is on the teaching faculty at Trinity College in Hartford and is also the Artistic Director of the Sumbhaav School of Kathak Dance. Rachna is listed on the Arts for Learning roster and participates in CT public school programs. Rachna has a deep connection with Charter Oak Cultural Center since 1998. She teaches her dance classes at Charter Oak and has participated many times at Charter Oak’s events, presenting her dance or in their arts events “that makes the world move.” Rachna has received Charter Oak Cultural Center’s Vision Award and serves on the Charter Oak Advisory Board.

Ana Alfaro is well known as the producer and host of El Show de Analeh, a weekly program on the Univision network and UniMas. Ana describes El Show as “a dream production turned into a successful reality.” Since 2007, the program has informed, empowered, and entertained the diverse Latino community in Connecticut and Western Massachusetts. El Show de Analeh airs Saturdays at 11:00am, Univision’s local channels. The show’s partnership with Capital Community College and Univision allows the production team to share its creativity, passion, and vision for the community through the art of television.

For many years Ana has been deeply involved with the community as a volunteer with nonprofit organizations. She is currently a board member for Trinity College Center for Caribbean Studies, Capital Community College Foundation, Charter Oak Cultural Center, Hartford Public Library and Hartford Economic Development Corporation.

During her career, Ana has received awards from many organizations, including Junta for Progressive Action, Hispanic Health Council, Madre Latina, Boy Scouts of America, Bright Future Youth Center, Leadership Greater Hartford Polaris, and Malta House Wonder Woman.

Ana holds a bachelor’s degree in Communications Media Studies from Post University.

A native of Honduras, Ana is the proud mother of Bobby and Bianca.

“Abu,” Alvin Carter Sr. has been a resident of Hartford CT for the past fifty years. He is a husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. Abu is a four-year veteran of the USAF and was honorably discharged in 1963. Abu has had a long and rich relationship with the Charter Oak Cultural Center since the 1980’s. He has been blessed to teach congas and other percussion instruments in schools, libraries, churches, community, and daycare centers. In his presentations he encourages his audiences to seek cooperation and to focus on our similarities not our differences. He will often ask his audiences, which are truly diverse “Are we not a beautiful flower garden of humanity,” promoting unity in the community. He has played congas for various CT based musical groups throughout the state. He is proud of and passionate about African American history and is a wealth of information which he shares with others in many conversations and venues. Abu is honored to continue be a part of the Charter Oak Cultural Center Board of Directors to support the wonderful work they do.

From the lively streets of New Orleans to the bustling customer service arena, I am Ingrid Dupuy, a name woven with threads of family, professional dedication, and a passion for the arts. As a proud mother and grandmother, I find joy in nurturing relationships and supporting my family.

With over two decades of experience in customer service, I, Ingrid Dupuy, have honed my skills in turning challenges into opportunities. Whether troubleshooting issues or fostering positive interactions, my journey has been defined by a commitment to creating meaningful connections with every customer.

Beyond the metrics and calls, my heart belongs to my family. As a mother of two incredible children and a proud grandmother of two little ones, I, Ingrid Dupuy, understand the importance of empathy, patience, and effective communication – values that seamlessly translate into my seasoned customer service approach.

When not immersed in customer queries, I, Ingrid Dupuy, find joy in family gatherings, exploring local culture, and perhaps indulging in a good book or two. A unique thread in our family tapestry is my son’s experience at Charter Oak Cultural Center, where he discovered the world of music and arts, igniting a lifelong passion.

My experiences from the southern charm of New Orleans to the northeastern hub of Hartford provide a unique lens through which I, Ingrid Dupuy, approach customer service – a blend of warmth and efficiency that transcends geographical boundaries.

Attorney Eva Jacobson is a solo practitioner based in West Hartford, Connecticut and currently handles family, immigration, criminal, and Social Security disability matters. She started the Law Office of Eva Jacobson in March 2018 to provide quality legal representation at modest rates.

She previously worked at the Hartford Public Library, where she began representing clients at USCIS since 2015. She assisted hundreds of individuals with their citizenship, naturalization, and green card applications. She also worked at Lawyers Without Borders for over seven years. She launched, developed, and oversaw trial advocacy training programs to increase the prosecution of domestic violence, human trafficking, and wildlife trafficking crimes.

She is the former Chair of the Board of Directors of Charter Oak Cultural Center and has served on the City of Hartford Commission on Refugee and Immigrant Affairs since its inception in 2014. In addition to her law practice, she is the Director of the Connecticut Community Law Center at UConn School of Law, which is an access to justice initiative aimed at providing legal services to low- and moderate- income individuals who have traditionally been underserved. She is currently an adjunct professor at UConn School of Law.