| SASYO's Board |
| Board Members and Leadership: Board Chairman/Director of SASYO Mr. Charles M. Gwynn Board Vice Chairman Mr. Joseph L. Grisson III Executive Director/Youth Coordinator Mrs. Elaine Benford-Gwynn Board Member Mr. Vassal Benford Board Member Mr. Michael Van Tull Board Member Mr. Milton Andrew Board Member Joe Roberts Board Member Mrs. Mae Andrew |
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| About our Board |
Charles M. Gwynn: Chairman and Co-founder of SASYO, is an Alumnus of Ohio State University their
academic accomplishments.
He also believes that if you can assist in empowering communities to help themselves, you are essentially
"sowing a seed" and our communities will benefit from the harvest for generations to come.
E-mail: Charles@sowaseedyouthorg.org
Joseph L. Grisson III: Our Community Coordinator (seasonally active) and is the Executive Director of
Sow A Seed Outreach (SASO), our Illinois arm of SASYO. Additionally, he serves as the Public/Residential
Relations Consultant for the Aurora Housing Authority of Aurora, IL. Through the years he has collaborated
with many community organizations in the Quad-County area of Du Page, Kane, Kendall, and Will counties
in IL.
Joe's primary focus is to empower under resourced and/or under privileged families through a variety of
programs and/or events. He recently brokered a deal in which computer labs will be installed in all Housing
Authority communities within Aurora, the second largest city in IL. In addition to computer training, residents
will receive free online job skills and GED training.
E-mail: Joe@sasoutreach.org
Elaine Benford-Gywnn: The Senior Pastor of Joy of Life Christian Ministries was ordained as a Pastor in
2001, and was the host of the television show "It's Mo Gospel", where she interviewed business and
community leaders, as well as showcased national and local gospel recording artist's live performances,
videos, interviews, and record releases. Additionally, she is an professional recording artist, record producer
and a very gifted and talented songwriter.
Pastor Gwynn is a dedicated community leader who works tirelessly for the betterment of our communities.
She understands although they are children now they are our future leaders. Therefore, she is committed to
assist our future leaders through education and recreation while boosting their morale through a variety of
programs and events.
E-mail: ElaineB-G@comcast.net Office: (248) 945-9616
Mr. Vassal G. Benford Sr. : Has produced and marketed over 150 albums throughout his career. These
albums have generated over $400 million in revenue for such companies as Arista, LAFace MCA/Universal,
Motown, BMG, RCA, Mercury, EMI and Polygram. Vassal Benford is one of the most successful music
moguls in the entertainment industry and certainly among the top ten producers in the world.
The incredible track record of his work has included 8 Nominations by the Grammy Association and 11
Movie Scores by the film and television association. His body of work has included 57 Platinum Records
awarded by the RIAA (Recording industry association of America), which has resulted in over $400 million
dollars in sales worldwide. Awards include a Grammy, several R&B Awards, and a Juno Pop Award. Pop
song writer of the year Awards, and producer of the year Awards.
Michael Van Tull: In addition to being SASYO's Financial Specialist, he is an spoken word poet, a
Manager of Flag Star Bank and Co-hosts Community Highlights on WGPR 107.5 FM. Michael is Detroit
native.
Milton Andrew: In addition to serving on SASYO's board, Mr. Andrew is the Youth Educator.
Additionally, he is an ordained Pastor at Greater Grace Temple of Detroit and the Principal of Wilkins
Elementary School. Mr. Andrew has been dubbed by the community and SASYO as the "Joe Clark" of
Detroit. He is truly committed to educating and caring for his school, parents, students, and the Metropolitan
Detroit Community as a whole.
Joseph Roberts: In addition to being the Founder and President of the Cintron Beverage Group, he is an
ordained minister and Pastor of the Holy Spirit Cathedral in ,he knows something about commitment and
faith. The CINTRON Energy Group was conceived by Joe Roberts, one of the nation's most successful
marketing executives in the soft drink and juice business. His tireless drive and solid business contacts
throughout the country helped establish some of the best known brands in the beverage industry.
Mae Andrew: Mrs. Andrew is SASYO's Youth Educator as well as an educator at Bunches Elementary
School in Detroit, MI, and has worked for the Board of Education for 30 years. Mrs. Andrew loves her job
and caring for the children with learning disabilities.
academic accomplishments.
He also believes that if you can assist in empowering communities to help themselves, you are essentially
"sowing a seed" and our communities will benefit from the harvest for generations to come.
E-mail: Charles@sowaseedyouthorg.org
Joseph L. Grisson III: Our Community Coordinator (seasonally active) and is the Executive Director of
Sow A Seed Outreach (SASO), our Illinois arm of SASYO. Additionally, he serves as the Public/Residential
Relations Consultant for the Aurora Housing Authority of Aurora, IL. Through the years he has collaborated
with many community organizations in the Quad-County area of Du Page, Kane, Kendall, and Will counties
in IL.
Joe's primary focus is to empower under resourced and/or under privileged families through a variety of
programs and/or events. He recently brokered a deal in which computer labs will be installed in all Housing
Authority communities within Aurora, the second largest city in IL. In addition to computer training, residents
will receive free online job skills and GED training.
E-mail: Joe@sasoutreach.org
Elaine Benford-Gywnn: The Senior Pastor of Joy of Life Christian Ministries was ordained as a Pastor in
2001, and was the host of the television show "It's Mo Gospel", where she interviewed business and
community leaders, as well as showcased national and local gospel recording artist's live performances,
videos, interviews, and record releases. Additionally, she is an professional recording artist, record producer
and a very gifted and talented songwriter.
Pastor Gwynn is a dedicated community leader who works tirelessly for the betterment of our communities.
She understands although they are children now they are our future leaders. Therefore, she is committed to
assist our future leaders through education and recreation while boosting their morale through a variety of
programs and events.
E-mail: ElaineB-G@comcast.net Office: (248) 945-9616
Mr. Vassal G. Benford Sr. : Has produced and marketed over 150 albums throughout his career. These
albums have generated over $400 million in revenue for such companies as Arista, LAFace MCA/Universal,
Motown, BMG, RCA, Mercury, EMI and Polygram. Vassal Benford is one of the most successful music
moguls in the entertainment industry and certainly among the top ten producers in the world.
The incredible track record of his work has included 8 Nominations by the Grammy Association and 11
Movie Scores by the film and television association. His body of work has included 57 Platinum Records
awarded by the RIAA (Recording industry association of America), which has resulted in over $400 million
dollars in sales worldwide. Awards include a Grammy, several R&B Awards, and a Juno Pop Award. Pop
song writer of the year Awards, and producer of the year Awards.
Michael Van Tull: In addition to being SASYO's Financial Specialist, he is an spoken word poet, a
Manager of Flag Star Bank and Co-hosts Community Highlights on WGPR 107.5 FM. Michael is Detroit
native.
Milton Andrew: In addition to serving on SASYO's board, Mr. Andrew is the Youth Educator.
Additionally, he is an ordained Pastor at Greater Grace Temple of Detroit and the Principal of Wilkins
Elementary School. Mr. Andrew has been dubbed by the community and SASYO as the "Joe Clark" of
Detroit. He is truly committed to educating and caring for his school, parents, students, and the Metropolitan
Detroit Community as a whole.
Joseph Roberts: In addition to being the Founder and President of the Cintron Beverage Group, he is an
ordained minister and Pastor of the Holy Spirit Cathedral in ,he knows something about commitment and
faith. The CINTRON Energy Group was conceived by Joe Roberts, one of the nation's most successful
marketing executives in the soft drink and juice business. His tireless drive and solid business contacts
throughout the country helped establish some of the best known brands in the beverage industry.
Mae Andrew: Mrs. Andrew is SASYO's Youth Educator as well as an educator at Bunches Elementary
School in Detroit, MI, and has worked for the Board of Education for 30 years. Mrs. Andrew loves her job
and caring for the children with learning disabilities.
