Naila Ansari Carbonell Catilo

Naila Ansari Carbonell Catilo Point Park University Conservatory of Performing Arts and University at Buffalo, alumna who is a celebrated choreographer, director, educator, and creative producer with a multidisciplinary career spanning over 15 years. She is a tenured professor at SUNY Buffalo State University, Interfaith America Black Interfaith Project Fellowship recipient, and the founder of Catilo Kultura Code, where she blends technology and the arts to build capacity in creative organizations. Her award-winning work explores Black joy, performance studies, and cultural legacy through movement and media. Naila’s work has been featured in theaters, galleries, and academic institutions across the country including the Smithsonian, Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, and Lincoln Center to name a few. She brings vision, strategy, and innovation to every project AnsariSaxon touches. AnsariSaxon Productions’ recent staging of Dreamgirls achieved the highest ticket sales in Shea’s 710 Theatre history.

Karen Saxon

is a distinguished music educator, accomplished musician, and dedicated community leader. A proud alumna of Buffalo State University (B.A. in Vocal Performance) and the University of Scranton (M.S. in Educational Administration), she has spent 27 years shaping the next generation of artists through her work in Buffalo Public Schools. She currently serves as vocal music instructor at City Honors School and as adjunct voice professor at Buffalo State University.

Saxon is a skilled pianist, professional vocalist, and expert choral conductor. Her leadership has left a lasting mark on Buffalo’s arts scene. In addition to her work with AnsariSaxon, she serves on the boards of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and Starring Buffalo. She is also the minister of music at First Shiloh Baptist Church and chair of the NAACP ACT-SO Committee, where she mentors youth in the arts and academics.

Both Naila and Karen made history as the first director, musical director, and choreographer for Shea’s Performing Arts Center’s Once On This Island and again with record breaking sales Ujima Theater’s The Color Purple with Second Generation Theater. AnsariSaxon Productions’ recent staging of Dreamgirls achieved the highest ticket sales in Shea’s 710 Theatre history.

Mercedes Wilson

Mercedes E. Wilson is a dynamic force in the world of media and entrepreneurship, known for her vibrant personality and unwavering dedication to her community and family. As the first African American woman to co-host Buffalo’s longest-running lifestyle show, AM Buffalo, Mercedes has made history while bringing her unique flair to the screen.

A three-time author, Mercedes has penned inspiring works such as “Hope: How Faith Carried Me Through My Darkest Hours,” “Abnormal: We Have Been Fooled,” and “Alone in a Crowded Room,” sharing her journey and insights with readers around the world. Her resilience shines through as a breast cancer survivor, and she uses her platform to amplify voices that often go unheard.

Mercedes made her television debut in 2017 as the host of “Daily Buzz” on WBBZ-TV, and later captivated audiences with her award-winning show, “The Mercedes Wilson Show,” which earned the National Hometown Media Award for “Best Informational Talk Show Series Independent Producer” in 2021. Her charisma and culinary skills led her to become a regular food segment contributor on Channel 7ABC, and creating a relish that was sold in over 150 major grocery stores. In 2025, she won 5 Telly Awards for a project she co-produced dedicated to telling the story of the mass shooting that took place in Buffalo NY. She is a champion of using creativity to tell stories that educate our community. Today, she provides marketing and video production services to businesses that wish to see growth in their business along with being a tour manager for the female led group of musicians, Passing The Crown.