Valerie, better known as Gail, is one of the founders of the Queen Ann Nzinga Center. Gail is an honored civilian of Plainville, Connecticut where she has proudly involved herself within the community. Gail’s historical involvement has influenced her to enlighten the youth. Her generational experience with music and musical instruments plays a significant role in youth engagement at Queen Ann Nzinga Center. Her musical sensibilities were influenced by her mother. Gail attended the Art School of Fashion in Hartford, Connecticut where she learned to sew. She enhanced her sewing skills with QANC, designing costumes for performances conducted by a singing group named “Nzinga’s Daughters”. 

Gail’s acknowledgments include: Leader of Doris Allen and the Motivation, member of the Plainville Historical Society and Historian for Plainville’s African American History, member of the Connecticut Freedom Trail Committee, Historian for redeemers A.M.E Zion Church, and the Director of the Senior Choir from 1968-2018. She produced and directed the TV show “Here and There” with Nzinga’s Daughters from 2000-2017. All in all, Gail has initiated the necessary tools to contribute and distribute within the organization.