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Co-Founders

Reverend Keisha Carter & Reverend Bronica Martindale Chess, established this organization in 2021, because they shared a vision to  fill a crucial gap in the educational landscape. With the gradual erosion of fine arts programs in public schools, particularly those serving underserved communities.  Our founders recognized the urgent need to provide a platform where children and youth could explore and excel in fine arts while earning scholarships from our organization when they perform at community events such as Youth Conferences, Assemblies and Annual Production that are produced at the D.D.O.M Fine Arts Academy.  Both Keisha  and Bronica bring visionary leadership, combining decades of experience in the arts, ministry, and Youth development as they both are Directors of the Fine Arts Ministries for the Youth and Children at their perspective Churches.

Organization Overview

D.D.O.M Fine Arts Academy is a transformative program operating under the umbrella of Divine Decisions Outreach Ministries, a faith- based organization committed to community upliftment and Youth empowerment.

Instruction is delivered by a team of eight established teaching artists, all of whom are active professionals in their respective fields.  Their real-world experience infuses the curriculum with authenticity and relevance, while their mentorship creates lasting bonds with the students.  Artistic training is complimented by a strong emphasis on family engagement, driven by a dedicated Parent Advisory Board that co-designs community events, and ensures that the Academy reflects the values and voices of the families it serves.

Under the guidance of our directors, DDOM is poised for growth and further impact. We aim to expand our reach, touching more lives and communities, nurturing the next generation of leaders through the arts.

Rev. Keisha Marie Carter

Founder & Executive Director - South & Northeast Region

Keisha Marie Carter began a sustained lifetime of professionalism and excellence while still a teen, with a winning audition that netted her a full enrollment into the prestigious Los Angeles High School for the Arts, located on the Cal-State Los Angeles campus, with special emphasis in Theater and Vocal Performance.  From there, she was accepted into the prestigious private Loyola Marymount University, earning her bachelor’s and MFA degrees in Communication and Fine Arts with a minor in Business Administration, while remaining on the Dean’s list throughout her college years (1990-1995).

Mrs. Carter was an active student in many collegiate organizations, including the National Speech and Debate Association where she was named the National Speech Champion in 1991.

Her first foray into playwriting, called “Fight for Existence”, was recognized in 1993 while still a student, with the Playwright of the Year award by the American College Theater Festival, a nationwide organization.

Mrs. Carter earned her own way through Loyola with a number of part time and summer jobs.  In competing for scholarship monies, Ms. Carter went on to be named Miss City of Inglewood, via the Miss America Program, and a Runner Up at the Miss California state level competition, garnering additional scholarship funding as the both the Top Scholastic Achievement winner as well as Talent winner in 1992.

Upon graduating, Mrs. Carter accepted a full- time sales position in the hospitality industry, where she had begun working part time during her college senior year, as Executive Assistant to the General Manager.

Her illustrious career has set her up to guide the sales forces of most of the major hotel groups in the USA, such as: Marriott, Hilton, IHG, Hyatt Hotels. She is Currently a Senior Catering Sales Executive for Marriott Hotels.

In April 2021, Keisha became a licensed and ordained Youth Pastor, and is the President and Co-Executive Director of her own 501C3 Organization: Divine Decisions Outreach Ministries.

From June 2021 to May 2023, She was the Director of Children’s Ministries, & Director of the Children’s Fine Arts Ministry at Community Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Senior Paster Oscar D. Epps Sr.

In December 2021, She was blessed God to Join in Marriage to Mr. Marlon Carter, who is a very loving and supportive Husband who came into her life after being a widow.

She has Two Beautiful Children: Kylee Johnson, and Alejandro Escamilla who are exceptional human beings.

Keisha has recently been blessed with the Position of Director of Fine Arts Ministry for Youth and Children at Gospel Tabernacle Church, under the leadership of her OUTSTANDING Pastor and Spiritual Father, Bishop David E Martin.

She looks forward to enhancing the great gifts that God has giving her in all aspects of the Fine Arts Ministry, to pour into our Youth and Children, the Wisdom that will assist them in making the right decisions in life, Godly Decisions, DIVINE DECISIONS!!

Your donation helps us provide scholarships, mentorship, and essential resources to young artists. Every contribution brings us closer to a world where every child can express their creativity and learn through the arts. Support DDOM today and be a part of creating that world.

Rev. Bronica Martindale

Choreographer & Executive Director - West & Midwest Region

Rev. Bronica Martindale is a native of San Bernardino, California. She graduated from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.

Rev. Bronica has two blessed and talented children, Bronique Martindale and JhuMaani Chess.

Rev. Bronica serves as an associate minister at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, overseeing the Youth and the Christian Arts Ministry (CHARM).  She is one of the founders of the Inland Empire My Hair My Health Movement.  Rev. Bronica is a Measure S and Bureau of Franchises Commissioner under 6th Ward Councilwoman Kim Calvin for the City of San Bernardino.  She is a San Bernardino Valley College Board member, the Chair of the San Bernardino Police African American Advisory Council, and a San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Information Exchange Committee member.  Rev. Bronica worked as a Health Education Assistant and the physical activity instructor for the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health Nutrition Program. She serves as the Communication and Outreach VP for Young Women Empowerment (YWE). Through her outreach efforts, she helped develop and formalize a program entitled “See Her Bloom” (helping black women addicted to opioids), funded by California Department of Public Health.

In April 2021, Rev. Bronica became the Co-Executive Director of the 501c3 Organization: Divine Decisions Outreach Ministries along with her Sister, Rev. Keisha Marie Carter.  They work together as a dynamic duo with our Children to bring forth God’s word through the Fine Arts.

She is consistently sought after to direct and choreograph for numerous local and regional churches, national organizations and government sponsored events and associations. Her passion to groom future youth leaders led her to be the choreographer for the Miss America program and the Miss Black U.S.A. Scholarship Program. She is currently the Production Parent Manager for the San Bernardino Teen Music Workshop Band (Soul Pointe) with the San Bernardino Unified School District.

Rev. Bronica is committed to community improvement.  As an activist leader, she chaired the Black Cultural Committee that aided in placing the life size sculpture of Rosa Parks in The Rosa Parks State Building in downtown San Bernardino. She has been recognized with 2006 Juvenile Justice Award & Delinquency Prevention Commission Award, 2006 Black Rose Award, 2007 Leaders of Youth Recognition Award (People’s Choice), 2007-2011 Citizen of the Month Award (City of San Bernardino), 2007 Woman of Distinction Award (Assemblyman Bill Emerson), 2018 Unspeakable Praise New Hope Youth certificate (Assemblymember Eloise Reyes),

2019 League of Women voters, 2019 Women of the Year (Assembly Majority Leader Eloise Ryes). Rev. Bronica knows the importance of being a sincere and active leader. She was the Campaign Manager for San Bernardino County School Board of Education Board Member Dr. Gwen Dowdy Rodgers, and sponsor and worker for the newly elected Mayor Helen Tran.

As a motivational speaker, Rev. Bronica avidly promotes education, and community empowerment as a means for God’s end.  Rev. Bronica has taught performing arts and dance for over 40 years, and devotes her talents and experiences to Yahweh, edifying the Kingdom of God.  Now, she has developed an educational career curriculum entitled WIZDUM and teaches in Los Angeles and throughout the inner cities. Rev. Bronica’ s sister shared with her “Take the ‘T’ off of Can’t and tell yourself You CAN.”