Create birminingham

With over a decade of experience in philanthropy, workforce development, and strategic community investment, Quang Do joined Create Birmingham as the President & CEO in February of 2025. Prior to this role, he led a major revitalization of Central Six AlabamaWorks!, securing national funding and expanding workforce pathways through the City of Birmingham’s $10.8 million Good Jobs Challenge Initiative.

Previously, Quang served as a Program Officer at the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham and as Philanthropic Partnerships Director at Resilia, Inc., where he collaborated with major funders to strengthen nonprofit impact. A White House Champion of Change and Aspen Institute Fellow, Quang is also a spoken word artist and arts advocate. He is committed to positioning Create Birmingham as a vital hub for creative talent, championing artists, entrepreneurs, and storytellers across the region.

Viola Ratcliffe is an arts administrator and educator, whose work explores the intersection of art and activism. A native of Montgomery, Alabama; she earned her undergraduate degree in Art History from the University of Alabama and her master’s degree in Art History from Bowling Green State University. Viola’s career in the nonprofit sector spans over ten years and she has worked for several arts and culture institutions including the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, the Troy University Rosa Parks Museum and Minnetrista Museum and Gardens. In 2022 Viola was named interim director of the Birmingham non-profit Bib & Tucker Sew-Op, a position that she held until 2023. In addition to being Create Birmingham’s Community Engagement Manager, Viola is also a facilitator for the CO.STARTERS program. 

Lee Shook joined Create Birmingham in September 2024 as Jefferson County Film Strategist. A well-known member of the arts, music, and film community around Birmingham, with over two decades of experience advocating on behalf of the Magic City’s creative endeavors, Lee Shook has a proven track record for both getting results as well as thinking outside the box when it comes to tackling big projects. Having worked in almost every facet of film production, he has seen the workings of the industry from the inside out. Whether it’s making documentary films about legendary Southern artists, pioneering multi-media content for local radio, producing groundbreaking online music festivals, putting together internationally recognized arts events, or capturing historical interviews and live performances around the city of Birmingham, he has repeatedly committed his time, talent and resources to making sure the Magic City’s voice is heard well beyond the confines of our home state.

Dez Wilson is a Creative Director, cinematographer, and multidisciplinary visual artist based in Birmingham, Alabama, with more than 14 years of experience in marketing, advertising, and brand storytelling. He has held leadership roles including Associate Creative Director at Luckie & Co., where he led campaigns for Rivian, Regions Bank, and Southern Research, and Senior Producer at Reckon, shaping multimedia narratives for national audiences.

Wilson’s career reflects a proven ability to merge strategic marketing expertise with innovative design and filmmaking, creating campaigns and content that resonate across advertising, entertainment, and community-driven initiatives.

Dez Wilson is a Creative Director, cinematographer, and multidisciplinary visual artist based in Birmingham, Alabama, with more than 14 years of experience in marketing, advertising, and brand storytelling. He has held leadership roles including Associate Creative Director at Luckie & Co., where he led campaigns for Rivian, Regions Bank, and Southern Research, and Senior Producer at Reckon, shaping multimedia narratives for national audiences.

Wilson’s career reflects a proven ability to merge strategic marketing expertise with innovative design and filmmaking, creating campaigns and content that resonate across advertising, entertainment, and community-driven initiatives.