THE FUNK CENTER
Dayton, Ohio

“God must have put his foot down here, and the music here is the sweat off of God’s feet, the funk off God’s feet.”

Marshall Jones

Original Bassist – Ohio Players

CONNECT

Become a part of The Funk Center and help us blaze a new path forward for the legacy of Funk Music.

Funk Music Interactive Visualizer

Check out our Interactive Funk Music Visualizer, created by Ohio State University graduate students.

The Funk Chronicles on YouTube

Check out our YouTube Channel with interviews of artists, producers and other Funk Storytellers.

The FUNK BOX

VISION

Our Vision is to create TheFunkCenter, a place to celebrate the legacy and cultural impact of Funk Music.

MISSION

Our Mission is to preserve and maintain a collection of Funk Music memorabilia and oral histories so that future generations of music enthusiasts can learn about, and be inspired by, the creative force that is Funk Music.

GOALS

Our goals are to . . .

♦ Build the foundation for the future home of Funk Music

♦ Provide a place for the world to celebrate the legacy of Funk music

♦ Create a place to house the living story of Funk music

♦ Educate and inspire future generations through STEAM based educational experiences

ABOUT

The Funk Music Hall of Fame & Exhibition Center is a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the legacy of Funk Music. Through community engagement and a commitment to bringing arts education to today’s youth.

Our Values

Diversity and Inclusion — Creating an environment where EVERYONE in the community is welcomed and all points of view are respected

Collaboration and Community — Collaboration with our local community is core to our ethos and instills within us a sense of responsibility and stewardship to the community in which we exist

Empowerment and Inspiration — Empowering visitors of all ages and walks of life to feel empowered and inspired to express themselves

Innovative and Fun — To constantly generate new creative ideas that have the potential to change the world and the young lives we touch all while having fun and celebrating the small successes on our journey to achieve something big

Passion and Respect — Putting our hearts and minds into everything we do in order to achieve the best experience while paying homage to the artists and individuals who forged the legacy of Funk in Dayton and beyond

Risk Taking — Never afraid to try something new to evolve the story and trailblaze a better future

Leadership

David Webb – CEO
Diana Whitt – CFO
Vernon Porter – Director of Music Education
George Gee – Chief of Quality Assurance
Eric Gee – COO
Rhine McLin – Host of “The Funk Chronicles” YouTube television series.
Chris Grindrod – Podcast Radio Administrator for “The Dayton Scene Radio Show” (Podomatic and SoundCloud).
Larry Lang – Chief Funk Ambassador
Gary “Mudbone” Cooper – Assistant Chief Funk Ambassador
Gloria Barber – West Coast Assistant Chief Funk Ambassador
Daria Dillard-Stone – Clergy
Joe Whitt – Clergy
Gloria Smith-Roberts – Funk Center Office Manager.
Julian Rich – Business Agent for The Funk Center
Brad Henry – Web Guru
Chip McCullough – Web Guru
Attorneys:
Conrad Dillon
Gayle Miller
Steve Rich

Board of Directors

Carla Elam – Floyd – Board President
Jayne Klose – Board Member
Pete Gratto – Board Member

Reginald “Reggie” Calloway
Michael “Mike” Putermaugh
Sandrena Brockman-Robinson
Stephanie M. Thorton (Executive Admin)

Advisory Board

George Clinton – (Parliament Funkadelic)
Gary Mudbone Cooper – (Parliament-Funkadelic & Bootsy’s Rubber Band)
Pastor Joe Witt – (Trinity Presbyterian Church)
Daria Dillard-Stone – (Dayton Metro Library)
Commissioner Chris Shaw – (Dayton Ohio)
Commissioner Jeff Mims – (Dayton Ohio)
Marlon Shackelford – (Dayton African American Cultural Festival)
Sinbad – (Comedian)
Dr. Sharon Grotto – (University of Dayton Music Department)
Rhine McLin – (Former Mayor, City of Dayton Ohio)
Keith Harrison – (Faze-O / Dazz Band)
Thomas Shelby – (Original Lakeside)

The Dayton Scene Radio Show