About our FounderOctober 7, 2007
MOKA LANTUM
FOUNDER AND CURATOR, CHAIR VILLAGE COUNCIL
Moka is a medical doctor and Ph.D. in Pharmacology. He is currently the Director, Practice Variance, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield of Rochester. Prior to this position, Moka worked in the Health Safety and Environmental Organization of Eastman Kodak Co. Moka has published 13 articles in peer-reviewed science journals and has lectured at multiple professional meetings on biochemical toxicology and related public health issues. Moka is a member of the American Association for Cancer Research and the American Society for Toxicology.
He serves on the board of a variety of organizations, notably Community Investment Executive Team of the United Way, Board member of the United Nations Association of Rochester, member and Rhetoricus of the Sigma Pi Phi Gamma Iota Boule fraternity of Rochester, and board member of The Community Foundation of Rochester. Moka was recognized for his services to the community with the 2004 City of Rochester Unsung Hero Award. Moka was a recipient of the Rochester Business Journal 2005 Forty Under Forty Award and was listed as Rochester's 20 Under 40 Emerging Leaders in early 2006.
Moka is a self-trained connoisseur of African art, history, and culture with a keen interest in African oral traditions as a form of social commentary. Moka also paints with pastels and acrylic on a variety of media. He is a budding jazz historian and collects fine art on 20th century black experiences around the world.