Happy Retirement Michele!

After 6 years as the Executive Director of OPAL, it is with bittersweet feelings that we wish Michele Rose a farewell as she makes more room in her life for gardening, traveling and time with her family. In her time as Executive Director, Michele has played a major part in new programming, The Trashion Show, The Burlesque show, art programs and summer camps for children, and bringing awareness of OPAL to the community. In her time with OPAL she has spent countless hours securing grants that have allowed the community to have free and/or low-cost access to art and education at OPAL and was pertinent in keeping OPAL afloat during the pandemic. Michele says she still plans to play an active role at OPAL because her passion for our mission is so strong. But she is excited to pass the baton to the new Executive Director, Tesla Thoms.

Tesla joined the OPAL board in 2022 and has served as their secretary since then. Tesla has participated in many Trashion Shows, MC’s OPALS Burlesque show, and has taught a variety of classes for the OPAL Young Performers programs. Tesla’s background is in business management, but she is passionate about offering opportunities for unique and diverse programming that is educational and culturally enriching to her community.