In 2007, conductor Jeri Lynne Johnson founded the Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra (BPCO) with the mission of creating a model for the 21st century symphony orchestra by normalizing cultural inclusion in classical music. The BPCO comprises world-class musicians and is the nation's most culturally diverse professional orchestra. In its brief time, the BPCO has garnered critical acclaim and prestigious awards from the Knight Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Maestra Johnson has led orchestras around the world and has been featured in numerous media including NBC's Today Show and NPR's Tavis Smiley Show. She graduated from Wellesley College and the University of Chicago and includes being a British American Project Fellow and a Creative Ambassador for the City of Philadelphia among her accolades. In 2005 she made history as the first Black woman to win an international conducting prize when she was awarded the Taki Concordia Conducting Fellowship.

Tim grew up in South Jersey and currently lives in Collingswood, NJ. He graduated from Widener University in 2003. From May 2003 – January 2010, he worked for a small CPA firm that specialized in non-profit organizations (private clubs, churches and charities). He was hired as the controller of The Acorn Club in January 2010.

For the past five years, Tim has served as Treasurer of the Hospitality Financial & Technology Professionals (HFTP) organization in Philadelphia. Through this organization, he helped organize a scholarship golf tournament each summer and the proceeds go to students majoring in hospitality management at Widener University, Temple University, the University of Delaware and Penn State University. His hobbies include golfing, cooking and drawing.

Lawana Scales is a native of Philadelphia. She began her television career 37 years ago at WCAU-TV, in Human Resources. She was Manager of Personnel for 12 years before transferring to Programming in 1984. In 1998 Lawana became Director of Programming for NBC 10. Lawana has received 9 Emmy Awards, 2 Telly Awards, the National Parent's Choice Award, 2 Angel Awards, and six PAB Awards. Lawana has brought key programs and partnerships to WCAU-TV/NBC 10, that have entertained, educated and informed the community.

She is also an accomplished vocalist who is currently with the Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church Senior Choir, and performs periodically as a R&B and Jazz singer for several events and venues throughout the Delaware Valley and around the country. Through the years, she has also sung with the likes of Michael Bolton, Celine Dione, Paul Anka and Duke Ellington's Sacred Voice Ensemble. Currently Lawana is the President & CEO of Scales Signature Productions & Entertainment, Inc.