Program Leaders

Lynn Rhoades is co-founder of Authoring Action and Executive Director for the organization. An artist in her own right, Rhoades’ love of performance art and passion for the welfare of young people merged with her commitment to social justice to give birth to the idea of Authoring Action, where the voices and dreams of young people find a forum among the adults who most affect their lives. For 15 years, Rhoades has served as a passionate, active and vocal community leader in fostering cross cultural understanding and social change. Rhoades is a co-facilitator of Cultural Competency and Closing the Achievement Gap training for Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools; a part-time pastor of Danbury Community Church and former Associate Pastor for Wake Forest Baptist Church; a facilitator of College 200 at Salem College, a service and leadership class; a former clergy trainer for domestic violence awareness; a former member of the Faith in Action Committee of the Domestic Violence Community Council; a member of the Community Advisory Council for Hospice and Palliative Care - Walnut Cove office; a clergy member of Vigils for Healing - inactive, a community project which holds vigils for families of victims of homicide; and an advisory board member for Winston-Salem Sate University’s Center for Community Safety. A native of Winston-Salem, Rhoades studied writing, voice performance, musical theatre and political science at Carson Newman College and received a Master's of Divinity degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. 

Nathan Ross Freeman is the co-founder of Authoring Action, creator of Authoring Action's signature “Writing Through the Senses” and “Sharing Eye-to-Eye” curriculum and Artistic Director for the organization. He is an award winning filmmaker, script writer and teacher; developer of Mixed Media History, a curriculum commissioned by the U.S. Department of Education; co-developer of Playworks in the Schools, a statewideN.C. curriculum; a member of the NC Humanities Speakers Bureau; a member of the Intensive Writing Faculty at the University of North Carolina Charlotte; founder/partner in Mr. Bones Films, LLC; and founder of Montage Showcase Ensemble and the Assegai Film Group. A native of Philadelphia, PA, Freeman is a graduate of St Joseph's University and has made his home in Winston-Salem, N.C since 1985.