Founders & History

Joseph Bourgeois

Founder, Hunger Aid

Joseph Bourgeois is the Founder of Hunger Aid, a broadcaster, producer, public-relations professional, community advocate, and systems thinker whose work spans decades of advocacy, community development, disaster preparedness, entertainment, and humanitarian service. Beginning with advocacy in 1986, his career evolved through broadcasting, youth initiatives, disaster response, community rebuilding, entertainment, and the development of Hunger Aid. Following his brother's death in San Diego, Joseph became involved in advocacy concerning impaired driving and work connected to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), including involvement with the DUI Impact Panel concept. His broadcasting career included WCOA in Pensacola (1996–1999), WGST in Atlanta (2000–2003), and WEBY in Milton, Florida (2003–August 27, 2005). In September 2004, shortly after Hurricane Ivan, Joseph developed the concept of Rebuild Northwest Florida while working in radio — using broadcasting to bring attention and participation to rebuilding efforts and mentoring four students who helped implement the concept. A student project in Santa Rosa County involved four students raising $7,823 for American flags for more than 1,500 public-school classrooms. In 2011, while in Miami, Oklahoma, Joseph developed the Four-State Disaster Relief Organization (4SDRO), an integrated emergency management concept covering natural, technological, and human-caused emergencies. His Hunger Aid inspiration developed while volunteering at First Baptist Church of North Miami Food Pantry, where he observed an ongoing need and asked what could happen if entertainment could raise resources and bring performers, producers, businesses, volunteers, and communities together. The first Hunger Aid event was held at Quapaw Casino & Resort on February 23, 2014. His work includes the concepts behind H.E.L.P — Healing Every Living Person — and the L.O.V.E. Tower (Living Organic Vertical Ecosystem), a conceptual integration of food production, aquaculture, hydroponics, energy, resource recovery, housing, and resilience, currently in development. Joseph has described being diagnosed in childhood with what was then identified as Asperger syndrome, now included within the autism spectrum — part of his personal understanding of his imaginative and systems-thinking approach. Today, he continues developing Hunger Aid's programs and long-term vision for addressing hunger and the needs surrounding it.

⚑ "What is an 'Idea' without an 'Imagination?'"

KIRK JONES "STICKY FINGAZ"

Co-Founder • President • Creator of the H.E.L.P Concept

Kirk Jones, professionally known as Sticky Fingaz, is an internationally recognized recording artist, actor, writer, producer, director, and creative entrepreneur, best known as frontman of the multi-platinum hip-hop group Onyx. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Jones rose to international recognition when Onyx — discovered by Jam Master Jay of Run-D.M.C. — released their 1993 debut album Bacdafucup, which achieved major success including the hit "Slam." Beyond music, Jones expanded into acting, writing, producing, directing, and filmmaking. His supplied credits include Next Friday, Clockers, In Too Deep, Flight of the Phoenix, and the television series Blade. He wrote, produced, directed, and starred in A Day in the Life and Caught on Tape. Beyond entertainment, Jones is a Co-Founder of Hunger Aid, with his name appearing at the top of the organization's foundational documentation establishing Hunger Aid. His vision for H.E.L.P — Healing Every Living Person — became a defining part of Hunger Aid's purpose and brought him together with Founder Joseph Bourgeois. His H.E.L.P contribution broadened Hunger Aid's understanding of hunger beyond food to whole-person needs. On August 12, 2020, he was unanimously voted President of the newly formed Hunger Aid Foundation. Jones continues to help shape the mission through entertainment, creativity, and humanitarian action, including Entertainment Against Hunger.

Ali Salaam

V. President / CEO / Southwest Regional Director

Ali Salaam, known professionally as BIG NONAME, is a producer, recording artist, and music-industry entrepreneur. His recording history includes the 2016 album Big Noname Presents: 247365 through FINANCHILL RECORDS (17 tracks), collaborations including Agallah, Melrose Reality, Rae 1 Daful, Young Paepah, Kae Dee, and Desmond Dsp Powell, the 2018 release Trapped in Time, appearances on FINANCHILL releases, and a collaboration with Kool Keith — "Childish" — on Financhill Records Presents Box of Chocolates. Ali is the founder of Fly World Records. His connection to Hunger Aid began in 2023 after being introduced by Kirk Jones / Sticky Fingaz. He met Joseph Bourgeois in 2023 through Kirk Jones and became Southwest Regional Director, based in Inglewood, California. Following the passing of Vice President Sadie Levens in April 2025, Ali took over the Vice President role while continuing his Southwest Regional Director responsibilities. He has an Entertainment Against Hunger connection.

Sky Benson

Secretary, Hunger Aid

Sky Benson is a Grandmaster martial artist, instructor, author, educator, and creator of American Martial Science. Beginning his martial arts journey at age nine, he has spent more than four decades studying and teaching across multiple disciplines, including Shaolin Kung Fu, Goju Ryu, Jiu Jitsu, Tae Kwon Do, Tang Soo Do, Ninjitsu, Krav Maga, KAPAP, and other systems. He holds the rank of 9th Dan Grandmaster. Sky's instructional work has included military personnel, law enforcement, security professionals, and martial artists. He is also an author and educator. Sky has been a close friend of concert promoter John "Southside Johnny" Ficarelli for more than 40 years. Through that friendship, Sky was introduced to Joseph Bourgeois in 2008. In 2024, Sky became Secretary of Hunger Aid, bringing his experience in leadership, teaching, and service to the organization.

Robert Watson

Treasurer & Original Founding Principal, Hunger Aid

Robert Watson is a veteran music-industry executive, artist manager, and founder of Hindsight Management LLC whose career has spanned major-label promotion, A&R, artist development, management, and entertainment relationships. His professional journey includes work with Columbia Records — where in 1992 he was appointed to a West Coast position in Black Music promotion — and Motown, along with relationships with major recording artists and executives including Mariah Carey, LMFAO, Peabo Bryson, Regina Belle, and Onyx. He managed Bonnie Pointer, with Hindsight Management identified as her management in connection with the 2011 album Like A Picasso. Robert met Joseph Bourgeois in October 2012 at Universal Music Group in North Hollywood during a record-deal signing. The meeting also involved Southside Johnny and other music executives. In 2020, Robert became Treasurer and one of the four original founding principals of Hunger Aid. Using a lifetime of relationships to help create opportunities for others.

Shannon Mendoza

Chairman of the Board, Hunger Aid

Shannon Mendoza serves as Chairman of the Board of Hunger Aid and is a drummer, musician, martial artist, entertainment professional, and entrepreneur. His professional history includes music, martial arts, entertainment, and personal security — including serving as personal bodyguard to the late actor Tom Sizemore, as supplied. He holds two black belts in Tae Kwon Do and Okinawan Tae. His relationship with Hunger Aid Founder Joseph Bourgeois began before Hunger Aid itself existed. Joseph met Shannon in 2012 through a mutual friend and recording artist while traveling between Miami, Oklahoma, and Los Angeles. Shannon remained connected to Joseph and followed the development of his work and ideas as they eventually evolved into Hunger Aid. Over time, Shannon became a major influential figure in the Hunger Aid movement and ultimately assumed the role of Chairman of the Board. Shannon is also developing Saraphim, a recording-studio and health-spa resort project in Tennessee, currently in planning and development. His connection to Hunger Aid includes Music Industry Mastery and Entertainment Against Hunger.

John "Southside Johnny" Ficarelli

Northwest Regional Director, Hunger Aid

John "Southside Johnny" Ficarelli is a veteran concert promoter, musician, and entertainment professional. His history includes the Fillmore West era and learning the concert business around Bill Graham. He worked as a concert promoter in the Pacific Northwest, including Washington and Idaho, and was involved with the Roar in Coeur festival. He is also a musician and harmonica player whose bands have included the James Butler Band, Leslie Byrd Band, and Septimus. Diagnosed with cancer in 2003, he retired, and later returned to music after encouragement from Joseph Bourgeois. He met Joseph in Seattle in summer 2006 while Joseph was working as a crew member for The Iron Maidens. John became an inspirational mentor and longtime friend to Joseph and a professional partner. He provided promoter licensing support for the first Hunger Aid event. The original Hunger Aid banner contained his name and was later presented to him in Seattle as appreciation for his contribution to the beginning of Hunger Aid in 2014. John is the Northwest Regional Director for Hunger Aid and has an Entertainment Against Hunger connection.

Willie Fields

Northeast Regional Director, Hunger Aid

Willie Fields was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. He attended Coppin State University and played baseball during 1985–1986 as an outfielder/catcher. His athletic accomplishments include: 1985 Honorable Mention All-American, 1985 Team MVP, 1986 MEAC All-Tournament Team, 1985–86 Tri-Captain, and induction into the Coppin State Athletics Hall of Fame in the 2015 class. Willie served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 18 years, from 1986–2004, reaching the rank of Captain and receiving an honorable discharge. In music, Willie is a self-taught singer, songwriter, composer, pianist, keyboard player, and vocalist across genres including jazz, pop, rock, dance, R&B, blues, country, new age, and Latin. He established Tay Music in 2000. His performance history includes the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival, Lexington Market, Cotton Club in Cannes, Copenhagen, NAMM Anaheim, and other venues and events. His recordings include Heart of Stone, Paradise Island, By the Cross Road, Calming the Strong Emotions, and Gabrielle's Choice. He served as NSAI Baltimore chapter coordinator. Willie was introduced to Hunger Aid in 2021 by the late Sadie Levens and has served as Northeast Regional Director since.

Curtis Daftari

Midwest Regional Director, Hunger Aid

Curtis Daftari is a veteran live-sound engineer and music-industry professional from Northeast Oklahoma, based in Grove, Oklahoma. His sound-engineering work includes major stages and events such as SXSW, Rocklahoma, Lollapalooza, and Farm Aid. He served as House Production Manager and Sound Engineer at Buffalo Run Casino & Resort in Miami, Oklahoma. Curtis was present at Buffalo Run on the night of the first Hunger Aid event and was one of the people closest to Joseph Bourgeois at the beginning of Hunger Aid. He is identified as Hunger Aid's first member and supporter, and as a designated primary sound engineer for major Hunger Aid events. He serves as Midwest Regional Director and has an Entertainment Against Hunger connection. Decades of live-production experience.