Roc Nation’s Shawn “Pecas” Costner joins Bronx Children’s Museum Board of Directors

Shawn "Pecas" Costner speaking at the Bronx Children's Museum's 3rd Annual Gala

Photo: Joseph Martin, Keyz2Life Media

Tuesday, June 11, 2019 – BRONX, NY: The Board of Directors of Bronx Children’s Museum announced today that it has appointed Shawn “Pecas” Costner, Vice President of Brand Development at Roc Nation, to its board of directors effective June 11, 2019. Mr. Costner is the former Vice President of Player Development for Roc Nation Sports (2014-2019), and former Executive Vice President of Def Jam (2004-2014). Raised in the Bronx, Mr. Costner now manages the careers of a growing list of superstar athletes and performing artists such as Saquon Barkley, Jay-Z, Meek Mill, CC Sabathia, Todd Gurley, Rihanna, DJ Khaled, Victor Cruz, and Skylar Diggins-Smith. “We are pleased to welcome Pecas as new independent director to the Museum’s board and value his deep relationships in the world of sports, the arts and the Bronx community,” said Executive Director Carla Precht. “Pecas joins the Board of Directors at an exciting time as we continue to develop our much sought-after outreach programming and expand into our brand new flagship facility in 2020.” Hope Harley, President of the Board of Directors, said “Shawn is such an admirable, grounded family man who clearly loves children and the Bronx. The addition of Shawn complements our board of directors’ skills and experiences, and we are confident he will provide valuable perspectives. We look forward to his contributions and insights.” “I’m honored to be joining the Board of Directors of Bronx Children’s Museum,” said Costner. “I have tremendous respect for Hope, Carla and the other board members, and I look forward to working with them.” Last month, Mr. Costner was honored at Bronx Children’s Museum’s 3rd Annual Gala which raised nearly $500,000. There he said, “It’s important for me to be a role model for other kids that grow up in the Bronx. I’d do anything to help the kids out. When someone gives you an opportunity in life, you have an obligation to return that opportunity to someone else. You’ve got to pay it forward.” Playwright, philanthropist and long-time board member Richard Abrons, remarked “The Bronx Children’s Museum has come a long way since its inception in 2005. The addition of Mr. Costner, who brings a fresh, young contingency of people and stars from the music and sports world to the museum, is a sign that the Museum has been successful in communicating the tremendous need for support of a cultural and educational children’s museum institution in the Bronx.” “This is a milestone for us,” said Board Member Paul Ramirez, co-owner of Mainland Media LLC, FromTheBronx.com, Taste of The Bronx and The Bronx Beer Hall. “The children of the Bronx - past, present, and future - can be confident that we are behind them 100%, and we care.” Even though its building has yet to open, on-going support from popular stars and Bronx luminaries like Kerry Washington, Sunny Hostin, Sonia Manzano, Rita Moreno, and Swizz Beatz signal that the Bronx Children’s Museum is a recognized institution and is here to stay. The Museum already serves more than 16,000 Bronx residents annually through innovative mobile programming in schools, community-based organizations, shelters, and libraries and at festivals and local parks throughout the Bronx. Once the new 9,200 sq. ft. facility is open near Yankee Stadium, the Museum expects to increase its exposure to Bronx residents and beyond to more than 75,000 children and families annually. “While there is still a tremendous amount of work to accomplish until our opening,” says Harley, “the addition of Mr. Costner to the Board is a great sign of momentum and progress.” Bronx Children’s Museum Board of Directors Hope Harley, President; Richard Abrons; Arlene G. Lewis Bascom, CPA; Amanda Collado; Kate Green; The Honorable Stanley Green; April D. Horton; Sunny Hostin; Joel S. Kassan; Fred Kaufman; Paul Lipson; Emily Menlo Marks; Lee Michel; Jeanne B. Mullgrav; Paul Ramirez; José A. Rodriguez, M.D.; Alannah Sheerin; Peter Sherman, MD, MPH; Lauren Stanich; Richard L. Stein; Damion G. Townsend; Ellie Meek Tweedy; Sapan Vyas, CFA; Valerie M. Washington, Ed.D.; Kathy Glick Weil. Ex-Officio: Honorable Rubén Díaz Jr