Dr. Denice Evans-Sheppard currently serves as the Executive Director for the Oyster Bay Historical Society, a 501 C3 Not for Profit organization. As an administrator since 2017, she has utilized her expertise in educational leadership to consult with local school districts, libraries and museums for not only advocating for local history to be part of the curriculum but also highlighting the integral role people of color have played in the development of Long Island’s overall history. She offers local artists opportunities to exhibit their work while providing programs, events and activities that demonstrates the Town of Oyster Bay’s historical presence on the North and Shores of Long Island.

Dr. Sheppard’s resilience and tenacity of being the family historian had garnered the Carll family of Oyster Bay a New York Emmy Award in 2022. This highly achieved honor recognized Denice’s work as a family historian and research contributor for the David Carll story, promoted through the WABC Channel 7 Network.

Dr. Sheppard has also self-published a personal memoir, “A Constant Struggle Within”, 2011, and co-authored “Footsteps of A Forgotten Soldier, 2014”. She was also included in a series of collective work with a compilation of female authors through Darlene Williams’ brand, The Higher Learning Method group with a chapter of “What Would I Tell My Younger Self?”

After serving 30 years and retiring in 2017 as an administrator through the Nassau County Department of Probation and Juvenile Detention for incarcerated youth, Dr. Sheppard became the founder and C.E.O of Whispering Spirit Cultural Tours in 2023. These historical and cultural tourism experiences highlight the historical significance and early contributions of People of Color throughout Long Island.

Lastly, in 2024, Dr. Sheppard established the Carll Hill Foundation a not-for-profit organization honoring the Carll family’s legacy and their mission which is to bridge education, culture and protect African American history, one community at a time.

Dr. Denice Evans-Sheppard currently holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership for Diverse Learning Communities from Molloy University in 2023. She also has her Masters of Science and Bachelor’s of Art degrees in Criminal Justice from L.I.U, C.W Post University, 1989, 1999; and Associates in Science Degree in Early Childhood, from State University of New York at Farmingdale in 1986.