Aisha C. Young is a native of Colorado Springs, CO. In 2002, she graduated from Bethune-Cookman University with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Gerontology. As an undergrad, she focused on elderly drivers in the state of Florida. In 2008, she obtained her Master’s of Arts degree in Aging Studies. While in graduate school she studied Relocation Stress Syndrome. That same year she started her own geriatric care management firm called Eunihc Gerontological Consulting Firm. Early 2009, she developed African Americans In Gerontology to network with other gerontologists and to guide students studying gerontology.

Dr. Janice Allen-Kelsey  is Associate Professor of Sociology at Bethune-Cookman University. She received her B.S. degree and M.S.degree in Nursing from the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida. Her Ph.D. in Sociology is from the University of Florida. Her major work is in the areas of Medical Sociology, Sociology of the Family, and Sociology of Aging in the Life Course. The focus of her work is on socio-cultural issues that affect the health of African Americans and their families. She conducts quantitative and qualitative research on African American family caregivers and has published her investigations. With the Mr. and Mrs. Herbert D. Mendel Pilot Research Grant awarded from the national Alzheimer’s Association, Dr. Allen-Kelsey conducted ethnographic research that examined the domestic cultures and psychosocial behaviors of family caregivers of Alzheimer’s victims in the African American Community in Dade County, Florida. In collaboration with the local Alzheimer’s Association and several businesses and agencies, she has conducted a community-wide conference on Alzheimer’s Disease in African American communities, its research and practices. Prior to joining Bethune-Cookman University, Dr. Allen-Kelsey taught at Florida International University in Miami, Florida and was adjunct faculty at the South East Florida Center on Aging. She serves on the board of directors for Community Partners for Children, the foster care agency for Volusia and Flagler counties, and she serves on the board of directors for the Volusia/Flagler Council on Aging.

Ms. Kate Lane is a senior instructor in the sociology department at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs.   She received her Associate of Arts degree from Pikes Peak Community College and her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in sociology from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs.  Katherine has community involvement through her work as a Dependency and Neglect Case Manager with El Paso County Fourth Judicial District, a Resource Advisor Supervisor with the Robert J. Montgomery Homeless Shelter Pikes Peak Chapter, American Red Cross, Safehouse Program Manager and Educator with TESSA and an Academic Advisor with UCCS.  She is currently the Gerontology Program Coordinator with UCCS.

Mr. Toby Miller   was born in Philadelphia, PA on February 7, 1968.  He and his mother “grew up” together . . . After moving several times for education and employment, Toby and his mother eventually “rested” and resided in Brookline, MA . . . A place he still considers “close to home.”  Mr. Miller attended Central State University where he majored in Political Science, minored in African American History, and graduated with honors.  

Mr. Miller has successfully used his negotiation and community organizing skills in the areas of improving race relations, convening disparate groups to manage conflict and guiding communities through divisive and explosive issues such as police/community relations to realize legislative consensus.  Mr. Miller has developed cultural competence and resource development products and managed state-wide training initiatives for human service agencies and other community based organizations.  Mr. Miller has consulted extensively in the areas of race relations and outcome-based accountability.

Toby is currently the Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for My Parent’s Concierge, a national coordinator of specialized quality of life services.  With over 70,000 clients under contract, Toby has found joy in meeting the needs of people and working side-by-side with the longest serving angel in his life . . . his mother Dr. Velvet G. Miller.  Toby served on the Board of the Forest Manor Multi-Service Center, is a Life Member of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc., and is the President of Blackburn Research Group, a research company based in Indianapolis, IN.

Dr. Velvet Miller  began her career as a professional nurse, practicing for a number of years in a variety of clinical and academic settings. Throughout her career she has often taken clinical positions to remain close to those she serves as well as to remain current in nursing practice.

The most recent endeavor has been serving as the owner, President and Chief Executive Officer for an elder care company, My Parent's Concierge. This company has been operating for the past 10 + years and continues to adapt to the changing elder care service industry.

Dr. Miller has also served in several senior state positions, including Deputy Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Human Services. In this role she was responsible for policy, program, and fiscal oversight of the state's Medicaid, welfare, child support, children's health and disability services. She was responsible for over one thousand employees and a budget exceeding $5 Billion, serving over one million New Jersey residents. Other state positions include appointments in New York, Massachusetts, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Ms. Miller has consulted, collaborated with and worked within large health care organizations, foundations, federal human service agencies, and academic institutions. She has also published, taught, and spoken on a variety of topics including equitable access to health care and conflict management.

Velvet was awarded a Pew Fellowship for doctoral studies in health policy and received her PhD from Boston University. Other earned degrees are from Wagner College School of Nursing, Temple University School of Education, and Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government. Advanced training in conflict management and resolution was completed at Boston University.

Dr. Miller is currently working as a school nurse for Pike High School, Indianapolis Indiana.

 
 
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