Alzheimer's Association African American Conference

Alzheimer’s Association Release The Silence: Navigating the Caregiving Journey | May 3, 2025 | Chicago, Illinois

Overview

The Release the Silence conference is designed to help our community navigate the Alzheimer's and dementia journey. It is geared towards caregivers, future caregivers, and healthcare professionals who are looking for resources and support in the Black and African American community. During the conference, attendees will get to hear firsthand from experienced caregivers, learn about resources available to help with caring for a loved one, and have the opportunity to make connections with others for support.

This event will be held from 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. with doors opening at 8:30am and will feature a variety of speakers addressing many caregiver concerns. This event is free to attend and will include a continental breakfast and light lunch fair.

This event was developed in partnership with: New Life Covenant Southeast, Chi Eta Phi, Alpha Eta Chapter, the Scottish Rite Prince Hall Masons, and our conference Planning Committee made up of local leaders, pastors, and caregivers.

Join us in Releasing The Silence as we fight Alzheimer's and dementia together.

Parking

Parking is available on-site at the Greenwood Oasis and is free of charge. There are multiple parking lots available at the venue which can accommodate 458 cars so plenty of nearby parking will be available on the day of the event. Traffic directors will be present on the day of the event to help guests navigate parking.

committee

Planning Committee

Carol Shaw-Burns, Ph.D.

Carol is the Corporate Director of Resident Services at Vi Living which is a continuing care retirement organization that serves ten locations throughout the United States. She oversees resident health, safety, and well-being initiatives within the continuum of care which includes independent living, assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing. Carol received her Doctorate in Human Services Administration from Walden University. She is a licensed nursing home administrator and certified as a dementia care practitioner through the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners. Carol is also a board member for the Alzheimer’s Association - Illinois Chapter. In addition, she is the Chair of the Illinois Women Conquer Alzheimer’s and has been on the Release the Silence: African American Conference steering committee since its inception.

Ray Willis

Ray Willis is a graduate of Kansas State University (Master’s Degree in Regional and Community Planning) and retired as the Director of Community Planning and Development for the Chicago Office of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Ray had responsibility and oversight for one of the Department’s largest portfolios of community development programs, administering an annual budget in excess of $1 Billion, with a staff of 20+ professionals that included Accounts, Urban Planners and Social Workers.Prior to joining HUD, Ray worked for state government in Ohio, the Housing Authority of Kansas City, Kansas, and served as Assistant Professor of Regional and Community Planning at Kansas State University.

Additionally, Ray has served as a Director on several nonprofit Boards in Chicago,

including Blue Gargoyle Community Services, Hyde Park Neighborhood Club,

Community Renewal Society, and, most recently selected to serve on the Board of the

Illinois Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. In addition, Ray established the “Ray

Scholarship Fund” five years ago in the College of Architecture, Planning and Design,

Kansas State University, for African American, Native American and Hispanic students

pursuing a Master’s Degree in Regional and Community Planning. To date, seven

students have benefited from the Scholarship Fund. Ray is a 33 rd Degree Mason and is currently active with the Grand Lodge of the State of Illinois, Prince Hall Affiliated. Ray has been a Member/Docent with the Chicago Architecture Center since 1993. Ray is also a Member of Toastmasters International and has attained the Distinguished Toastmaster Award (DTM) which is the highest award bestowed upon its Members. Ray is married to Marilyn Adderley of Bermuda and proud parents of a daughter and son.

Renee Kroplewski

Renée is a passionate licensed social worker who has always loved working with older adults and their families. She has spent her career addressing complex issues of older adults in various roles, be it creating online programming to being a Memory Care Director, even working with Chronic Care Management within a leading healthcare network. Currently, she is the Administrative Director for the SHARE network through the University of Chicago. Her work there helps promote healthy aging through resources and community education. She also sits on the Steering Committee for the Illinois Women Conquer Alzheimer’s board and is an active member of the advisory council for AgeGuide.

Darlene Humphrey, MS

Darlene Humphrey is the Senior Center Supervisor at The Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center, which is located on the far Southside of Chicago, IL, in the West Pullman Community. In her capacity, she provides a variety of services to the Kroc Center’s Older Adult members to keep them actively engaged in a variety of activities. She is an asset for her knowledge and awareness of programs, resources and services within the community.

Darlene views working for the Kroc Center as the Senior Center Supervisor as a blessing. It has afforded her the opportunity to make new friends and bring a diverse group of older members together in fellowship. Over the past 8 years she has worked closely with organizations within the community to help provide an array of activities, programs, and services to assist older members in changing their lifestyle, improving their health, and social and emotional well-being.

Darlene is an Administrative professional who has worked in both private and public sectors, with over 20 years of social service experience. The Salvation Army’s mission of spreading the love of Jesus Christ and meeting human needs without discrimination are an integral part of the Programs, Activities and Services that Darlene provides for Kroc older adult members.

Phyllis Timpo (Co-Chair)

Phyllis Timpo is a dedicated advocate with over 15 years of experience in fostering health equity within communities. Currently serving as the Director of Community Engagement at The Healthy Aging and Alzheimer’s Research Care (HAARC) Center at the University of Chicago, she spearheads initiatives to diversify research cohorts in National Institute of Aging funded programs and clinical trials. Phyllis specializes in cultivating partnerships between historically marginalized communities and academic research institutions, with the aim of mitigating health disparities among Black older adults. Her efforts concentrate on increasing awareness and research opportunities related to brain health, healthy aging, and Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias within minoritized populations. Her primary objective is to address social determinants of health through community engagement.

Pastor Sandy Gillespie

A wife, mother, grandmother, Pastor, administrator, teacher, published author, and entrepreneur, she understands the demands and pressures of the 21st Century woman. As an authoritative and motivating voice, Pastor Sandy’s passion is to challenge and inspire mankind to maximize their potential, and realize their God-appointed purpose and destiny.

Pastor Sandy functions in many capacities. She currently assists her husband of more than 48 years, Apostle Walter Gillespie, Jr., in Co-Pastoring Chosen Bethel Family Ministries. Her many other responsibilities include:

Overseer of the “Heart to Heart” Women’s Ministry, a fellowship designed to provide an environment for women to share and promote spiritual and personal enrichment;
Executive Director of the Bread of Life Food Pantry, an award winning, flourishing Food Pantry created to address hunger and food insecurity in the Englewood community;
Assistant Executive Director of the Center of Higher Development, a non-profit organization that provides Computer Training and Literacy, Workforce Development, After School programming, and other supportive services via technology to provide digital opportunities in underserved communities for adults and youth.
Founder and Owner of “Sandy’s Sweets”, a boutique homemade peach cobbler business. She promises that her mouthwatering cobblers are so delicious they “will bless your soul”.

Pastor Sandy is a graduate of Chicago State University, holding a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. She is the recipient of numerous awards and accolades including the prestigious “Jesus Girls Rock Humanitarian Award”. She has been featured on the following;

Good Morning America
ABC Channel 7’s “Our Chicago – Black Voices of Change”
Chicago Sun Times
Greater Chicago Food Depository’s “Hunger Champion Policymaker Award”.
iHeart Media - Wvon radio
Chicago Defender

Her role as mother and grandmother yields incomparable joy. She is the mother of two children: Walter LaVonne and Qiana LaShonne, and the proud grandmother to Myles Isaiah and Madelyn Jackson.

Pastor Sandy is the embodiment of a true renaissance woman. Her passion is unequaled, her faith is unparalleled, her strength is unlimited, and her determination is unwavering. Pastor Sandy is unique and distinctive, and her enthusiasm for God will inspire, motivate, and encourage you.

Darby J. Morhardt, Ph.D, LCSW

Darby Morhardt, PhD, LCSW is Research Professor, Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease and Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Dr. Morhardt directs the Mesulam Center’s Outreach, Recruitment and Engagement Core, Psychosocial Initiatives, and the Miller Post-Graduate Social Work Fellowship in Neurocognitive Disorders. Areas of research include the experience of individuals and families living with dementia; the process of tailoring care to specific needs and symptoms; and the development and evaluation of psychosocial interventions. Dr. Morhardt has a long history of community engaged research to address inequities in dementia education, awareness, and research participation throughout Chicago especially with underrepresented groups. Appointed to the State of Illinois Alzheimer’s Disease Advisory Committee since 2000 she contributes to the Illinois Alzheimer’s Disease State Plan and was a founding leader of the Illinois Cognitive Resources Network (Ilbrainhealth.org). Dr. Morhardt also serves on the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Elder Law, tasked to more effectively address the needs and legal issues of older adults.

Connie Daniels

Constance M. Daniels is the Assistant Middlewest Region Director for the Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Incorporation in Alpha Eta Chapter in Chicago. Have been a member of Chi Eta Phi since 1994, taking on educating our communities focusing on various health disparities. Have been a Professional Registered Nurse for over fifty years holding a Master of Science in Human Services Administration, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Retired from Veterans Affairs with twenty-six years of service in various positions such as Care Management, Utilization Review Management, Coordinator for the Homeless Support Program, Intensive Psychiatric Community Care, Acute Inpatient Nurse Manager, and Detoxification Unit. Have conducted educational classes on mental health, medication, family therapy and support groups. She retired from 801st Combat Support Hospital with twenty two years as Captain in Army Nurses Corps.

Phyllis L. Rodgers

Phyllis L. Rodgers is founder and CEO of Peer Plus Education And Training Advocates. Peer Plus is a state registered 501 (3(C) . Since its commencement in 2002 Peer Plus has reached, and provided more than 4500 participants thru health awareness, seminars hosted by medical providers and other clinical staff, health fairs, screenings and educational programs.

Ms. Rodgers' long and demonstrated history as community and patient advocate laid the foundation for Peer Plus. In 2016 she became an Ambassador with the Washington-based Patient Centered Research Outcomes Institute (PCORI) and in 2017 became a member of the Patient Brigade with the University of Illinois' Cancer Center. In early 2019 Ms. Rodgers and her agency, in collaboration with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration in a forum on “Conversations about Facts, Figures, and Cultural Diversity in Oncology”, which focused on the urgent need for people of all colors to be involved in clinical trials. In order to further and update skills to serve communities disproportionately impacted by the virus, Ms. Rodgers has also taken and successfully completed the ASTHO training for Contact Tracing for COVID-19. Peer Plus team of Ambassodors has diverse experience in health care with more than thirty years of service.

Peer Plus currently has partnerships with Janssen, Johnson & Johnson, Cologuard EXACT Science. The University of Chicago, The University of Illinois and several community based clinics and faith based institutions.

Tim Woods (Co-Chair)

Timothy (Tim) Woods was born and raised on the south side of Chicago. He’s a graduate of Tennessee State University with a dual degree in Economics and Finance. Tim is a husband and father of twin 9 year old sons. He’s employed with Oracle Corporation as a Consulting Practice Manager, Leading direct reports in 8 regions, as well as and embedded consultant for Cook County Health. Tim’s a member of the CommunityRx-Caregiver and sits on the SHARE Community Advisory Board. He’s the Treasurer of the Tennessee State University, Chicago Alumni Chapter, which focus on raising scholarships and mentoring students in the Chicagoland area. He’s also an entrepreneur of Nexttier Collision and Design, Inc. located in the Austin neighborhood. Tim’s greatest accomplishment in his life was to be a caregiver of his father the Late Ernest A. Woods, SR.

Penny Hill

Penny (Tillman) Hill is a creative and passionate community relations strategist with 15+ years of experience in government, and marketing executive management.

Penny is currently the Director of Strategic Partnerships and Community Engagement for the Center for Better Aging. As Director of Strategic Partnerships and Community Engagement, Penny is a visionary leader responsible for building, nurturing, and sustaining meaningful relationships with key stakeholders, organizations, and communities. Her role focuses on developing strategic collaborations, advancing the organization’s mission, and driving impactful community engagement initiatives.

Penny was the Chief of Staff/Director of Administrative Operations at Complete Care Management Partners. As the Chief of Staff/DAO, Penny plans and directs all administrative operations and human resources activities for the organization. She is dedicated to improving the organizational and administrative efficiency within the organization.
Prior to joining Complete Care Management Partners, Penny worked as Senior Manager of Community Relations at NextLevel Health, a Medicaid health plan of Illinois. At NextLevel Health, Penny was responsible for all community outreach and partnership activities. Penny developed and implemented the organization’s overall community relations strategy. Previous to her time at NextLevel Health, Penny served as Chief of Staff for a member of the Illinois House of Representatives.

In addition to being a highly organized and detailed leader, her key strengths also include selecting and deploying broad communication and promotional tactics and producing memorable, premium-quality functions for intimate gatherings and/or large crowds. She is a tremendously skilled and focused event planner with a talent for special event management and quality customer service and trusted as a “go-to” event specialist by nonprofits, corporations, and government officials. Penny is naturally gifted at networking, collaboration, and overall community relations with the ability to build close knit teams and elicit loyalty and bridging class and culture.

Penny holds a Master of Public Administration from Roosevelt University with a concentration in non-profit management, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Management from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois. Penny is married to best friend Stephen and has two teenage children Artist and Harmony, and dog Lincoln. She enjoys crafting, reading, traveling and watching Investagation Discovery TV.

Alva Kennedy

Alva Kennedy is an insightful and results-driven professional with an extensive background of partnering with corporations and non-profits to develop and deliver programs that benefit the community. Through her work, Alva strives to bring new vision, resources and ideas that will help organizations flourish and push their mission forward. Through program development, event planning, and relationship building, her goal is to help community partners understand how their support makes a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Alva has a Master of Urban Planning and Policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Sociology from Illinois Wesleyan University. She is resides in Chicago with her husband, Aaron and son Aaron, Jr. Alva is also the proud daughter of Helen, who recently passed after a six year battle with Alzheimer’s.

Cheryl Williams

Cheryl Williams retired from State Farm after 35 years of service that included experience in Personal Lines Fire Underwriting, Fire Claims, Human Resources, Marketing and Multicultural Marketing. Cheryl worked as a substitute teacher in the Oak Park Illinois Elementary School District for over 3 years. She has also worked in a State Farm Agent office servicing and meeting customer needs. Most recently, she worked in the Health Careers area at Triton College. Cheryl has been a volunteer with the Alzheimer’s Association for several years. She continues to be passionate about helping others and she works to educate and share resources with those who need them most.

Alzheimer's Association Illinois Chapter

2200 Cabot Dr., Suite 460

Lisle, IL 60532

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