A Letter from the Board: Our Journey, Our Community
To Our Brothers, Sisters, Families and Friends,
We do not stand before you as detached observers of the diabetes epidemic. We stand with you, because we are you. The members of this Board carry the same stories you do.
We have felt the prick of the lancet in the quiet hours of the morning. We have sat in sterile waiting rooms feeling unheard by the system. We have held the hands of our elders as they faced the heavy complications of this disease. For us, diabetes isn’t a line item on a budget or a statistic in a medical journal. It is our lived reality. We understand the “why.” For the Black community, managing diabetes isn’t just about a prescription. It’s about navigating food deserts, overcoming historical mistrust in medicine, and balancing health with the beautiful, complex traditions of our culture.
We are committed to the “how.” Our commitment is personal and unwavering. We are here to ensure that:
-
Your voice is heard. We advocate for care that sees the person, not just the patient.
-
Access is universal. No member of our community should go without life-saving technology or medication because of their zip code or income.
-
Knowledge is power. We provide tools and education so that diabetes becomes a chapter in your life, not the whole story.
We are not just a Board of Directors; we are a board of survivors, caregivers, and advocates. Together, we are reclaiming our health and rewriting the future for generations to come.
In health and solidarity,
The Board of Directors
African American Diabetes Association
Donate Today!
Anthony Banks
Board Chair
Barbara King, M.Ed.
Vice Chair, Co-Founder and Founding Board Member
Leon Rock, M. Ed.
Co-Founder, Founding Board Member and CEO
Donna Taylor
Treasuer and Board Member
Angela Rock
Board Secretary, Co- Founder and Founding Board Member
Robin Hayes
Co-Founder and Founding Board Member
Christina Johnson, LPN
Board Member
Dr. Stephen B. Thomas
Board Advisor
Dr. Noel Brathwaite
Board Advisor
Our Board
A Collective Forged in Fire: The Power of Lived Experience
The strength of this Board lies in its authenticity. Every member carries the weight of a diagnosis, either within their own bodies or within the intimate circle of their families. This "lived experience" is the ultimate credential, transforming clinical data into human stories.
-
The Diabetic Perspective: Members living with diabetes understand the 24/7 mental load of glucose monitoring, the sting of systemic bias in healthcare, and the resilience required to thrive despite a chronic condition. They represent the "face of the possible," proving that diabetes does not define one’s destiny.
-
The Caregiver’s Heart: Those who have cared for parents, children, or spouses bring a unique brand of vigilance. They understand the exhaustion of the "second-hand" struggle—navigating insurance hurdles, managing nutritional needs for a household, and the emotional toll of protecting a loved one’s health.
Together, this blend of perspectives ensures that the Board’s strategies are never "top-down" but are instead rooted in the actual realities of the Black community.
NAME OF VOLUNTEER
Volunteer
NAME OF VOLUNTEER
Volunteer
NAME OF VOLUNTEER
Volunteer
NAME OF VOLUNTEER
Volunteer
NAME OF VOLUNTEER
Volunteer
NAME OF VOLUNTEER
Volunteer
YOUR PICTURE HERE
Volunteer
YOUR PICTURE HERE
Volunteer
YOUR PICTURE HERE
Volunteer
Our Volunteer Team
The Heartbeat of Our Mission
At the African American Diabetes Association (AADA), leadership isn’t just a title—it’s a lived reality.
Our team is comprised of a dedicated group of volunteers who don’t just understand the statistics of diabetes; they understand the daily rhythm of the disease. What sets our leaders apart is their unmatched authenticity. Every member of our leadership team is personally connected to the journey of diabetes, bringing a level of empathy and urgency that only comes from firsthand experience.