Council of Elders

Wisdom, guidance, and accountability at the heart of AROPI.

The Council of Elders are a select set of elders (55+) identified and trained from the Community of Elders to serve as the guardians of the African American Community (The Village), guiding it to reach the optimal level of functioning, wellness, and being through the life cycle.

Charmaine Thurman
Dadisi John Fuller
Dr. Francis Dorsey
Ida Delores Drone
Earl Holmes
Fred Slack
Gwendolyn Petway
Isi Okoh
Joyce M. Jones
Jerry Williams
Nana Kwaw Mensah
Nathan Oliver
Roger Cobbs
Sondra Bryant
Theodore Thompson
Terrence Shelton
Victor Daniel
Beverly Woolridge

Nation Builders

The Nation Builders are a group of individuals (21–54) committed to the work of unity, nation building, uplift, and humanity of all people, but particularly those of African ancestry: individual, family, community, nation, and race, in the Akron community.

The Nation Builders facilitators and trainers, through the guidance and support of the Elders, are responsible for the implementation of the theoretical processes, frameworks, and African-centered conceptual systems which are effective in practice for African Americans. These individuals will have submitted to a process of membership that reinforces their cultural group.

AROPI Nation Builders facilitators and trainers

Nation Builders Facilitators & Trainers

[Kwame] Dr. Lathardus Goggins, II
[Kwabena] Jerome Moss
[Adwoa] Nicole Davenport