AME Zion Cultural Ambassadors

Pastor, St. Stephens AME Zion Church and Cultural Ambassador to the Yale Clinical Research program

Rev Dr. Perry is a co-founder, along with Yale leader, Tesheia Johnson, and community leaders of the AME Zion Church and Junta for Progressive Action, of the Yale Cultural Ambassadors program, launched more than ten years ago with a mission to catalyze the sustainable advancement of patient diversity, equity, and inclusion in clinical research

The Reverend Dr. Leroy O. Perry is the Pastor of St. Stephens AME Zion Church. He earned his BA from Livingstone College, his MDiv from Yale Divinity, STM and doctoral degree from New York Theological Seminary in New York City.

He served on Mayor O'Leary's commission for diversity study for the City of Waterbury, and as chairman of the Clergy Support committee for Waterbury Opportunities Industrialization Center, where he worked to foster Black economic development in the area. Presently he servers as the director of the Fatherhood Program at New Opportunities in Waterbury, CT.

Although he was aware of health care disparities before becoming a Cultural Ambassador, he was not aware of the clinical research conducted at Yale. Like many African Americans of his generation, there was a historical stigma dating back to the Tuskegee Study that stymied his interest in clinical research.

He was pleased to discover that YCCI wanted to establish a partnership with the community that is built on an informed and clear definition of policies, procedures, and practices regarding clinical research. He is now an ambassador for YCCI and serves as an advocate within the African American community in particular and the larger minority communities in general. He feels the partnership with Yale is a valuable learning exchange and a necessary adhesive needed to bridge an effective community relationship for the advancement of clinical research.

Pastor, Walters Memorial AME Zion Church and Cultural Ambassador to the Yale Clinical Research program

Rev Clayton is a co-founder, along with Yale leader, Tesheia Johnson, and community leaders of the AME Zion Church and Junta for Progressive Action, of the Yale Cultural Ambassadors program, launched more than ten years ago with a mission to catalyze the sustainable advancement of patient diversity, equity, and inclusion in clinical research.

Reverend Clayton is a native of Waterbury Connecticut, where he attended the local schools and graduated from W. F. Kaynor Regional Technical Vocational School. Reverend Clayton worked in the automotive refinishing business for 25 years. He began his pastoral vocation in 1983, after years of a passionate pursuit of music that included playing in church. He matriculated at Slidell and Hartford Seminaries and completed his Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) at Hartford Hospital. He was the Pastor of Redeemers Church in Plainville for 18 years and is now the Pastor of Walters Memorial Church, Bridgeport, CT.

Reverend Clayton became a Cultural Ambassador so that he could help raise awareness of the importance of clinical trials for his community. The program has taught him the importance of diversity among clinical trial participants to include people of different ethnic backgrounds, as well as women and children. He said that YCCI brochures and pamphlets on clinical research have been helpful in generating discussions about different diseases and have led to talk about cancer, diabetes, and research in general. “The program has helped to dispel the myths that clinical research means being a guinea pig,” he said. “It is also helping to inform my community that everyone needs to participate in research.”

Pastor, Varick Memorial AME Zion Church and Cultural Ambassador to the Yale Clinical Research program

In September 2016, Pastor Steele was appointed by Bishop Dennis V. Proctor to Varick Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church, New Haven, CT as the 43rd Pastor. Varick is the Second Oldest Church in the A.M.E. Zion Denomination with a membership of over 3,000 and is the Mother Church of the New England Annual Conference. Pastor Steele is a native of Rock Hill, SC and began his college education at York Technical College. He graduated from Belmont Abby, in Belmont, NC with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Religion & Psychology. Pastor Steele was awarded a Certificate from Emory University for completing the course From Freedom Rides to Ferguson: Narratives of Nonviolence in the American Civil Rights Movement. He studied an array of theological courses at Shaw University Divinity School and is currently acquiring his Masters of Divinity at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio.

Pastor Steele has a worldwide presence and provides leadership in World Methodist Evangelism by serving as an assistant to the Director of World Methodist Evangelism. Pastor Steele is married to Natasha Ford Steele and uses as his theme: “Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can.” ― John Wesley

Presiding Elder of the Hartford District and Cultural Ambassador to the Yale Clinical Research program

Reverend Harvill is a native of Birmingham Alabama, earning his BA from Alabama A&M University, his MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and MDiv from Yale University. He serves in the Northeastern Episcopal District and New England Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. Along with being president and founder of H.O.P.E. Inc. (Home Ownership Providing Empowerment) and the chair of the City of Middletown Jones Fund, he is a key organizer of the Ministerial Alliance of Middletown, a coalition of dedicated pastors serving the community. His concern for education propelled him to organize and develop a successful Back-To-School Community Day, providing school supplies and accessories to over 500 children in the Middletown community.

Reverend Harvill has a focused leadership and love for people which trickles down to his congregation and throughout the community through his many deeds of service. He is credited as a Humanitarian recipient of numerous service accommodations and awards.

Pastor, Cross Street AME Zion Church and Cultural Ambassador to the Yale Clinical Research program

Reverend Anderson is the Director for the Ministers Health Fellowship Advocacy Coalition and the Program Director for the Multidimensional Family Therapy, Training, Consultation and Quality Assurance Program for Advanced Behavioral Health in the State of Connecticut. She holds an Associates Degree in Information Systems, a BA in Computer Science and Counseling, and a MA in Counseling and is currently pursuing her Master of Divinity with a concentration in Urban Ministry at the Boston Campus of Gordon Conwell Theological Institute.

Robyn Anderson has over thirty-five years of experience in the Human Services field and over thirty years experience working with adults and adolescents with co-occurring disorders. As an agent of change in the field of human services, Robyn is a strong advocate for HIV/STD education and treatment through cultural competence and innovative, trauma-sensitive, gender-specific, family-driven services for residents throughout the diaspora. She continues to provide Clinical Consultation to state programs, community based substance abuse treatment programs and the faith based community in the Hartford and Washington, DC area.

Pastor, Mount Olive AME Zion Church and Cultural Ambassador to the Yale Clinical Research program

Reverend Kelsey M. Hopson is a native of Earlington, KY. He received a BA in Business Administration with Management Specialization from Kentucky State University and was conferred the Master of Divinity Degree with Specialization in Wesleyan Studies from St. Paul School of Theology in Leawood, Kansas.

Reverend Hopson served as pastor in Kentucky for 8 years and Kansas City, MO for 7 ½ years before being appointed to the historic Mt. Olive A.M.E. Zion Church (the oldest black institution in Waterbury) in Waterbury, CT in 2018 where he currently serves. Pastor Hopson also serves as the CEO of the Mt. Olive A.M.E. Zion Senior Citizens Center Inc.

Reverend Hopson became a Cultural Ambassador in order to learn more about clinical research and to be part of an institution and mission that strives to make a qualitative difference in people’s lives. "Since becoming a Cultural Ambassador, I’ve been amazed by the quality and practicality of the information provided through the training and presentations alone. I believe communities need access to reliable and practical information that empowers people to take up agency for their health and the wellbeing of others. Partnering with the Yale Clinical Research Program provides invaluable opportunities for me to better serve the Senior Center, congregants, community and beyond."― Reverend Hopson

Presiding Elder of South Korea District, Senior Pastor, Shaw Temple AME Zion Church, Smyrna, GA and Cultural Ambassador to the Yale Clinical Research

After graduating high school, Reverend Morrison was appointed to Pastor of the Warner Temple AME Zion Church in Lancaster, SC. During this time he also went on to major in Religion and Philosophy at Livingstone College in Salisbury, NC. Pastor Morrison has served five congregations in the itinerate ministry of the Methodist Church. He has served as Pastor of the Pleasant Hill AME Zion Church in Heath Springs, SC, Metropolitan AME Zion Church in Chester, South Carolina, and the Liberty Hill AME Zion Church in Lake Wylie, SC where during his pastorate the church grew to be Zion’s largest congregation in the state. In 2007 he was appointed to Varick Memorial Church.

In 2009, while pastoring in New Haven, and recognizing the need for more high quality education options in the community, Pastor Morrison established, and remains a board member of the Booker T. Washington Academy, a pre-k through 8th grade charter school serving the growing number of children of Dixwell, Newhallville, and the larger New Haven community. The academy opened its doors in September 2014.

Reverend Morrison is currently a Pastor at Shaw Temple in Smyrna, GA, and chair of Shaw Temple Academy, a daycare and preschool. He continues his work with integrating church education and community development, and is a Cultural Ambassador to the Yale Clinical Research program in New Haven.

Reverend Morrison became a Cultural Ambassador because he saw the disconnect between healthcare services and knowledge about medications and current trials in the larger African American community. During his tenure as a Cultural Ambassador, he has learned about the benefits of clinical research and the protections in place for volunteers. Most importantly, he is now aware of the importance of minority participation in clinical trials in order to understand the effectiveness of treatments in these populations. He represents the spirit of YCCI—“the connection between the community and the wealth of knowledge, the programs, and the opportunities at Yale.”

Presiding Elder of the Rochester-Syracuse District Senior Pastor, Memorial AME Zion Church, Rochester, NY and Cultural Ambassador to the Yale Clinical Research program

Reverend Derrill Antonio Blue received his undergraduate education in business management from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in Greensboro, North Carolina and in organization leadership from the University of Memphis. He received his Master of Divinity from Saint Paul School of Theology in Oklahoma City, OK.

Reverend Blue began his pastoral vocation at the age of 23. He has served AME Zion congregations in Erwin, North Carolina; Batesville, Mississippi; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and Sharon, Mississippi. In June 2014, Reverend Blue was appointed pastor of the Mt. Olive AME Zion Church in Waterbury, Connecticut. On December 17, 2017, Reverend Blue was appointed pastor of the Memorial AME Zion Church in Rochester, New York. He was appointed the Presiding Elder of the Rochester-Syracuse District on July 15, 2018.

Reverend Blue has experience working in the banking industry, university assessment and accreditation. He is an adjunct professor at Mid-America Christian University in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

He became a Cultural Ambassador because he wanted to be part of an organization that has a mission to make a difference in the community through research. Since joining the program, he has learned firsthand about research that is taking place to assist the minority population with treatment, medicine, funding, and service. He notes that many of the researchers he has met have expressed the desire to better treat and prescribe medicines that will work for the minority population. He feels the program has worked well for people in the community; some are active participants in the clinical trials that are taking place and it has brought awareness to the minority community that health is important and there are programs in place to aid them in taking care of their bodies and minds.

Pastor, St. Peter's Tabernacle AME Zion Church, Gastonia, NC and Cultural Ambassador to the Yale Clinical Research program

The Reverend Wilbert L.O. Davis is the pastor of the St. Peter’s Tabernacle AME Zion Church. He is a graduate of Livingstone College where he earned a Bachelor of Theology and received the Master of Divinity degree from Hood Theological Seminary in Salisbury, NC.

Reverend Davis has served congregations in North Carolina, South Carolina, New York, and New Jersey. He has worked with many community organizations at each of his pastorate that improved the quality of life of people in the communities. He also shares in his Bible studies classes’ healthy information both modern and home remedies that are beneficial to the health of his congregation and community.

Reverend Davis became a part of the team of Cultural Ambassadors to help bring the awareness and importance of clinical trials in the minority communities that will bring better information and health care for everyone. Without this participation, a vital component of overall health care for everyone will be nonexistent.

Associate Minister, Little Rock AME Zion Church, Charlotte, NC and Cultural Ambassador to the Yale Clinical Research program

Member, St. Stephens AME Zion Church and Cultural Ambassador to the Yale Clinical Research program

Ray Anderson, a retired AT&T manager, became an YCCI Cultural Ambassador In 2018. Born in West Virginia, Ray graduated from Stratford High School, received a BA in Psychology from Southern Connecticut State College, and holds master degrees in both Communications from Fairfield University and Business Administration from Sacred Heart University. His career began as a teacher’s aide at Lee High School in New Haven then as an inaugural staff member of Infoline of SW CT, now the statewide United Way 2-1-1 service offering 24X7 information and referral to a full range of social services. Ray saw the need for and developed comprehensive statistical reports that focused the United Way’s understanding of the human services delivery needs of SW CT residents. He was active on various Boards of Directors and taught a class at Housatonic Community College.

After completing an intern training program at Pitney Bowes, Ray became a computer programmer and then the MIS Manager at Stratmar Fulfillment. Information technology jobs enabled Ray to acquire coding, management and analytical skills while gaining extensive experience applying them to solve business problems. Ray then joined AT&T holding a range of positions in sales support and operations management. Over his 31 year career, Ray assumed increasingly greater responsibilities being on a team that managed a $1.5B sales region. He had broad executive-level exposure and worked on key projects with members of the Bell Labs technical staff. Ray also received wide-ranging business, technical, management, sales, and operational training, won numerous performance awards and attended many regional and national recognition events.

When he isn’t filling his knowledge gaps in the social sciences, business, music, philosophy, and cosmology, he spends his time traveling, enjoying the arts and movies, exploring digital photography and pop culture, and being challenged constantly by Sudoku and the game of golf.

Member, Varick Memorial AME Zion Church and Cultural Ambassador to the Yale Clinical Research program

Joyce Patton is a member of Varick Memorial AME Zion Church in New Haven, CT. She is a graduate of Livingstone College, Salisbury, NC, where she received a BA in elementary education and has completed further studies at Winthrop College and Southern CT State University. She is a retired educator from the New Haven Public School System. She serves as the secretary of the Bureau of Overseas Supplies, which provides supplies to disaster-stricken areas and to the homeless, victims of domestic violence, children of prisoners, and people living with HIV and AIDS. She is a member of the Heritage Chorale as well as the Varick Voices of Victory.

Through her work as a Cultural Ambassador, Ms. Patton has learned about treatment for addiction, heart disease, and cancer and has become aware of how people in underserved communities do not trust clinical trials. Through her work in the church, she has offered support and encouragement to those she comes in contact with to be open to trials that may be helpful to them and their families.

Member and Missionary, Varick Memorial AME Zion Church and Cultural Ambassador to the Yale Clinical Research program

Lillian Reason is a graduate of Livingstone College, Salisbury, NC. She earned a Masters of Arts in teaching as well as a 6th year certificate in supervision and administration from Sacred Heart University in Bridgeport, CT. Ms. Reason is a retired New Haven teacher and literacy coach and continues to tutor first graders in reading. She is a member of Varick Memorial AME Zion Church, where she serves as a missionary. She is a receptionist at the food pantry on a monthly basis and has held several leadership roles in the church over the past 20 years. She has also worked in Christian education planning and holiday programs, as well planning and presenting workshops.

Ms. Reason serves as the president of the Hartford District Women’s Home and Overseas Missionary Society, a group to which Yale faculty members have made presentations, in addition to other local groups. She became a Cultural Ambassador because she wanted to inform the women she serves so that they in turn can help improve the health of their community. Her work with YCCI has helped her gain a better understanding of why people are reluctant to participate in clinical research. She is helping to address this issue by exposing people from across the state to research findings so that they can make informed decisions.

Member, Mt. Olive AME Zion Church and Cultural Ambassador to the Yale Clinical Research program

Irene Saunders is a native of Waterbury, CT. She attended Waterbury public schools. Irene became a RN after graduating with a nursing degree from St. Mary’s School of Nursing in 1984. She has taken her nursing career beyond the walls of the hospital and out into her community.

Ms. Saunders has been a Cultural Ambassador with the Clinical Research Program at Yale since 2011. She has dedicated herself to this work since being on the front lines of nursing in an inner city hospital made her painfully aware of the disparities in healthcare. She views the program as a way to bridge some of the gaps in healthcare. Working with Yale has increased her awareness of many healthcare issues and made her cognizant of the vast opportunities that Yale offers to her community.

Irene is an active member of Mt. Olive A.M.E. Zion church, where she serves as the President of the Stewardess Board, Vice President of the Scholarship Committee, also as a Deaconess, Trustee and Usher.

She has established a rapport with the elderly that attend the Mt. Olive AME Zion church Senior Center and they look forward to her visits, where she provides blood pressure screenings and information for healthy living. Irene has recently retired from her 35-year nursing career at St. Mary’s Hospital and has decided to move into community health care work which is her passion.

For several years, she has been a teacher and parent volunteer for the Granville Academy of Waterbury, an after school program that encourages Black and Brown students to take an interest in STEM careers. She has also been of assistance in community health fairs as a firm believer in the wellness of all people in all walks of life.

Irene believes whole heartedly in the words of Maya Angelou: “I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back.” Irene will continue to work as a Cultural Ambassador to ensure wellness in her community.

Member, Mt. Olive AME Zion Church and Young Cultural Ambassador to the Yale Clinical Research program

Jolly Black is a graduate of St. Augustine’s University where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration & Management. He’s currently employed by New Opportunities Inc., where he serves as an Employment Specialist. In this role, Mr. Black helps adults and students transition into the working world by assisting them with finding employment, supporting them as they prepare for interviews, evaluating their work abilities and building a case report that details how they can ensure future success.

Mr. Black has a strong passion for health & prosperity which began at the age of eleven when he became a gymnast. His love of gymnastics led him to dream of one day becoming the owner of his own fitness center where he could inspire others to strive for the same wellness goals. During his downtime, he enjoys reading African history books, watching football like most Americans and cycling. Mr. Black has a renewed interest in playing chess which has led him to teach the art of the game to his five-year-old niece Justine, who was intrigued watching him play.

Mr. Black spent many years volunteering his time to support positive youth development. He and his college football teammates served as mentors in Bugg Elementary school in Raleigh NC for 2 years. He also assisted coaches for the Waterbury Knights Youth football organization alongside his Sacred Heart High School teammates.

Member, Cross Street AME Zion Church and Young Cultural Ambassador to the Yale Clinical Research program

Harmony Jones Duncan was born in Philadelphia, PA and moved to Middletown, CT at the age of two. She is proud to be an alumna of the Middletown Public School District where she developed her love for business management. This love propelled her to take advanced high school courses in business. She received several grants and scholarships to New England College in Henniker, NH where she won 5th place in the annual business competition, Free Enterprise Marathon, in her senior year. Ms. Jones graduated Class of 2019, with her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management. She currently works for the Ministerial Health Fellowship as a Covid-19 Counselor serving Middlesex County in Connecticut.

Member, St. Stephens AME Zion Church and Young Cultural Ambassador to the Yale Clinical Research program

Megan A. Perry is a member of St. Stephens AME Zion Church in Branford CT. She graduated with a BA in English and a minor in Women and Gender Studies, she then earned her MA in Global Media and International Communications and is currently pursuing an Ed.D in Educational Leadership. Ms. Perry is also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She is currently a Regional Resource & Data Specialist at The WorkPlace.

Member, Blackwell Memorial AME Zion Church and Young Cultural Ambassador to the Yale Clinical Research program

Shai Turner was born and raised in Middletown, Connecticut. He attended Middletown High School where he developed his love for sports. It was through playing flag football with his friends that he was able to stay connected to his community while remaining active. Mr. Turner graduated from American International College with a B.S. in Public Health and currently works as a COVID-19 Crisis Counselor for the Ministerial Health Fellowship Advocacy Coalition for Middlesex county.