Western Wayne Cancer Action Council
Bernice Renee Bankhead
Cancer Survivor, resident of Inkster
Associate Degree
Vision is to involve more community efforts with patients to address cancer issues and obtain more information to help educate others.
Current Affiliations: Partner for Healthier Community
Denise Franklin
Wife of 36 years, mother of two daughters, grandmother of three grandchildren, retired from Ford Motor Company
Strong community advocate for undeserved families in and around Inkster
Vision is to empower others about cancer care and diagnosis through her strong advocacy skills. Her mom, nephew, dad and brother all had cancer so it is very close to her heart.
Current Affiliations: Co-owner of Pretty Yummy Bakery, Executive Board Member of Operation Refuge, Member of Christ Temple City of Refuge
Diane S. Brown
Mother is a three-time cancer survivor, lost four cousins to cancer. She is a wife, a mother of three and grandmother of three.
Maranatha School of Ministry—emphasis on community outreach & training
Voice student at Art Center Music School
Vision is to come up with solutions to help cancer patients, survivors and their families with a passion for cancer research.
Gaylotta Murray
Gennifer Williams
Proud mother of her 20-year old son studying Biology at Virginia Union University and 10 year old daughter in fourth grade
Southern University A&M College
Vision is to provide an extended amount of time with supports, follow-up and resources for residents of Inkster for the end goal of their research project to help the community in regards to cancer.
Current Affiliations: Operation Refuge, Camp Inspire STEAM, Inkster Task Force
Maria Jones
Mother of three sons with a medical background of 15+ years
Associate Degree in General Sciences
Vision to learn how cancer affects people in her community, how to better engage and communicate prevention to people in the community, treatment for various forms of cancer and overall knowledge of cancer affects.
Current Affiliations: Back at Home—Detroit-based community organization volunteer and organizer
Robert Johnson
Hospital CEO/COO throughout the U.S. in Brooklyn, Washington D.C., St. Louis, MO, Atlanta, Detroit, as well as extensive international travel and hospital commissioning consulting in Nigeria and Gabon.
B.S. Biology Tennessee State University, 1963
M.H.A. Hospital Administration University of Michigan School of Public Health, 1971
Current Affiliations:
Vice President of Hospital Systems, Princeton Healthcare Inc.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, RBJ Enterprises, LLC
Tristan Shalise Amos
Oldest of four children, mom is a breast and cervical cancer survivor, mother of two girls.
Southwestern High School Graduate, Detroit 2001
Associate Degree in Business, Baker College 2010
Certified Lactation Counselor, 2013
Vision is to gain more insight on cancer, what triggers it, and how to educate others and myself on how to survive it. Develop more support within and around the community. Hope for a cure one day and excited to give tremendous support for these efforts. Wants to be proactive to help protect loved ones from breast and cervical cancer and an advocate for breastfeeding to decrease risk of reproductive cancers.
Current Affiliations: Wayne County WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor
Velma Overman
Recently widowed after 40 years of marriage, mother of three, grandmother of two, she cared for her ailing spouse and travels on behalf of her community’s needs by presenting concerns at the State and National level. Retired from Ford Motor Company after 30 years, she is a sought after speaker, trusted minister and beloved friend preparing for her 5th foreign mission trip.
Vision is an extension of her long-time history of community activism and advocacy and her life’s mission is to fully engage on behalf of those whose voices are not often heard, motivated by the love of God.
Current Affiliations: Pastor of Outreach at Christ Temple City of Refuge in Inkster; Executive Director of Operation Refuge; Chair of Inkster Food Council; United Way Executive Food Council Member; Inkster Ministerial Alliance Board Member; Western Wayne Health Center Board; Oakwood Teen Health Center Advisory Board Member; Inkster Task Force Project Manager; Prevention of Substance Abuse and Misuse Work Group Chair; Inkster Police and Fire Pension Vice-Chair; Inkster Family Literacy Movement Executive Board Member