Angelia C. Walton, Executive Director, TEARS, Inc.
In 1996, Angelia founded Teens Empowerment Awareness with ResolutionS (TEARS) Inc., initially operating from the back seat of her Mitsubishi Eclipse, in 1996. Her commitment to educating youth on HIV/AIDS was evident when, during spring break, 15-20 students eagerly waited outside the C Club for the after-school program to begin.
This dedication highlights the profound impact TEARS has had on the community since its inception. What started as educational sessions in local churches and community centers soon evolved into a structured organization committed to empowering youth and addressing critical social issues that affected youth. TEARS has grown from a one-person initiative into 6 locations in Bullock, Macon and Russell counties featuring a freestanding gymnasium and shelter assistance for vulnerable youth.
Angelia, the visionary behind TEARS Inc., has been married for over 20 years to Danny, the love of her life. Together, they have raised an outstanding young man, Daniel Jr., who has recently started driving—watch out, Phenix City!
Captain Randy Pollard, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office
Captain Randy Pollard started his career with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office in 1996. During his tenure with MCSO, he has served in the Patrol Division, the Investigations Division, the Special Operations Bureau and as a member of the HIDTA Drug Task Force. Captain Pollard has been an active member of the Tactical Team since 1999 serving as the Assistant Team Leader, Team Leader, and the Tactical Commander. As the Commander of the Investigations Division, Captain Pollard is directly responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the division, which includes the General Investigations Bureau, the Special Operations Bureau, and the Crime Scene Bureau. Additionally, Captain Pollard is the Commander of the Tactical Team. Captain Pollard holds certifications as a Tactical Instructor through the Alabama Peace Officer’s Standards and Training Commission (APOSTC) as well as Leadership Certifications through the National Tactical Officer’s Association (NTOA). Captain Pollard is also a certified instructor for the Department of Homeland Security.
Dr. Sekeria Volece Bossie
Dr. Bossie received her Bachelors of Social Worker, Masters in Community Agency Counseling and Educational Specialist Degree in Community Agency Counseling from Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville Alabama. She received her PhD in Professional Counseling from Amridge University in Montgomery Alabama. She is a Licensed Bachelor Social Worker, a Licensed Professional Counselor, a Counseling Supervisor and a Nationally Certified Counselor. She is a certified Anger Management Specialist, Advanced Certified Autism Specialist and a Certified Therapist for Adolescents with Problematic Sexual Behavior. Dr. Bossie is active in the community, by serving on several boards and volunteering with nonprofit community service organizations. She is an Associate Professor at Alabama State University in the Department of Rehabilitation Studies and is the owner of Behavior Education Consultation and Training Services LLC (BECT Services LLC). She has extensive experience with youth, adults, and families with mental health difficulties, behavioral disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorder, intellectual limitations, and/or physical disabilities as well as those individuals coping with the stressors, substance addiction, adjustment challenges, quality of life concerns and transition of life issues.
Gilbert F. Darrington, CEO, Health Services, Inc.
Gilbert F. Darrington is a native of Montgomery, Alabama. He is a graduate of Robert E. Lee High School, and is married with two sons. Mr. Darrington holds a Master of Arts degree in Human Resources Development, Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Education, B.S.O.E. in Business Administration/ Healthcare Administration, A.A in General Studies and a LPN Certification. He is also a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated.
Gilbert Darrington retired from the United States Army after twenty years of service in the medical field. After retiring, he served as the Director of Human Resources at Jackson Hospital in Montgomery, Alabama for ten years. Mr. Darrington is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Health Services, Incorporated, a Federally Qualified Health Center, in Montgomery, Alabama. At HSI, he works with healthcare providers to officer a wide spectrum of health care services through eleven health centers, two wellness centers, four school-based health centers and two mobile health care units in a six county service area of Central Alabama. Click edit button to change this text.
Tony D. Christon-Walker, External Affairs Community Liaison, ViiV
Tony is an External Affairs Community Liaison at ViiV Healthcare and a long-time HIV survivor, and since beginning his work in HIV has always focused on stigma reduction in all its forms. Being very passionate about the plight of people living with HIV/AIDS, he feels that it is everyone’s responsibility to educate themselves and others as much as possible on HIV/AIDS in order to help prevent its spread and start erasing stigma. Fighting HIV is an intersectional fight. In order to eradicate the virus, we have to fight the following: poverty, educational disparities, homophobia, bigotry and racism. All of these play a part in the spread of the virus. Since beginning work in HIV Education in 2013, he has realized how powerful and important it is to be open about his status. People fear things that they don’t understand and he is using his person story and experiences to combat stigma, fear and overall ignorance wherever it exist. There was a time when being HIV Positive was a death sentence, now the disease isn’t killing people, fear is.
Bold Leadership, Brave Conversations
Student Organization Conference
Saturday, October 11, 2025- 9:00 AM- 4:00 PM
Tuskegee University, Tompkins Hall
Click here for full size of the Agenda.
Elana M. Parker Merriweather, Program Manager, ADMH
Elana currently serves as the Adolescent & Adult Substance Use (SU) Program Manager for the AL Department of Mental Health. Her responsibilities include compliance monitoring for adolescent & adult treatment services, case management for SU treatment providers, coordinating professional development trainings & facilitates partnerships with community agencies. Elana previously served as the Director of Behavioral Health for Medical Advocacy & Outreach where she implemented behavioral health services for Ryan White clients in 36 counties.
Elana worked at the AL Department of Public Health for 15 years serving as Health Services Administrator for the Offices of Minority & Women’s Health & Center for Emergency Preparedness. Elana worked 2 years with the AL Department of Corrections as Reentry Coordinator. Elana’s passion is to serve people living with chronic health conditions & infectious diseases, substance misuse & mental illness, offenders & people with disabilities. Elana has presented at local, state, & national conferences. Elana has an Ed.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from AL State University, M.Ed. in Community Agency Counseling & BBA in Marketing from the University of Montevallo. Elana is a member of the AL Alcohol & Drug Abuse Association, AL Counseling Association & AL School of Alcohol & Drug Studies.
Walter &Tasha Carter, COO & CEO, Maximized Growth, LLC
Walter and Tasha Carter are the powerhouse duo behind Maximized Growth LLC, blending over five decades of leadership, entrepreneurship, and strategic development. Tasha Carter, Founder and CEO, is a seasoned entrepreneur and leadership expert with 20+ years of experience. She’s a Maxwell Leadership Certified Facilitator, DISC Consultant, and Executive Director with the John Maxwell Team, known for empowering leaders across nonprofits, education, and government. Tasha serves on the Montgomery Chamber of Commerce Board and is an alumna of Leadership Montgomery and Leadership Alabama.
Walter Carter, COO and Co-Owner, brings 30+ years of military and government leadership in logistics and operations. He leads RHNNO Logistics, LLC and is also a Maxwell Leadership Certified Facilitator, Financial Literacy Coach, and Executive Director with the John Maxwell Team. Walter holds a Master’s in Education and is pursuing a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership. He’s a proud member of Leadership Montgomery Class XLII. Together, they equip leaders to communicate clearly, lead confidently, and grow with purpose.
Shirley A. Carlisle, Owner, Carlisle Consulting, LLC
Shirley retired in June 2022 as the Clinical Director of Carastar Mental Health (formerly, Montgomery Area Mental Health Authority), Montgomery, Alabama. She has thirty-two years of experience working in the mental health and substance use setting. She provided clinical, administrative, and leadership assistance to others. In addition, Shirley was the Director of the IPS Program at Carastar Mental Health, and she presents with the knowledge and understanding of the importance of the IPS/supportive employment services being offered to the clients. Shirley has a master’s degree in counseling, and she is licensed through the Alabama Board of Examiners as a Supervising Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC-S). Furthermore, she serves on the Alabama State University Educational Advisory Board, the Mental Health America Board, and the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services (ADRS) Advisory Board in Montgomery, Alabama. Shirley is the owner of SA Carlisle Consulting, LLC, providing mental and behavioral health services, clinical training, supervision, and leadership services to others. In June 2024, Shirley published her first book, “Unconventional Leader, Leadership Your Way”.
Antone Robinson Jr., Youth Tobacco Coordinator, ADPH
Antone has worked at the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) as the Youth Tobacco Program Manager for two years. He manages the youth segment of the tobacco control program grant. The youth tobacco control program aims to protect young people from nicotine initiation, addiction, and secondhand smoke exposure through education, awareness initiatives, and counter-marketing campaigns. Antone also represents ADPH on the Restriction of Youth Access to Tobacco Advisory Board, which is legislatively tasked with helping the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Board monitor and enforce laws regarding youth access to tobacco and related products. He is also currently a member of the Tobacco-Free Recovery work group, which supports mental health facilities in becoming tobacco-free.
