The National MS Society’s African American Advisory Council was created to advise and support the Society on the best approaches to reaching and engaging the African American community. The varying regional, ethnic and socio-economic subcultures within the community create a unique opportunity for a group of advisors to guide the Society in the development of culturally inclusive materials and programs. The council members include individuals who have a variety of experience, expertise and perspectives including MS expertise, minority health, marketing, business, public relations, advertising, program development and education. There is also the perspective of people living with MS included. Many of the resources created in coordination with this council are provided below.
The National MS Society’s African American Advisory Council
Mary D. Hughes, MD (Chair)
Chair, Division of Neurology, University Medical Group, Greenville Hospital System, SC
National MS Society Board of Directors and National Clinical Advisory Board
Denise G. Belle, MPH
HDI Associate Director; NC Health & Wellness Trust Fund-Health Disparities Initiative; North Carolina Central University; Department of Public Health Education
Eastern North Carolina chapter volunteer
Tamara Carpenter
Director of Advancement at the Charles A. Tindley Accelerated School, IN
Heyward Damon, CPA
President, Damon Executive Event Planners
Vice Chair, Delaware chapter, Board of Trustees
Adrian "Skip" Dargan, MSW, MSCIR
Director, Information Resource Center, National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Lynda Harbert, MFT
Marriage and family therapist, private practice
Southern California chapter volunteer
Yolanda Harris, RN, MSN, MSCN
Nurse Clinician, Center for Pediatric Onset, Demyelinating Disease, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Pediatric Neurology
National Multiple Sclerosis Society Client Education Committee and Alabama-Mississippi chapter volunteer
Carolyn Hayes-Gulston, ARM, MSOL
Sr. Manager Insurance/RiskManager, National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Ann Marie Johnson, MHS
Human Services Professional
New York City-Southern New York chapter volunteer
Renard Payne
National Capital chapter volunteer
Walter Royal, III, MD
Associate Professor of Neurology, University of Maryland School of Medicine; Research Associate Director for the VA Multiple Sclerosis Center of Excellence, East and for the Maryland Center for Multiple Sclerosis
National Multiple Sclerosis Society Clinical Care Committee
Carolyn Sherman
Ohio Valley chapter, Board of Trustees
Rose Taylor
Vice President Programs, National MS Society, Michigan chapter
Darcine Thomas
Media Producer
Aljoeson Walker, MD
Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs, Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology, Medical University of South Carolina
Speaker at National MS Society chapter programs
Print Public Service Announcements & Articles
MS = Awareness Print PSA, featuring Imani
Society National Board Member Dr. Mary Hughes is taking MS personally. Learn more in Spry Magazine.
Moving Forward Together, featuring Beverly and Raemi
African Americans & Multiple Sclerosis brochure (.pdf)
Radio Public Service Announcements
| Movers & Shakers with Tamara Carpenter (:15 seconds) |
| Movers & Shakers with Tamara Carpenter (:30 seconds) |
| Movers & Shakers Montage (:30 seconds) |
