Board Of Directors
Michael Joseph
Chairman of the Board
Michael Joseph is a communications and digital media specialist who is a passionate activist for justice, equality and peace. He recently retired as a UAW International Representative for the UAW-Ford team under UAW President Rory Gamble. He served as communications director for Save Our Sons and Daughters (SOSAD). During his tenure with SOSAD he organized two citywide
marches in Detroit fighting against youth violence and poverty. For the past 12 years he has coordinated the Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy March with the students and leadership of Martin Luther King Jr. Senior High School, the UAW and community members.
Gena Harrington
Vice Chair Woman of the Board
Gena Harrington is the Executive Trustee of the Robert A. Leonard Jr. Charitable Trust. She was born in Lincoln Park, Michigan. She graduated from Wayne State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism. Gena also has a background in television production and currently works in the Human Services field.
Gayl Turk
Board Member
Gayl Turk has been married for more than 54 years. For over 40 years he actively serves as a member of Word Of Faith International Christian Center headquartered in Southfield Michigan. He also has received many awards and recognition as a successful businessman over his 50 plus year professional career. As the father of two boys, he participated in every stage of their development helping them to become the successful men they are today. Known as Pappa Turk amoung the younger generation, Gayl takes every opportunity to share the positive practical lessons and values he learned and applied to his lifestyle that makes everyday so enjoyable at age 75.
Rico Camerone
Treasurer
Mr. Rico Camerone is the President of New Era Investments, LLC and is a trusted professional with 28 plus years of experience in the financial services and retirement planning industry. Since founding New Era Investments, LLC In 1993, Rico has been committed to helping individuals and businesses accumulate wealth in all aspects of their lives through wholeness of family, health, peace, finance and relationships. Rico has shared his expertise and philosophy with the Board and F.A.R.M. participants since becoming a Board Member in 2016. Rico also has served since 2010 as a Board Member of Haven Of Hope Community Outreach, a Non-profit that provides weekly food service to families in need in the 48206 zip code in the city of Detroit.
Willie Anderson
Board Member
Born in Orange County California. Pastor Anderson became a licensed pastor in November 1988. While pastoring Walking in Christ Ministries in Southfield, Pastor Anderson also became one of the first founding members of the farm board of directors. Pastor Anderson devotes most of his time to his wife, his 4 children and god’s people, however despite this he has been able to mentor others during his journey.
Peter Holden
Board Member
Peter Holden is a devoted father and grandfather. He retired from Ford Motor Company after 32 years. He left Ford Motor to be with his best friend who had cancer. After his friend’s passing, Peter found his purpose, which is to help and volunteer for others. So, for the last 22 years, he has volunteered to teach others computer skills at Neighborhood Services Organization. He counsels and facilitates an online Narcotics Anonymous 12-step meeting where people from across the U.S. meet. He has also
volunteered as a videographer at his church in the T.V. Ministry. Peter Holden is a man who wears many hats, but takes time to be with his wife and his 98-year old mother who lives with him.
Ralph King
Board Member
As the head of the Facility Management department of a local, charter school district, King was tasked to mitigate minor, in-school discipline problems through the creation of an in-school, work/service program formed to provide structure and mentorship to district’s most problematic students. Comprised primarily of young males, his direct engagement with these students often revealed one common void, that was the lack of a father in the residence to contact. Learning of its mission and impact, it seemed only fitting to serve FARM, as an At-Large Board member and mentor, in its efforts to scale-up and enlarge its outreach to fathers-“one family at a time”.
Married and father of four, grandfather of five, King is a member of the International Facilities Management Association, lifetime member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc and of Word of Faith Christian Center in Southfield, Michigan.
Mellisa Parks
Board Member
Melissa is the executive director and founder of Art&Soul Dreams, a 501(c)3, whose mission is to connect older children in foster care who are in need of immediate and permanent families before they turn 18. One way this is achieved is through a traveling photo exhibit. Award-winning photographers make visible the soul of a child waiting for a home.
Melissa considers herself a teacher, artist, wife, mother, and social entrepreneur, who has a passion and love working with students of all ages. She has served as a Department Head and Curriculum Coordinator for the Arts for all of Detroit Country Day School in addition to acting as the Elementary Visual Arts Educator at the Lower School, in her 20 plus years she has been with DCDS, Melissa has profoundly impacted the trajectory of the Arts with enthusiasm and expertise.
She was the recipient of the Personal Leadership Achievement Award in Oakland County in 2018.
Michael E. Williams
Board Member
Michael E. Williams is a dedicated leader with nearly twenty years of experience serving as President and Chief Executive Officer of Orchards Children’s Services, Inc., Michigan’s premier Child & Family Services agency. Throughout his tenure, Mr. Williams has been instrumental in driving organizational growth and fostering a culture of philanthropy.
Advisory Board
Robin Spencer
Financial advisor with 13 years of industry experience working with couples and families, growing their assets for the long term. Robin has an undergraduates from University of Michigan and an MBA from the university of Phoenix.
T. Sha Duncan Smith
T. Shá Duncan Smith is the Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Santa Clara University. Prior to working at Santa Clara University, Shá served as the Assistant Vice President and Dean of Inclusive Excellence and Community Development at Swarthmore College. In her role at Swarthmore College, Shá provided strategic direction for diversity, equity and inclusion policies and initiatives for students, faculty and staff.
Previously, Shá has held a variety of progressively responsible leadership roles at Swarthmore College, University of Michigan, and the University of Southern California Race and Equity Center. She has over 18 years of experience developing and implementing strategic plans and initiatives to promote diverse, equitable and inclusive cultures for students, faculty and staff. She has collaborated as a thought, strategy and action partner with higher education institutions, nonprofit organizations and Fortune 500 companies to assess, evaluate and reimagine strategic initiatives, organizational cultures and structures, programs and initiatives, and assessment processes.
Shá’s continued commitment to anchoring diversity, equity and inclusion at the heart of organizational change and culture is demonstrated in her work in developing training and learning modules to build intercultural capacity and critical consciousness within organizations.
Shá is completing her doctorate in higher education management at University of Pennsylvania. She holds both a master’s of social work and a bachelor of arts in sociology from the University of Michigan.
Dr. Carolyn Joy Dayton
FARM Program Consultant and Evaluator; Associate Professor, Wayne State University School of Social Work.
Steve Ragan
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Arnold Sheard
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We need your help in bridging the gap between children, fathers and mothers. Please join us as we strive to strengthen families by teaching men the principles of fatherhood and become a greater asset to their children, caregivers, communities and society.
