Board Members
Officers and Board Members of the Asia Adams Save OUR Children Foundation, Inc.
Shelah Harper, MBA
CEO and Founder of the ASIA ADAMS SAVE OUR CHILDREN FOUNDATION
Shelah Harper established the foundation in response to the trauma of losing her only beloved child, Asia Adams in November 2004. Asia, a bright twenty-one year old senior and scholar at West Chester University majored in psychology and minored in women’s studies. Her passion was to work with children. Asia’s mother Shelah also worked with children for many years as a behavioral specialist and in health and human services for more than 30 years. Shelah has an MBA in Health Administration, with a BA in Psychology. She is also a registered yoga trainer and certified Personal Care Home Administrator.
For the past twenty-three years Shelah has successfully operated her own consulting firm Health Revenue Management Consultants. The firm provides management support services to health organizations (hospitals, nursing homes, physician offices), human service organizations (including child welfare agencies), and local Philadelphia government programs. Shelah has also done an extensive amount of advocacy work through her efforts: as a volunteer with United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania on the funding allocations committee, as Board Chair for Public Health Center #9, as a spokesperson for all City Public Health Centers, as a member of the Child Welfare Advisory board, as the initiator of the Fetal Infant Mortality Review (FIMR), and by bringing Healthy Start to Northwest Philadelphia, and her research and public testimony on the high rates of infant mortality in Northwest Philadelphia.
Shelah manages the day-to-day operations, writes grants, develops curriculum, facilitates educational workshops (see past, current-future activities conducted by the Asia Adams Save OUR Children Foundation), maintains service records, marketing & public relations, develops strategic plans, and is ultimately responsible for outreach, program and resource development, and overall program guidance for the success of the organization. Time spent in this capacity averages 70 hours weekly.
Board Officers
Bianca M. White, MAMC
Chairperson
Bianca M. White is an award-winning documentary filmmaker and photographer from Philadelphia. In 2002, she received an M.A. in Mass Communications from the University of Florida’s Documentary Institute and a B.A. in Film and Media Arts from Temple University in 2000. Some of Bianca’s film credits include: Remove Nigger from My Name, Pandora’s Box, Rising on the Hill, Justice for Her and the award winning Ocoee: Legacy of the Election Day Massacre.
Bianca is also Director of Youth Media Programs at EducationWorks, Inc. (EW) a non-profit that provides supplemental educational programming to urban areas characterized by high rates of poverty and illiteracy. At EW, Bianca coordinates and implements older youth programming, develops and maintains relationships with local and national youth-oriented media organizations, researches media program funding opportunities, writes grant proposals and serves as video and photo archivist for the organization. Some of Bianca’s projects with EW include assisting in the development of the Youth Philanthropy Project (YPP), a program designed to foster the empowerment and development of youth by enhancing their financial, intellectual and philanthropic literacy skills.
Having known Asia Adams since birth, Bianca has renewed commitment to youth and community development. As Chairperson of the Asia Adams Save OUR Children Foundation, Bianca presides over foundation meetings, acts as spokesperson and has general powers and duties of supervision and management usually vested in the office of the President. Bianca volunteers at AASOC events providing outreach, supervision, instruction and guidance.
Yvonne Farrell, BA
Vice Chairperson
Yvonne Farrell currently works in the Commissioner’s office for the Philadelphia Department of Human Services (DHS). Yvonne has extensive child welfare experience that spans 27 years. Previously she worked as contracts manager for Philadelphia’s premiere child prevention organization Philadelphia Safe & Sound; initially responsible for grant activities for the Mayor’s Children Investment strategy. She also developed request for proposals, advised on the feasibility of implementing new or expanded programs, functioned as liaison with city agencies in the development of service agreements, provided resolution of provider compliance issues, assisted the implementation of monitoring and evaluation policies, and identified funding options. In addition to these responsibilities, Yvonne advised the Commissioner of DHS, including division heads and administrators regarding the implementation of department initiatives, and recommended changes for administrative processes. She also functioned as the Department’s faith based/community based resource development
As Vice Chairperson of the AASOCF, Yvonne plays a vital role in board leadership. She brings to the board her expertise in grant writing, resource development, strategic planning, and leadership development. Yvonne volunteers at the foundation providing outreach, resource development, supervision, and guidance
Barry Johnson, MBA, CPA
Treasurer
Barry Johnson teaches accounting at the Community College of Philadelphia. He has held several positions, including controller, vice president of finance, and chief financial officer within several health & human service organizations. Barry has extensive experience in accounting and financial management. As treasurer Barry serves as financial official of the foundation. He prepares the annual budget, maintains financial records regarding corporate funds, and keeps an accounting of receipts and disbursement.
Alexis McKinney-Echols, BA
Corresponding Secretary
Alexis McKinney has extensive experience in management and customer service. Alexis has worked as an administrator in a large multi-state child welfare agency. As corresponding secretary of the ASIA ADAMS SAVE OUR CHILDREN FOUNDATION, Alexis sends out meeting notices, contacts members via phone, maintains files of agendas and minutes, and in absence of the recording secretary takes meeting minutes. Alexis volunteers at foundation events providing outreach, supervision, and guidance.
Dean A. Morrow, Sr.
Recording Secretary
In retirement after a 35-year distinguished career with The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania- Department of Public Welfare, Philadelphia County Assistance Office, Dean A. Morrow, Sr. has a wealth of skill and knowledge about administrative management, personnel selection, training, public speaking, problem-solving, communications, and public welfare. He found public service extremely rewarding, and carries a sense of personal fulfillment in having helped move thousands of Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable citizens to a path of improved self-sufficiency. Dean has received numerous Awards and Citations along with recurrent stellar performance recognition during his DPW tenured employment. He is currently featured in the 2007 Edition of Cambridge/Metropolitan’s Who’s Who 2007 Registry, a distinguished publication recognizing successful professionals.
Dean’s other life’s work has been his passion for music. Active since 1966, Dean is a songwriter, producer, vocal arranger, and music publisher. He is the CEO of Phyllies Intruders (a Classic R & B singing group from Philadelphia, Pa) and owns Keeper of the Valley Music Publishing. Dean also is a lyrical songwriter & instructor with The Philadelphia Rhythm & Blues Foundation.
As recording secretary for the ASIA ADAMS SAVE OUR CHILDREN FOUNDATION, Dean records and prepares minutes for monthly board meetings. He also volunteers at foundation events providing guidance and technical support, e.g., photography, graphic design, and DVD editing.
Deborah Mahlstedt, Ph.D.
Dr. Deborah Mahlstedt is Professor of Psychology and Women’s Studies at West Chester University, PA. She has been on the faculty of West Chester University (WCU) since 1986. Deborah has achieved national recognition for her scholarship on dating violence prevention. She has presented her research at numerous international and national conferences, and invited lectures. Deborah’s work has led to several scholarly journal publications, book chapters, and a video “Men’s Work: Fraternity Men Stopping Violence Against Women.” In addition to this work, Deborah has developed and coordinated major faculty development initiatives at WCU aimed at increasing faculty knowledge about issues of gender, race, sexual orientation, and ethnicity. She has won awards at WCU for her leadership and dedication to students and social justice issues.
Deborah came to know Asia Adams as a student in two of her classes. Later Asia began to work with her on a violence prevention research project. As an ASIA ADAMS SAVE OUR CHILDREN FOUNDATION board member, Deborah brings her expertise in program and organization development, and research. She also serves as a liaison to the Asia Adams Scholarship Award established at West Chester University.
E. Debra Chandler, M.A.
Debra Chandler is a Specialty Account Executive with Abbott Laboratories, where she provides disease state and pharmaceutical education to mental health professionals, and is also responsible for managing accounts for Developmental Disabilities Centers, Psychiatric Hospitals, Departments of Corrections and Defense. Debbie has worked in the pharmaceutical industry for almost 15 years.
Upon completing her Masters in Clinical Psychology at Temple University with internship at Temple Hospital, Debra began her career working with Developmental Disabilities at Woodhaven Center and adjudicated youth at St Gabriel’s Hall in Audubon, PA. Most of Debbie’s clinical experience was in the area of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation where she provided clinical assessment and treatment planning for rehabilitation patients. Debbie also provided individual and group therapies as well as family support groups. Debbie designed and implemented a Corporate Wellness Program, which launched her interest in exploring non-clinical opportunities.
She was also a Marketing Manager with Total AIDS Support Services (TASS) and became very involved with the community of people living with HIV and AIDS. She is active volunteer for the Philadelphia AIDS Fund, as well as We The People.
Debbie’s husband, Dr Morris E Chandler, was a close friend of Shelah Harper (Founder) Morris loved both Shelah and her very special daughter Asia. Morris and Shelah shared office space years ago. Morris often reminisced about Asia as a little girl running into his office, to see what he was doing and was devastated by the loss of this truly wonderful young woman. Sadly, Morris died in April 2008 Debbie joins the Asia Adams Save OUR Children Foundation in memory of her husband.
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