Black Health Dream Team

We are living our dreams – doing Black health and wellness work ... with a group of gifted and experienced Black Health Practitioners ... who are focused, creative, courageous, hard-working, playful, rested, healthy, and well ... and we are doing our individual and collective work to become even more healthy, powerful, and joyful. Thank you, Ancestors! We dedicate Abundant Black Health to all who became ancestors due to COVID-19 ❤️ Click the links below to learn more about our Black Health Dream Team.

Staff

Dr. Debbie Mixon Mitchell

Curriculum Development Director/Dir. of Health & Wellness for People in their Golden Years

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Born in Colorado Springs and raised in Pueblo and Denver, Colorado, Dr. Debbie is a gifted exercise instructor, professor, facilitator, and consultant on health and wellness for golden-age Black People. For 13 years she taught exhilarating aerobics classes for Black People at Skyland Recreation Center (now called Hiawatha Davis Center) located in Denver’s Park Hill community – which was then a predominantly Black neighborhood, pre-gentrification and Black displacement. For more than 20 years, Dr. Debbie taught courses as an adjunct professor in the areas of graduate level social work and intercultural communication. She co-authored “Race Matters: Child protection and the communication process” (2017) and Beyond the question of color: Diversity issues in child welfare supervision (2009). At the University of Denver, Dr. Debbie was awarded the Outstanding Service Award, which is the highest honor presented each year in recognition of a person who exemplifies the institution’s mission; the Graduate School of Social Work Excellence in Teaching Award for Adjunct Faculty; and the Robin Morgan Outstanding Staff Woman Award for “going beyond her job responsibilities to advocate for women in the organization’s community.” Additionally Dr. Debbie was awarded the University of Denver’s Amicus Award for distinguished, dedicated, and effective service as an University administrator.

Given that so many immunocompromised, Black, elderly people are dying during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Debbie transformed her anguish to action – shifting her knowledge, expertise, and life-experiences to helping golden-age Black People acknowledge individual health realities, set realistic health goals, navigate health challenges, and celebrate the life-long health and wellness journey. Dr. Debbie Mixon Mitchell earned her Bachelor’s Degree at the University of Colorado-Boulder in Sociology and her Master’s and Doctorate Degrees from the University of Denver in Human Communication with a concentration in Intercultural Communication. Dr. Debbie is the daughter of Wilmeth Gooding and Alfred Mixon Jr., the oldest sister to Bruce and Michael Mixon, the proud mother to Rev. Dr. Dawn Riley Duval, Damara Riley Parker, and D'Andra Mixon-Walker PA-C, and the elated Oma to Steven, Jr., Ajhani, and Amaya.

Dr. Dawn Riley Duval

Executive Director/Director of Women & Girls Spiritual Health & Wellness

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Born and raised in Denver, Colorado, Dr. Dawn is a loving and liberative mom, spiritual health specialist, athlete, and Black Liberation practitioner. From age 9 to 27, she competed in Track & Field as a youth, collegiate, and professional athlete – twice competing in the U.S. Olympic Trials in the 100-meter hurdles. For nearly a decade Dr. Dawn served as an Itinerant Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church; presently she is licensed in the Universal Life Church so that she can lead weddings, baby dedications, and funeral ceremonies. Additionally, she is a recent initiant in the Afro-Brazilian religion, Candomblé. For over 10 years Dr. Dawn worked as a community organizer, and for 7 years she led as an executive director in the areas of faith-based community organizing, reproductive health, ending anti-Black racism, and Black voter engagement. Dr. Dawn’s experience as a high-level athlete and faith leader fuels her passion for Black People to live not in scared scarcity but in abundance – receiving blessed abundance, sustaining good health, and living exciting and rest-filled lives. The mantra that Dr. Dawn lives by is “we are answers to our ancestors’ prayers.”

Dr. Dawn Riley Duval has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English Rhetoric from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, a Master's in Print Journalism from University of Colorado at Boulder, a Master's of Divinity from Vanderbilt University, and a Doctor of Ministry Degree from Chicago Theological Seminary. She received awards for her activism from the NAACP CO-MT-WY Conference and Colorado Black Women for Political Action, and from Vanderbilt Divinity School Dr. Dawn received the Umphrey Lee Dean’s Award – the highest prize presented at graduation, awarded to the student who most exemplifies the vision and commitments of Vanderbilt University Divinity School. In September 2022, Dr. Dawn was inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for excellent achievement in the 100-meter hurdles, triple jump, and relays. Dr. Dawn is the daughter of Dr. Debbie Mixon Mitchell and Darrell Riley, the oldest sister to Damara Riley Parker and D'Andra Mixon-Walker, PA-C, and the proud mother to Ajhani and Amaya Duval. In her playtime, Dr. Dawn loves watching sports, basking in the sun on mountaintops or on beaches, playing board games/spades/bid whist, dancin’, sangin’, vibing with her kittens, talking and laughing with loved ones, and cooking easy yet delicious meals.

Damara Riley Parker

Director of Women & Girls Mind/Body Wellness

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Born and raised in Denver, Colorado, Mrs. Damara Riley Parker was a high-level dancer at a young age, which ignited her passion for healthy and liberating body movement, muscle function, and full-body health and wellness. With over 15 years of experience practicing and teaching Yoga, Damara earned her 200-hour Yoga Instruction Certification from CorePower Yoga Teacher Training Program. While pursuing her education as a Yoga Instructor, Damara was exposed to the practice of Thai Yoga Massage and its integration of massage therapy pressure and Yoga poses – these transformative experiences led Darmara to seek her licensure in Massage Therapy at Denver Integrative Massage School; for 8 years, she has been a practicing Licensed Massage Therapist.

Having also worked for over 20 years in corporate positions that consisted of sitting at a desk staring into a computer screen all day, Damara partnered with corporations in corporate wellness programs – which are for employees, teaching them posture health, stress management, and self-care. Damara’s mission is to help people find and maintain mind/body balance and enhance well-being to achieve peace of mind with a pain-free body and teaching the practice of existing in the present moment. In her spare time, Damara loves trying new restaurants with friends, cooking delicious meals for her family, and working out.

D’Andra Mixon Walker, PA-C

Director of Women & Girls Medical Health

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Born and raised in Denver, Colorado, D’Andra Mixon Walker received her Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Biology from the University of Colorado at Denver and earned her Master’s of Science in Physician Assistant Practice at Rosalind Franklin University in Chicago, Illinois. D’Andra is a certified Physician Assistant through the Illinois Department of Professional and Financial Regulation and she is a member of the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, American Academy of Physician Assistants, and the Illinois Academy of Physician Assistants. D’Andra builds trust with her patients by being an active and compassionate listener, working collaboratively, and providing research-based care. She believes in the value of non-judgmental sharing of experiences, and meeting patients exactly who and where they are in their moments of needing caring healthcare. D’Andra understands that mind, body, spirit are inextricably linked and that in order to heal our bodies and minds, we must heal our spirits and vice versa. She values community-based care and works to ensure that her patients receive holistic, high-quality, and accessible care. In her playtime, D’Andra enjoys long-distance running, experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, rock-climbing, and live music.

Tyrone Beverly

Director of Men & Boys Spiritual Health & Wellness

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Tyrone Beverly is a distinguished and widely recognized figure in the field of yoga. As an international award-winning yoga teacher and program designer, Mr. Beverly has received acclaim for his contributions to creating access to wellness programs for under-resourced communities. In addition to his ability to enhance the way people think about health, Tyrone continues to dismantle health-related barriers and stereotypes. With over two decades of experience in facilitating wellness programs, Tyrone is deeply passionate about his work and has made a significant impact in the field of health and wellness. For his impactful and positively transformative work, Mr. Beverly has been awarded the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Colorado Holiday Commission “New Vision Award,” honored as a Legacy Lululemon Ambassador, and he was recognized as one of Colorado's Top Advocates for Health Equity. His achievements have been widely recognized and featured in several esteemed publications including Yoga Journal, Men’s Health, The New York Times, and CNN Indonesia.

Coach Thal Woods

Director of Men & Boys Mind/Body Wellness

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Coach Thal is the son of Alvin Green and Toni Woods, the brother to four sisters and one brother, and they were raised by their loving parents in Denver’s Park Hill community – which was then a predominantly Black neighborhood. Ever since his youth, Thal has thrived in abundant healthy living by embodying power, passion, and play. In high school he was a star athlete in both track & field and football – during his senior year he was the state champion in the 200-meter sprint, the 4x100-meter relay, and the 4x200-meter relay, and in football he was an All-Conference, All-State, and Blue Chip running back/defensive back. Highly recruited by colleges nationwide, Thal accepted a full-ride athletic scholarship to Colorado State University to continue his academic and athletic pursuits while remaining close to his family and friends. During his four-year collegiate career at CSU, Thal excelled in both sports – particularly on the football field. As a defensive back, Thal helped the CSU Rams win four Championship Bowl Games: the Holiday Bowl in San Diego, California; the Liberty Bowl twice in Memphis, Tennessee; the New Orleans Bowl in Louisiana; and during his senior year he was selected to play in the College All-Star Game. Thal earned his Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Exercise Sports Science. His knowledge of and fascination with the intricate, scientific components of athleticism and his passion for participating at an elite level in sports fuels his professional life as a sports performance specialist, core trainer, a U.S. Masters Track & Field athlete, and a former pro-football player.

For six years, Thal played in the Arena Football League for the Colorado Crush, Utah Blaze, Nashville Katz, and the New Orleans Voodoo. After retiring from arena football, Coach Thal began coaching a club track team, preparing college football players for the NFL Scouting Combine, providing health and wellness training to clients, and began competing on the master’s level in track & field. In his playtime, Coach Thal enjoys traveling, shopping, and connecting with community members.

Dr. Roland Kafuuma

Director of Men & Boys Medical Health

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Roland K. Kafuuma, MD, FACP, CLS, is a physician whose primary specialty is internal medicine. He is a member of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) and the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM). Additionally, he is a member of the American Society for Laser Medicine & Surgery (ASLMS) and the American Laser Institute (ALI). Dr. Roland attended medical school at Makerere Medical School in Kampala, Uganda and graduated with a General Medical Degree. He moved to the U.S., attended Canton Medical Education Foundation in Ohio where he completed his residency in internal medicine and graduated. Dr. Roland went on to practice internal medicine for more than a decade, focusing on caring for inpatient chronic adult medical illnesses.

In the midst of the long and taxing health crises relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Roland decided to follow his dreams of helping his patients achieve healthier lifestyles. In 2021 he earned his certification as a Certified Laser Specialist (CLS). Impressed and inspired by treatment results on his patients, Dr. Roland continues to broaden and deepen his knowledge and use of various energy-based modalities to treat his patients' various conditions. Indeed he encourages his loved ones, friends, and his patients to eat healthy, exercise, and receive care from him for dermatology procedures (“We must take care of our skin – the skin is our largest organ!” -Dr. Roland), non-invasive fat destruction and body contouring procedures, as well as laser therapies that promote pain management and recovery from injuries. Dr. Roland uses high intensity laser, shockwave therapy, and micronutrient supplementation in optimizing his patients’ health and wellness, and improving athletes’ performance. Overall Dr. Roland aspires to help people to be healthy, look good, and achieve their wellness and fitness goals.

Dr. Roland’s main passions in life are traveling, track & field, fitness, and wellness. Dr. Kafuuma is a U.S. Masters Track & Field athlete and a member of the U.S.A. Track & Field Association. He competes in the 60-meter,100-meter, 200-meter, 300-meter, and 400-meter sprints at several state, regional, and national track meets. In 2022, Dr. Roland represented Team U.S.A. in the sprints at the Summer World Masters Championships in Tampere, Finland. As both a medical doctor and a semi-pro athlete, Dr. Roland is determined to live in good health and with joy.

Lu Graham

Director of Financial Health

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Luanna Graham, also known as Lu, is an esteemed professional in the financial world as one of a few Black Woman mortgage loan branch managers in Colorado with over 29 years of experience in the mortgage industry. During her career, Lu has successfully overseen financial information for numerous buyers, helping them navigate the complex world of mortgages and achieve their dreams of homeownership. With a deep understanding of the intricacies of the mortgage market, Lu has developed a keen eye for financial analysis and risk assessment. Her extensive knowledge of mortgage products, interest rates, and lending guidelines allows her to guide buyers in making informed decisions tailored to their individual needs.

Beyond her expertise in mortgages, Lu also is a passionate advocate for financial health. Recognizing the importance of equipping individuals with sound financial knowledge, she has dedicated herself to educating people on topics such as budgeting, saving, investing, and credit management. As a financial teacher, Lu excels at breaking down complex financial concepts into easily understandable information, making it accessible to learners who are in varying stages of financial literacy. Her patient, compassionate, and engaging teaching style, coupled with her real-world industry experience, enables her to connect with students and provide practical insights that positively impact their financial well-being.

Whether she's conducting financial literacy courses or advising clients on mortgage options, Lu's unwavering commitment to sharing her financial knowledge with others has earned her a reputation as a trusted mentor and resource in the field as she positively impacts the lives of countless individuals and families. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Lu participates in industry associations and regularly contributes to mortgage and financial publications. She believes in the power of collaboration and strives to stay current concerning the latest trends and developments in the mortgage industry, ensuring her clients and students receive the most relevant and valuable information.

With a wealth of experience and a genuine desire to make a difference, Lu continues to inspire and educate individuals on their journey towards financial health, solidifying her status as a trusted authority in the world of financial literacy.

Board

Dr. Darlene Sampson

Board Chair

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Born and raised in Pueblo, Colorado, Dr. Darlene Sampson lives by her late parent’s mantra: “Giving back to others is in your DNA – you must respect and honor the shoulders you stood on.” Her research and published work are focused in the areas of academic performance specifically relating to Children of Color. Dr. Darlene’s specialties include parent engagement, program review, trauma-informed care, racial bullying, culturally responsive social work and mental wellness, authentic engagement in schools, disproportionality and equity reviews, equity trajectories, consultation, and culturally responsive curricular augmentation. Dr. Darlene has maintained a space of social justice and cultural humility as she works across the education and social work fields as an administrator, leader, and equity specialist.

She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, has a Master’s Degree in Social Work, and also earned a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership with emphasis on Culturally Responsive Pedagogy. In her spare time, Dr. Darlene travels abroad, loves Mexican food, enjoys her large extended family, loves to ride her cruiser bike, and enjoys nurturing her two grandchildren.

Wanda Mixon

Board Treasurer

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Born and raised in Pueblo, Colorado, Mrs. Wanda Mixon’s professional experience is in credit union and banks as she dedicated over 40 years of work to the financial services industry. Throughout her career she held various positions including Teller Representative, Assistant Manager, and Loan Officer. Wanda’s work with members is based on the principle of providing highly competent service and professionalism. Additionally, as a leader she emphasizes compliance with federal and state laws and institutional policies, and she achieves excellence by improving existing programs and introducing new ones. A highlight of Wanda’s career is when she accepted the position as President, thus managing the Credit Union. She held that position for over ten years until she resigned and transitioned into a semi-retired, part-time position as a Member Service Specialist. This change in career path allowed Wanda the opportunity to spend more time supporting her and her husband’s youngest daughter, cheering her on in all of her extracurricular activities. She held the Member Service Specialist position until retiring in March of 2022.

In her wonderful retirement, Wanda enjoys taking walks as often as she can during the mild days that beautiful Colorado provides. She is extremely grateful for her loving family who brings her immense joy. Going forward, Wanda is eager to travel with her husband of 46 years, and spend time with their adult daughters and two grandsons who live in California.

Dr. Dorothy F. Garrison Wade

Board Secretary

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Born and raised in Wilmington, North Carolina Dr. Dorothy has called Colorado home for the past 33 years. She received a Ph.D. in Education and Human Resources Studies, with a specialization in Educational Leadership from Colorado State University. Dr. Dorothy is an Associate Professor Emerita and former Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs in the School of Education and Human Development at the University of Colorado Denver with over 19 years of experience in higher education. In addition, she has served over 20 years in public and private schools as a secondary school principal, counselor, secondary and post-secondary teacher. These experiences spur Dr. Dorothy’s research agenda, which focuses on inequitable and unfair educational opportunities for individuals, based on race, disability, gender, or social status. Her numerous publications and presentations in educational leadership challenge the oppressive racial structure within society and advocate transformation in social structures and institutions that subordinate people of color.

In recognition of her scholarship and service, Dr. Dorothy has received numerous awards and recognitions, some of which include the CU Denver Black Faculty Staff Affinity Group Outstanding Retiree Service Award 2021, Post-secondary Educator of the Year 2015, CU Denver Faculty Assembly Award 2013, and First Union National Bank Principal of the Year 2001-2002. In her spare time, Dr. Dorothy enjoys reading a good book, taking long walks on the beach, hiking, experiencing nature, and traveling around the world.

Council of Advisors

Wayne Vaden, Esq. (Legal)