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"My purpose in life is helping marginalized people who believe
they can’t do anything become people who can do anything.
I want to continue to live, and grow, and serve. And I want to do it well."
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Patricia Denkins is a committed educator and advocate for women and children. A certified educational diagnostician, Denkins is employed with Houston Independent School District. A member of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church, Denkins is active in the Wheeler AIDS Ministry; hospitality ministry, Wedding Counsel, and Wheeler Family Group. Denkins is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Incorporated, Omega Chapter. She is a former board member of Positive Connection, an AIDS advocacy organization, and Charter Member, National Council of Negro Women, Barbara Jordan Chapter. Denkins is mother of Rev. Jacques D. Denkins and grandmother of Shelby and Joshua.
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“People need hope. They need to know that their past doesn’t
have to be their future. They need to know they can live with the
results of a positive HIV test, because we will be there to help.”
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Father, mentor, and licensed minister of the gospel, Adrian W. Drake has a long and credible national reputation as a community activist and person of influence. Rev. Drake is a seasoned public relations manager with well-developed human relations and marketing skills. He co-hosted the top-rated urban gospel music and talk show, “Inspirations Across the Metroplex” for five years. Drake has served as National Chaplain of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Founder and Board of Directors for 100 Black Men of America (Greater Dallas Chapter), Vice-President of the Paul Quinn College National Alumni Association, and Chairperson of the Friendship West Baptist Church Social Action Ministry.
Drake has served as Coordinator for the Museum of African American Life and Culture Grand Opening, Volunteer Public Relations Coordinator for the Lou Rawls Parade of Stars Telethon, and the Salute to Paul Quinn College Fundraiser, 1992. Drake is Spiritual Affairs Editor for the Dallas Weekly newspaper, and has contributed to The Dallas Morning News, the Kappa Alpha Psi Journal, and The University of North Texas Eagle.
Drake is a graduate of Paul Quinn College, and a board member of the Dallas Neighborhood Alliance for the Habitat for Humanity. He has been cited in Who’s Who Among Executives and Professionals and Outstanding Young Men of America.
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“Our forebears prayed their way through the middle passage, an institution called slavery, and Jim Crow. In response to their prayers God raised up ordinary people who did extraordinary things. This is our time. This is our watch. We are the ordinary people who must do the extraordinary work to end the rising tide of HIV in our community. And we must begin today.” |
| Rev. Jerrolyn Eulinberg is a Deacon in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, ordained in October 2004 in the Tenth Episcopal District. She serves on the ministerial staff at Baker Chapel A.M.E. Church in Fort Worth, Texas. She is a graduate of Booker T. Washington High School, Tulsa, Oklahoma. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Economics from Oklahoma State University. Currently Rev. Eulinberg is a full time graduate student, working on her Master of Divinity degree at Texas Christian University at Brite Divinity School. Eulinberg anticipates graduation in December of 2005. At Baker Chapel A.M.E. Church, Eulinberg is responsible for the prayer ministry, corporate prayer, theological reflection nights, computer training and a weekly Bible study.
Rev. Eulinberg is a community activist concerned about inequities in the criminal justice system, as well as the physical and emotional health and well being of the people. As a theologian Rev. Eulinberg’s areas of interest are: Ethics, Womanist Theology and Liberation Theology. She is a founder and past president of the Black Seminarians Union at Brite Divinity School.
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“My goal is to put boots on the ground and speak to
as many people as I can to let them know that AIDS is
out there and there is no cure.”
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Diane Townsend of Fort Worth, Texas is a mother, Grandmother, and wife. She was diagnosed HIV+ twenty years ago. While she once sought a new way each day to destroy herself, she now seeks new ways each day to reach at least one person and tell them about the denial and stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS.
Townsend is a member of the Ryan White Planning Council, Positive Voices, and a community activist committed to ensuring fair and equitable treatment and opportunity for all people, including access to medical treatment, prevention information, and medications.
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“A community burdened with disease, shame, and stigma can never
achieve its full potential. Health education, community involvement,
and a place at the table where decisions are made are the keys
to turning the ships around.”
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James Woods is a native Texan committed to the health and well being of the community. An ordained deacon at Greater St. Stephen First Church in Fort Worth, Texas, Woods has been a vocal, active, and consistent advocate for the marginalized and disenfranchised for over a decade. Woods is particularly concerned about public health and social justice issues.
A Model Of Excellence Father of the Year Award and Outstanding Community Leader award recipient, Woods attends Dallas Baptist University. He has developed, coordinated, and supported ministries for men across Texas, and is a gifted leader and public speaker.
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