Advisory Committee

Dr. Bates is the national PHASER Pharmacy Program Manager for the Department of Veterans Affairs specializing in precision medicine. She is also an Associate Professor of Clinical Education at the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy. Dr. Bates completed her Bachelor of Science at Eastern Illinois University, a Master of Science with a concentration in biochemistry and biophysics at Northern Illinois University, and her Doctor of Pharmacy at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

She completed a post-graduate year 1 (PGY1) pharmacy practice and PGY2 oncology pharmacy residency at Duke University Medical Center and is certified in both pharmacogenomics and precision oncology. Dr. Bates has experience as a leader in clinical pharmacy practice, oncology pharmacy, and residency training. She has a passion for advancing pharmacy practice through education rooted in the belief that learning improves lives. She is a registered yoga teacher and whole health educator.

Dr. Bates was recognized for her achievements when she was selected as the inaugural recipient of the Milton W Skolaut leadership award bestowed by Duke University Medical Center, designated as Fellow by ASHP, and awarded the Distinguished Service Award in 2019 by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists Section of Clinical Specialists and Scientists.

ED is a collaborative connector, servant leader, community builder, social entrepreneur and public speaker.  With over 20 years in financial services arena in various positions such a Senior Vice President, he left the corporate world and founded We Are Connect-ED, a business consulting and professional networking firm with a mission to be a bridge to form strategic alliances, partnerships and collaboration for all humanity. 

ED is very active in the community and serves on several nonprofit boards such as Board Vice President of SwingPals, Intermin Board Chair for United Against Slavery, Co-Founder/Steering Committee member of 100 Men Who Give A Damn, Director of Diversity & Inclusion for the Financial Planners Association of the Triangle and Co-founder of Shining Light In Darkness 

Find out more about Ed and his organization at weareconnect-ed.com

De’Lisa Hill is a native of Fort Campbell, Kentucky but has settled in North Carolina via military family. She is the Chief Executive Officer of a small veteran-owned and women-owned behavioral health practice in Durham, North Carolina, with a focus on counseling, therapy, consulting, coaching, and clinical supervision.  She is a licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisor addressing mental health (depression, anxiety, bipolar etc.), life stressors (couples, marriage, family, workplace, life transitions), trauma (PTSD, pandemic fatigue, other stress disorders), substance use issues (opioid, alcohol, cannabis, vaping) and clinical supervision (practicum, internship, clinical hours for licensure)

 Ms. Hill’s provides services to individuals (adults and adolescents), couples, and families. Her areas of interest involve mood and anxiety disorders, family, and relationship issues, as well as those that have experienced traumatic events and trauma-based disorders.  She also enjoys working with military personnel/veterans and their families experiencing the disorders and circumstances mentioned above.  Ms. Hill continues to broaden her areas of interest and has begun serving clients who appear underserved in her community to include the elderly, the LBGTQIA and the less fortune.

 De’Lisa Hill holds a Master of Arts degree from North Carolina Central University in Agency Counseling, now called Clinical Mental Health Counseling conferred in December 2006, completing her practicum and internship at Gilfort, Atkinson and Associates, PLLC (Durham, North Carolina) in individual, marriage and couples, family, and group settings.  In October 2007, she earned the title of Nationally Certified Counselor (Certification # 232196) and in December 2009, She became licensed by the North Carolina Board of Licensed Professional Counselors (License #7718,) now call the North Carolina Board of Clinical Mental Health Counselor.  Ms. Hill continues to expand her knowledge and expertise and was granted the Tricare Certified Mental Health Clinician designation in December 2016, the Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisor designation in September 2019 (License #S7718), and the Certified Love Advocate designation in March 2021.

Merald Holloway is a native North Carolinian, born in Reidsville, NC and currently residing in Raleigh, NC as a passionate and dedicated advocate for economic empowerment and social justice within several North Carolina communities and business sectors with formal education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel-Hill (American Studies and Communications).

He is both the founder and Executive Director of NC 100, a non-profit focused on mapping and identifying opportunities for collaboration and change in Rockingham County, also serving as an organizational partner with Rural Forward NC program housed within the Foundation for Health Leadership & Innovation. Rural Forward NC serves as the capacity-building arm for the Healthy Places NC initiative of the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust with a goal to improve the major health indicators in 10 rural NC counties. Recently, Merald was featured in Kate B Reynolds Charitable Trust newsletter centered on regional health equity work.

As a champion of economic development in the Triangle, Merald serves as Director of Development for the Greater Durham Black Chamber of Commerce. As an advocate worker and purchasing cooperatives, he serves as the chairman of the North Carolina Employee Ownership Center (nceoc.org). Since 2011, Merald has served on Durham Technical Community College’s Business Administration Advisory Committee in several capacities. In 2018, he became a Regional Expansion Partner for the Community Purchasing Alliance in Washington, DC (cpa.coop).

Merald lends his time and expertise to support equity work in Rockingham County on the leadership team of the Racial Equity Learning Community of Rockingham County, and serves as treasurer on the executive board for the Rockingham County Partnership for Children. This spring, Merald was named to the 2020-2022 cohort for the William C. Friday Fellowship for Human Relations, representing nineteen North Carolina counties. In addition to prioritizing place-equity considerations, class members were evaluated and selected based on their curiosity, creativity, connectivity, and courage as North Carolina leaders and learners.

Michael Duane Jenkins, Jr. is a Detroit, MI native. The son of a Narcotics Police Officer and a Psychologist gone Social Worker within the foster care system, Michael was loved in a dynamic household that vowed to emerge triumphantly above any and all struggle. 

As a child who did not speak until he was 5 years old, Mike was diagnosed with Level 2 Autism Spectrum Disorder. However, with his parents leading the charge in an "out of the box" approach towards his mental development, Mike ascertained a 9th grade reading level by age 9. This curated an absolute love for words within him, which would bring forth fruit in his later years as an ordained minister (University of Sedona) and poet (Tr1umph@nt!).

Though his first love is language itself, Mike's inspiration to join Love Is A Parable lies within the "Love and Fitness" group. Deeply motivated by their presence and message, Mike's voluntary enlistment in the team marks his pledge to fight the good fight--to promote self-love and love for others through exercise as a means to invoke vitality and longevity to all who are willing to witness kinetic wisdom and allow it to be their catalyst for the catapulting of their quality of life to new heights.

Ian Parks is a military veteran who has served five years in the United States Air Force. While fighting for his country, Ian jumped into the Information Technology field becoming a system administrator. He's currently a software engineer at IBM but makes time to work with teenagers within his community. Ian has worked with The Boys and Girls Club, Habitat for Humanity, Big Brothers Big Sisters along with several other non-profit organizations involved with youth development. With 12+ years of experience working with Teenagers in the community, Ian has started his own non-profit organization, After School Special

After School Special is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose goal is to help teens reach their full potential in life by teaching teens life skills while focusing on self-love and compassion while finding one's passion and developing social skills. With the advancement of technology, these skills are slowly declining along with the rise of mental health challenges. Ian is dedicated to restoring positive values, one child, one teen, at a time. Visit afterschoolspecialnow.com to find out more about Ian and his organization.

Kerwin Pittman was born in Germany but raised in Raleigh, NC. He is an author, activist, advocate as well as the Founder and Executive Director of Recidivism Reduction Educational Program Services,Inc(RREPS). A nonprofit geared towards reducing the recidivism rate in North Carolina. He is Activist in the city of Raleigh. Who advocates in the social justice field, particularly criminal justice. Kerwin also sits on the Racial Equity Task Force To Combat Structural Racism In The Criminal Justice System. Headed up and created by North Carolina’s Governor, Roy Cooper. He believes in being a voice for the voiceless. As well as he is an Author who penned the book “Love Yours: A guide on how to love yourself”. Which is a self help book slated towards self empowerment of love in ones self. To find out more about Kerwin and his organization, visit rreps.net

Ahmed Radwan is a multifaceted individual who wears many hats with remarkable skill. Co-Founder and CEO of The House of Creatives, Ahmed is also widely recognized as Iconic Bond, an Egyptian-American Hip-Hop Artist. His life is a testament to a harmonious fusion of diverse roles and passions.

Iconic Bond transcends the conventional boundaries of an artist. Beyond his musical talent, he is a devoted Community Servant and a passionate Scientist. Ahmed's journey unfolds as a captivating blend of purpose-driven creativity, lyrical genius, and an unwavering commitment to social awareness and empowerment.

As a Community Servant, Hip-Hop Artist, and Scientist, Ahmed has always been driven by a profound passion for purposeful endeavors. This passion serves as the guiding force behind all his pursuits, goals, and career choices. Professionally contributing to the field of medicine, Ahmed uses his scientific expertise to make a difference. As a dedicated community servant, he strives to foster peace and unity. Meanwhile, as Iconic Bond, the Hip-Hop Artist, he aspires to leave a lasting impact on anyone who tunes in, using his artistry as a vehicle for positive change.

Dr. Ashley Gaddy Robbins serves as the founder and head consultant of Ashley Gaddy Enterprises, an agency focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion through an authentic approach that centers humanity. She has extensive experience in Higher Education, Corporate Sales, and Telecommunications, having served at all organizational levels.

A North Carolina native, Dr. Gaddy Robbins earned her Bachelor's in Communication Studies and Master’s in Liberal Studies from the University of North Carolina Wilmington, and her PhD in Cultural Studies from George Mason University. Social Justice Education and Social Change are her passion areas, and she finds fulfillment in witnessing individuals transform during their DEI journeys.

As a Black woman who has primarily worked in predominantly white spaces in the South, Dr. Gaddy Robbins dedicates much of her time to advocating for vulnerable identity groups and empowering them. Her research and practical focus include race and gender equity, inclusive leadership, DEI implementation, and institutional equity through mixed methods assessment. She also serves as an instructor at universities, teaching courses in Interracial Communication.

Coming from a background deeply rooted in community service—her father being an Executive Director of a non-profit—Dr. Gaddy Robbins personally understands the ongoing dedication required to serve communities. She is a wife, Amma to four girls, and a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Originally from the Seattle area, Angie Staheli has lived all over the country and traveled to various international locations. Her love of learning about different cultures, history and social science led her to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology. Angie’s passion for storytelling on stage motivated her toward earning an additional degree in Theatre Arts. These interests have been at the heart of Angie’s work as a playwright, director, film & theatre actress, dancer, choreographer, teacher, church leader and in her involvement within the community. Angie delivered a TEDx talk at Duke University about the power of Local History Theatre in helping communities to address the past and heal, as well as to build bridges. If we want to right the wrongs of history, we must first understand and acknowledge what those wrongs were and then take steps to repair the damage. Angie has faith that humans have the ability to grow and change, but that they first must have the desire to change and be teachable. Angie whole-heartedly believes in Love Is A Parable’s mission of Unity, Love and Kindness how it can influence the world for good – beginning in our own families and on a local-level. The tools that LIAP provides can jumpstart individuals and communities toward positive change.

Kelli Wilhelm is a remarkable woman who wears many hats in her life. She’s a wife, mother, grandmother, advocate, Breast Cancer Thriver, and podcaster. A native of North Carolina, she currently resides in the Raleigh/Durham area with her husband, Wayne. They are the parents of four adult children and Ahma and Papa to four exceptionally perfect grandchildren. Kelli received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, with a minor in African and African American Diaspora Studies. She works full time for local government in the Child Welfare field, a job that requires a great deal of patience and compassion. She is one of the co-authors of “High Heels in Low Places,” a collaboration of twenty-two African-American women sharing their journey of faith, determination, and perseverance through their breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. Kelli’s most rewarding (and sometimes challenging) job is being yoked together in Pastoral ministry with her husband—mostly providing an outlet for him to vent, brainstorm, and share ideas and revelations as he leads a small but impactful congregation in Durham, North Carolina. Kelli is a woman who believes in giving back to her community. She draws an exorbitant amount of energy from and has a passion for advocating for marginalized communities, groups, and people. She lends her time and talents to her local NAACP Branch, the North Carolina Poor People’s Campaign, and her local Martin Luther King Jr. Committee. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling with her husband, binge-watching TV shows, and relaxing on her back deck with a good book. Her favorite pastime is co-hosting a bi-weekly podcast with Wayne called “At The Helm.” By discussing topics such as health, mental health, finances, marriage/relationships, and raising children, listeners are encouraged to improve their lives and take control of their futures. They are also firm believers in being informed and involved voters in the political process.

Wayne Wilhelm is a devoted husband, father, PaPa, son, and brother who has been married to his beloved wife Kelli for over 30 years. Together they have raised four children and built a beautiful life centered around faith, love, and service (and their 3 granddaughters and one grandson). He is a well-respected minister who dedicates his life to serving others. With a compassionate heart and through his life’s experiences, he has the ability to connect with people from all walks of life. As the Pastor of a small but impactful congregation in Durham, Wayne has a deep commitment to the church, the parishioners, and the community. He has been a tireless advocate for social justice, working with many civic organizations to support marginalized communities and to promote equality, equity, and inclusion for all, using Matthew 25:40 as his guide. He is the immediate past Religious Affairs Chair of his local branch of the NAACP and currently serves as the Faith Tri-Chair of the NC Poor People’s Campaign – A National Call for Moral Revival. He is also an active member of his local Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee. Wayne holds a Master of Divinity from Apex School of Theology. In his spare time, he enjoys traveling with his wife, spending time with his family, and reading. He and his wife Kelli co-host a bi-weekly podcast called “At The Helm.” By discussing topics such as health, mental health, finances, marriage/relationships, and raising children, listeners are encouraged to improve their lives and take control of their futures. They are also firm believers in being informed and involved voters in the political process.