Board of Directors
Vivian Robinson
Vivian Robinson was born in Fort Gordon, Georgia into a military family. Her formative years were spent all over the country as well as Africa and Germany. She graduated Cum Laude from Southeast Missouri State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and a minor in Biology. That was followed by a Master of Social Work degree from Southern Illinois Univesity. In 1980 Vivian started public service with the Department of Children and Family Services. She spent her 36 year career helping train foster parents and improving the quality of life and education for underserved youth. Vivian received the Congressional Angels in Adoption Award in 1999. During her time at the Department, there was a significant increase in adoptions and programs to reduce child abuse were strengthened. Vacation and other benefit time were spent assisting orphanages in China and Southeast Asia. Vivian also held various positions, including President of AFSCME Local 1948 helpting to protect the rights of State workers. Vivian has twelve childfren, eight by adoption from orphanages in Southeast Asia. Vivian serves as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for abuse or neglected children and continues to train child welfare advocates.
Dr. Linda Flowers
When Dr. Linda Flowers states she was inspired to become a teacher when she received reading material from her first- and second-grade teacher. Linda's professional career ultimately was influenced by that caring teacher. Dr. Flowers received a B S in Special Education in 1978, and an M. S. in Early Childhood Education in 1988. She received a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction in 2008. Linda sits on the Advisory Board at SIU for Teacher Education. Dr. Flowers believes it is important to have open avenues of dialogue with teachers new to the classroom and may not yet be aware of cultural differences. She is a proponent of STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Arts and Math). Dr. Flowers created student music programs including an African Drumming Group, Singing Group, and a Strings Group comprised of violin and cello. Linda is committed to changing children's lives through education.
Faith Y. Miller
Faith Y. Miller, RDH, MSEd is an Associate Professor and Director, Dental Hygeine School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Human Services, Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Ms. Miller is a REgistered Dental Hygienist with nearly 27 years of experience in a variety of clinical practice settings, including migrant farm worker dental health and American Indian dental health, school-based dental sealant programs, periodontal and general practice as a dental assistant and dental hygienist. Ms. Miller's teaching experience includes dental related sciences, periodontology and preventative oral care for dental assisting and dental hygiene students, clinical dental hygiene and medical emergencies. Ms. Miller serves on a variety of Commissions and Boards to include being a founding Board member of Carbonale United. She is a member of the Carbondale branch of the NAACP and a past member of the Carbondale Human Relations Commission for the City of Carbondale. She is a veteran of the U. S. Army and Army Reserves, serving from 1980 to 1991, and achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant. She has received three Army Achievement medals.
Jeff McGoy
Jeff grew up in the disadvantaged area of Cairo, , Illinois where he discovered his artistic talents and love of helping others. He is a two-degree alumus of Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, and has been in higher education over 18 years. He spent three years working in Social Services, and currently works at SIUC as the Director of Exploratory Student Advisement and the Center for Learning Support Services. He is also an adjunct instructor for Shawnee Community College and John A. Logan Community College, teaching speech and communication courses. He has a deep passion for assisting others so their goals and dreams can become realities. He is often quoted as saying "If I am given an opportunity to use my gift to touch someone in a positive way through my acting and speaking, I will give it everything I have and keep moving on to touch someone else who just might need it. I want to use it to teach, educate, entertain, enlighten, and show people that we are alike, and we all have drama in our lives. But if we live to see another day, that is the time to find out the answers to our problems and never give up on life." Jeff is a great asset to our Board, community, and to the youth.
Darrell L. Wimberly
Darrell Wimberly is pastor of East Liberty Christian Church, where he has been over twenty years. He serves as Dean of Students and as the Assistant Football Coach at Marion High School. He is the Head Junior Varsity basketball coach of Marion High School as well. Married to his wife Deon for twenty-five years, Pastor Wimberly is father to five adult children, and grandfather to five children. He is a member of the Marion Police and Fire Merit Board, President of Connect 360, At-Large Committee member of the Carbondale NAACP, and served as a Board Member of United Way of Marion. Pastor Wimberly previously worked at Monumental Life Insurance. He received his Master's degree in Business Administration in 1992 at Bellarmine College, Louisville, Kentucky, where he was born. He was a Free-Agent tryout with the NFL New York Jets in 1982, a three year-starter at the University of Louisville, where he was Outside Linebacker 1980-1982. He was All-State Defensive End at Butler High School, Louisville, Kentucky in 1978.
Dianna Brawley Sussman
Dianna Brawley Sussman has been the Carbondale Public Library Director for twelve years. She has played a leadership role in several coalitions addressing issues of youth empowerment, nonviolence, health, and homelessness. She was named the Illinois Librarian of the Year in 2016 by the Illinois Library Association. Dianna also serves on the Board for the State of Illinois Adult Literacy Grant Program, Volunteer Review Committee. Ms. Sussman is quoted as sayiing "If we treat violence like an epidemic, we get results in the community."
Carmen Allen-Adeoye
Carmen Allen-Adeoye was born in Michigan, and raised in Marion, Illinois. She serves her community in a variety of ways. She is dedicated to serving the underserved. Her life-long effort of service began with Brownies, Girl-Scouts, 4-H Club, and Choir. She enjoyed tapdancing, and served on her school newspaper as well as helped to pioneer the first Minority Club in her school. She has been active in social activism. She serves as Chair for the Williamson County Democratic Women and Vice Chair of the Williamson County Board of Selective Service. She is Officer of Loye Logistics, Co-Chair of Williamson County NAACP, Executive and Board member of Connect 360, Vice President of Carbondale United, Board member of the Black Chamber of Commerce of Southern Illinois, and is a founding member of Southern Illinois National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice. She is a member of the United States Bowling Congress. She previously served as Vice President of the Boyton Street Community Center and on the Board of Williamson County Habitat for Humanity. She served as a Steward Choir Director and Superintendent of Sunday School at Bethel A. M. E. Church in Marion. Professionally, she served as a police officer, worked in Illinois Department of Corrections as an Officer, Sergeant, and Lieutenant. She was a house parent of Lutheran Social Services in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and worked as a Telecommunications Operator in Rock Island, Illinois. Carmen currently works within the school system as a bus driver. Her priorities lie within promoting, accomplishing, motivational change, and leadership skills for our youth and young adults. Her history in both law enforcement as well as communications and civil service provided her with knowledge and tools that she uses to help interact in today's environment.
Pastor Karen Knodt
Karen Knodt serves as pastor at First Christian Church, Carbondale. She came to Carbondale in 1985 to serve as a campus minister at the Interfaith Center. She then served as an intentional interim pastor in Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, and St. Louis. In addition to being called to local faith communities as places of learning, serving, caring, fun, and worship, she believes following Jesus commits us to create beloved communities that celebrate all people, end poverty, racism, violence, and destruction of God’s creation.