The Sister Scholars Advisory Council (SSAC) provides information and recommendations regarding the program component and research projects of the Delta Research and Educational Foundation’s (DREF) Center for Research on African American Women.

The program components concentrate on the following areas of interest and concerns relating to the lives and well-being of African American women:

• Economics
• Education
• Health and Wellness
• International Affairs
• Public and Social Policy

The research projects address critical subjects and investigate matters as well as topical issues identified by the SSAC. The Council serves as the Editorial Review Panel for PHILLIS: The Journal for Research on African American Women. The Council also serves as the Selection Committee for the Vivian A. Ware Research Fellowship and provides mentoring to the Ware Fellow.

The SSAC is comprised of African American women scholars and professionals who are authorities on the history, culture, and issues relating to women of the African diaspora.

2025-2026 Sister Scholars Advisory Council
Tchicaya Ellis Robertson, Ph.D., Chair
Kamaria S. Hill, DREF Staff Liaison
Pamela Smith (National Chair, PP&D Committee)
Courtney Taylor (National 2nd Vice President)

Brittny Bratcher-Rasmus, Ph.D., CHES
Carolyn Lewis, MBA
Crystal Edwards, Ed.D.
Crystal Y. Lumpkins, Ph.D., MA, FSBM
Debra Bond, Ph.D.
Deidre B. Flowers, Ph.D.
Diane Brinson-Days, Ed.D.
Erin Smith, MPS
Gena Yuvette Davis, Psy.D.
Karen A. White, DSW, M.Ed., MSW, LMSW, SIFI
Keonda Grant-Taylor, MBA, DBA(c)
Kia Monique Jones, Dr.P.H, MS, MPA
Kimberley D. Freeman, Dr.PH., MPH
Laquita Blockson, Ph.D.
Lisa Brownlee Johnson, MSN, NP
Marilyn M. Brown, Ed.D.
Marlena Brown, Ph.D.
Marsha A. Lewis, Ed.D.
Mary Howard-Hamilton, Ed.D.
Melody Pannell, D.Min.,MSW,MACE
Sharon Barnett-Starks, MSW
Shonda Lemons-Smith, Ph.D.
Stacey Chavis, M.S.L.
Tenesha J. Lewis, Dr.PH.,MPH
For more information and inquiries please email: sisterscholars@deltafoundation.net