Welcome to the website of the Coalition for At-Risk- Restoring Youth (CARRY)!
Dr. Grimes is an internationally recognized board certified dermatologist and medical director of the Vitiligo and Pigmentation Institute of Southern California. The Institute’s mission is to advance the diagnosis, etiology; and treatment of pigmentary disorders. Dr. Grimes is known globally for her innovative approaches to successfully treating a wide array of skin conditions. She has authored more than 100 scientific articles and peer reviewed publications.
A graduate of Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, Dr. Grimes completed her Dermatology Residency in 1979 at the Howard University Hospital in Washington, D.C. She is a member of multiple National and International Professional Societies, including the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery, the American Dermatological Association, Society of Investigative Dermatology, Dermatology Foundation, International Pigment Cell Society, and the Woman’s Dermatologic Society.
To quote the songwriters, Michael Masser and Linda Creed:
I believe the children are our future
Teach them well and let them lead the way
Show them all the beauty they possess inside
Give them a sense of pride to make it easier.
Given this philosophy, I founded CARRY in the fall of 2005. Children should be provided with equal opportunities despite socio-economic status or background. As a child, my parents, both insightful educators, taught me how to succeed in life through lessons of resilience, compassion, and the spirit of giving. As an adult, I have come to realize the importance these lessons play in one’s everyday life. In many cases they are the difference between triumph and perceived failure.
It has become a personal goal of mine to instill the same attributes passed onto me by my parents to as many at-risk youth as possible by providing ongoing quality healthcare, social skills development, and general education support. Much like our logo, we intend to be that helping hand that guides our youth in need along a brighter path. We carry them to a safe, secure, and productive place.
We invite everyone interested in our cause to join us as we form a circle of support around those we serve. As we move into our 9th year of service, look out for more news on the expansion of our current projects. CARRY welcomes you to join us, by way of monetary contributions and/or participating in our programs, as we continue serving the greater Los Angeles area.
Sincerely,
PEARL E. GRIMES, MD
Founder and President of CARRY
Director, Vitiligo & Pigmentation Institute of Southern California
Clinical Professor of Dermatology, University of California, Los Angeles
Board of Directors
MICHELLE DRAYTON
Educator/Administrator, Career and Technical Education Advisor
Born and raised in Richmond, Virginia, teaching has always been Michelle’s passion. She is a results-driven educator with twenty-nine years of multi-faceted experience that not only includes teaching, but advising both high school and adult students in career and technical education. She has written curriculum, instruction methods and techniques and has created assessments. Michelle has worked within post-secondary in Technical Preparation Programs, Linked Learning and Work-based Learning. Currently Michelle serves as an Administrator at the Grace Hopper STEM Academy, a public charter school for middle school students in Inglewood, California. Michelle is a graduate of National University with a BA in Behavior Science and the California State University at Northridge with a Masters degree in Educational Leadership. Michelle believes that all children have the capacity to learn. It is our charge, as the adults in their lives, to find the key to open their minds to want to learn and open their hearts to love to learn.
Michelle loves to spend quality time with her husband of thirty-five years Robert and her four grown children.
NANCY BALIK FITZGERALD
Communications Consultant
With more than 25 years of broad-based communications/PR experience, Nancy has worked for a wide range of creatively-oriented businesses, experts, artistic talents, non-profit organizations and professional societies, including the Women’s Dermatologic Society and the Skin of Color Society. As the WDS’ Director of Communications for ten years, she developed and directed an award-winning community outreach program and created several media initiatives to raise public awareness and understanding about dermatologic issues.
Nancy began her career in corporate public affairs for PepsiCo Inc. She has previously served on the Board of Directors of the Braille Institute and Palm Springs Desert Museum Western Art Council. She was graduated from Emerson College in Boston, MA with a BS in Speech Communications, and pursued graduate management studies at New York University.
ADAM AEJAY’E JACKSON, Treasurer
Actor, Singer, Entertainment Professional
Adam “Aejay’e” Jackson is a native of Detroit, Michigan. His passion for music has led to a multi-faceted career with an extensive resume including: film roles, commercials, voice overs, and a wide range of vocal performances. Adam is the C.E.O of FULL SPECTRU MUSIC, where he is the Special Events Coordinator and Music Contractor.
Through his dedication to the arts he has been blessed to learn, travel and record with many gifted artists including: Juan Gabriel, Toni Braxton, Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr., David Foster, Stevie Wonder, and many more. Adam is actively involved in the Screen Actors Guild, as a board member of the Don La Fontaine Voiceover Lab Foundation, and a life member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. He brings his entertainment expertise and passion to the CARRY board, as a partner and resource on a variety of projects.
KANDRA KING, Vice President
Entertainment Professional / Identity Theft and Employee Benefit Specialist
Kandra has been working in the Entertainment Business as a Producer, Actress, Director, Show Host, Dancer, Singer, Songwriter and Screenwriter and Voice-Over Artist for 20 years. Kandra is currently an Executive Director, Broker Certified Associate, Certified Risk Management Specialist, Employee Benefit and Small Business Specialist at LegalShield.
Kandra works with top Global Brokers and Corporations across North America and Canada to introduce two unique voluntary benefits to employees, so they can Live More and Worry Less. Kandra is a Founding Board Member with CARRY. She graduated Cum Laude with a B.S. Degree from California Lutheran University. She is the Activities Coordinator and has run the Summer Camp for CARRY since it’s inception. Kandra is passionate about helping to transform our youth, who represent the future of our country, through our programs at CARRY.
ROSHAUN ULMER-WINDHAM, Secretary
Director of Social Ministries, Faithful Central Bible Church
RoShaun Ulmer-Windham serves as the Director of Community Outreach for The Ulmer Institute. She has always had a heart for those hurting and the underserved. Having taught in the inner city, she has always been drawn to children from broken homes. After losing her mother to cancer she vowed to live the rest of her life helping others heal and cope with life’s trauma. She has worked with several non-profits in their mission to help young people reach their ultimate potential, with programs that equip them and offer guidance and support in the area of self-esteem, such as the Boys and Girls Club Venice and The Coalition for At-risk Restoring Youth (CARRY). She is proud to have transitioned her service from not only working with CARRY but now as a Board Member for CARRY. RoShaun is an active member and gives service to the Initiatives of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. RoShaun has a Bachelor’s degree in History from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a Masters in Social Work degree from the University of Southern California.
Honorary Board Members
- Mavis Billips, M.D.
- Sandra Blaydow
- Dale Cochran
- William Humphries
- Charles King, Esq.
- Martin Lawrence
- Jenifer Lewis
- Robert Margolis
- Wendy Roberts
- Sanjay Sippy
- Eric C. Taylor
- Samella Lewis, Ph.D.
- Michael Pietrangelo
- Bishop Kenneth Ulmer
- Togetta Ulmer