Virtual Caregiver Summit 2021

Join us as our distinguished panel of speakers provide tips and resources for those working in home care and social services.

The 5 Wishes
Caregivers Wear Capes
Resources for caregivers impacted by Alzheimer’s/Dementia
Mindful Yoga to relax your mind, body, and spirit

Sharon Thomas
Host, CEO, Nurse, Caregiver

Sharon is no stranger to the HealthCare Industry, having over 35 years of experience. She is committed to SonRise’s vision of providing a physical space and loving environment where a team of dedicated professionals, volunteers, community leaders and mentors collaborate to help hundreds of seniors maintain a quality of life that is fulfilling within a safe, supportive and loving “Home Away From Home a Step Up above the rest.” Her love for the elderly is attributed to her late grandma, Agatha, to whom the facility is dedicated.

Carlene C. Wright
MC, CEO Wright Encouragement

Carlene C. Wright is a TV and Event Host, Writer, Producer, and Encouragement Speaker. At a young age, she fell in love with all things media and has since had the desire to add to the industry. She studied Multimedia Journalism at Florida Atlantic University and has a plethora of experience working in the field.  She is the proud founder of “Wright Encouragement, LLC,” which provides a platform for inspirational events such as The Wright Encouragement Talk Show and Vision Up. Her mantra is “The Wright Encouragement goes a long way.”

Guest Speakers

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Dr. Rosalyn Roker
Gerontologist & President
CEO Commanding Your Care LLC

Dr. Rosalyn Roker (“Dr. Roz”) is a gerontologist and owner of Commanding Your Care, LLC, a senior care consultancy, training and mediation firm. She is a Florida Supreme Court certified family mediator with training in elder care mediation and shared family decision-making, and a trained Eldercaring Coordinator. Some of her volunteer activities include Alzheimer’s disease and caregiver community education and service on board of directors for non-profit organizations focused on the needs of seniors, affordable housing and food insecurity.

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Dawn Epstein
Executive Director
Alzheimer’s Care Resource Center

Dawn Epstein has successfully contributed to the fields of Geriatrics and Alzheimer’s disease for over 20 years. She served as co-founder and Assistant Director of the Memory Disorders Clinic established at the Mayo Clinic and conducted Alzheimer’s disease research at the Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville. Upon identifying the tremendous need for caregiver support and assistive services, Dawn expanded her efforts in the community and began providing Geriatric Care Management services specifically for caregivers of those impacted by Alzheimer’s disease.

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Katrina Davenport
Director Community Services
City of Miramar

Katrina Davenport is the Community Services Director with the Community Services Department at the City of Miramar. In this role, she directs the development, administration and supervision of the department in order to ensure the effective management of the City’s social services programs. An advocate for our senior population, Katrina supports programs and services that assist seniors with healthy aging and the ability to remain independent in their homes. She also serves on the Florida Council on Aging Board of Directors representing District X.

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Sakile Braithwaite-Hall
Founder
Soulful Sunshine Yoga

Sakile Braithwaite-Hall, M.Ed., is an experienced project supervisor, researcher, and community coordinator currently based in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Over the last eight years, Sakile has provided instruction, social, emotional, and behavioral support directly to students across the globe, including South Africa, Denmark, Atlanta, Boston, and within the U.S. Virgin Islands; and remains dedicated to positively impacting educational settings for students while contributing to more inclusive and culturally-aligned environments.

Honorees

Marcia Grant

Marcia Grant is a native of Kingston, Jamaica, the youngest of 4 children to her parents Daphne and Livingston Burton. She is married, have 2 beautiful children and one amazing grandchild. She is an entrepreneur and a real estate agent. She enjoys working to build the Kingdom of God and serving as the leader of the women’s auxiliary, assist with dance ministry and sings on the choir. As her parents’ primary caregiver, the daily mission is to ensure that they receive the best quality of care as they age. Marcia is grateful beyond words to have her parents still in her life, she would not trade the experience for anything else in the world.

Pauline Ebanks

Pauline Ebanks was born and raised in Brooklyn N.Y., she relocated to Florida with her husband and 3 children in 1995. In 2007 she received a Bachelors in Elementary Education and have happily been a teacher for the last eight years. She is currently a caregiver for her mom Doris (92) and dad Gladson (91), they relocated to Brooklyn from Jamaica in the late 50’s, and moved to Florida in 1999 to support Pauline with continuous love after her divorce in (2000). They are blessed with seven greatgrandchildren. Even though it’s hard seeing the changes occurring in their lives as they age, and the challenges faced with my schedule, it is a privilege being their daughter.

Adrianne Morris

Adrianne Morris is a native of South Florida, the youngest and only girl of 4 brothers in her family. Worked for many years in state government but is currently serving at 4KIDS, working with young adults who have aged out of the foster care system or are homeless youths in our community. Her mom Estelle, raised 5 children as a divorced, single parent. In spite all of mom’s health challenges over the years (blood disorder, massive brain bleed, Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, cancer treatments, dementia, and syncope) she enjoys dancing and walking. It’s been an honor for the past 4 and a half years serving and caring for my strong, brave and loving mom in my home.”

Fern Pessin

Fern Pessin left her home and a thriving consulting business behind when her parents moved full time to Boca Raton, Florida. While gladly bidding farewell to cold New England winters Fern supported her parents’ well- being, protected their resources, and became an effective advocate for them. She became a certified Home Health Aide, attended caregiver conferences and classes, and became active in support groups, all to assist with the caregiving journey of her parents. Author of I’ll Be There – A Guidebook for Adults Caring for their Aging Parents. Her mission is to be of service to others, and support people on their caregiving journey.

Karla Faye Williams-Francis

Karla Faye Williams-Francis has made music her life and passion. She is married, A Recording Artist, Certified Music Educator, Music Composer and Arranger. A music teacher for fourteen years at Village Academy in Delray Beach. Karla and her brother Carlton lived in a home always full of great music and singing. Her dad Carl Williams passed in 2006 from complications with Pneumonia. Her mom Barbara was a lead choir member and a High School History teacher. Mom ensured that Karla & Carlton were not just talented but skilled with music knowledge; playing of the piano and voice lessons. In 2020 her mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, she is currently in a memory care facility, she may not remember her children’s name but she remembers the songs. Music sparks her memories and mental awareness. “Where words fail, music speaks” Hans Christian Anderson”

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