Our Board of Directors

President

Charmayne Purnell

Charmayne, a lifelong resident of Philadelphia, served in the United States Army for 27 years and retired as a master sergeant (MSG) in February 2003. After 42 years as a civil servant, she retired from the City of Philadelphia in that same year. Charmayne is a member of Triumph Missionary Baptist Church; Deborah Grand Chapter, Order of Eastern Star PHA; Order of Cyrene KT; and Colonel Charles Young American Legion Post No. 682. She is mother of two adult children and grandmother to four.

 Vice President, Corporate Fundraising

Angela Davis Warfield  

Angela is Director of Development for Temple University and its Northeast Region (excepting the Law School and School of Medicine). She travels widely from Maine to the Midwest in this capacity. Prior to joining Temple, Angela worked as a pharmaceutical representative for Merck and Company. She is active in several community organizations, including the American Red Cross and serves on the Board of Philadelphia Chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving. She has one adult son.

Recording Secretary

Francine E. Cheeks 

Following a career in broadcasting and public relations, Francine retired from the American Friends Service Committee in 2009 where she held the position of Manager of the Communications Department for 15 years. She served as president of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women from 1988-1992. Her other community interests includes Newton (NJ) Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends and Philadelphia Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Service Sorority, Inc.

Treasurer

Nyree Ellison

Nyree was born and raised in Philadelphia and currently lives in Yeadon. She has consistently worked with various individuals to enhance their lives as an entrepreneur for almost twenty-five years and a property manager for 16 years. She gives back by volunteering her time and talent to help others. Nyree has served on various boards and is a member of several nonprofit organizations.

She serves as the Board's treasurer of Southwest Belmont Community Association in Philadelphia.

Financial Secretary, Scholarship Chair

Vanetta Cheeks Reeder  

In addition to her service on the SWBCA Board of Directors, Vanetta recently served as the 34th National President of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc. and is the current chair of the NPHC Foundation, International. She also serves on the boards of the Temple Ambler Campus and the Ebony Pearls Foundation. Vanetta is also the financial secretary for the Links, Incorporated, Montgomery County (PA) Chapter. Additionally, she is Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. Life Member with active status for more than 41 years and formerly served as the Northeast Regional Director and president of the local chapter, Alpha Eta Sigma. Professionally, Vanetta is a Registered Nurse. She is married with a daughter.

Board Member

Mary Ammon

Mary has worked for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Department of Public Welfare and for several private agencies supervising health care workers who cared for geriatric populations. Retired since 1984, Mary currently serves on the Boards of several nonprofit organizations, including the American Red Cross and the United Methodist Neighborhood Service Center. She is married and has one adult son.​

Board Member

Amber Harris

Amber J.E. Harris is an Employee Labor and Relations Specialist in the Philadelphia Region of the Social Security Administration (SSA), Amber is skilled in arbitration, employee law, and governmental policy.  

In addition to serving as a board member of the Southwest Belmont Community Association, she is an executive board member of the Morgan State University Alumni Association – Philadelphia Chapter and represents Morgan State with the Philadelphia HBCU Alliance, serving on the 5K committee.  

Board Member

Kristin E. Holmes  

A veteran journalist and writer with decades of experience in the media, Kristin E. Holmes is the assistant editor of the Chestnut Hill Local community newspaper, a job she began after her retirement from a longtime career as a reporter with The Philadelphia Inquirer. She is a member and former officer of the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists and also serves as an officer of the scholarship committee at her family church. 

Board Member

Dr. DeVita R. Jones

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Board Member

Patricia Russell 

Patricia is a native Philadelphian and a graduate of Philadelphia High School for Girls. As an educator, she taught science and math in the Philadelphia School district and worked as an evaluator of local, state and federal programs. She retired as a juvenile justice administrator in 1997 capping a 20-year career with the City of Philadelphia. Patricia’s other civic involvements include the American Women’s Heritage Society, Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. and the Senior Roundtable Group, sponsored by PRWT. Inc.

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