Deacon Michael Johnson is a dedicated community leader, mentor, and facilitator with more than two decades of experience supporting justice-involved individuals, families, and underserved communities through education, behavior modification programming, mentorship, and faith-based outreach.

Since 2009, Deacon Johnson has served as a facilitator with the Health & Social Service program at Allen Temple Baptist Church under the leadership of Dr. Eunice Shaw, committed to empowering participants through structured learning, accountability, encouragement, and community support.

From 2005 to 2008, he served with the Dr. J. Alfred Smith, Sr. Training Academy, assisting formerly incarcerated men and women with community reentry through a twelve-module curriculum. Previously, he facilitated "Personal Responsibility: Taking Charge of My Life" at Santa Rita County Jail under the Alameda County Reading for Life Literacy Program.

In accordance with Alameda County Probation Department standards, Deacon Johnson completed extensive subject matter training by professional clinicians. He also serves as Co-Chair of the Community Care Cluster at Allen Temple Baptist Church, overseeing initiatives serving residents in deep East Oakland.

Carla is a longtime community leader, advocate, and nonprofit professional with more than 40 years of experience in health and human services, community development, and early childhood education. A dedicated member of Allen Temple for over four decades, she has consistently worked to strengthen families and underserved communities through service, leadership, and advocacy.

As Board Chair of ATHSS, Carla brings extensive experience in community-centered programming and a deep commitment to supporting children, parents, and families through effective Anger Management, parenting education, and wellness services. Her professional leadership includes service as Former Director of Community Programs for First 5 Alameda County, where she helped advance initiatives supporting children, families, and community wellness and empowerment.

Having served as a board member, mentor, administrator, and volunteer for numerous community and faith-based organizations and initiatives, Carla is a steadfast advocate for equity and justice, with a particular focus on improving outcomes for Black and other historically marginalized communities.

Carmen Ward-Sullivan, PhD, RN, is an executive nurse leader and Associate Dean for Academic Programs at Samuel Merritt University in San Leandro, California. With more than four decades of experience in nursing, she began her career in intensive care and coronary care units, specializing in cardiac and open-heart surgical care.

She earned her PhD in Nursing from the University of California, San Francisco, where her research focused on symptom science — initially exploring cardiac symptoms in women and later transitioning to breast cancer symptom clusters in patients undergoing chemotherapy. She is recognized as a National Institutes of Health (NIH) Symptom Science Training Fellow, and has served in academia as clinical faculty, program director, and associate dean, leading initiatives in curriculum development, competency-based education, and nursing accreditation.

A global health advocate, she led establishment of a 16-bed maternity clinic in rural Ghana serving 11 communities. She is enstooled as HRH Nana Dr. Amma Maanu, Nkosuohemaa of New Sawereso-Seinnuah Stool Lands, Ahafo Region, Ghana — a Queen Mother of Development — and is founder of the NYAME DUA Foundation, Incorporated.

Bruce D. Hardy, RCIS, brings financial leadership and healthcare expertise to the ATHSS board. A credentialed professional affiliated with Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, Bruce is committed to the mission of strengthening families and underserved communities in Oakland. Full biography coming soon.