Board Member Bios

Caryl Blackwood is a graduate of Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service.  She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a post- graduate Certificate in Family Treatment from Hunter College and is always pursuing ongoing learning related to her field of study and career.  Ms. Blackwood has worked as a medical and behavioral health social worker since 1995. She has with other SW colleagues written articles including “Experience of Racism and its Correlation to Health Outcomes among Urban Adolescents” published in Social Work in Mental Health, and has co-authored a chapter titled “Social Work in a Perinatal AIDS Program” in the book Social Work in Health Settings. She was a past joint recipient of the Mount Sinai Hospital Auxiliary Board Award for Clinical Excellence. Ms. Blackwood loves encouraging and working with aspiring Social Workers as a past Faculty Field Liaison in the Field Education Department at Adelphi University School of Social Work, and by supervising social work staff and students as part of her work role. Caryl is the proud mother of one daughter and attends Church of the Nazarene. She loves praising and growing in her walk with God, and helping her fellow human beings bring out their best selves.  

Ms. Graham-Mitchell holds a Master of Science in Education and a Bachelor of Art in Psychology. She is also a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, and worked in the field of Human Services for over 25 years providing services to a diverse group of people. She has worked in many social services agencies including the ten municipal shelters that were operated by Department of Homeless. She is the former director for Project Renewal’s Fort Washington Men’s Shelter. Her enthusiasm, dynamic personality and excellent communication skills aided her in her ability to assist individuals in achieving their personal objectives.  She is a member of the National Rehabilitation Association as well as a member of the National Rehabilitation Counseling Association. Ms. Graham-Mitchell holds a Master’s of Divinity Degree from New York Theological Seminary, and she is an Elder of Eastchester Presbyterian Church. She is a wife and mother of three wonderful children as well as a proud grandmother.   

I love people and I believe that shows through my academic background as well as my professional career. I have a MSHA (Master of Science in Health Administration) and for over 30+ years I have worked with the mentally ill and homeless population both in the private sector as well as being contracted with the NYC Dept of Homeless Shelters. I have held many hats in this sector but the latter part of my career was Director. Although, I no longer work for the shelter system, the memories I have live on. Now, I get to enjoy my second career - founder, owner and Pastry Chef of Lenilen Specialties, LLC. I love bringing a little sweetness into others’ lives being through my desserts or a kind word.

My inspiration and passion for baking evolved from childhood as watched my beloved aunt, lovingly known as "Sister", bake mouthwatering delectable treats over the years. As a child, I was given an "Easy Bake Oven," which launched my journey creating delicious goodies for all to enjoy.  My love and passion continued to progress, so I decided to attend the Institute of Culinary Education (ICE) in New York City, where I received my Pastry Chef Diploma. 

I am a practicing Catholic, but I also enjoy learning from all walks of faith because in my opinion, no matter what faith you are or what you practice, there is only one God. 

Delciane Wright, a new resident of Ashburn, Virginia.  She is currently a Doctoral Candidate at Teachers College Columbia University in the Mathematics, Science and Technology Department. Her special interests are mathematics for elementary students, parental involvement for elementary students, and robotics technology. She has teaching certification for Mathematics, grades 7 – 12. She received her undergraduate degree in Mathematics Education from Pace University; Masters of Arts degree and Education Masters, EdM., from Teachers College Columbia University. She is presently involved in research dealing with the use of Virtual Reality in education.

Janice was born in the United Kingdom to immigrants from the British Island of Montserrat, West Indies. Her parents migrated to the United Kingdom in the middle 1950’s with hope for better opportunities for themselves and their children.  We migrated to the United States in December of 1969. She attended Mabel Dean Bacon Vocational High School in Manhattan, graduating and majoring in Business Education. Upon graduation from Mabel Dean Bacon, she attended Bronx Community College for one year, majoring in Secretarial Science. She entered into the work force to  gain some work experience before furthering my education. She was able to find a job with a financial group company and remained with that company until her retirement after 41 years of service. During her tenure at the financial group company, she went back to college to pursue a degree, something she had always wanted to do for many years. With her family support, she worked hard and received a Bachelor of Arts Degree with Honors from the College of New Rochelle/School of New Resources. She is a wife, married to a wonderful man for over 40 years, a mother of two beautiful adult daughters and a grandmother to a gorgeous granddaughter. Her family has been members of Eastchester Presbyterian Church for 29 years. One of her favorite bible scriptures that has been instrumental in her life is taken from Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”