We provide opportunities for all people to live a better life. Our services and donations are offered to all in need, without regard to their race, religion, or background. We strive to create a better world, and we thank all of you for helping us to achieve that.
The Gregory B. Davis Foundation had its beginnings in August of 2000 and was formed to preserve the memory and legacy of Gregory B. Davis. GBDF’s mission is to enhance the lives of youth and their families through the development and support of health related programs and initiatives.
The members of our board of directors are thought leaders who have made a significant contribution to our society. Each and every one of them brings a unique set of skills and expertise to our organization.
The members of our board of directors are thought leaders who have made a significant contribution to our society. Each and every one of them brings a unique set of skills and expertise to our organization.
Board Chair
Valencia W. Davis brings over 40 years of experience in education to the board. She retired from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction as a Consultant in the Exceptional Children Division.
She holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in Speech Pathology from Hampton University and a certification in Education Administration from East Carolina University.
Her career spanned roles as a speech therapist, diagnostician, personnel director, special education director, and statewide education consultant. She served 14 years on the Roanoke Rapids Graded School District school board, including 6 terms as Vice-Chair.
Mrs. Davis was also a board member and president of the Susan G. Komen Triangle to the Coast Affiliate. She has been an active 50+ member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and serves as a missionary and Stewardess at St. Joseph’s AME Church.
President/CEO
Edna Davis holds an undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and a Master of Public Health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
She brought over 30 years of experience in health-related program development, management, implementation, and training to GBDF, having managed numerous federal and non-federal projects worth multiple millions of dollars.
Ms. Davis previously served as Program Director for the American Psychological Association’s Behavioral and Social Science (BSSV) Program, providing HIV/AIDS prevention capacity building support across the US and its Territories.
She also provided training and implementation support for the Center for Adoption Support and Education (C.A.S.E.) on a National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative (NTI) across 17 states. Ms. Davis was active with the Roanoke Valley Breast Cancer Coalition (RVBCC).
CFO
Brenda Bracey holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Education from Elizabeth City State University and a certification in early childhood education from North Carolina A&T State University.
She served as an educator in Northampton County Schools for 33 years, teaching kindergarten and pre-kindergarten before retiring in 2007.
Ms. Bracey served as Chief Financial Officer for GBDF. She is a member of First Baptist Church in Weldon, NC, and volunteers at Angel’s Closet.
Board Member
Dr. Anzell Maurice Davis practiced dentistry in the Roanoke Valley Area for 35 years.
He holds an undergraduate degree in Biology from North Carolina A&T State University and a Doctor of Dental Science from Howard University.
Dr. Davis served on the Halifax County Health Board for many years, including two years as chairman, and served on numerous boards related to health and children over the course of 30 years. A lifelong member of Roanoke Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, he chaired both the Trustee Board and Finance Committee and became a Deacon in 2011.
He was instrumental in establishing the church’s scholarship program. Dr. Davis has been a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. since 1976 and chartered the Tau Beta Beta Chapter in Roanoke Rapids, NC in 1984.
Board Member
Niasha Fray is a North Carolina native with an academic background in Clinical Psychology and Public Health.
Her professional and research interests center on health equity, patient-provider communication, medical mistrust, and the health of marginalized and underserved communities.
She developed and delivered community-based professional trainings on HIV education, prevention, and risk reduction for healthcare providers throughout North Carolina and internationally. Ms. Fray provided outreach, education, post-test counseling, and capacity-building support to local and regional health departments.
She served as a Program Director at the Duke Center for Community and Population Health Improvement, where she developed a multi-sector collaborative focused on addressing the social determinants of health and systemic inequities in the Durham community.
Board Member
Dr. Kemi Amola-Hill holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, an M.A. in Counselor Education from North Carolina Central University, and a Ph.D. in Counselor Education from North Carolina State University.
She is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Clinical Supervisor, and Nationally Certified Counselor with nearly 20 years of experience, and founder of V.O.I.C.E Therapeutic Solutions. Dr. Amola-Hill developed NC-HOPE, a curriculum through which facilitators have trained over 1,600 peer support specialists across North Carolina and worked in HIV prevention for over 15 years.
She served on the NC Peer Support Advisory Commission, the Wake County Substance Use Advisory Commission, and as secretary for Resource Connections, an advocacy group for minority mental health and substance use providers.
Board Member
Dr. Christine Daniels received her B.S. in Anthropology with a concentration in Human Biology from Emory University and her Ph.D. in Molecular Cancer Biology from Duke University.
She completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Duke University’s Human Vaccine Institute, where her research focused on novel HIV vaccine candidates using nanoparticle delivery platforms.
Dr. Daniels subsequently worked in the biopharmaceutical industry on the development of gene therapies and immune-based therapeutics.
Through her LLC, Pinpoint Pivot Consulting, she develops STEM programs and curricula and engages in community health advocacy, with a focus on improving vaccine literacy and expanding the pipeline for underrepresented minorities into STEM careers.
