Meet the Staff
Commitment. Innovation. Compassion.
Executive Director
Nyla Christian
Nyla, a founding board member of CAARD and the visionary behind the Living Well Project, brings dynamic leadership as a Certified Interventionist and Peer Specialist. She collaborates with local, state, and national stakeholders to design and implement culturally responsive, community-based programs. With a focus on inclusive behavioral health and wellness services, Nyla’s leadership fosters innovation and ensures diverse representation in creating impactful, sustainable support systems.
Project Manager
Adrianna Craft
Adrianna joined CAARD to oversee program and organizational administration, bringing a strong background in operations management. With a deep passion for advancing mental health and trauma recovery initiatives within the Black community, Adrianna is dedicated to fostering impactful change through culturally informed approaches. Currently pursuing an MBA with the goal of leading a healthcare organization, she combines her expertise in operations with her commitment to equitable, community-driven care.
Board of Directors
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
Anita Bradley
MSW, LSW, LICDC-CS
President
Anita has served as an Advisory Consultant under two Presidential Administrations and is a founding board member of CAARD. As the Founder and CEO of the Northern Ohio Recovery Association, she has secured over $50 million in grants, driving impactful change in recovery and mental health initiatives.
Iisha Wesley
Vice President
Iisha is a CAARD founding board member and the sitting Parliamentarian. She serves as the Executive Director of the Minority Recovery Collective Inc. (MRCI), based in Indiana, where she leads initiatives focused on supporting individuals in recovery and fostering community resilience. Iisha is highly skilled in Nonprofit Leadership, Community Engagement, Quality Redesign Programming, Marketplace Insurance, and Public Speaking.
Dr. Dominique Clemmon-James
LCMHCS, CRC, LCAS, MAC, BCB, CCS
Administrator
Dr. CJ holds a PhD in Rehabilitation Counseling and Administration and is a dedicated advocate for collegiate recovery. She is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist, and Certified Clinical Supervisor. Dr. CJ also serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Addictions and Rehabilitation Studies at East Carolina University (ECU), where she works to advance recovery-focused education and practice.
Dora D. Wright
BS, CADC, NCRS,
CPRS, RCT
Board Member
Dora is a CAARD founding board member and the Founder and CEO of the Chicago Recovering Communities Coalition (CRCC). Under her leadership, CRCC has become a vital recovery liaison, connecting the community with supportive housing entities and mental health centers across Chicagoland. CRCC was recently honored as the 2024 National Rally for Recovery Hub Event, showcasing its impactful work in the recovery movement.
Dr. Jonathan Lofgren
LADC
Board Member
Dr. Jonathan Lofgren, a CAARD founding board member, is a Professor of Addiction Counseling at Minneapolis College. His work, “A Black Paper,” has been instrumental in shaping the growth of CAARD and supporting the development of emerging Black Recovery Community Organizations (RCOs) nationwide.
Dr. Andre Johnson
HR Lead
Dr. Andre L. Johnson, a native Detroiter, is the Founder/CEO of the Detroit Recovery Project. He has consulted internationally on behalf of the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan Against AIDS and served on the National Advisory Council for SAMHSA (2015-2018). Dr. Johnson, a former Addiction Studies and Mental Health instructor at Wayne County Community College, was honored by President Barack Obama as the 2016 “Champion of Change for Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery.”
Lionel Olgesby
Board Member
Lionel serves as Equity Officer at the Legal Action Center, leading initiatives to advance racial justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion. He works to identify and address systemic barriers while supporting LAC’s commitment to equity principles.
Lionel is also a member of LAC’s Management Team and co-chairs its Racial Justice and Equity Committee.