PUBLISHER
Patricia Ann Rencher
M.A., MPA, Gerontology Certificate
Pat’s advocacy and aging activism began with the realization that she—as well as many other adult children—had no knowledge about how to assist and care for their aging parents. That concern led to her providing community education for the Wayne State University-Institute of Gerontology for many years and an appointment in 2012 by Governor Rick Snyder to the Michigan Commission on Services to the Aging whose charge is to review policies and fund programs for Michigan’s older adults. She was subsequently appointed to the Michigan State Advisory Council on Aging where she is currently serving a second, 3-year term representing Detroit, Hamtramck, Highland Park, Harper Woods and the five Grosse Pointes.
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In May 2015, Pat launched the free, quarterly publication Urban Aging News to provide older adults, their adult children, and caregivers with resources, tools and information to enhance the aging and caregiving experiences in metro Detroit. The paper’s mission and Pat’s commitment are to empower families to avoid crisis-driven decision making when caring for their elder loved ones.
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In addition, since 2014, she has spearheaded a free “day of learning and resource gathering,” Aging Matters Education & Expo, where metro-Detroiters learn about caregiver support services, available home and community based services, elder legal planning, the financial management aspects of caregiving, caregiver self-care and other aging matters.
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Pat is a former vice president of programs for the Detroit Urban League and past president of the Boulevard Temple Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center’s family council. She is a current board member of the St. Patrick’s Senior Center and the Presbyterian Villages of Michigan-Oakman Manor senior residence. Pat holds master’s degrees in journalism and public administration and post-masters certification in gerontology. Pat often says that what undeniably qualifies her most for this work, however, is the experience of simultaneously managing--and stumbling through--the 10-year caregiving journey for her 91-year old dad and 87-year old mom.
EDITOR
Alicia Monique Nails
Alicia Nails is an Emmy Award-winning journalist and director of Wayne State University’s Journalism Institute for Media Diversity. In Detroit she has reported breaking news and features as a writer/producer at WWJ NewsRadio 950 (CBS), has produced programming at FOX 2 and documentaries at WTVS (PBS). She began her career producing television at WXIA (NBC) in Atlanta. She has also produced in New York City at WCBS (CBS) and Essence Communications. Her writing has appeared in the Detroit Free Press, The Detroit News, the Michigan Chronicle, and BLAC magazine, where she serves on the advisory board. A freelance writer through her company, SaidWrite, she is a board member of the Detroit Chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists and the Rosa Parks Scholarship Foundation.
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Nails has organized city-wide PR campaigns for the African World Festival and the Detroit Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. where she serves on the National Communication Committee for Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She served on the National Communications Committee of The Links, Incorporated, writing external communications and internal executive communications while serving as managing editor for the organization's national publications.
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Alicia says, “assisting with the writing and editing of Urban Aging News is soul-lifting! I get to work on stories that inform and empower both those who are navigating the aging process and those that are walking that mile with them.”
GRAPHIC
DESIGNER
Kimberly R.
Ratcliff
Kimberly Ratcliff has always LOVED telling stories! It’s what she was crafted to do. From the very first time that a teacher praised her wordsmithing to the latest brand she designed, Kimberly’s spent years realizing she doesn’t simply like words, and she’s not just a talented designer. She was created to tell stories that hit the mark. Whether it is words or images, she has a unique and divinely inspired calling to capture the essence of a story and convey it.
As the founder and Creative Storyteller of K. Renee Creative Agency, K. Renee helps individuals, brands, businesses, and organizations tell their stories through compelling, cohesive, comprehensive copywriting, graphic design, and web design.
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K. Renee is a proud alumna of Golightly Educational Center, Renaissance High School, and Western Michigan University. She was born and raised in Detroit, MI, and has a special place in her heart for the elders in her family, church, and neighborhood. With aging family members of her own, she is honored to be part of a team that’s committed to caring for elders.