Brown Chapel Foundation
Board of Directors
Dr. Leroy Maxwell, Board Chairman
Dr. Leroy Maxwell currently serves as President and board chairman of the Historic Brown Chapel AME Church Preservation Society, Inc. Since 2016. He has been practicing optometry in Selma for nearly 40 years and maintains one of the largest glaucoma practices in the state. He was at the forefront of bringing advanced state-of-the-art technology to patients in rural Southwest Alabama and is the owner of Eyemax Vision Centers.
He is a graduate of the University of Kentucky and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He received his Optometric Doctorate and a Master’s of Public Health in Epidemiology and Health Care Financing from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He is a member of the American Optometric Association, Alabama Optometric Association, National Optometric Association, and American Public Health Association. He was appointed twice by Alabama’s governor to the Alabama Board of Optometry, serving as vice president and president. He currently serves as a Steward at the Historic Brown Chapel AME Church in Selma, Alabama.
Mrs. Juanda Griffin Maxwell, Project Director/Fundraising & Grant Chairman
Mrs. Juanda Griffin Maxwell is currently the Project Director/Fundraising & Grant Chairwoman. She is a graduate of the University of South Alabama with a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing. She is a long-time resident of Selma, AL where along with her husband, Dr. Leroy Maxwell and she is co-owner of Eyemax Vision Centers.
She presently serves as chairman of the Selma Redevelopment Authority Board of Directors, past chairman of the Board (CVO and first woman) of the Selma/Dallas County YMCA. Additionally, she serves on the Daniel Payne Board of Trustees and the Board of Directors for Vaughn Regional Memorial Hospital. Mrs. Maxwell has been awarded “Citizen of The Year” from the Rotary Club and “Humanitarian of the Year” from both the local Chapter (Zeta Eta Omega) and on the Regional (Vanessa Rodgers Long Humanitarian Award) level for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and she is a 23-year member of The Links, Incorporated. She is a devoted member of Historic Brown Chapel AME Church and serves on the Stewardess Board and currently is the president of the Women’s Missionary Society.
Mr. Al Perry, Treasurer
Mr. Al Perry serves as the Foundation’s treasurer. He is a financial advisor with AIG Retirement Services. Mr. Perry holds an MBA degree from Oklahoma City University. He is a retired U.S. Army veteran of 20 years of service to our country. Currently, he serves on the Selma/Dallas County Industrial Development Board. Mr. Perry is a past Steward and past Lay Organization president of Historic Brown Chapel AME Church.
Mr. James Dawson
Mr. James Dawson received his Bachelor’s of Science in Mathematics from Alabama State University and received a Master’s Degree in Mathematics from Atlantic University,
and a Master’s Degree equivalent in Pupil Personnel Services from Xavier, University in Cincinnati, Ohio. He worked as an Assistant Principal and a High School Counselor in Cincinnati, Ohio. Mr. Dawson played a major role in developing curriculum materials for students in understanding the Basic concepts in Mathematics. The materials developed were sold all over the country. He is a lifetime membership in NEA and in the Federation of Teachers and Counselors. He serves treasurer in Omega Chi Foundation which is a service organization and serves on the steering committee at the Selma Food Bank. Mr. Dawson is a member at the Historic Brown Chapel AME Church where he serves as a Trustee.
Foundation Members: Dr. Leroy Maxwell, Chairman | Mrs. Juanda Maxwell, Project Manager, Fundraizer & Grant Chair | Mr. Al Perry, Treasurer | Mr. James Dawson | Mr. Aubrey Larkin | Johnny Moss
Mr. Aubrey L. Larkin, Sr.
Mr. Aubrey L. Larkin, Sr. is a graduate of Alabama State University. He is a retired educator and served as a principle for many years. He is a member of the Historic Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church for more than 50 years. He has served as Pro-Tem of both the Steward Board and Trustee Board. Mr. Larkin has served as Sunday School Superintendent and currently teaches Sunday School and serves as a member of the Trustee Board.
Mr. Johnny Moss, Jr.
Mr. Johnny Moss, Jr. attended the National Business College and Selma University. He served as Executive Director of the Selma Housing Authority and Director of Neighborhood Service Program under the Office of Economic Opportunity.
He currently serves as chairman of the City’s Planning Commission, Board of Directors of the Selma Redevelopment Authority, and Board of Directors of Wallace College Foundation Board. He is a past Trustee Pro-Tem of Historic Brown Chapel AME Church.
Foundation Board of Directors
Foundation Board of Directors
Dr. Leroy Maxwell, Chairman
Mrs. Juanda Maxwell, Project Director & Funding Chairman
Mr. Al Perry, Treasurer
Mrs. Nancy Sewell, Secretary
Mr. Johnny Moss
Mr. Aubrey Larkin
Mr. James Dawson
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Auxiliary Members
Mr. Joseph Bumbrey, Sr.
Mrs. Frances Bumbrey
Mrs. Ruby Dawson
Mrs. Renate Perry
Ms. Sherri Suttles
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Bishop Harry Seawright, Presiding Prelate
Ninth Episcopal District, African Methodist Episcopal Church
Rev. Dr. Jacqueline Denson, Presiding Elder
Montgomery Selma District, Alabama River Region
Rev. Leodis Strong, Pastor
Brown Chapel AME Church
