Sankofa Staff and Board
Rudy McClinon, President, Co-Founder
Rudy has been involved in fitness since the age of 10, when he received the President's Physical Fitness Achievement Award. This was followed by a lifetime of sports and physical training. Rudy received an academic scholarship from Xavier University (OH) majoring in pre-med, but ultimately changed his majoring to Physical Education, Health and Science. There, he would also receive a full football scholarship as a walk-on.
In 2000, he experienced the most life challenging events of his life, including having both hips replaced within a five (5) month period. In 2003, he turned to God and along with his business partner and wife, Elissa Diaz-McClinon, started "R-U-A-Pro Fitness L.L.C. which specialized in helping and working with people with special limitations.
Accreditations and Certifications:
- B.S. Degree Physical Education Health and Science
from Xavier University - Ex-Professional NFL & CFL athlete.
- ISSA Certified Fitness Trainer, Level One
- Member of IDEA Health Association
- Red Cross CPR Certified
- Certified Exercise Instructor by the Arthritis Foundation
- Physical Education Instructor/Mentor
- Insured
- Fitness Professional for The Rocky Mountain News
Fitness Challenge
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Nanana (Evelyn) Gordon, Vice President, Co-Founder:
President/Executive Trustee, Source Healing & Self-Help Center
Nanana “Evelyn” Gordon is a Certified Nutritionist, Certified Colon Hydrotherapist and Certified Iridologist. She has been practicing in the holistic field for 13 years, 11 of which have been in her own business.
Her active organizational memberships include the Denver Raw Food Support Group, International Association of Colon Therapists, Vice President of Sankofa Wholistic Health Care Initiative and Advisory Board for the African American Care Givers. Her publishing efforts include a one-year column run in the “Walking Distance” (A Capitol Hill business monthly newspaper), and she has jointly publish a Wholistic Health Care Newsletter with over 2,000 in monthly distribution. She has received training in various African Healing Modalities.
Nanana is a strong advocate of holistic and alternative health care. She has practiced self-help care for the past 20 years and has exposed her family and others to the benefits of many forms of natural healing. She has presented workshops on health care issues for organizations such as the Colorado Juvenile Council and the African American Women’s Breast Cancer Conference. She has studied rejuvenative therapies and practitioners from the John Ray Society. She has attended seminars on Homeopathy offered by graduates and health care professionals from the John Bastyre Naturopathic College and Clinic in Seattle, Washington.
Nanana’s ultimate goal is to combine all of her knowledge and expertise to assist others in gaining optimum health through sharing information and health care services that lead to total responsibility for the Self. She feels this could best be accomplished by establishing a clinic or consortium of African American holistic health care providers in the Denver area who would focus on serving communities of color. A part of her goal of community service is demonstrated in the Sankofa Wholistic Health Care Initiative which she co-founded and now serves as vice president. The Sankofa Wholistic Health Care Initiative focuses on providing education and exposure for Denver’s African/African-American population to all forms of natural healing.
Nanana has 25 years experience in the telecommunications industry primarily in the areas of operations management, training and development, and human resources. Other responsibilities have included network services, employee compensation, and tariff management.
Nanana has a MS degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Stevens Institute in Hoboken, New Jersey, a BA degree in Sociology from Parsons College in Fairfield, Iowa and a Certificate in Project Management from University College at the University of Denver. She is also a graduate of the US West Accelerated Development Program for Women of Color and has received extensive management and leadership training from a variety of sources.
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P. Senakhu Donald-Riddick, Secretary
Is an avid promoter of health and wellness in the community. She has worked with youth on environmental projects, nature excursions, and cultural studies. She has facilitated workshops and done work in the community with Sankofa Wholistic Health Care, Brother Jeff's Community Health Initiative, the Denver Center for Crime Victims, Beckwourth Outdoors, Alternatives to Family Violence, Youth Engagement Zone partners, and numerous other organizations. She is also a reflexologist, raindrop therapist, essential oils and wellness consultant and performer with the Heritage African Drum and Dance Ensemble. Senakhu also has twenty years of experience as a technical writer. She is a graduate of Stanford University, where she earned a BA in Psychology.
Shankara Gilberto Antero (member at large)
Gil has worked as a clinic Massage Therapist since 1999 and most recently was associated with Vitality Health Center in Denver, Colorado which is a pain and decompression clinic. Born and raised in Harlem, New York he spent four memorable years of his childhood with has beloved grandmother in Cuba. He is currently working on a project called Wellness on Wheels along with his volunteer work in the community.
Dr. Roberta McClinon (member at large)
Her interest in natural health began over 30 years ago. After using traditional medicine without success, she began doing her own research and utilized natural health methods such as dietary changes, herbs, natural personal, laundry and cleaning products along with other methods that helped maintain stability with the illness. Over the years she has drastically improved her health. Due to this success, she is determined to share and help as many people as possible to walk the road to better health.
Her credentials and certifications include:
Doctor of Naturopathy Degree - Clayton College of Natural Health
Bachelor of Natural Health - Clayton College of Natural Health
Certified Reflexologist - International Institute of Reflexology
Energy Balancing Practitioner - Tentacles, Inc. dba The Herbalist
Certified Kinesiologist - Tentacles, dba The Herbalist
Reiki II Practitioner - Brenda Villa, Master Reiki Practitioner
Experience
Owner/Operator of Healthy Souls LLC
Naturopathic Consultant/Advisor for R-U-A Pro Fitness LLC, Denver, CO
Co-Owner of Golden Souls By Design with Cjay Smith, Life Coach and LeVerne Holmes, Nutrition Coach as presenter of various seminars on health and wellness education
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Claudine M. Ryals (member at large)
EXPERIENCE:
Data Clerk/ Secretary/ Outreach Dispatch – As a data clerk, performed data input for statistical purposes. As secretary, functioned as a receptionist, produced letters, handled mail, and maintained files. As outreach dispatch, provided community resources information by phone to those who called in seeking locations for free meals, emergency shelters, and utilities assistance. [was a floater, worked where needed.]
House Manager/ Case Manager – Monitored, facilitated, and documented daily living skills of homeless women with in a group residential setting.
Colorado Coalition for the Homeless – (2003 – 2010) Denver, Colorado 80205
Case Worker – Provided case work for children placed in the custody of the state of Colorado.
Adams County Social Services – (2002 – 2003) Denver, Colorado
Employee Resource Specialist – Managed a resource center assisting with resume writing, job seeking, coordinating on-site recruitment, and assisting with office equipment use.
Workfare Coordinator/ Supervisor – Coordinated the Workfare program for Employment First, supervised case managers, and facilitated with supervision of clerical staff.
Mayor's Office of Workforce Development – (1998 – 2002) Denver, Colorado 80204
Case Worker/ Volunteer Coordinator – Provided case management to homeless families, facilitated life skills groups, gave presentations on the ills of homelessness, and recruited, trained, monitored, and coordinated volunteers.
San Antonio Metropolitan Ministry – (1995 – 1997) San Antonio, Texas 78205
Case Management Supervisor – Supervised & managed case managers for individuals seeking services for developmental disabilities. Compiled statistics, facilitated staff meetings, monitored records & services, coordinated and developed training which was delivered to staff located in four towns. Also developed policies and procedures.
Laredo State Center – 1993 – 1995) Laredo, Texas 78041
Case Manager – Provided casemanagement services to individuals and families seeking Services for mental disabilities. Maintained records, monitored services, coordinated Services, and facilitated staff meetings.
Denver Options – (1998 – 19991) Denver, Colorado
Human Resource Specialist – Processed unemployment insurance claims by interviewing Claimants, contacting employers, verifying earnings on the CRT, & by checking submitted Paperwork. Reviewed claims for compliance, and answered technical questions about employment terminations.
Kansas Department of Human Resources – (1984 – 1988) Topeka, Kansas
Alcohol & Drug Rehabilitation Counselor – Facilitated substance abuse treatment groups, family interventions, couple’s groups, and individual counseling. Conducted educational classes against chemical dependency. Screened, assessed, and referred individuals for substance abuse problems. Maintained records, coordinated treatment services, monitored progress, and functioned as a liaison between our agency and other facilities.
Irwin Army Hospital – (1978 – 1983)
Psychology Technician – Compiled social histories, administered tests, facilitated Individual & group counseling, maintained records, gave inservice presentations, and Provided necessary paperwork for irregular discharges and transfers. Screened, assessed, and referred individuals for mental health issues.
Irwin Army Hospital – (1974 – 1978) Fort Riley, Kansas 66442
VOLUNTEER PARTICIPATION:
F.A.C.T. (Family Assistance Crisis Team), A.V.P. (Alternatives to Violence Project), and Public Responsibility Committee for the Center for Health Care Services (MHMR facility) San Antonio, Texas
EDUCATION: Bachelor of Science in Psychology – 1986
Kansas State University Manhattan, Kansas 66502
