SHARRI ROPER COMERNISKY
Sharri has been a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority since 1980. She pledged at Kent State University and currently serves as an active member of Delta Sigma Theta, Cleveland Alumnae Chapter.
Sharri is a human resource executive and a certified executive coach, who has held various human resources leadership roles at Sherwin Williams, Akron Children’s Hospital, and GE Lighting.
She currently works for Summa Health System and leads all compensation, benefits, and total rewards initiatives.
Sharri currently serves as a Board Trustee for the Ronald McDonald House of Cleveland and Akron chapters. She is also a member of the Cleveland Chapter of the Northeasterners and the Kent Area Chapter of the Links Incorporated.
ERIC TERRELL PATRICK, SR.
Eric Terrell Patrick, Sr., a Cleveland native, exemplifies faith, character, and service. A Grambling State University graduate, he has shared 27 years of marriage with his wife, Xaviera, raising two children, Chase and Shanna.
With a 25-year career in pharmaceutical sales, Eric has earned numerous accolades, including MVP and character awards. A 2023 initiate of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.’s Zeta Omega Chapter, he launched a Mental Health Monday initiative to foster discussions on life challenges. Eric enjoys the arts and bourbon in his spare time, serving on the Cleveland International Film Festival board and co-founding the Subourbon Brothers.
ERICKA AMES OWENS
With 33 years of dedicated service, Ericka Ames Owens is a proud Silver Soror and Life Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®. Initiated into the Alpha Lambda Chapter on June 2, 1991, at The University of Toledo (UT) in Toledo, Ohio, Ericka has been deeply committed to the sorority’s mission since her college years. After graduating from UT in 1993, she continued her involvement as a general member before joining the Alpha Omega Chapter in Cleveland, OH.
Currently, Ericka is honored to serve as Chief of Staff in the “Greater Together” administration under the leadership of Great Lakes Regional Director, Gwendolyn L. Kirtley. In addition, Ericka has recently been elected President of CLE Pearls, an official Interest Group of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®.
DR. ROBERT MORRIS JR.
As a college Social Science professor, Dr. Robert Morris, Jr. delivers lectures and provides mentorship both within academia and through his non-profit, South Florida Village. Through this organization, he collaborates with community leaders to offer college readiness programs and mentoring support to students in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. Committed to advancing social justice, he actively works to dismantle barriers that threaten democracy.
Dr. Morris serves on several local, state, and national organizations including the National Association for the Advanced of Colored People (NAACP), Color of Change, Campaign for Black Male Achievement, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc., Broward County Sheriff’s Office Social Justice Task Force, National Council on Educating Black Children, and a host of others.
