YYA Regions
Regional Directors will give leadership to the respective age demographics working under the rubric of one common vision with goals, which have been established by President Young. Regional meetings will be led and organized by the Region Director upon approval of President Young or his designee.
THE MIDWEST REGION is presently constituted by the following states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and Minnesota.
Queen E. Crawford is a member of Pleasant Green M.B. Church in Chicago, IL under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Ray C. Bonney. She serves in several capacities including church program coordinator, church secretary, Dean of Christian Education, church school and General Mission instructor, Voices of Pleasant Green, and Editorial Staff. Sis. Crawford is dean of Baptist Brotherhood District Association Congress of Christian Education, State Director of Foreign Missions, Coordinator of the Christian Education Division of the Congress of Christian Education and the immediate past Coordinator of the Oratorical Contest for Baptist General State Convention of IL, Inc. and the current Midwest Region Vice President of the Youth and Young Adult Auxiliary of the National Baptist Convention, U.S.A., Inc.
Queen E. Crawford, Regional Director
Regional Director
Lawana F. Griffin is a Christian, with a passion for Christian Education and working with Young People. She’s a member of The Divine Providence Baptist Church of Fort Wayne, IN, were her husband, Dr. Michael A. Griffin, is Pastor. In her local congregation she serves as Puppet Ministry Coordinator, Dean of Christian Education, Media Team Member, Advisor in the Women’s Ministry and Administrative Assistant to the Pastor.
Sis. Griffin is immediate past Dean of Christian Education of the Logos Baptist District Association and currently serving as Director of the Ministers’ Wives and Widows Ministry and Dean of The Original General Missionary Baptist State Convention of Indiana. She has had the privilege of serving as an Instructor in the National Baptist Convention Congress of Christian Education and is a member of the Sunday School Publishing Board DCEAC-Advisory Committee. Sis. Griffin serves as the Midwest Region Director of the Youth and Young Adult Auxiliary of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. She is a woman of faith, growing and maturing daily in her walk with the Lord.
Assistant Regional Director
Talijah Williams is a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Her zeal for God led her to enroll into Andersonville Theological Seminary where she is currently studying Biblical Studies. Sis. Williams is a faithful member of the Damascus Missionary Baptists Church where she works as a liaison for the youth department, assists the Director of Christian Education and sings in the choir. She currently serves as the Youth and Young Adult President of the General Baptist State Convention of Wisconsin Incorporated. A mentor for youth and young adults Sis. Williams is passionate about her igniting others to live bold righteous lives while being Y.E.S—Young, Excited, and Saved!
THE NORTHEAST REGION is presently constituted by the following states: Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Rhode Island, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Vermont.
George Dwight Aiken is currently an Associate Minister at the Upper Room Missionary Baptist Church, where he is led by Senior Pastor, Pastor Carlton L. Aiken, Sr. Dwight Aiken has been the Youth Council’s lead servant for over twenty years, overseeing the Youth Ministry, Young Adult Ministry, and Parents Ministry. In addition to serving for his church, Dwight is also the Youth President for the Pennsylvania Eastern Keystone Baptist Association led by Dr. Wayne Weathers. He is HAPPILY married to one wife (Jennifer Aiken) and is the extremely proud father of two beautiful girls, Genna Elyce and Gianna Elizabeth.
His sole mission during his twenty years in ministry and twenty years in business has been to: serve God’s people and fulfill the purpose He has for me, even when it does not appear to be the most popular decision. “No Room for Excuse Makers” PHILLIPIANS 4:13: “I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST THAT STRENGTHEN ME”
Regional Vice President
Dr. Debbie Strickling-Bullock is a Christian, licensed minister, and lifetime servant in the Baptist church. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from San Francisco State University, Master’s degree in Human Resources Management and an earned Doctorate in Education from Wilmington University. Rev. Dr. Bullock is the author of two books entitled It’s All Good: When Lessons Lead to Blessings and It’s All Good: Every Round Goes Higher. Currently, she is a flight attendant for American Airlines, the Director of Family Ministries at Canaan Baptist Church and first-year seminarian in the Master of Divinity degree program at Virginia Union University Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology. Rev. Dr. Bullock shares her life with her husband of 35 years, Rev. Dr. Christopher Alan Bullock, Pastor of the Canaan Baptist Church of Delaware, two sons and three grandchildren. For strength and guidance, she relies on Romans 8:28.
Regional Director
THE SOUTHEAST REGION is presently constituted by the following states and territories: Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.
Gloria Jean Gainey Simmons was born and reared in Gainesville, Florida to the late Reverend Eugene Gainey & Sister Jerlene Jones Gainey. She earned an Associate of Arts degree from Santa Fe Junior College and a Degree of Arts from the University of Florida. She taught Exceptional Student Education for 38 years at her high school alma mater and retired December 17, 2010. Gloria is a faithful member of First Missionary Baptist Church under the pastorage of Reverend Dr. Tyrone A. Blue. At First Baptist, she is the Director of Christian Education, Adult Women Sunday school instructor, Senior Saints Ministry leader and a Deaconess. Her church is affiliated with the Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Association where she serves as an instructor of Christian Education and the president of the Women’s Auxiliary. She is the past Young People’s Auxiliary President of Florida General Baptist Convention, Inc. and an instructor with the Congress of Christian Education. She is a recipient of Dean certification awarded by the SSPB Auxiliary of the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education. She is happily married to Deacon Kenneth Larene Simmons, and they are the proud parents of two children and two granddaughters. Her favorite scripture is Proverbs 3:5-6.
Regional Vice President
Erica A. Gilyard is a native of Columbia, South Carolina. She is the daughter of Mrs. Pat Taylor Gilyard and the late Alonzo Gilyard, Jr. She is a life-long member of Zion Canaan Baptist Church, Inc., of Columbia, South Carolina. She is actively involved with various ministries within the church and the community. Sis. Gilyard currently serves as President of her Church’s Young Women’s Auxiliary (YWAs) and is an active Youth Co-Advisor. She is Assistant Treasurer of the Gethsemane Association Young Women’s Auxiliary. She is the Vice President of the South Carolina State Baptist Young Women’s Auxiliary, under the Women’s Convention. She has been a delegate to the Southern Region Youth Conference since she 9 years old and served as the 2nd VP of the Young Women’s Dept. She was the former Youth President and Advisor to the Youth Officers of the Southeast Region Youth Conference. Erika attended Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) in Tallahassee, FL (Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and Chemistry Pre-Med with a minor in Military Science) and Webster University in Orlando, FL (Master of Health Administration). Erica’s two favorite scriptures are Jeremiah 29:11 and Habakkuk 2:2.
Regional Director
THE SOUTHWEST REGION is presently constituted by the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas.
Rosie Weston-Hudson is a resident of Shreveport, Louisiana and presently serves as the State Director of the Youth and Young Adult Auxiliary of the Louisiana Missionary Baptist State Convention. She also serves as the Secretary and Associate Dean of the 13th District Missionary Baptist Association Congress of Christian Education. She has served as Youth Director and Woman’s Director in her local church and district association. In the Southwest Region Youth Conference, she has served as a State Coordinator, Coordinator of Girl’s Talk, and Red Circle and Matron’s Instructor. She presently serves as Dean of the Paradise B. C. Leadership School where her husband, Dr. Robert C. Hudson is pastor. She has developed workshops and presentations to address youth and women’s ministry and Christian Education in general. She is a graduate of Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA with a B. S. Degree in Electrical Engineering and M.S. Degree in Educational Leadership and Counseling from Louisiana State University. She is a mother of three with one grandson. Her purpose is to equip others to serve.
Jomiski Nelson is member of Concord MB Church Forest, MS, where she serves as Youth Director, Assistant Church Clerk, and Youth Sunday School teacher. She is also a member of 3rd New Hope District, where she serves as 2nd Vice President of the Woman’s Auxiliary & Assistant Financial Secretary. Jomiski serves as Assistant Youth Director for East MS Baptist State Convention. She is a graduate of Forest High School. She earned a B.S. and M.S. from Jackson State University & attended Meridian Community College where she received her nursing degree and has worked in Nursing Administration for over 10 years. She currently serves as Director of Business Operations for MS with AccentCare. Jomiski is the proud mother of two daughters Jana Lizabeth and Hanah Grace.
THE WESTERN REGION is presently constituted by the following states and territories: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Kansas, Nevada, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Utah, and Washington
Rev. James L. Brown is the Youth Pastor of the Greater Shiloh Baptist Church in the Great State of Oklahoma where Rev. Dr. Orlando J. Black Sr. is pastor. Rev. Brown has been working with the Youth Ministry for well over twenty years and working with the Western Region for over ten years. In addition to serving the Oklahoma Baptist State Convention Jr. as Laymen Director and the East Zion District here in Oklahoma City, as the Executive Secretary/Treasurer, Rev. Brown is a faithful servant of the Youth and Young Adult Auxiliary, for which he serves as a Regional Director. He and his wife Tyink Brown have celebrated over 20 years in holy matrimony. He is also the father to his amazing daughter, Jasmine. He is honored at all levels to serve and give God all the glory.
Sonjia Daniels was born and raised in Shreveport, Louisiana, and currently resides in Salt Lake City, Utah. She currently serves as the Western Regional Youth and Young Adult Director. Before this, Sonjia served as a youth director and usher board president for the Intermountain General Baptist convention for over six years and served at her local church Calvary Baptist Church in Salt Lake City, UT as a youth counselor and usher board president. She is married to Deacon Robert Daniels and has five children and one grandson. She has a passion for working with children and young adults. Her favorite Scripture is Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”