Tracy African American
Association, LLC

President

Gwendolyn White was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, where in 1981 she obtained an Associate's Degree in Nursing from Columbus State University. In 1987, she relocated to Northern California where in 1999, earned a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing from the University of Phoenix.

Gwendolyn has served in various leadership positions. She currently holds certifications in Basic and Advanced life support of both adults and children, and is a Certified Legal Nurse Consultant. The Tracy, California resident is a Certified Registered Operating Room Nurse and currently works at the Tracy Surgery Center providing bedside and surgical care.

Gwendolyn S. White feels her most fulfilling accomplishment has been raising her two children to be responsible US citizens; both having attended and graduated from Tracy Unified School District schools and having received Bachelor's degrees from accredited schools of higher learning.

Vice President

OPEN

Treasurer

Rose Parish 

Recording Secretary

Loreal Taylor 

Corresponding Secretary

Amie Clark

Public Information

Carol Chism-Hall

Education Chairperson

Olinga Yarber-Alexander has been a member of the Tracy, CA community since 1988, and has recently joined the Tracy African American Association member. She is the former owner of a travel agency. During that time, she enjoyed her travels to Kenya, Tanzania South Africa, Ghana Namibia and Malaysia. Her previous jobs have included research lab technician, retail sales and a security worker. She is presently a notary and notary signing agent for the State of California. The Alpha Kappa Alpha Soror earned her B.A. Degree in Social Science and Masters in Higher Education with an emphasis in Student Affairs. Olinga has been married to Ameni Alexander for 24 years, and has adult children.

By-Laws Chairperson

Mary Kennedy-Bracken has been speaking professionally since 1989. She is a dynamic and thought-provoking leadership coach, author, motivational and keynote speaker.  Mary is also the CEO of TYPP (Turn Your Passion into Profit), a Speaking Institution, that was founded on the concept and belief that expressing oneself through effective communication is an essential skill needed in this global society. As a former producer and talk show host of TYPP (Turn Your Passion into Profit), she was afforded the opportunity to discuss an array of hot button topics evolving around public speaking and public affairs.

Her professional affiliations include board memberships in such organizations as: Lathrop District Chamber of Commerce, Library of Congress, Workforce Investment Board, Boys and Girls Club, Lathrop Sunrise Rotary, and a former member of B.A.S.S. (Bay Area Speakers Services), League of Women Voter, NAACP and more. Mary Kennedy had been labeled as the “Energizer Bunny” by Senator Lois Wolk and” Unstoppable” By Motivational Speaker Les Brown.

Activities Chairperson

Ayesha Nic-Gongora

Membership Chairperson

Melyssa Barrett is Vice President of Identity & Risk Products for Visa, Inc. Her responsibilities include global subject matter expertise for optimizing fraud and credit risk products for client financial institutions. Melyssa is also the CEO of Advanced Resolution Services, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Visa, Inc., where her responsibilities include managing operations for credit risk products offered. The 32-year VISA veteran has served as a member of the Board of Directors for the American Bankruptcy Institute and as an Advisory Council Member for the National Foundation for Credit Counseling. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for BALANCE (formerly known as Consumer Credit Counseling Service of San Francisco).

Melyssa holds a BS degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. The Delta Sigma Theta Soror has three children and five grandchildren and has resided in Tracy since 1996. Melyssa has been a member of the Tracy African American Association since 1997 and operated in a number of leadership roles in the organization.