Activities
Lecturers and Presenters
RAAM is committed to fostering the presence of continued Educational, Cultural and Community growth through informed and spirited dialogue as well as Professional visiting Lecturers on a variety of topics championed by an ever Growing and Evolving Community.
Kevin J Webb, ChFC, MBA
Lecturer Company
Kevin Webb, Principal of Wealth Planning Associates, an independent financial advisory practice, has been providing clients with successful financial strategies for over 26 years. Prior to entering the industry, Kevin worked in Corporate Product Management then went on to own an electronic security company for 17 years. An entrepreneur at heart, those early years shaped his decision to become a financial advisor and work with clients on a more individual basis. As a Fiduciary, Kevin is passionate about serving his clients using objective, comprehensive advice to help them achieve their personal and financial goals.
Attorney Carl Nicolas
Nicolas Law Group P.C.
As an Estate Planning attorney with over ten years’ experience, Attorney Carl Nicolas has only ONE goal in mind when it comes to all his clients. That is to make sure as many people as possible protect their assets for their families’ futures. His goal is to educate the public on the importance of having a detailed estate plan in place to avoid some of the common pitfalls that happen when someone passes away. Helping hundreds of clients over his career, attorney Nicolas is committed to providing sound legal judgment and results that will improve the lives of all his estate planning clients.
Derrick Russell, Sr. Cybersecurity Engineer
Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC)
Derrick Russell is a Sr. Cybersecurity Engineer at HCSC with a 40-year history of successfully implementing technology solutions. He is responsible for the strategic direction and delivery of the company’s comprehensive security infrastructure. As a lead engineer and Subject Matter Expert, he designs and implements advanced cyber defense solutions to support over 15,000 employees and 18.6 million healthcare members.
Prior to HCSC, Derrick held senior roles at TIAA/Nuveen and Motorola, where he was credited with releasing the first official smartphone, the Motorola Q. His extensive background also includes 11 years at CSC, where he designed the server environment for GM On-star. Derrick holds an MBA in Technology, a B.S. in Computer Science, and the CISSP certification.
Patricia M. McClure, Author
Author, Losing a Hero to Alzheimer’s
Award Winning Author Patricia M McClure uses her 20 plus years of experience as an educator and health care professional to share her journey as her mother’s caregiver. Presently, Patricia is employed as an Associate Hospital Administrator. She is also an Adjunct Professor and teaches healthcare management courses. McClure shares her journey of caring for her mother with Alzheimer’s Disease as other family members watched from the sidelines. McClure provides readers with practical guidelines on caregiving, including the warning signs and characteristics associated with each stage of the disease and the effects it can have on the individual, the caregiver, and the family. “Losing a Hero to Alzheimer’s the Story of Pearl” won 1st Place in Seniors/Aging Category, 1st Place in Relationships Category and an Honorable Mention in Biography/Memoir Category at the 2016 Royal Dragonfly Book Awards through Five Star Publications. McClure is married to Eric H. Chessier and resides in the Chicagoland area with her husband and children. McClure enjoys playing golf, theatrical performances, bike riding, skating and spending time with her family.
Chad Earl MS CHES CSCS FNS CPT
Dupage Fitness and Rehabilitation, Inc.
Chad Earl is a distinguished fitness and wellness professional with over 20 years of experience dedicated to improving health outcomes. He holds a Master of Science in Nutrition & Wellness and numerous certifications, including Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist. As the owner of Dupage Fitness and Rehabilitation and an Adjunct Faculty member at the College of Dupage, Chad applies his expertise in diet and exercise to prevent chronic disease and enhance physical performance. He is a published author, community leader, and is currently developing an online health program to make wellness accessible to a broader audience.
JR Summers, Author
Author, Parables From The Outskirts Of Polite Society
This is not a religious text, however, I will contribute at least ten percent of the proceeds to ease suffering and help the poor. I’m from where my family has been for over 100 years—Evanston, Illinois.
I started my first business at age seventeen, paid my first year of college shooting pool, been homeless twice and rebounded. When I got shot my father and I took the bullet out in the back yard. I got accepted into a Māori tribe/clan in New Zealand, and been a publicly elected local official. I never saw that coming. My mom would have been proud of me. It would be fair to say I’m in possession of an interesting life.
I think it’s important to earn the right to deserve your audience. It took some courage to simply tell the truth and confront my own concerns of judgment and ridicule. I finally realized that by doing so it’s possible to touch people’s hearts and maybe set some captives free.
Calvin Quarles, Pastor
Author, The Panther at the Cross
Calvin Quarles is a dynamic leader with over three decades of experience in training, human resources, ministry and people leadership. He began his 45 year career in the oil and gas industry holding various positions in operations, maintenance, planning and scheduling, Training Coordinator, Training Manager and Manager of Human Resources.
While at the same time for the past 22 years serving as the Senior Pastor of The Church at Bolingbrook. Calvin has dedicated his life to helping people, he sees his role in human resources and that of pastor as one and the same, caring for people, fostering growth, mentoring others, and building stronger communities. Currently also serving as the President and CEO of MTDA / The Management Training and Development Association.
A published author and community advocate, Calvin has coached and mentored countless business leaders, general managers, educational administrators, superintendents, corporate executives, parents and students over his many years in
industry and ministry. His book, The Panther at the Cross, captures his personal journey through challenges of race, faith, and identity, offering a powerful message of hope and
transformation.
He is currently working on his next book entitled, “ RECLAIM- Marriage and the Family” it will be published in 4 th quarter 2025. Whether leading in Corporate America or in Ministry, Calvin’s passion for servant-driven leadership continues to be his passion.
Wayne Robinson
The Legacy of Alonzo Robinson
Alonzo Robinson’s journey began near the smoky mountains of Ashville, N.C., born March 5th, 1923. At age the age 9, his parents picked up their belongings and
relocated to Milford, DE. They enrolled him into Milford Elementary School, today known as Benjamin Banner Elementary School. After completion of his early childhood education, he left home at age 13, where he attended Laboratory High School at State College for Colored Students in Dover, DE. Upon graduating from high school, he enrolled at Delaware State College also known as the State College for Colored Students at that time. Founded in 1891, Delaware State College became Delaware State University in 1993, proud of their heritage as one of the country’s first land-grant educational institutions. He completed two years of college and was drafted into the U.S. Army under the rank of Technical Sergent. After being honorably discharged from the army, the family moved to Wilmington, DE. He decided to attend Howard University which offered a 5-year Architectural Program that he had aspired to do before getting drafted. He graduated from Howard University (Washington D.C.) School of Architecture in 1951. He was an architect for the City of Milwaukee until 1956 when he became the only Registered Black Architect in the State of Wisconsin for 3 decades. He continued working for the City of Milwaukee until 1967 when he became a corporate member architect of DeQuardo, Robinson, Crouch & Associates in Waukesha, WI. In 1972, he started his own firm, Alonzo Robinson Architect & Sons at 3868 N. Teutonia Ave., moving later to 4900 W. Fon Du Lac Ave. Milwaukee, WI. Our father retired from his career as an Architect for the City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works in September 1998 and lost his battle with cancer June 26, 2000.