Rev. Brian K. Blackwell the Chairman of the Board of Directors.  Rev. Blackwell is the Senior Pastor of Saint Paul AME Church Smithfield.  He earned his Master of Divinity from the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) with honors, and Bachelor of Science from the Florida A&M University School of Business and Industry, magna cum laude graduate. 

Rev. Blackwell also serves as serves as Comptroller of the Ninth Episcopal District (State of Alabama) of the AME Church and Treasurer of the Board of Directors of the Daniel Payne Legacy Village Foundation.  

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Prior to answering the call to ministry, Rev. Blackwell worked in several finance and business analyst roles in Corporate America with Mead, CP Kelco, and McMaster-Carr. He has used this wide-ranging experience for the edification of God’s Kingdom, and has been honored for his work by several noteworthy organizations including Wilkerson Middle School as a 2019 Unsung Civil Rights Hero and the Metro-Birmingham Chapter of the NAACP as a 2011 Man of Distinction.  

Rev. Blackwell is married to Attorney Lynita Mitchell Blackwell, and they are the blessed parents of Angelica Gwendolyn.

Nieshel Fall is an inspirational leader and effective communicator living and working in the greater Birmingham area of Jefferson County, Alabama. A respected voice in decision making, strategic planning, and community outreach, Nieshel earns a seat at the table wherever she serves. She had held numerous leadership roles throughout the Southeastern United States and volunteers her time consistently with local organizations. Currently engaged as the Executive Director for the Smithfield Community Development Inc, Nieshel oversees the mission to empower the community through collective resources, transformative programs, and inspiring opportunity. Nieshel is a collaborative leader working with the Board of Directors to uplift and create partnerships that exemplify community and care. She is now facilitating fundraising and donor support to attain the SCD’s mission.

Virginia Kelly and I am an active member of St. Paul A.M.E. I am retired from the University of Alabama Hospital as a Certified Pharmacy Technician. I also was the sole owner of a home care business assisting the elderly and special needs individuals. I have been married to my husband, Lonnie Kelley, for 19 years who serve as a Trustee at St. Paul A.M.E.  Currently, I serve on the Usher Board, the Steward Board, and the Smithfield Community Development Board. I enjoy working on these boards because it gives me an opportunity to do the work of the LORD and serve the people in the community.

Dr. Belita Webb is an Experienced Educator with a demonstrated history of working with students on multiple levels.  Skilled in Early Childhood Education, Dr. Webb received her Bachelor, Masters, and Educational Specialist degrees in this area from the University of Alabama Birmingham (UAB). She is a reliable professional with a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) focused on Organizational Leadership/Early Childhood Education from Nova Southeastern University.

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Dr. Webb’s professional experiences include a Faculty Supervisor for college students majoring in areas of Education, Math Interventionalist, Director of Reading/Writing for a non-profit organization, Reading Coach, and Classroom teacher.

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She is family-oriented (biologically) as a mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, other relatives, and friends.  And she is family-oriented through Christ to the brothers and sisters of Saint Paul AMEC, Smithfield, as well as a church officer and director of the Backpack Buddies Program.  

Dr. Webb is a true believer that “Waiting on the Lord and being of good cheer as you wait” will bring blessings according to God’s will, God’s way (Psalm 27).

Rosemary Range matriculated through the Birmingham Public Schools System, graduating from A. H. Parker High School where she faired graciously with great grade point averages and as the Counselor’s pet. 

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Rosemary attended Lawson/Bessemer State Technical College and received a Mechanical Drafting Certificate, and National Education Center with an Electronic Technology Degree.  She gathered more training and education from Wallace, Bevill State Colleges and the Birmingham Skill Center for Office training. 

Rosemary is the PME Director for the Ninth District, former Carrie Russell Area Chair and a Life member of the Women’s Missionary Society.  She loves giving to the cause of the Spirit of Luke Ministry as the Ninth District Coordinator of the District Missionary Society, singing in the Mass Choir, District Choir, Co- Christian Education Director, for St. Paul AME Church, along with serving as the Connectional Fellowship of Christian Educators’ Recording/Corresponding Secretary, she does fundraising for the betterment of the Church and working as unto the Lord. Giving to the Civic Center Rehabilitation Center Church Services and introducing the lost to Christ. 

She is a proud mother and grandmother, and shared blessed unions with two wonderful men who now rest with the Lord.

The one thing she would like for all to remember is if you confess Christ and believe in His death and resurrection, YOU WILL OVERCOME.  There is nothing and nobody that will ever make such a wonderful impression on your life as when you meet Jesus and receive your forgiveness and begin living for His Glory!  

“For the word of God is quick and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even the dividing asunder of the bone and marrow, and of the Soul and Spirit, and it is a discerner of the truth and the intent of the heart.”  Heb: 4:12

Al M. Niles, Sr., was born in Birmingham, Alabama, a native son of the Smithfield Community.  Al was educated in the Birmingham Public School System, obtained his B.S. degree in Electronics from Tuskegee University, and MBA with a concentration in Business from Samford University.

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Al is a Vietnam Veteran, U.S. Army, and trained in Missile Intelligence.  He retired from U.S. Pipe and Foundry Company, having worked in the Engineering Department as a Pricer Analyst, as well as Quality Control, Quality Assurance, Asst. Personnel Director, Safety Director, Workers Compensation, Environment Engineering, Director Community Relations, Director of Safety, Director of Corporate Safety, and Director of Corporate Community Affairs. 

Al is a member of St. Paul A. M. E. Church, Smithfield, and serves on the Steward Board, Male Chorus, Financial Board, is a Class Leader, Missionary Society (Associated Member), Pastor’s Aide Board, Bible Study, Meals on Wheels, Church School, and Lay Organization.

Al is married to Annie Stewart, and they have four adult sons - Perry, Al, Jr. Allan, Alex - and ten grandchildren. 

Sharyn J. Menzies is a native New Yorker who moved to Birmingham, Alabama in 1992. She is a graduate of Empire State College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Labor Relations, and is a retired Automation Manager of the Postal Service.

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Sharyn is and has been a proud member of the African Methodist Episcopal Church for over thirty years. She currently serves as a member of the Steward Board of St. Paul A.M.E. Church-Smithfield, First-Vice President of the Northwest Conference Lay Organization, Northwest Conference Social  Action Representative, 9th Episcopal Lay Organization Corresponding Secretary, and the Vice  President of the Vestavia Knolls Homeowners’ Association.

Sharyn is the mother of four successful daughters, grandmother of seven, and the great-grandmother of  three.

“Using my gifts to serve the Lord is my life goal!”

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“There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end it leads to death.” Proverbs 14:12 NIV

Michael David Bell, Sr. is a product of the Birmingham City School System.  He attended Hill Elementary School and is a 1969 graduate of A. H. Parker High School. He joined the United States Air Force in 1971 and was a member of the Air National Guard 117 unit until 1991.  He attended Miles College where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting,

He was employed by Alabama Gas Company (now Spire) for 43 years as Station Operator before retiring in 2015.  His Activities and Honors include: Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Boy Scouts of America: Scoutmaster of Troop 190 for over 35 years. Awards include: Whitney M. Young Service Award, Scouter's Service Award, District Award of Merit, Silver Beaver Award, Wood Badge Award, Scouter's Key, Order of Arrow Award and serves on the School Night for Scouting Committee.  He is a Past Master and Life Member of Prince Hall Lodge #410, Member of Khedive Shrine Temple an a 33 degree Mason.

Michael is an active member of St, Paul A.M.E. Church in Smithfield where he is a member of the Trustee Board, Usher Board #2, The Joe Brooks Food Ministry and the Smithfield Community Development Committee.  He was also crowned Father of The Year by the church in 2016.

He has been married for 47 years to Linda Bell and they have two adult children.  Michael David Bell, Jr. and Melinda Diane Bell.