Our Team

Born and raised in Spartanburg, South Carolina, Dr. Rhonda Fordham Young has dedicated her life to improving the lives of individuals and families impacted by Sickle Cell Disease (SCD).

Dr. Young’s path to leadership is anchored by an extensive background in organizational management, theology, and community strategy. She earned her B.S. in Organizational Management from Voorhees College, an M.A.T. from Converse College, and a Doctor of Theology from the Carolina College of Theology. To ensure she could lead grassroots efforts with top-tier enterprise strategy, she also obtained a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Duke University—equipping her with the exact tools needed to bridge clinical advocacy with strategic local impact.

As the Executive Director of the L.D. Barksdale Sickle Cell Foundation, Dr. Young fiercely oversees and coordinates vital patient services across 15 counties in the Upstate of South Carolina. Under her visionary guidance, the foundation acts as a critical lifeline, advocating tirelessly for resource distribution, patient education, and family support systems.

Dr. Young’s strategic influence extends across the state, where she actively lends her expertise to legislative and clinical conversations as a member of the South Carolina Sickle Cell Disease Advocacy Committee. Her approach to leadership is collaborative, data-conscious, and deeply rooted in the belief that community-led initiatives are the key to unlocking better care and data ownership for warriors.

Backed by the love and inspiration of her husband, Roosevelt Young, Jr., their four children, and three grandchildren, Dr. Young remains steadfast in her mission. For Dr. Young, the work of uplifting the sickle cell community is a lifelong calling, and she continues to ensure that the voices of Upstate South Carolina’s warriors are heard, respected, and supported at every major table.

As the Community Outreach Coordinator, Tamara Davis serves as the foundation’s primary link to the public, local neighborhoods, and grassroots organizations across the 15 Upstate counties. Tamara is deeply passionate about raising public awareness and eliminating the stigmas surrounding Sickle Cell Disease and Sickle Cell Trait.

In her role, she spearheads local education campaigns, organizes community health forums, and coordinates blood drives vital to the warrior community. Tamara thrives on building trusted partnerships with local businesses, schools, and faith-based organizations to ensure sickle cell education reaches every corner of the community. Her energetic and collaborative approach to outreach is essential in pulling people together, driving engagement, and bringing new resources straight to the individuals and families who need them most.

Joyce Brewton provides the foundational clinical expertise and compassionate healthcare guidance that lies at the heart of the L.D. Barksdale Sickle Cell Foundation. As a Registered Nurse, Joyce bridges the critical gap between complex medical systems and the everyday lives of sickle cell warriors.

Her day-to-day work focuses on direct patient advocacy, health education, and helping families manage the clinical complexities of Sickle Cell Disease. Whether she is explaining laboratory results, guiding individuals through pain management strategies, or helping pediatric patients transition smoothly into adult care, Joyce ensures that every client feels medically supported and understood. Her clinical dedication and deep empathy provide Upstate families with a trusted, knowledgeable advocate they can rely on during their healthcare journeys.

Harriett Cleveland is the organizational backbone of the L.D. Barksdale Sickle Cell Foundation. As the Office Manager, she keeps the foundation’s daily operations running seamlessly so that the advocacy and care teams can focus entirely on serving the community.

Harriett manages the essential behind-the-scenes systems, from coordinating client data registries and scheduling to managing organizational communications and processing emergency financial assistance requests for families. Known for her precision, efficiency, and warm professionalism, Harriett is often the welcoming voice that families and clinical partners first encounter when reaching out to the foundation. Her dedication to operational excellence ensures that resources are distributed quickly, accurately, and securely across all 15 service counties.