Board

The North Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Meet our Board of Directors below.

Patricia McCay, Chair

Bo Williams, Vice Chair

Quanda Stevenson, Secretary

Deborah Powell, Treasurer

Africa Patterson, Community Impact Director

 

Patricia McCay, Chair

Since 2009, Ms. McCay has been a human trafficking advocate, spokesperson, and founder/Chair of the North Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force.  In 2011, she was awarded the FBI Director’s national “Community Leadership Award” for her work to prevent human trafficking.  In 2013, she was named “Alumni of Achievement” by the University of Alabama in Huntsville’s Alumni Association.  She was also the 2017 recipient of the Charles L. Ray, Jr. Social Justice Award awarded by the Huntsville Interfaith Mission Service.  Since 2018, she has served as the Chair of the Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force, established in 2014 by former Governor Bentley.  She is also the President of the Board of Directors for Safe Harbor Youth, Inc., a youth shelter for homeless, runaway, at risk, and human trafficked youth 16 to 22 years of age.  She has been a member of Soroptimist International since 2005 and has served in various leadership positions at the local Club, Region, and Federation levels of the organization. Send Ms. McCay email here.

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Bo Williams, Vice Chair

Bo Williams is the vice chair for the task force. He joined the war on human trafficking in 2017 after hearing task force founder and president Pat McCay speak. A professional communicator with three decades of experience, Bo leads online and mass media initiatives for the task force, as well as works actively on the Speakers’ Bureau. Bo is a husband, father, and lifelong Alabamian. He enjoys IndyCar racing and wristwatches. Send Bo email here.

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Quanda Stevenson, Secretary

Dr. Stevenson received a dual bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Political Science; Masters degree in Criminal Justice; and an Interdisciplinary doctorate which consists of Public Administration (Law), Higher Education, Education Administration (Law), Human Development, and Criminal Justice/Sociology from the University of Alabama. She has worked in higher education for over 20 years, teaching students at the University of Alabama and Athens State University. She is currently the Program Director and Full Professor of Criminal Justice, Child Advocacy Student Training (C.A.S.T.), Forensics, and Juvenile Justice concentration at Athens State University. She has presented research related to school violence and crime, bullying, truancy, human trafficking, diversity and inclusion, and domestic violence at several national, state, and local conferences. Community service is very important to her so she devotes several hours to helping others in the community! Her research and community service aims to reduce the occurrence of school incidents, trafficking, abuse and violence in order to offer safe, nonviolent, and conducive environments in the community.

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Deborah Powell, Treasurer

Deborah Powell has worked in the financial services industry for over 20 years, serving in operations and marketing with investment banking, mortgage, and financial advisory firms. In addition to her work with the task force, Deborah is the Community Vice President for the Junior League in Huntsville. She is a graduate of the University of Alabama, with a degree in history. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, serving as a Sunday school teacher for toddlers, cheering for the Crimson Tide, and spending time with her husband and daughter. Send Deborah email here.

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Africa Patterson, Community Impact Director

Community Impact Director Africa Patterson joined the war on human trafficking in 2015 after hearing task force founder and president Pat McCay speak. A social worker since 2005, Africa worked for the state of Alabama as a child protective service worker with the Madison County Department of Human Resources until 2010. She then became a Public Health Social Worker with the Madison County Health Department, where she currently holds the position of Maternal Child Health Coordinator, focusing on advocacy and health care resources for expectant mothers and children, ages 1-17. Africa received her Bachelor’s of Music degree from the University of Alabama in Huntsville with a Minor in Sociology, and her Master’s of Social Work degree from Alabama A&M University. She is currently licensed with the state of Alabama as a Master Social Worker. Africa was born in Memphis, TN but raised here in Huntsville, AL since she was six months old. She loves her life in Christ and enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

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