2023
Robert Whiting
Chairperson
An electronic engineer by profession, Bob had his own electronics technology business for fifteen years. Bob was later involved in church activities, ministered to others, and completed advanced courses in lay-speaking ministry within the United Methodist church. At Lancaster Bible College, Bob enrolled himself in the Plus 20 program, qualified for the LBC Plus 20 programs, and completed his 20-month degree program there. Bob served on the Board of Center for Social Change, a non-profit serving people with developmental disabilities for over 20 years, prior to ACIDD; became director of Evangelism and Discipleship for another nonprofit, Neighborhood Revitalization Solutions, Inc. that works closely with churches to revitalize neighborhoods. He also served as a “Mission Disciple” for a small church, assisting the Pastor in growing, serving, and revitalizing physical building as well as church attitude.
The Baltimore Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church assigned Bob to pastor several churches, especially as senior Pastor of Mt. Zion UMC, Finksburg, MD, from July 2000 through June of 2008. He also served as a volunteer Hospice Chaplain for Carroll County for three years. Since retirement, Bob has continued various classes, including Masters Degree classes at St. Mary’s Ecumenical Institute in Baltimore. Bob has an interest in various health subjects especially mental health and spiritual endeavors.
Lennox Graham, Ph.D
Vice-chair
As an Assistant professor at Howard University, Washington DC, Dr. Graham has extensive experience in research, teaching, and training. At the University of Maryland, he worked at the Department of Family Medicine. At Johns Hopkins University, he conducted research. At Morgan State University, he encouraged minorities in the field of science.
Dr. Graham worked as an instructor at the Dale Carnegie Institute for Human Relations in the eighties. Dr. Graham has authored several publications and received many awards, including a citation from the Governor of Maryland and the House of Delegates for outstanding health care services in the State of Maryland. He holds fraternity membership in Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Delta Lambda Chapter, Baltimore, Maryland.
Dr. Graham holds many professional certifications: For example, Certification as an Instructor for high blood pressure; Online faculty certification from the University of Phoenix. Dr. Graham served on the board of the Center for Social Change, a non-profit serving developmentally disabled individuals, for 15+ years prior to his serving board membership in ACIDD. He serves as a member of a mental health advocacy group.
Joseph Mathew, Ph.D
President and CEO
Dr. Mathew is the Founder of ACIDD, an all-inclusive social enterprise providing mental health and developmental disabilities support services.
During the 90s, Dr. Mathew took an interest in people with intellectual/developmental disabilities in Maryland for the first time. He worked as a Clinical Specialist at LIFE, Inc., a non-profit organization supporting people with disabilities. In 1992, he founded the Center for Social Change, Inc, (CSC) and served as its president and CEO for 20 years until he voluntarily left the organization for personal reasons. CSC became a CARF international accredited organization in 2009 and grew as a reputed organization under Dr. Mathew’s leadership. However, he could not compromise his values and principles with certain persons and groups within the organization and left the organization in September 2012 to form ACIDD.
ACIDD emphasizes the mental health of all persons in the community. ACIDD primarily operates in Maryland and Florida. “Awaiyr”, a 5101(c)3 subsidiary of ACIDD, is the international operation of ACIDD in Africa and Asia, especially during the post-pandemic; Dr. Mathew continues to take leadership in these organizations as his philosophy continues to be the same in CSC, and ACIDD. Today, he has shifted his focus to building the mental health of people, especially those with co-occurring Intellectual Disabilities and Mental Disorders, with a social mission.
ACIDD in Maryland continues to be a social enterprise that offers Psychiatric Rehabilitation Program (PRP) and Mental Health Vocational Program (MHVP) services to people with severe and persistent mental illness and individuals that have Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities with co-occurring Mental Disorders. ACIDD in Florida had suspended its operation during the pandemic but resumed work in 2023.
Dr. Mathew taught Sociology part-time at Howard Community College, Columbia, Maryland, for several years while ACIDD was operating one of its offices in Columbia. After his research and teaching career as a professor of Church and Society/theology at Wartburg Theological Seminary, Dubuque, IA, in 1989-90, he also worked as a part-time professor at St. Mary’s University, Baltimore, MD in 1990-1991. Later, he took an interest in people with intellectual/developmental disabilities in Maryland and internationally.
In addition to teaching, Dr. Mathew writes and publishes various articles and books. He can be contacted at jmathew@acidd.us.
Abraham Joshua, M.S
Treasurer
Abraham, who is deeply involved in education, believes that education is the only asset that one has that does not depreciate with time or can be foreclosed on. As a groomed speaker on education for 8th and 9th graders, Abraham supported the Advisory group of Maryland Business Round Table for Education from 2005 through 2013.
As an owner of 1st Realty Resource, LLC, Abraham has focused not only on real estate but also on pre-license education. With advanced degrees in Management and Finance, Abraham served as a Director of Finances for over a decade at Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC. Besides holding the real estate and broker license and certification in Maryland, Abraham has received many awards and recognitions for his community involvement. Abraham is a distinguished toastmaster (DTM) with Toastmasters International.
James Steven Brown, LCSW
Director
A retired psychotherapist and social worker who has several years of experience working with people with mental disorders and intellectual disability.
Kevin Brown
Parent
A strong advocate for people with disabilities.
Annette Dukes
Director, Individual
Annette currently receives support services from ACIDD Maryland. She represents all individuals in the agency and advocates their cause with passion.