We feel fortunate to have the Pasadena Birthing Project and Pasadena Church as partners in our social science research regarding racial disparities in adverse birth outcomes. Below are biographical sketches profiling our partners that play a vital role in keeping us connected to community concerns and viewpoints.

Wenonah Valentine, MBA: Ms. Valentine, a respected opinion leader on racial and ethnic health disparities in African American health, celebrates her 10th year as the Executive Director of the Pasadena Birthing Project (PBP). Her privileged insight brings a unique blend of personal experience, community leadership and management skills to examine the infant mortality crisis in Los Angeles County. Ms. Valentine’s passion is building and sustaining innovative collaborations for emerging grassroots leaders through peer learning and professional training. Under her leadership, PBP evolved into a learning organization with a new vision, mission, and strategic goals to reframe a longstanding problem through community involvement and action. She is an alumna of Women’s Health Leadership and has received numerous awards and recognitions for her work with women since 1999. Ms. Valentine earned a Bachelor’s Degree with double majors in Black Studies and Economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and she earned the Masters Degree in Business Administration from Azusa Pacific University with the Christian Business and Professional Leader Emphasis.

Contact Information
Pasadena Birthing Project
PBP-West Adams
2239 W. Washington Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90018
323-732-1350 Phone
323-732-1338 Fax

Pbpinfo@earthlink.net

Glovioell Rowland, PhD: Dr. Rowland holds a Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology and is a licensed and ordained Minister serving as Assistant Pastor & Pastor of Health at Pasadena Church.  She is currently a Masters of Public Health Candidate at USC.  Dr. Rowland was a former Assistant Professor of Psychology at Fuller Theological Seminary, and a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at UCLA who helped write legislation on Child Development and Public Policy.  Pastor Rowland chairs the Clergy Review Panel for the Body & Soul Program at the National Cancer Institute and is a National Trainer for the Body & Soul Program with the American Cancer Society.  She is a member of the California Dialogue on Cancer’s Health Disparities Team—a joint venture with the Center for Disease Control, American Cancer Society and California’s Department of Health Services.

Dr. Rowland is Co-Chair of the Joint Steering Committee of the California Nutrition Network in the Department of Health Services.  She is a 5 year recipient of a Faith Outreach Grant.  She has directed the Body & Soul Coalition’s of Seven (7) churches to provide health outreach to African American Families in their churches and communities. Pastor Rowland was selected as a member of the Advisory Committee for Governor Arnold Swarzenegger’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports in 2005. 

Contact Information
Pasadena Church
404 E. Washington Blvd.
Pasadena, CA  91104
626-794-2951  Voice
626-794-4125  Fax

www.pasadenachurch.com and www.bodyandsoul.nih.gov