About Us
The late Rev. Dr. Warren Minnifield, Christian Memorial Founder
Warren A. Minnifield, Christian Memorial Executive Officer, Administrator
Warren “Alphonsa” Minnifield is the second son born to Reverend Warren and Thelma Minnifield of Roanoke and Wedowee, Randolph County, Alabama. Referred to by many friends and neighbors as Alphonsa, they know him as working alongside his father as a farmer, an educator, and as builder of the beautiful Christian Memorial Church.
Warren attended high school in West Point, Ga. and was a standout in academics, sports and extra curricular activities. He was elected Vice President of Future Farmers of America, winning competitions statewide. While in college, Warren became a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. He was selected to intern with a US Congressman before graduating in Business Administration from Alabama State University, where he was offered and accepted the position of Bursar thereafter.
Warren served as a Naval Officer, becoming the rare commodity of a “black aviator” and flight instructor. After an honorable discharge, he worked in several higher education positions but mostly enjoyed working with his mentor as Assistant to the President at Miles College in Birmingham. He received a Masters in counseling education and forged WAMCO Construction Company. He was a first to have a cable television talk show called “Feedback” where he interviewed celebrated citizens as well as unsung heroes. He was also a familiar voice on WJLD Radio calling on local political figures to campaign and promote their platforms.
Warren was elected State Representative and was appointed Administrator for a program to help disengaged students complete their college education.
Warren returned to his hometown to care for his aging and hardworking father, and now, along with his family, to re-open the Christian Memorial Church as a tribute to his legacy. Warren has two children. His son, Bryan and daughter, Raven; and looking forward to becoming a grandfather for the first time.
The Minnifield Family welcomes Reverend and Mrs. Robinson as future Pastor and 1st Lady of this wonderful church.
Reverend Bobby Robinson, B.S. Organizational Leadership, M.S. Transformational Ministry
Reverend Bobby Robinson is a native of Birmingham, Al., and a Parker H.S. graduate. He majored in Business Administration with a minor in Accounting from the University of Alabama, Birmingham. While completing his studies, Reverend Robinson worked full time as a Disability Examiner with the Social Security Administration and assisted with raising his four younger siblings as his mother died when he was only 17 years old.
After leaving his position at the Social Security Administration, Reverend Robinson excelled in the insurance business as the District Manager at Atlanta Life Insurance Company in Birmingham. He is currently Executive of Outreach II at Oak Street Health.
After relocating to Atlanta, Ga. he joined New Bethel AME Church in Lithonia, Ga. where Reverend Ronald Owens presided as Pastor; at which time he was called by God to the ministry and pursued his desire to follow Christ serving as a Minister in the AME Church. During this Reverend Robinson studied and worked tirelessly for an additional four years of studying the African American Episcopal Curriculum which lead to his role as Local Elder at New Bethel AME in Lithonia, Georgia
Reverend Robinson holds a B.S. Degree in Organizational Management and a Master of Divinity from Point University. Additionally, He is currently making application to pursue a Doctor of Divinity Degree. Before graciously accepting his role as Pastor of Christian Memorial Nondenominational Church, he served tirelessly as an Ordained Minister and Local Elder at New Bethel AME Church in Lithonia, Georgia. While serving in his previous role of Local Elder of New Bethel AME, his passion for the Homeless Ministry led him to spearhead and participate in numerous outreach programs for the Homeless Population.
Reverend Robinson is a published poet, a licensed Life, Health, and Accident Insurance Agent, and a proud member of the Alpha Beta Gamma Honor Society for Business and Accounting.
Reverend Robinson and Mrs. Betty-Davis Robinson have happily accepted the role of Pastor of Christian Memorial Non-Denominational Church. Together they have two daughters, Kris Shannon and Christina, and they currently reside in the Greater Atlanta Metropolitan Area.
Betty Davis-Robinson, Director of Arts Ministry, B.S., M.S., M.S., CSM, SAG-AFTRA Eligible Actor
Mrs. Davis-Robinson is a public speaker, speech coach, SAG-AFTRA Eligible Actor, and a former member of the Georgia Partnership Productions, the organization responsible for maintaining and lobbying for the Film Industry in the State of Georgia).
Mrs. Davis-Robinson is the founder of Voices Unheard, Talent and Training Agency which focuses on training individual public speaking, acting for stage, television, commercials, accent reduction, and film. Her educational qualifications include a Bachelor of Science in Speech and Theater Education, and a Master of Arts in Student Personnel in Higher Education from the University of Alabama, with a concentration in Speech Communications and Theater. She also holds a Master of Arts in Mass Communications with an emphasis in Theater from the University of Montevallo, in addition to 25 hrs. towards a third Master of Science degree in Organizational Communication. She has worked toward a Masters in Fine Arts in Theater from the University. of Louisville.
Additionally, she has studies toward three Doctoral Degrees in Educational Leadership in Higher Education and Public-School Administration.
For twelve years, Ms. Davis-Robinson supervised the Speech, Mass Communications, Theater Technical personnel at Kentucky State University. Her additional Higher Education Administration experience includes serving as the Director of Counseling at Stillman College for two years
Theatrical Performances
Mrs. Davis-Robinson has performed in the musical The Wiz, Sophisticated Ladies, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Happy Ending, The Musical Purlie, Godspell, The Jazz Story, Don’t Bother Me I Can’t Cope, just to name a few. Her repertoire includes appearances in several commercials and films: most recently as Aunt Loretta in Work Essentials, a PBS Documentary airing nationally.
Mrs. Davis-Robinson is a celebrated jazz vocalist performing with the renowned Jazz Trumpeter Freddie Hubbard at the historic Blue Note in New York City. Other noted artists include Walter Miller, (formerly with Lionel Hampton and Ray Charles), Jothan Callins (formerly with Miles Davis), Stevie Wonder, Ellis Marsalis, and Cleveland Eaton, (formerly with Count Basie, Ramsey Lewis, Gary Motley, Ted Curson, Sun Ra). Mrs. Davis-Robinson and her husband recently starred in the film Unfaithful Espionage directed by Joe Williams of Men in The Kingdom Productions, Atlanta. Ms. Davis-Robinson was a standout in her role as Yolanda.
She is married to Reverend Bobby Robinson, Pastor of Christian Memorial Non-Denominational Church in Roanoke, Alabama. Currently the Robinson family resides in The Greater Metropolitan Atlanta area.
The Robinsons have two daughters-Kris Shannon and Christina. Christina has Downs Syndrome and Autism. Having experienced the numerous challenges of having a Special Needs child propelled the couple to commit to increasing awareness of the Special Needs Population. The couple is also very committed to promoting the inclusion of the Arts in communities, churches, and schools.
Carolyn Marzette-Bolivar, Ph.D., Interim Special Events Coordinator/Director of the Film Ministry and Director Teenage Counseling Program
Carolyn Marzette-Bolivar, Ph.D. is a native of Birmingham (Fairfield), Alabama. She graduated from Parker High School, received a B.A in English from Spelman College, Atlanta, Ga; and earned a Masters in Counseling Education at UAB while working there as a Personnel Administrator.
Dr. Bolivar freelanced for Sonoma Style Magazine while working as an entertainment writer and publicist for Michael Bolivar, her husband and saxophonist who toured with celebrated artists. She formed her artist revue company, Marzette Media Promotions while living in Wine country, California.
When Dr. Bolivar directed a multi-faceted counseling agency assisting at-risk youth to overcome their problems through intervention, it became the basis for her doctoral thesis at Columbia Pacific University in San Rafael, Ca. as well as inspired the riveting stage play, Acting Out, soon to be a part of the Theatre and Film Ministry at Christian Memorial Church. Dr. Bolivar was baptized early on and felt even then that the Lord had bestowed the gift of writing upon her and when writing, she is doing the Lord’s work.
In Birmingham, Dr. Bolivar delighted in her position as a photojournalist for the Birmingham Times newspaper; and while Editor-in-Chief of Showtime, she wrote Swing Lowe, (Vantage, 2001), a historical tribute to J.L.Lowe, founder of the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame, to facilitate Alabama musicians to receive recognition for their contributions to the music business.
Dr. Bolivar’s combined interests in writing, event promotion, and counseling education have inspired writings in progress, The Asian Persuasion, and Odd Paint, an autobiographical story. Meanwhile she is a screenplay writer for Men In the Kingdom Productions, a faith based company in Atlanta, proving that if your are doing God’s work, it will be immensely rewarding. She has now written three screenplays and counting, soon to be aired on streaming channels.
Dr. Bolivar is fondly remembered as a College Psychology Professor, an Adolescent Counselor with Jefferson County Schools, and an Advertising teacher for the Minority Business Program at UAB Special Studies.
Dr. Bolivar welcomes your interests, support and blessings for Christian Memorial Church and the ministries that will offer vital connections within the community.
Charmane Grant, Co-Chairperson of Special Events Ministry, Director of Health and Senior Citizens Ministry
Charmane is currently an Outreach Director for Oakstreet Health in Atlanta, Ga. with over 30 years of health education experience, which includes weight loss counseling, motivational interviewing, public speaking, Health, Lifestyle Coaching, Pre -diabetes counseling, Biometric screenings, Tobacco cessation, Stress Management, and Mental Health Counseling. Other areas of expertise include Human Resource Management, Medical Practice Management, Healthcare Administration, Benefits Administration, Marketing Recruitment, Professional Development, Managing and Building Healthcare Coalitions, Health fairs, Outreach, and Partnerships. Grant Management -Grant Reviewer.
She is very passionate about providing quality care and credit empathy and compassion as key ingredients in helping individuals make positive long-term changes that impact a healthier lifestyle.
EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:
BS in Healthcare Administration – University of Phoenix
Human Resources - Raj Soin College of Business
Master Certified Health Coach – Emory College
Lifestyle Coach Training - National Diabetes Prevention Program
Health coach - Emory College
Weight Loss Counselor
Mental Health Coach - American Association of Christian Counselors
Community HealthWorker & Covid
She is married to Michael Grant, Vice President/Athletic Director at Talladega College. They have three children, Chris, Rayneasha, and Lauren. They currently reside in the Atlanta Metropolitan Area.