Women In Advocacy Spotlight: Nonprofit Leader, Sylvia Dennis-Wray

Nonprofit Leader, Sylvia Dennis-Wray works to support the mission of the Alzheimer’s Services Center which is to enhance and prolong the highest quality of life possible for people with Alzheimer’s Disease and for their families.

Sylvia started her career in Corporate America and worked for major companies like Schering-Plough Healthcare, Johnson & Johnson, and Luxottica. Then proceeded to become an entrepreneur and start her own restaurant business alongside her husband, Orville “Scottie” Wray. During the planning stages, her mother Ruby Dennis suffered a ruptured brain aneurism and she became her caregiver.

In 2006, her mother had to have another brain surgery, and this left her with Dementia. Later, that year Sylvia and her husband opened their restaurant and started “The McDonough Jerk Festival.” They wanted to give back to their community, so they decided that they would give back to “The Walk To End Alzheimer’s.” This was the beginning of a new direction for Sylvia.

After being so involved in Peachtree City’s Walk To End Alzheimer’s, God directed her to start an Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregivers Support Group in Henry County. That same year, God told Sylvia to start a Henry County Walk To End Alzheimer’s. When she approached the Georgia Chapter, they knew there was a need in Henry County, so they approved for it to be a mini-walk, spinning off of the Greater Atlanta Walk and Sylvia became the walk chair. After such growth of the Henry County Walk in only two years, the Georgia Chapter made Henry County Walk To End Alzheimer’s an official walk in 2018.

Sylvia is also the CEO & owner of SDW Marketing Firm, Co-Founder of the McDonough Jerk Festival, Marketing Manager at Edgy Girl Fitness Studio, and Executive Director, Alzheimer’s Services Center. She’s on two Boards of Directors, Home of the Brave and Living Well Adult Day Care. SDW Marketing Firm has partnerships with Holy Connection TV and Pierre Branding Group. She is a loving wife, has 1 daughter, 3 sons, and 5 grandchildren.

We Empower Magazine got an exclusive interview with Sylvia Dennis-Wray.

Please tell us about your business(s), the work that you do, and the services that you provide?

Sylvia Dennis-Wray: The Alzheimer’s Services Center is a 501c3 Non-Profit Organization. The services we provide are Adult Day Care, Telehealth Services, Overnight Respite Care, and Caregivers Support Services. We care and support those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease and any other related Dementia and their families.

In what ways does The Alzheimer’s Services Center empower others?

Sylvia Dennis-Wray: We empower the caregivers that care for loved ones that are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and any other Dementia. We also work with the family and their loved ones that are diagnosed by keeping them engaged with others that are also diagnosed.

It’s Black History Month! What does this time of the year mean for you and what initiatives do you take part in during this time?

Sylvia Dennis-Wray: Black History Month is very important to us and our heritage. We try to research and see if any African Americans are diagnosed with the disease and share their stories with our participants and their families. Currently, we don’t have any initiatives.

What do you enjoy most about being an entrepreneur?

Sylvia Dennis-Wray: I enjoy being the Executive Director of the ASC, because this is a passion of mine to serve those that have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease or any other related Dementia.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Sylvia Dennis-Wray: In my spare time, I love dancing and spending quality time with my family.

What is a fun fact about yourself that many are not aware of?

Sylvia Dennis-Wray: I love to play spades with my bestie! We love beating up on our opponents.

What are you currently working on?

Sylvia Dennis-Wray: We are currently working on reopening our Center and providing a safe Covid Free environment. We are also working on more programs to offer to our participants and their families.

What does the remainder of the year look like for you?

Sylvia Dennis-Wray: Being able to provide more programs and services for our participants and the community.

What else would you like us to know about?

Sylvia Dennis-Wray: Our Center is the only Adult Day Care Center in the Southern Crescent that offer services to people that are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease and any other related Dementia. That’s our target market. Other facilities take on other disabilities but we only care for those affected by Dementia!

Sylvia Dennis-Wray

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