Mel Trotter Ministries appoints board chair

A local nonprofit that serves people experiencing homelessness appointed a new board chair.

Grand Rapids-based Mel Trotter Ministries said Monday, March 28, it appointed Tonja L.G. Moyer to the role. Moyer, who has been a trustee since 2009, took over the post on Thursday, March 24.

She succeeds Robert Worthington, who served as chair since 2017 and now is immediate past chair.

Moyer is the first African American and only the second woman to hold the position.

“Over the past 13 years, I have watched the amazing work performed by the staff and leadership at Mel Trotter Ministries,” Moyer said. “Their dedication to the homeless population is a tremendous benefit to the social and business fabric of our community, and I am honored to now serve in a leadership role as board chair.”

Moyer is director of continuous improvement at the University of Michigan Health-West, owner of Black Queen Bee honey products, founder of Journey Shaping Consulting and author of the children’s book entitled, “Jesus Power.”

She has more than 20 years of experience in lean improvement and process engineering for the health care and manufacturing industries and said she is passionate about Mel Trotter’s mission of demonstrating the compassion of Jesus Christ to those in need.

“We are thrilled to have Tonja take on this position on our board,” said Dennis Van Kampen, president and CEO of Mel Trotter Ministries. “She brings tremendous insight, experience and leadership skills to our organization and our efforts in the community.”

Moyer also serves as co-chair of the advisory board for the Grand Rapids African American Health Institute and on the advisory board for Kent Intermediate School District and has served for more than 10 years with Family Futures.

She is a graduate of Leadership Grand Rapids Class of 2020 and was selected as the Small Business Award Winner of SpringGR’s 2021 class. She earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from North Carolina A&T State University and an MBA in global leadership from Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids.