Joan L. Wharton, Professional Development Director
	For the past 25 years, Dr. Joan L. Wharton has provided professional development services to various faith-based, educational and private sector organizations. She is an A.M.E. Pastor and has served as an elementary school teacher in the Baltimore City Public Schools for more than 8 years. She has produced and facilitated workshops across the country and abroad. Many of her workshops and seminars have provided sound educational, spiritual and emotional support to women and youth. Her professional development skills and human resources capabilities has been of benefit to One Church One Child, an organization which promotes the adoption of children by African American churches and Teen Pep, an urban program for teenage mothers.
	In addition to her work as an educator, Dr. Wharton is an published author and has served the Baltimore community for decades with her nationally acclaimed programs for teenagers, young adults and teen parents. She is a graduate of the University of Maryland where she received a bachelor's degree, Howard University where she earned a Masters of Divinity degree and United Theological Seminary in Dayton Ohio where she received her doctorate degree.