Meet The Board

Kimacka T. Randle is the co-founder and president of Black Autism Support Society (BASS). She earned her M.Div from Christian Theological Seminary and her M.S. in Management from Indiana Wesleyan University. Kimacka serves as a minister in the Baptist church in various ministries. She utilizes the BASS social media platforms to create content to engage African American families impacted by autism. Kimacka is a native of Flint, Michigan and understands the cries of the unheard. She and her husband are the proud parents of three children who are all on the autism spectrum. Kimacka seeks to advocate for those pushed to the margins within their own communities. Kimacka’s goal is to illuminate injustices infringed upon women and children both within and beyond the walls of the church. Her personal mission is to give voice to the unheard and to inspire change. Kimacka plans to continue advocating for special needs ministerial support in predominately black churches and to provide support and resources for black families impacted by autism.

Kadell Randle, Sr is the Co-Founder and Vice President of BASS, Inc. He is a product of the Flint Community School district and the only child of a single mother. Kadell and his wife, Kimacka, have three children on the autism spectrum. He partners with Kimacka in creating content and raising awareness around the gaps in support for the black community impacted by autism. Kadell focuses on fathers who are sometimes uninformed, unsupported, and/or are often left out of the conversation. Kadell seeks to normalize the presence of black fathers in the autism community and to create a support system for them. Kadell understands black fathers typically navigate through this journey in isolation. 

Robin Ferguson Shaw, a native of St. Louis, Missouri, works jointly in the fields of law and education. She holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Chicago Law School and a Master's in Social Work from the University of Georgia, Athens. After beginning her legal career in 2004, Robin entered the field of higher education in 2006 and began a private legal practice. She moved to Indianapolis in 2010 with her family where she attends New Horizons Church and serves as the Middle School Ministry Facilitator. 

With over a decade of experience working with young people of all ages, Robin has had the honor of teaching and serving students as Assistant Professor and Vice President for Administration at Harris-Stowe State University (St. Louis, Missouri), Prior Learning Assessment Director and Justice Studies Professor at Martin University (Indianapolis, IN), and most recently as Recruitment Manager at The Oaks Academy (Indianapolis, IN), a classical, Christ-centered school which seeks to provide educational access to all regardless of race, color, or socioeconomic status. Before moving to Indiana, Robin also served the state of Missouri as part of the Missouri Juvenile Justice Advisory Group and currently serves as a Children’s Bureau/Families First Board Member and Justice Advocate.

Robin has been married to her husband, Brian for 18 years. They are blessed with two sons, Brian and Robert, and one daughter, Eliana.

Karessa T. Johnson, a native of Milwaukee WI, earned her Masters of Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources from Capella University in 2021. She and her amazing husband are proud parents of two phenomenal boys, one of which is on the spectrum. Karessa supports her church's online ministry and social media platforms promoting faith, while connecting with individuals from all walks of life. Karessa currently works as a Sr Benefits Specialist where she educates employees and challenges them to advocate their needs for themselves and their families. Karessa is also co-lead to her team's call to actions initiatives, with this initiative she creates spaces for employees to share their stories while creating awareness, she fosters safe spaces and encourages growth. Karessa is also an #IamRemarkable facilitator, she supports Google’s initiative to empower women and underrepresented groups around the world to speak openly about their accomplishments and promote themselves in the workplace and beyond, thereby breaking modesty norms and glass ceilings. Karessa has always identified as an advocate, even before it became popular. Karessa holds a certification in Emotional CPR from Allies of Indiana. Karessa’s goals are to educate, connect and create seats where none exist. Karessa is passionate about inclusion and ensuring voices are heard.

Iris is a dedicated mother of two children. One beautiful daughter and a handsome son on the spectrum. Her ability to maintain a complex family dynamic has cultivated her into an autism advocate for her community and family. Iris has a passion for meeting people where they are and championing their growth and development.  Her faith is the foundation from which she humbly serves the community she loves.

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She grew up on the east side of Indianapolis, attending schools in Lawrence Township. In 2002 she graduated from Indiana University with a double major degree in Psychology and Criminal Justice. In 2004 she began working for the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office and remained there for 12 years.  During that time, she worked in the areas of Child Support and Domestic Violence as a paralegal. She also assisted in grant writing, community outreach and youth programming. Her experience allowed her to follow her calling to become a School Counselor and Mental Health Specialist. In 2019 she graduated from Indiana Wesleyan with her Master’s Degree in Counseling with a specialty in School Counseling. She currently works with the SMI population at Community Health Network and as a School Counselor in Warren Township. 

Mr. Jeffery (Jeff) Jones is a native of Indianapolis and a 1987 graduate of Broad Ripple High School.  Immediately after graduation, Jeffery Joined the Marine Corp where he served six years active duty.  During active duty, Jeff was deployed to serve in Operation Desert Storm where he served nine months in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia.  He also served in every branch of the United States Military.  In 2001 he received a Bachelors Degree in Management of Human Resources from Oakland City University followed by a Certification for Human Resources from Purdue University in 2013.  Jeff is currently working for the United States Postal Service where he has been since.  Along with is military and education, he is also the former owner of Midwest Limousine Company and P&J Freight and Logistics.

Jeff has always had a passion for making people around him excel at whatever they put their hearts too.  He has been a coach and mentor to the youth in our community for several years.  After his son Evan was diagnosed with autism in 2009, he dedicated himself to learning more about the disorder so he could give his son the best quality of life possible. Jeff and his wife of 22 years Nicole, strive to educate and assist people throughout the community who may have family members on the spectrum and don’t know where to get resources.  His goal is to make people understand that autism is different, not strange, and ensure that they have the same opportunities as everyone else.

Mrs. Nicole Jones is a native of Indianapolis and a 1990 graduate of George Washington High School.
Immediately after graduation, she joined the United States Military where she trained at Ft Jackson, South Carolina and Ft. Lee, Virginia. During her military
career she was deployed to serve in Operation Desert Storm where she served six months in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia. In 2012, she founded Young Ladies United, Inc. a 501 c (3) non-for-profit mentoring program for young girls in the Indianapolis
area. She received her received a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services from Indiana Wesleyan University in 2014 and her Master’s Degree in Social Work in
August 2020 with focus on mental health.
Nicole is licensed therapist who is dedicated to those in her community suffering from mental health challenges. Her desire is to help those suffering from mental challenges find the necessary coping skills to live a healthy life free of mental barriers. Particularly her son Evan who was diagnosed with autism in 2009 at the age of three. Nicole and her husband, Jeffery of 22 years, have been an advocate for Evan as well as other children with autism. Their goals are to take advantage of all resources to see what best fits Evan, so that he can thrive and become as independent as possible. Nicole and Jeffery also want to help families in the community who have children with autism and do not have access to resources and equip them with knowledge about how their loved one can live life to the fullest.