Darlene Rhodes-Chester is a passionate advocate for older adults with over 20 years of experience in aging services, public health, and community engagement. She holds master’s degrees in Gerontology and Public Health, a bachelor’s in Business/Accounting from Wiley College, and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Public Health from Walden University.

Darlene Rhodes-Chester serves as President of both the Fort Worth Wiley Club and Tarrant County College Senior Advisory Committee, where she expands lifelong learning opportunities for older adults. She is also the founder and executive director of Community Uplift Services, a nonprofit supporting over 75 seniors through programs like the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren & Senior Support Group.

A certified Master Trainer in evidence-based programs such as A Matter of Balance and Stanford’s Chronic Disease and Diabetes Self-Management, Darlene Rhodes-Chester has led classes across Tarrant and Dallas counties to promote health, independence, and fall prevention.

Her prior work includes serving as a Texas Long-Term Care Ombudsman and coordinating the Neighbor Helping Neighbor initiative in Fort Worth’s Stop Six neighborhood. She also helped develop gerontology curriculum at Eastfield College and remains active in coalitions focused on aging-in-place, elder justice, and health equity.