WKM Staff Biographies
Dr. Carlton M. Truesdale
Carlton has been married to Linda Truesdale for 35 years. They have 4 children and 9 grandchildren. Carlton completed his undergraduate studies in chemistry at Morehouse College and received his doctorate in physical chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley in 1983.
Carlton joined Corning Incorporated in 1983. In 2005 he became the first and remains as the only Black Research Fellow. He has been granted 37 U.S. patents for his work during his 34 years at Corning Incorporated. Since obtaining his Ph.D. he has published 200 documents that include invention disclosures, patents, journal articles, conference proceedings and internal reports. He was Chair of the Black Technology Network (BTN & formally Awareness Quality Improvement Team [AQIT]) during the years 1988 – 2000. He was appointed the first Chair Emeritus of the BTN in 2000.
During his nearly 35 years in the Corning/Elmira area he was active in the local church. At All Saints Home Church, under the leadership of Bishop Cephus McGee he was a trustee and member of the choir for 15 years. Since 2008, Carlton and his wife Linda have been the founders and directors of Wise Kids Ministries of Corning, NY. Afterwards, for 14 years he was a member of Faith to Face Ministries, under the leadership of Bishop Dr. Mark Vaughn. There he was a leader of Men’s Fellowship, Assistant Director of Christian Education, member of the Sign Language Choir, Events Team, Intercessors and Audio/Visual Ministries. In 2013 he was ordained at Shabach Tabernacle of Praise Church under the leader of Apostle/Pastor Robert Smith. At Shabach Tabernacle of Praise Church, Carlton was over the Christian Education ministry and conducted weekly Bible Studies during 2014-2016.
Carlton has received numerous awards showcasing his scientific prowess. The National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) bestowed him with a “Pioneer of the Year” Golden Torch Award for fiber research (1998), was named one of the Top 100 most Important Blacks in Technology from 2006 – 2010 (USBE & IT Magazines), African Science Institute (ASI) Fellow (2006) and has received the National Organization for the advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE) Percy Julian Award (2012).
Carlton was active serving on the Board of Directors of Southern Tier Pregnancy Center for 10 years and the Elmira/Corning Branch of the NAACP. He was one of the first Distinguished Citizen Award recipients from the Economic Opportunity Project (EOP) of Chemung and Schuyler Counties in 2005 for his contributions to the community. He was also recipient of the Jefferson Award in 2006 that recognized his contributions to the local communities of Elmira and Corning, New York.
Dr. Linda Truesdale
Dr. Linda Truesdale, (Heart of True Wisdom) is the epitome of, “it is the end of a thing which matters.” It is said of her that she never meets a stranger. Her heart and home are a safe welcoming refuge. Her home has been deemed as the “Stay-cation! All are made to feel right at home” Her successes have overshadowed her losses, making her a wise woman, more often than not, finishing strong using every experience, sowing into others, and receiving from others. Her youthful heart and appearance have been preserved by God as she serves youth, young adults, and their families. For more than 35 years, she and her spouse of 35 years, Dr. Carlton Truesdale, founders of Wise Kids Ministries, (Witnessing In a Sinful Environment are Kids In Divine Service) have left an indelible mark upon thousands of people. Under the umbrella of WKM, the pillars are (Polished Pieces of Clay, T. Time with Ms. T., Liberty Free Indeed, and W.W.O.W.W. Wailing Women Of War and Worship). Testimony upon testimony, the results are life changing.
Dr. Linda was educated at Corning Community College where she earned her Associate Degree in Human Services from Corning Community College. Under Apostle Robert Smith, Senior Pastor, Shabach Tabernacle of Praise (Elmira, New York) Linda was Ordained Pastor. Rev. Dr. Linda Truesdale received the prestigious award of Honorary Doctorate in Humanitarianism from the accredited organization, Global International Alliance in 2021.
Dr. Linda Truesdale was reared in Elmira, New York with (nine siblings) to Juanita and Robert Gilliam. It is here where her sense of community was developed. Having been very active in (Elmira community) …it was not unusual for her family to draw a crowd by their athletic prowess. Her academic skills were favored in (Elmira City Schools) because of the supportive mentoring of Mrs. Wilson (third grade teacher) and Rev. Willie Wright, who influenced her life.) Linda has a passion for gymnastics, cooking and hospitality, the arts, creative expression, writing, and spoken word. Her love for family has continued to expand through her four children and nine grandchildren (eight grandsons and one granddaughter).
Her mastery skills of pouring wisdom into people are thought-provoking and clever. She can create a story within a story, never missing an opportunity to deliver a pin-point precision strategy with thought provoking solutions. Dr. Linda Truesdale is known for producing God ideas, leaving the wise confounded!
Dr. Linda Truesdale will tell you “My Misery Has Become My Ministry” and living the D.R.E.A.M (Daring Results Expected Above Mediocrity) propels her to continue making forward progress while living her purpose.
He and his wife relocated to Conyers, Georgia in October of 2017. He and Linda were appointed Associate Pastors of LifePointe Fellowship Church in 2018 by Pastor Layne Fields. His responsibilities included leadership of the Men’s Fellowship, member of the Board of Trustees and Dean of the Young Men’s Leadership Academy (Spring, 2019). Both Carlton and Linda resigned as Associate Pastors in February of 2020. During the COVID-19 Pandemic (2020), this couple has Bible Study at their home.
