Dr. Davetrina Seles Gadson, a daughter, a sister, a trusted friend, and a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She was also a South Carolina State University cheerleader, a University of Georgia graduate, and a brilliant speech-language pathologist whose work reshaped how the world understands equity, language, and recovery. She was fly, funny, and fearless—the kind of woman who could make you laugh hard one minute and have you rethinking your whole perspective the next. Seles was that girl: beautiful, bold, and brilliant, with a confidence that made people take notice. She knew exactly who she was, and she carried herself with purpose and joy in equal measure.

Her heart was anchored in her work. Dr. Gadson’s research focused on health disparities and equity in aphasia care, giving voice to those who are too often unheard. She reminded the field that equity is not an option, it is an obligation. Every lecture, article, and mentorship moment reflected her belief that representation matters and that the lived experiences of Black stroke survivors must shape how care is delivered. Her influence reached classrooms, clinics, and communities, and her legacy continues in every professional she inspired and every life she touched.

And yes, there was that coat from Ghana. IYKYK. Bold, rich, and unforgettable—just like her. It was more than just a piece of fabric; it was a reflection of her spirit—vibrant, confident, and impossible to overlook. She championed representation, patient-reported outcomes, and trust-building long before those words became trending hashtags. In her world, equity wasn’t a panel topic — it was a promise.

When Brain Friends was born, Dr. Seles Gadson co-created it with Angie Cauthorn not as a show, but as a movement: a place where science could breathe, stories could teach, and laughter could heal. Her clarity, compassion, and humor became the rhythm of the show. The smarts that met Angie’s hustle. Together, they modeled what collaboration could look like when community and academia truly meet.

To know Dr. Davetrina Seles Gadson was to be inspired by her. To work beside her was to be sharpened by her brilliance. To lose her is to be reminded that greatness leaves footprints, and hers are everywhere. She was grace and grit, intellect and instinct, laughter and legacy. She was, and always will be, that girl.

A woman in glasses and a colorful dress stands at a wooden podium, speaking into a microphone, with a large screen behind her displaying presentation slides.

Nuck if you buck behind the scenes

Dr. Seles’ legacy lives on through the people and purpose she poured herself into. Her vision of a more equitable world for stroke and aphasia survivors continues through the Dr. Davetrina Seles Gadson Memorial Scholarship, which supports the next generation of scholars and clinicians who share her commitment to advancing health equity. This scholarship reflects everything she stood for excellence, representation, compassion, and accountability. It honors the way she taught us to merge science with service, intellect with impact, and heart with humanity. Through this ongoing work, her light continues to guide the field forward, reminding us that equity is not extra; it is essential.

A promotional graphic for the 'Brain Friends Podcast' featuring two women, one on the left with dark skin, wearing a red blazer and black top, and one on the right with dark skin, wearing a black blazer and white top, with a colorful, blurred background. The podcast title is in the center with cartoon brain characters holding books and a coffee cup. Host names and titles are listed at the bottom, including Dr. Seles, a neuroscientist, and Angie C, a stroke survivor aphasia advocate.

Two women standing with a sign in front of a brick building. The woman on the left is wearing a yellow shirt with the word 'AphasIa' and sunglasses, and the woman on the right is wearing a black t-shirt with colorful text and silver leggings. The sign features two photos of women and text about a podcast on Apple Podcasts, including the names Dr. Seles and Langie C.

Three women each representing a different professional role: the Consultant, the Speaker, and the Entrepreneur.

Promotional graphic for the Brain Friends Podcast featuring photos of two women, the host Dr. Seles, a neuroscientist, and Angie C., a stroke survivor aphasia advocate. The graphic includes cartoon brain characters and text with podcast details.

Group of five people standing outdoors in front of a red canopy tent, smiling at the camera, participating in a community event on a sunny day with green trees in the background.

Two women sitting at a conference table, wearing headphones and laughing during a podcast recording. They have laptops, microphones, and recording equipment in front of them.

Four women at a conference or event, smiling and posing for a photo, seated at a table with water bottles and papers, in a room with a plain wall background.

Four people smiling and posing for a photo in a warmly lit room, with a man wearing glasses and a black shirt, and three women with joyful expressions.

A group of five diverse people smiling for a selfie indoors.

Group of nine diverse women and one man standing outdoors on grass, smiling at camera with a residential street and trees in the background.

A split-screen photo of three people participating in a virtual meeting or podcast. The man in the top left, wearing glasses, is in a room with a brick wall background. The woman in the bottom left has long curly hair and a headset with a microphone,

A woman with dark braided hair smiling, wearing a red blazer and earrings, sitting at a table with water bottles and a laptop.

Two women smiling and talking to each other, dressed casually with one in a red blazer and the other in a dark blazer, both wearing T-shirts with a cartoon brain character and the text 'Brainiacs & Friends'.

Two women stand outside a building holding a sign that promotes a podcast on Apple Podcasts. The woman on the left wears sunglasses, a yellow shirt with the word ' Aphasia' written on it, and blue jeans. The woman on the right wears patterned leggin

A poster honoring Dr. Davetrina Seles Gadson and announcing a new health equity grant program by the National Aphasia Association. The poster features a woman smiling in a professional setting, wearing a black dress and a statement necklace. Text hig

Help continue Dr. Gadson’s mission by giving to one of these two grants in her honor

The Davetrina Seles Gadson Health Equity Grant Program through the National Aphasia Association is an initiative designed to support innovative projects that address systemic inequities in aphasia care and research. By empowering individuals and organizations to take meaningful action, the NAA aims to continue Dr. Gadson’s legacy of advocacy and impact. Details on grant eligibility, application guidelines, and timelines will be available soon.

To give online to the NAA, click here and note Dr. D. Seles Gadson in the “memorial” notation.

To give by check, make checks made payable to: NAA or National Aphasia Association with a notation of: Dr. D. Seles Gadson memorial
Mail check to: National Aphasia Association, Inc
5448 Apex Peakway Drive
Suite 232
Apex, NC 27502

A young woman with curly hair and glasses wearing a graduation cap and gown, smiling and holding a rolled-up diploma in a lush, green indoor setting.

A woman with black curly hair and a bright smile, wearing a red blazer and statement necklace, standing inside a modern, warmly lit space with hanging lights and a cozy seating area.

The Davetrina Seles Gadson, PhD Scholars Fund through Georgetown University supports junior scholars who aim to follow in Dr. Gadson’s footsteps and continue her mission to improve equity for stroke survivors. It will provide support for students, postdoctoral fellows, or clinicians conducting research or developing programs to improve outcomes for underserved individuals with stroke or other brain injuries, or for scholars from underrepresented groups to gain training on the brain basis of stroke recovery.

To give online, click here. Scroll down to the OTHER box and type in: Davetrina Seles Gadson, PhD Scholars Fund (GUMC)

To give by check, make checks made payable to: Georgetown University Note: Davetrina Seles Gadson, PhD Scholars Fund (GUMC)

Mail check by U.S. Mail (USPS) to:
Georgetown University
Gift Processing
Department Number 0734
Washington, DC 20073-0734

Or Send check by UPS or FedEx to:
Georgetown University
Office of Gift Administration
2115 Wisconsin Ave. NW
Suite 500
Washington, DC 20007
202-687-1690

Meet Angie Cauthorn From Numbers to Narratives:

A Journey of Resilience and Purpose

Before founding Brain Friends: The Podcast, Angie Cauthorn built her career in finance—where clarity, communication, and precision were her tools of success. But after surviving two strokes, the language of numbers no longer came easily. Reading and math—once her strengths—became her daily challenge.

That shift redefined not only her abilities but her purpose. In losing her fluency, Angie found her voice.

Purpose, Perspective, and Progress

Today, Angie uses her platform to elevate voices that deserve to be heard and to turn complex medical conversations into everyday understanding.

Her mission is simple: bridge the gap between clinic and community—one conversation at a time.

Dr Seles’ surprise congratulations to Angie

Building Platforms, Not Pity

Forced into early retirement, Angie recognized how few platforms existed for survivors—especially Black voices—to be heard in conversations about stroke, recovery, and brain health. That realization sparked her next chapter: transforming lived experience into leadership.

Through Brain Friends: The Podcast, she merges science with storytelling, bridging research and real life. Each episode translates complex neurological topics into conversations that inform, inspire, and represent the communities most often overlooked.

Recognized for Advocacy and Impact

Angie’s work has been recognized nationally through honors such as:

Aphasia Advocacy Award for Collaboration to Improve Outcomes, Preventive Care, and Care Transitions after Stroke (CONNECT)
Martha Taylor Sarno Award for Outstanding Service to the Aphasia Community, presented by the National Aphasia Association

These distinctions highlight her ongoing commitment to advancing health equity, representation, and accessible communication across the field of neurorehabilitation.