2022 JJOA Eastern Region Area Workday Journal

DELAWARE VALLEY CLUSTER

Atlantic City, NJ

Bucks County, PA

Burlington County, NJ Chester County, PA Greater Pocono, PA Mercer County, NJ Montgomery County, PA New Castle County, DE Jersey Shore, NJ Philadelphia, PA South Jersey, NJ

METROPOLITAN CLUSTER

Bergen-Passaic, NJ Bronx, NY Brooklyn, NY

Central New Jersey, NJ Essex-Hudson, NJ

Greater Essex County, NJ

Greater Union County, NJ Metropolitan, NY

Mid-Hudson Valley, NY Morris County, NJ Nassau County, NY North Jersey, NJ Queens, NY Rockland-Orange County, NY Stamford-Norwalk, CT Suffolk County, NY Westchester County, NY

NORTHERN CLUSTER

Boston, MA Buffalo, NY Greater Albany, NY Greater Hartford, CT Eastern Fairfield County, CT New Haven, CT Newton, MA Rochester, NY Syracuse, NY Western Massachusetts, MA

SOUTHERN CLUSTER

Alexandria-Mt. Vernon, VA

Arundel Bay Area, MD Baltimore, MD Burke-Fairfax, VA Columbia, MD

Greater Baltimore County, MD

Greater Suburban Maryland, MD Loudoun County, VA

Manassas-Woodbridge, VA

Montgomery County, MD National Harbor, MD

Nation’s Capital, DC

Northern Virginia, VA Pittsburgh, PA

Potomac Valley, MD

Prince George’s County, MD

Prince William County, VA Reston, VA

Southern Maryland, MD Washington, DC Western Maryland, MD

Jack and Jill Hymn

By Samuel J. Brown, III (Father – Philadelphia, PA Chapter)

Let’s work, let’s play, let’s live together Is our Jack and Jill motto forever

We’re one big family of love with blessings from God up above Gain our children’s trust, Make them leaders we must. To believe in themselves to achieve and excel

Let’s work, let’s play, let’s live together is our Jack and Jill motto forever

In our hearts we pray that ev’ry day, our motto’s fulfilled Long live Jack and Jill

Jack and Jill Prayer

Our Father, make us better parents. Teach us to understand our children, to listen patiently to what they have to say and to answer all their questions kindly. Keep us from interrupting them, talking back to them and contradicting them. Make us as courteous to them as we would have them be to us. Give us the courage to confess our sins against our children and to ask them for forgiveness when we know that we have done them wrong.

May we not vainly hurt the feelings of our children.

Forbid that we should laugh at their mistakes or resort to shame and ridi-cule as punishment. Let us not tempt our children to lie or steal. So guide us hour by hour that we may demonstrate by all we say and do that honesty produces happiness.

Reduce, we pray, the meanness in us. May we cease to nag; and when we are out of sorts, help us, O Lord to hold our tongues. Blind us to the little errors of our children and help us to see the good things they do. Give us a ready word of honest praise.

Help us to grow up with our children, to treat them as those of their own age; but let us not expect of them the judgments and convictions of adults. Allow us not to rob them of the opportunity to wait upon themselves, to think, to choose and make decisions.

Forbid that we should ever punish them for our selfish gain. May we grant them all their wishes that are reasonable and have the courage always to with-hold a privilege which we know will do them harm.

Make us so fair and just, so considerate and companionable to our children that they will have a genuine esteem for us. Fit us to be loved and imitated by our children.

With all these gifts, Dear God, give us calm and poise and self-control.

Amen.

SOUTHERN AREA WORK DAY HOSTED BY LOUDOUN COUNTY

Jack and Jill of America, Inc.

Eastern Regional Area Workday: We Are Our Ancestors’ Wildest Dreams

DONJA MERCER President

CONNIE JACKSON Vice President

On behalf of the Mothers of the Lovely Loudoun County Virginia Chapter, Welcome to the 2022 Eastern Region Southern Cluster Area Workday! We are delighted to host our first in person Area Workday since 2019. The mothers of LCVC have worked diligently the past several months to provide each of you an experience we hope will leave you rejuvenated, inspired, and with new energy to take back to your chapters.

LATESA

BOWEN Treasurer

KIMBERLY COOPER Program Director

CYNTHIA JEFFERSON

Recording Secretary

SHARON MOORE Corresponding Secretary

NICOLETTE BOXE

Editor

LISA AMAZIGO

Financial Secretary

Area Workday provides Mothers, Associate Jewels, Middle Schoolers, and Teens the opportunity to reconnect, build new relationships, extend our networks, empower our children, and reminds us of why we are committed to our wonderful organization. This year's theme is "We Are Our Ancestors' Wildest Dreams" and I hope that each event, activity, and workshop in some way reminds you that, YOU ARE, Our Ancestors' Wildest Dream! Area Workday is also a time we serve our communities. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and together, we will support Breast Cancer Awareness and Research through TOUCH The Black Breast Cancer Alliance, by assembling chemo bags which will be donated to Howard University Hospital.

The Loudoun County Chapter is celebrating our 20 Year Anniversary throughout this year, and as we reflect on the past twenty years Working, Playing, and Living Together, hosting the Southern Cluster Area Workday is a reminder of our strength and resilience, our love for our children and each other, and our commitment to our beloved Jack and Jill.

I want to thank our Area Workday Co Chairs Holly Farrell and Fatimah Moody for their phenomenal leadership and dedication to our success. Thank you to our Steering Committee, Committee Leads, and the awesome Mothers of LCVC, as this was not possible without all their efforts. I also want to thank each of our Sponsors for their support of LCVC and Jack and Jill of America Inc. Many thanks to Regional Director Melinda Hayes, RT Melissa Desarvines, MAL Alexis Steel, RS Niya Yebooah, NRS Ily Houston, Regional Events Chair Satra Sampson Arokium, and Regional Logistics Chair, Dana Zanders for their support and guidance throughout planning the Southern Cluster Area Workday. Finally, thank you to each of you for attending the 2022 Southern Cluster Area Workday. We wish you a wonderful program year and a safe return home.

Long Live Jack and Jill,

Donja Mercer

Donja Mercer, President, Loudoun County Virginia Chapter

FATIMAH MOODY Area Workday Chair HOLLY FARRELL Area Workday Chair

Jack and Jill of America, Inc. Eastern Regional Area Workday: We Are Our Ancestors’ Wildest Dreams

On behalf of the Loudoun County Virginia Chapter, welcome to 2022 Southern Cluster Area Work Day. It is our intent to provide you with three days filled with engaging content as well as opportunities to network, reflect, and renew. With the theme in mind, We Are Our Ancestors’ Wildest Dreams, we have planned special activities throughout our weekend to allow you to appreciate the greatness of our people, Jack and Jill, and you!

Friday Night activities have been planned to maximize networking opportunities in informal settings for both our mother and teens. Our mother’s event, Mix and Mingle offers a lot of both! Moms will have the opportunity to learn from a mixologist about creating that special drink as well as experts in self care and make up fields. For our teens, we will have Black Out Loudoun. Teens and middle schoolers will have the opportunity to “hang out” with their peers engaging in fun interactive activities throughout the evening. And to make it picture perfect, the 360 photo booth and ready for takers.

Mothers will have the opportunity to participate in workshops, focused on themselves and their children with topics such as Surviving the Supermom Syndrome, Breaking the Stigma of Mental Health, and managing your health Start Where you Are. Use What You Have and Do What You Can. For our teens and middle schoolers, with workshops titled Grown ish, This is Not Your Parent’s Jobs, and #cybersense, they will learn about financial literacy, new career trends, and mental health. Our Town Hall, with keynote guest speaker Dr. Reverend Gwen Boyd, will feature staying resilient in today’s times as mothers. After hearing about staying resilient, moms will have the opportunity to engage with experts in a town hall discussion with professionals in the field of child advocacy.

As October is Breast Cancer Awareness, we have partnered with Touch, The Black Breast Cancer Alliance. TOUCH collaborates with patients, survivors, organizations, and health care professionals to work towards the common goal of eradicating Black Breast Cancer. As moms we will join shoulder to shoulder to pack care bags and chemo packs. The chemo packs will be delivered to Howard University Hospital. Moms will also get to learn about the awesome work Touch is doing in our communities.

We also want to take time to recognize and thank our committee members for their dedication and ongoing support for this important endeavor. We want to thank our chapter president, Donja Mercer, for all her support in every aspect of the program. We also want to thank our amazing Loudoun County Moms for all that you have done to support AWD. As we celebrate our 20th anniversary, we stand proud of all our accomplishments that we have been able to achieve and grateful to host Southern Cluster. A special “thank you” to our sponsors and overall Jack and Jill Community. We want to thank Regional Director Melinda Hayes, Regional Treasurer Melissa Desarvines, Regional Secretary Niya Yebooah, Member at Large Alexis Steel, National Recording Secretary Ily Houston, Regional Events Chair Satra Sampson Arokium, and Regional Logistics Chair, Dana Sanders. To our dear families, thank you for giving us the support we needed to carry on this monumental task as co chairs. Last and certainly not least, we want to thank each and every one of you for supporting and being engaged. We are proud to stand on the shoulders of our ancestors and to host you for the 2022 Southern Cluster Area Work Day.

Let’s Work, Let’s Play in the Name of Jack and Jill!

2022 Co Chairs Fatimah Moody, Holly Farrell

Loudoun County, Virginia www.loudoun.gov

Phyllis J. Randall Chairwoman At Large Loudoun County Board of Supervisors

August 24, 2022

Loudoun County Virginia Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. PO Box 4872 Ashburn, VA 20148

Dear Mothers and Friends of Jack and Jill of America, Inc.,

On behalf of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors and the citizens of Loudoun County, Virginia, I extend a warm welcome to the mothers of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. as you convene for your 2022 Southern Cluster’s Area Workday.

Your theme for this year’s events, “We are our Ancestors' Wildest Dreams,” is true, relevant and inspiring. Your theme speaks to the enormous debt we owe the people who came before us, on whose shoulders we stand, and to the important work of Jack and Jill for future leaders. I appreciate the fact that Jack and Jill understands our work is ongoing as one generation passes the baton to the next.

To the Loudoun County Virginia Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., I thank you for your continued dedication to nurturing future African American leaders. I deeply appreciate your commitment to all young people and the Loudoun County community

Congratulations on what is sure to be a productive, successful event! As always, thank you for allowing me to serve as your County Chair.

Sincerely,

Phyllis J. Randall, Chair

Loudoun County Board of Supervisors

1 Harrison Street, S.E., 5th Floor, P.O. Box 7000, Leesburg, VA 20177 7000 MS #1 (703) 777 0204 {Phone} • (703) 777 0421 {Fax} • Phyllis.Randall@loudoun.gov {email}

Southern Cluster Area Workday

Hosted by the Loudoun County Chapter October 27-29, 2022 Agenda

Thursday, October 27

Time Workshop

Location

8:00pm 9:00pm “Free Your Mind The Rest Will Follow” Virtual (Zoom) 8:00pm 9:00pm Chapter Finances Let's Get "Lit" on Finances (financially literate that is!) Virtual (Zoom)

Friday, October 28

6:00pm 7:00pm Sip and Style by Chance Virtual (Zoom)

6:00pm 7:00pm Enhance Your Competitive Edge! Virtual (Zoom)

6:00pm 7:00pm QuickBooks Pt 1 Today and Moving Forward Hilton Amphitheater

7:30pm 10:00pm Melanin Mothers and Mixes Party The Innovation Lab

7:30pm 10:00pm Teen Blackout Party Atrium

Saturday, October 29

Time Workshop

Location

7:00am 10:15am Registration International Foyer

7:00am 8:00am Breakfast International Ballroom

7:00am 4:00pm Vendors Atrium

8:30am 10:15am General Session and Officers Report International Ballroom

9:18 am Teens and Middle School Dismissed

10:30am 11:15am Workshops - Session 1

P.E.A.R.L.S of Wisdom for Chapter Presidents (Presidents Only)

San Francisco Room

Let’s be intentional about Membership Dallas Start Where You Are. Use What You Have. Do What You Can Governance What you don’t know can hurt you Las Vegas

QuickBooks Pt 2 Today and Moving Forward Hilton Amphitheater

11:30am 1:00pm LUNCH International Ballroom

1:15pm 2:15pm Town Hall International Ballroom

2:25pm 3:10pm Workshops - Session 2

Community Service/Regional Dance International Ballroom

QuickBooks Pt 3 Today and Moving Forward Hilton Amphitheater

3:15pm 4:00pm Workshops Session 3

Surviving the Supermom Syndrome

The Innovation Lab

The WTF Session Everything you need to know about fundraising Las Vegas Innovative Game Changers Dallas

QuickBooks Pt 4 Today and Moving Forward Hilton Amphitheater

The ABC’s & 123’s of Chaperoning International Ballroom Teens

Time Workshop

9:30am 9:50am Ice Breaker

Location

Continental BC

9:50am 10:35am “Life is a Matter of Choices...What Choice is Right for You? Continental BC

10:40am 11:15am Teen Officers Report

Continental BC 11:30am 12:50pm LUNCH International Ballroom

1:10pm 2:15pm Teen Officers Report/Modules

Continental BC

2:25pm 3:10pm “Grown-ish” Continental BC

3:15pm 4:00pm “This is NOT your Parent’s Job” Continental BC

Middle Schoolers

Time Workshop

9:30am 9:45am Ice Breaker

9:55am 11:15am #Cybersense

Location

Continental A

Continental A

11:30am 12:50pm LUNCH International Ballroom

1:15pm 2:00pm “YourBodyYourMindYourSuperPower”

Continental A

Continental A 3:15pm 4:00pm Final Presentation Continental A

2:15pm 3:00pm Officers Report/Modules

2022 Eastern Region AWD Workshops Southern Cluster Workshop Topics Description Speaker

Mother’s Workshop

Thursday – 8P – 9P

“Free Your Mind – The Rest Will Follow”

This workshop focused on mental health awareness will break down the stigma of seeking mental health in the African American community. Studies show Black people believe that a mental health condition is a sign of personal weakness. Despite progress in recent years, there is still a significant stigma associated with mental health concerns in the Black community. This informative session will focus on destigmatizing mental health by helping you understand the reasons why mental health is an essential part of our total well being.

Friday 6P 7P

Sip and Style by Chance

Friday 6P 7P

Enhance Your Competitive Edge!

Bring your spirit and questions to fashion expert Chance Morrison. Chance will teach you what are the essentials for your closet for the coming Fall and Winter.

Listen! We’ve been laying dormant for almost 3 years while in COVID. This is the time to remind and refresh ourselves as to our super powers! Do you even know what your super powers are and are you using your powers for good? We will unpack how to tap into your best self in order to bring out the best in those around you. Let’s get ready for the next promotion, raise and board seat because it is more than deserved.

Saturday – 10:30A – 11:15A

“Start Where You Are. Use What You Have. Do What You Can”

Managing your physical health and focusing on prominent health concerns for African American women. This dynamic session will focus on the health challenges that plague African American women. The discussion will highlight silent and overt symptoms and ways to mitigate health risk. We will end the session by exercising our total body as we start from where we are, use what we have, and do what we can!

Saturday – 3:15P – 4P

“Surviving the Supermom Syndrome”

As Mothers we are carrying a substantial mental load that can bring added stress to our day to day lives. During this timely session we will focus on engaging tips on how to survive mom burnout, guilt, fear, and the everlasting supermom syndrome. This session has been prepared and packaged for you to get results quickly to help you balance it all! Moms don't need another challenge. Everyday can be challenging. During this informative session we will provide what you need and get the systems in place to be the ultimate Supermom!

Dr. Daphne King, EdD, LCSW

Chance Morrison

Nikki Bethel

Andrea Johnson

Deborah Porter

Workshop Topics

Saturday 9:50A 10:35A

“Life is a Matter of Choices…What Choice is Right for You?”

Description Speaker Teen Workshops

For many, college is a given, but more and more parents and students recognize that picking a college is hard if you don’t even know what you want to do with the rest of your life. How can teens know that they are making the right choice? The good news is that there are other choices besides stepping straight from high school onto a college campus. Whether you are interested in a gap year to gain a sense of purpose and direction or interested in viable options that may make more sense than the typical four year college path, this is the discussion you don’t want to miss.

Saturday 2:25P 3:10P

“Grown ish”

Saturday 3:15P -4P

“This is NOT your Parent’s Job”

At some point, you are going to be completely responsible for making your own money and deciding what to do with it. Many teens already have jobs and startup businesses that are creating earnings. While your financial world can be complex it can also be incredibly exciting to learn about the many ways in which to make your money work for you. Factoring in the basics like bills, savings, and budgets, to the more advanced options of stocks and investments, are just some of the many financial considerations. Join us at this informative workshop to learn some practical ways to plan for your financial success. The more you know, the more you can help your money grow!

While the classic careers such as being a doctor, lawyer, teacher etc. will always be fulfilling options, no one can argue that each new generation sees an exciting array of emerging career opportunities. Following in your parents’ footsteps or joining the family business continues to see plenty of competition. Over the years, following one’s passion and applying what you truly enjoy doing as a career path has helped to foster in an ever growing field of options. If you are interested in learning about some emerging career options and how people who chose them found their path, join us as this great panel shares their experiences. Awaken your own possibilities!

Jewel Walwyn

Sheba Hazika

Tiffany Greenwood

Queen

Steve Johnson III

Jocel Thornhill

Tara Wall

Khayla Williams

Tony Wyllie

Workshop Topics

Saturday 9:55A 11:15A

#Cybersense

Saturday 1:15P 2P

“YourBodyYourMindYourSuperPower”

Description Speaker Middle School Workshops

The internet can be many things; information at your fingertips, a place to find and stay in touch with friends, share special moments and find the latest challenge. Learn how to keep your experiences on the internet safe, positive, and beneficial.

As middle schoolers, you can learn to use the internet as a great tool that helps you with your personal and educational growth. Your journey into cyberspace can remain a valuable space to connect and learn. Join us at the #Cybersense workshop where you will hear the personal experiences of your peers and learn how to avoid pitfalls that you probably never knew existed. We will explore ‘forever’ footprints and the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Department will share internet safety tips.

Ask yourself how can I feel the absolute best about myself? How can I make sure that what I think matters most? Social media can have positive and negative effects on the self esteem of a middle schooler. The number of followers, likes, or content shares can affect a student's self esteem and their relationship with themselves and others.

But what if you had a chance to activate that superpower that we all have? Learn how to strengthen that internal voice so that it protects you from outside opinions and damaging negativity. How you see your beautiful self has to become the strongest influence as you grow and understand that you own the greatest power in how you feel about yourself. The stronger your sense of self worth, the better off you’ll be. Join us at this uplifting and power pumping session to learn how to turn up the volume on positive self esteem and explore the concepts of mindfulness to increase self awareness and confidence.

Jeri Dyson, M.D., Bellen Woodard

Matthew Mitchell

FREE YOUR MIND – THE REST WILL FOLLOW DR. DAPHNE KING, EDD, LCSW

During the summer of 2016, Dr. Daphne King decided to step out on faith and pursue her true passions of following her dreams to become an author, public speaker, and licensed therapist. After over 20 years in the social work field, Dr. Daphne had a desire to pursue a more fulfilling calling that involved empowering others and helping the most vulnerable in society to live their best lives now.

Dr. Daphne has worked in the social work field for over 20 years in government and non-profit sectors. She is currently working in private practice with specialties in couples and family therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, treating those with depression and suicidal ideation, as well as teens experiencing self-esteem issues; and as the MSW Online Program Coordinator and Assistant Professor in the Department of Social Work at George Mason University. She is interested in developing treatment modalities for women of color, specifically African American women, self-esteem issues in teens, and the impact of Christianity or spiritual practices on self-esteem. She has an article published in the Christian Education Journal, membership in several professional organizations and has facilitated workshops on topics ranging from mental health to self-esteem to wellness.

Dr. King is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Virginia. She is also a member of Xi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Dr. King is the author of “Love Heals all Wounds,” “The Warrington Clan: Love’s Whirlwind,” “The Year of Gratitude” and as a featured author in “Kingdom Upgrade: A Next Level Shift.”

SIP AND STYLE BY CHANCE CHANCE MORRISON

Over 15 years of experience establishing strong connections and business opportunities with 100+ filmmakers, community partners, innovation strategists, and entrepreneurs in the media and entertainment industry. Effectively providing strategic guidance to cross-functional teams to ensure revenue growth, sustainability and operational efficiency for various Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs.

She currently serves as the Chief Equity Officer of the Bowery Residents Commitee (BRC) in NYC.

BETHEL

Nikki Bethel is a dynamic, results-driven senior leader with over 20 years of experience in strategic planning, diversity, equity & inclusion, talent management, leadership development, and public speaking. She is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Emma L. Bowen Foundation (EBF). In this role, Nikki is responsible for leading the development and implementation of the overall EBF mission to prepare students of color for the workforce and increase and sustain diversity in the media industry. She is the primary spokesperson for the Foundation and works with the Board of Directors, staff and stakeholders to develop the future strategic direction of EBF and oversee the execution and communication of that strategy across the organization, with corporate partners and the broader industry. Nikki also guides and oversees the financial sustainability of the Foundation, maintains the EBF brand identity, and successfully implements operational improvements to support the long-term success of the Foundation’s mission.

Prior to the Emma Bowen Foundation, Nikki was the Senior Vice President of Talent Management for Home Box Office, Inc., and was responsible for overseeing the areas of talent acquisition and organizational effectiveness, which encompasses executive leadership and coaching, management training and professional development, employee communications and initiatives. She also oversaw integrated business solutions, including culture, talentassessment, succession planning and organizational strategy. In addition, Nikki represented HBO at Time Warnerand WarnerMedia councils in the learning and development areas. She joined HBO in 2003 as a recruiting associate and was named manager, Human Resources, in 2004, responsible for employee relations for eight internal departments. In 2006, she was promoted to director, Human Resources, adding several internal clients to her responsibilities. She was elevated to vice president and then senior vice president, Organizational Effectiveness, in 2008 and 2013, respectively.

In 2001, Nikki was a consultant at A-List, where she developed, coordinated and managed strategies designed to help college students and professionals find placement and/or transition across industries. Between 1998 and 2001, she worked in the financial sector as an associate, Global Diversity at Morgan Stanley and as an associate, Human Resources at Merrill Lynch, responsible for various strategic initiatives including career development, recruitment and retention. She began her career in 1997 as a teacher at English High School in Boston, where she also managed an after-school tutoring program for elementary grade students through the B.E.L.L. Foundation.

Nikki is a member of the Brooklyn Chapter of The Links, Inc., a member of the Brooklyn Chapter of Jack & Jill,Inc., a lifetime member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and is an honorary member of the Women’s League of Science and Medicine, Inc. She also sits on the board of The Apollo, is a former board member of the Emma L.Bowen Foundation, and is a member of the Executive Leadership Council (ELC).

She holds a BA degree in Government and Politics from the University of Maryland, College Park, an MA in Education from Harvard, and received a Human Resources Management Certificate from the City University of New York (New York City College of Technology). Nikki is happily married to the love of her life, Richard, and they live between Brooklyn and Sag Harbor with their daughter, Sydney.

START WHERE YOU ARE. USE WHAT YOU HAVE. DO WHAT YOU CAN ANDREA JOHNSON, TEMPLE TRAINING

Andrea is a wife and mother of 4 wonderful children and a little Shih Tzu. She discovered her passion for fitness in 2000 when a friend introduced her to a new way of physical training and a better way to healthy nutrition. Andrea joined the local gym and began her health and fitness journey.

In August of 2010, she turned her passion into a business that would benefit others like her; women who need to find their way back to prioritizing themselves and discovering more control of their health and fitness.

She holds certifications in Personal Training through the National Academy of Sports Medicine, a Level 2 Precision Nutrition Certification, and a Level 2 Certification in CrossFit to help her service her clients in the best way possible.

Virtual Coaching is the latest service Temple Training has added to its offerings. The pandemic has opened the doors for more people to experience the opportunity to define success and create the path to it with the accountability and encouragement of the TRAIN YOUR TEMPLE METHOD. Unlike other programs that require long hours of bringing and restrictive diets, through our unique method, you will learn how to do less to achieve more.

SURVIVING THE SUPERMOM SYNDROME DEBORAH PORTER

Deborah Porter is a sought-after, influential voice on parenting and motherhood. She is a champion for moms everywhere and collaborates with mothers globally. As a consultant with organizations and businesses, Deborah works to provide support beyond childcare leave for working parents, minimizing agency turnover and employee burnout.

Deborah graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA, and went on to work in the criminal justice field in Central and Northern Virginia. As a probation/parole officer and criminal investigator, Deborah was an added resource to the agencies and courts that served those populations.

Years after becoming a mother, she decided to take those same skills and investigate anything that would make things run smoother in her home and in life. As a media contributor on all things parenting, Deborah is a recurring expert guest on CBS Virginia This Morning and ABC’s The MotherSide in Washington, DC, to name a few. Her advice column, Balance Life with Coach Deborah in Washington Parent, helps parents navigate the chaos and find their unique balance in parenting and in life. Deborah’s articles have been featured in Parents, Grown and Flown, Collegiate Parent, Motherly, and others. Deborah sits on the board of MOPS International, a worldwide organization that supports over 100,000 moms globally. She is also a board member for New Horizons of SWFL. This non-profit provides tutoring, mentoring, and faith-building experiences to hundreds of Southwest Florida’s most vulnerable youth.

Visit www.deborahporter.net

LIFE IS A MATTER OF CHOICES…WHAT CHOICE IS RIGHT FOR YOU

JEWEL WALWYN

Educational consulting after 14 plus years as a college counselor and assistant director of admissions. She knows students, colleges, and the world of college admissions. After graduating from the University of Virginia with a B.A. in English and Master’s in Education, she began working as Assistant Director of Admissions at a private college in Virginia. From this beginning, Jewel Walwyn has started college counseling programs at various private and public schools in Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Virginia.

Her years of experience lend to an array of presentations, offering expertise in the college process, testing, financial aid, and scholarships to a variety of audiences, most recently speaking at the Association of Episcopal Schools and the Association of Seventh-day School Administrators.

As a result of her guidance, millions of scholarship dollars have been awarded to students pursuing higher education. Jewel is a member of professional College Counseling organizations such as: the National Association for College Admission Counseling and Potomac and Chesapeake Association of College Admissions.

GROWN-ISH SHEBA HAZIKA

Author, Award Winning Speaker, Leadership trainer, and Entrepreneur with a mission to help people unlock their personal potential in pursuit of achieving financial independence.

Originating from Rwanda and Uganda, her family immigrated to the US in the late 70s fleeing civil war seeking freedom. She holds a Bachelor’s in Biology and Master’s in Public Health. She worked for 17 years as a Clinical Manager managing medical studies.

The climb up the career ladder meant many nights away from her family and limited incomes. Sheba felt like she was in corporate prison where her family was second and the needs of the job were first. Sheba left her job to join her husband, a former Attorney, in the financial services business for a better work life balance. She also wanted to bring more hope and make a difference in the lives of others. She believes “The quality of your life will be determined by the quality of your contribution. When you work to improve the lives of others, your life improves automatically.” Kurek Ashley.

They have a strong insurance and investment business. She can now call her own shots, set her own schedule, and be present for her three children. She is a Regional Vice President Partner with Primerica Financial Services, the Largest Independent Financial Services Company in North America! She is a member of Primerica’s African American Leadership Council. She also serves as the Commissioner for Trade and Investment for the Rwandan Community Association of the Washington DC Region. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.

THIS IS NOT YOUR PARENT’S JOB

STEVE JOHNSON III

A successful Advertising Executive with almost 15 years of industry experience. He’s currently an Account Director with Mojo Supermarket, where he leads all Client communications, along with managing a cross-functional internal team that consists of Account & Project Management, Creative, Strategy and Production teammates. The brands he currently manages include Bleacher Report, StockX and Ray-Ban.

His path into the advertising industry began in the early 2000’s in Richmond, VA, where he and a friend founded Diver city Advertising, which was focused on Black and Multicultural event activations. Their clients included: Crown Royal, Virginia Lottery, American Heart Association and American Cancer Society. He leveraged his experience from that first entrepreneurial endeavor and landed a role at The Martin Agency where he worked on the national GEICO, Expedia and Walmart advertising accounts.

Steve relocated to Chicago during his wife’s medical residency and joined Burrell Communications (one of the longest tenured Black-owned advertising agencies in the country) where he worked on the national McDonald’s advertising account. Steve and his wife Kiila moved back to Virginia after she completed her training. Steve rounded out his adver tising experiences working in house for McDonald’s Corp and Applebee’s Inc. He was drawn back to ad agency life and rejoined The Martin Agency in 2020 where he led the CarMax and Timberland account teams until recently joining Mojo Supermarket.

Along with his advertising career, Steve scratched his entrepreneurial itch by becoming a Co-Founder/Owner of Shock oe Wine, which launched in 2021. Shockoe Wine is one of few black-owned wine labels in the country. They currently offer a 2019 Vintage Red Blend, with additional extensions launching later this year. Steve and his wife Kiila currently reside in Chantilly, VA with their two sons, Bryce and Brayden. Steve is also a recover ing sneaker head trying to kick the habit for good and is a huge sports junkie - estimated to have watched over 10,000 hours of ESPN programming.

TIFFANY GREENWOOD-QUEEN

A Baltimore, Maryland native, Tiffany completed a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology at Morgan State University followed by both a Master of Science in Biotechnology and a Master of Business Administration from Johns Hopkins University. She spent much of her professional career as a research scientist in the Radiology Department at Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine. Breast cancer imaging was her focus while she optimized organic compounds that are used to detect metastasis in vivo. She co-authored of over 20 publications listed in international conference proceedings and peer-reviewed journals. Furthermore, she was recognized for her ability to efficiently train lab personnel on technical lab and research procedures. Her passion for education and helping people grew into her representing Johns Hopkins University as she traveled to train collaborators in Europe.

As her desire to serve her community grew, she accepted a position as the Director of HIV/AIDS Outreach in a Federally Qualified Healthcare Facility in Baltimore City. While there, she focused on finding people who were lost to care and linking them back to medical and counseling resources at the facility. Though that position was gratifying, she also had an emerging personal life as she was a newlywed with an infant and a toddler at home. She soon learned that parenting could become the greatest commitment of all as she began to expose her children to the world around them. As they grew, she also focused on education and accepted an offer to become a professor of biology at the University of Baltimore.

Currently, she is the Vice President of Development at Speed Capital Commission, a national for-profit organization that hosts track and field events. She has over 15 years of grant-writing expertise from grant reporting and submissions to the federal and local government. This experience makes her well suited to secure grant funding for international travel expenses and training resources of youth athletes. Tiffany is devoted to her family and friends and as a woman of faith knows that the best is yet to come!

JOCEL THORNHILL

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS AND PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

EA SPORTS, EA TIBURON

As director of operations and program management at EA SPORTS, Jocel Thornhill is responsible for leading large scale change programs for EA’s Orlando-based development studio – EA Tiburon. In addition, she is the architect of the EA Orlando community action plan partnering with the City of Orlando, central Florida community organizations, Orange County schools, and central Florida universities. Thornhill joined EA in 2021 and her notable accomplishments include leading the space planning activities to prepare 700 employees to return to the newly built EA Orlando office in downtown Orlando, post pandemic; and she is the program leader for EA Orlando’s flagship Get In the Game Science Technology Engineering Art Math (STEAM) summer coding camp for central Florida high school girls and non-binary students.

Thornhill has over 25 years of successful management experience in a variety of industries and a background in financial services, digital media, and consultancy. She previously served as Director of Operations with Turner Sports – National Basketball Association (NBA) Digital. Her work focused on ensuring that Turner Sports collaborated effectively with the NBA league and its franchise teams to deliver team- and game-specific content on all digital platforms (for its fans) without errors or interruption. She has held leadership positions with Turner Broadcasting (now Warner Media) in Atlanta, GA; Wells Fargo in Atlanta, GA; Accenture in Atlanta, GA; and JP Morgan Chase in New York. She earned a degree in philosophy and economics at Smith College and the American Society for Quality (ASQ) recognizes her as a Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence.

She is a member of the Orlando Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. a public service organization. Before moving to Orlando, she served on the board of directors of United States Tennis Association (USTA) Atlanta and the Atlanta Youth Tennis and Education Foundation. Currently, she is on the advisory board for Kids on the Ball. She is certified by Cambridge University to teach English to speakers of other languages and in her spare time volunteers as an English language teacher with LaAmistad, Inc.

TARA WALL

Founder and chief executive of a multimedia production agency, Tara Wall is a thought leader who spearheads the production and distribution of a wide range of storytelling projects for public and private clients - from commercials and PSAs to events and programming. Tara also provides content development and editorial direction for her media, marketing and lifestyle brands. In addition, she leads instruction and curriculum development for the only Film and Television program of study in Loudoun County, Virginia.

One of Tara’s most recent documentary projects includes directing the October 2020 released feature film ‘Souled Out,’ now streaming on Amazon Prime Video. It’s an eye-opening look at the GOP’s history with black voters from an insider’s view. She also created, executive produced and anchored the weekly news program ‘ATTV This Week’ for MHz Networks; and created, hosted and executive produced the ‘Africa In America’ documentary series for MHz, which is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

Wall moderated the nationally televised 2016 presidential debate and community town hall for One America News Network; was an ESSENCE magazine contributor for the 2016 presidential election; was senior strategist for media and engagement at the Republican National Committee, hosting a series of interviews with the Republican field of 2016 presidential candidates; and she directed and produced the RNC’s 2015-2016 #CommittedToCommunity multimedia campaign.

In 2012, Wall served as a senior media adviser for the Romney-Ryan presidential campaign. and was named among “Washington’s Most Powerful Women” for her political and presidential media strategy work.

KHAYLA WILLIAMS

Khayla Williams is a L5 Systems Development Engineer who wears a plethora of hats ranging from managing region builds for AWS Developer Tools, helping to sustain Amazon’s core principles as a hiring bar raiser and extending their extensive knowledge and experience as a class chat coach. Khayla knows that to thrive in their career, calculated risks breathes innovation and they strive to be groundbreaking.

Khayla has supported AWS as a Candid Chatter and AfroTech Talent Acquisition Chair, serving as a BEN Scholars Mentor and BEN DMV Recruiting Coordinator. Currently they are working towards stepping into management and finding ways to revolutionize conference planning.

Khayla holds a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Clemson University and since coming to Amazon, a graduate and advocate of AI2.

When they are not working on deploying codes, Khayla can be found coaching basketball, sharpening their skills in app development and playing Sims. They believe in always learning and helping others on their tech journeys by teaching and volunteering to share the knowledge they acquired.

TONY WYLLIE

A Brooklyn, NY native, Tony Wyllie has extensive experience with sports management, particularly with American football. Wyllie has previously served as Senior Vice President of Communications for the Washington Redskins football franchise, and his breadth and depth of knowledge has been honed across more than 27 years, spanning six different ownership groups in seven different media markets. During his career, he helped guide the Rams through their 1995 transition from Los Angeles to St. Louis and assisted with the relocation and renaming of the Tennessee Titans. He was one of the first hires of the expansion Houston Texans in 2000, building the new franchise’s image even during the two years prior to the team’s first game in 2002. He is the only executive in the NFL to have won the Pete Rozelle Award with three different teams.

More recently, Wyllie served as the Regional President & Managing Director of the Special Olympics, overseeing program operations in North America, Canada, and the Caribbean, and while with the organization he provided strategic direction and engagement with the public and private sector to raise awareness and gain support. He also lead fundraising efforts for the region.

Wyllie has a bachelor’s degree from Texas Southern University and an MBA from Rice University

#CYBERSENSE

MATTHEW MITCHELL UNITED STATES SECRET SERVICE, VICE PRESIDENTIAL

PROTECTIVE DIVISION (VPPD)

Matt Mitchell is supervisor with the United States Secret Service (USSS) where he currently serves as an Assistant to the Special Agent in Charge (ATSAIC) on the Vice-Presidential Protective Division (VPPD). In January 2020, ATSAIC Mitchell was selected as a Forensic Services Division (FSD) National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) Ambassador for the USSS. The Ambassador’s Program was created in 2017 as an extension of NCMEC/FSD’s education and outreach initiative, entitled the “Childhood Smart Program”. This program focuses on internet safety and abduction prevention awareness. He and other USSS ambassadors work with schools and communities in their respective districts, serving as local representatives of FSD/NCMEC by educating their local community in various educational settings, such as classrooms, PTO meetings and community outreach events on preventing child abduction, child sex trafficking, child abuse and exploitation. He is also trained as a NCMEC liaison for the National Threat Assessment Center (NTAC).

ATSAIC Mitchell received a B.A. from the University of Notre Dame majoring in Political Science and Spanish and received a minor in Latin American Studies. He also played Varsity Football at the University of Notre Dame. ATSAIC Mitchell is a proud Reservist in the United States Coast Guard (USCG). He is currently a Maritime Enforcement Specialist (ME) Petty Officer Second Class.

YOURBODYYOURMINDYOURSUPERPOWER

JERI DYSON, M.D.

A native of Washington, DC, Jeri Dyson, M.D. is a physician of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, author, and dynamic global speaker. She has more than 23 years’ experience and specializes in sexually transmitted infections and reproductive health. One of today’s foremost thinkers on global teen health, Dr. Dyson, is the founding president of the nonprofit, Global Girls Global Women, Inc., where she devotes her full time to national and global leadership programs as the director.

Dr. Dyson was the medical expert for BET’s Rap-It-Up HIV/AIDS Campaign and has made numerous television appearances on BET, Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), Fox 5 Good Day DC, and The CW Network. Dr. Dyson has also been a recurring guest on various radio platforms. In addition, she produced and hosted her own radio talk show, Dr. Jeri Speaks, highlighting “HOT TEEN TOPICS.”

Before establishing Global Girls Global Women, Dr. Dyson served as a civilian physician at numerous medical institutions before retiring from The Walter Reed National Military Medical Center at Bethesda. Her passion for women’s health has taken her on medical missions to Ghana, Gambia, and Senegal, West Africa, to name a few. She was also commissioned to Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and Trinidad & Tobago by the U.S. State Department to lecture and develop programs addressing the needs of their youth and women.

Dr. Dyson is the author of a few books, An Apple A Day Keeps the Drama Away (2013), Sole to Soul Journey ~ Heal Thyself (2021), and contributing author of the anthology PIVOT. How the pandemic pushed Women into their passion, released in 2021. She is currently implementing “The Hummingbird Project,” a program designed to introduce girls as global citizens through cultural immersion and international travel.

BELLEN WOODARD

11-year-old CEO and Founder of More Than Peach®, the World’s 1st Crayon Activist® & the creator of the first multicultural art brand/company!

Since spring of 2019, she has been the creative genius behind the start and expansion of Bellen’s More Than Peach® Project — the vision and philanthropic effort she single-handedly imagined & pioneered to place multicultural crayons in the hands of all students.

Bellen’s work has since gone on to become a national movement and is the influence behind recent moves by a leading art brand while also influencing many others to reconsider their efforts. (She is not a partner of the leading brand and because of the tremendous amount she’s poured into creating, building, and leading her own pioneering brand and company, it is important that any highlight of her work and products--exclusively, MORE THAN PEACH-- also stand alone to avoid exploitation by a large brand with a long history that “acted” after her More than Peach movement was well underway.) Her relentless work and empathetic spirit have allowed her to build a growing and successful brand to include her own innovative line of exclusive More Than Peach® multicultural and rainbow crayons and more!

And she is making history. More Than Peach® crayons are now being permanently held by the Virginia Museum of History and Culture (VMHC) and the Science History Institute (and more to be announced!) The Virginia General Assembly, Virginia’s legislative body, also passed the “Bellen Bill” in recognition of Bellen’s visionary leadership by way of her More Than Peach Project as well as her shown academic excellence (She is a straight-A student whose love of learning is a key motivator). Owning More Than Peach crayons is owning a piece of history!

But most of all, Bellen is an 11-year-old who works hard, plays harder, and strives to make the most of her spaces and to change the world...one crayon at a time.

I SEE YOU - TOWN HALL

REV DR. GWENDOLYN ELIZABETH BOYD

Rev Dr. Gwendolyn Elizabeth Boyd is an engineer and is described as a dynamic and relevant leader, a prolific motivational speaker, a powerful preacher and a prominent advocate for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education. Boyd is a native of Montgomery, Alabama and received a full scholarship to attend Alabama State University where she graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics with a double minor in physics and music. She received a full fellowship to pursue graduate studies at Yale University where she was the first African American female to earn a M. S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from this Ivy League institution. She earned both the Master of Divinity and the Doctor of Ministry degrees from Howard University. Additionally, she has been awarded an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Lincoln University (2004), Bennett College (2004) and Kentucky State University (2019) and an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (2019).

Rev Dr. Boyd is a nationally recognized champion of education, especially as it relates to STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) disciplines. In March 2009, Boyd was nominated by President Barack Obama and she received U.S. Senate confirmation to serve as a trustee to the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation. In January 2014, President Obama appointed Boyd and 14 other individuals to serve on the President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for African Americans. This Commission was charged with strengthening the nation by improving educational outcomes for African Americans and to ensure that all African Americans receive an education that prepares them for college, productive careers and satisfying lives.

In 2000, Rev. Dr. Gwendolyn Boyd was elected to serve as the 22nd National President of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. During her tenure from 2000-2004, Boyd was described as a creative and innovative leader. As National President, Boyd created and secured external funding for a new initiative, Leadership DELTA, an innovative year long program for collegiate members to prepare for STEM careers by introducing them to tools for workplace success and providing them with meaningful internships.

For her many and varied contributions to the community, Rev. Dr. Gwendolyn Boyd has received numerous honors, awards, citations, commendations and tributes. These include, but are not limited to recipient of: The Carver Medal from Simpson College; Chancellor’s Award from North Carolina Central University; numerous Congressional city and state recognitions; “Keys to the City” from 38 cities; a “Key to the State of Florida”; declaration of Gwendolyn E. Boyd Day in eighteen cities; selected as part of a permanent display at Johns Hopkins University entitled, The Indispensable Role of Blacks at Johns Hopkins; Presidential Award from the Black Women’s Agenda; Living Legend Award from the Greater Nashville Black Teachers Alliance; The Spirit of Rosa Parks Courage Award from the Southern Youth Leadership Development Institute; The Yates Achievement of Excellence Award from BFSA at JHU; The Trailblazer Tribute Award; The Voices of Democracy Leadership Award from the Committee of Ten; Powerful and Influential Woman from the Alabama Diversity Council; and many other civic, leadership and professional awards for her achievements in the fields of engineering, higher education and community activism.

that are relevant to educators and communicate hope and wholeness, visit www.charlesbarrett.org.

DR. ANNETTE C. ANDERSON

Dr. Annette C. Anderson is the Deputy Director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Safe and Healthy Schools. Dr. Annette Anderson is a native of Baltimore and a graduate of Baltimore City Public Schools, an experience that has left an indelible mark on her career interests in educational equity and adequacy. Besides her research pursuits, she has served in a variety of school-based positions, including classroom teacher, teacher leader, curriculum coordinator, and assistant principal. She served as the chief executive officer and founding principal of Widener Partnership Charter School, the first university-assisted charter school in Pennsylvania. The school quickly became known to state and local education officials as a successful model for university-public school partnerships.

She has assumed advisory and related duties for the School Administration & Supervision programs at the Johns Hopkins School of Education. She holds a Ph.D. and master’s degree from University of Pennsylvania, a second master’s degree in public policy from Georgetown University, and a bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University. Annette is currently the President of the Baltimore Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. She is also a member of the Baltimore Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She and her husband are the parents of three active Jack and Jill teens.

DR. CHARLES BARRETT

Charles Barrett is a multi-faceted artist who thinks deeply about the world and the myriad issues facing people through the lens of psychology, faith, and education. Whether as a psychologist, teacher, writer, or musician, his purpose remains the same: communicating and facilitating hope and wholeness.

A nationally certified school psychologist (NCSP), Charles is actively involved in the training and development of future psychologists through his roles as assistant director, internship supervisor, and chair of the Committee on Diversity for Loudoun County Public Schools’ APA-Accredited Doctoral Internship in Health Service Psychology. His current and past leadership positions within the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) include co-chair of the Social Justice Task Force and African American Subcommittee; chair of the Multicultural Affairs and Social Justice Committees; member of the Publications and Nominations and Elections Committees; and Virginia Delegate to the NASP Leadership Assembly. Charles is a member of the Editorial Advisory Board of School Psychology Review (published by NASP) and the Editorial Board of School Psychology (published by the American Psychological Association). He currently serves as an adjunct lecturer in the Department of Psychology at Northern Virginia Community College; the Graduate School of Education at Howard University; the College of Education and Human Development at George Mason University; and the Department of Psychology at Millersville University.

To learn more about Charles, including his books on a variety of topics that are relevant to educators and communicate hope and wholeness, visit www.charlesbarrett.org.

ORATORICAL JUDGES

SPENCER CHRISTIAN

After 50 years in TV news, Spencer Christian still wouldn’t trade jobs with anyone in the world. I’ve been a news reporter, sportscaster, talk show host, and weather forecaster. My assignments and travels have taken me to all 50 states and five continents. I’ve had the privilege of interviewing six presidents; the most prominent figures in sports, world affairs, and the arts; and, most memorably, ordinary people who have done extraordinary things. Of course, there have also been unsettling moments--reporting from hurricanes, floods, blizzards, earthquakes, virtually every natural calamity known to mankind--but I can’t imagine any career path that would have been more enriching or rewarding.

In college, my love of language and literature led me to major in English, while choosing to minor in journalism. I also played varsity baseball and had a Major League tryout in my junior year. It was clear, though, that my journalistic skills far exceeded my baseball talent; so I wisely followed my nose for news.

My career began as a news reporter, at the NBC TV affiliate in Richmond, VA, just 25 miles from my childhood home. Aside from general assignment reporting and lighthearted features, my regular “beat” included state and local politics, the federal courts, and education. I could not have forecast then that weather would be my ticket to the big time. But, following a two-week stint “filling in” on weather, I became the station’s main weatherperson; and after a brief stop at the NBC station in Baltimore, I was on my way to WABC-TV in New York. Skies were looking sunny!

I spent nine years at WABC, serving first as weatherman, then morning show host, and finally main sportscaster. During all of those years, I made frequent appearances on ABC’s Good Morning America, filling in on weather and doing feature reports and interviews. In 1986, I joined GMA full time as weather forecaster, feature reporter, and co-host. Over the next 13 years, I not only travelled the world, but I also served as spokesperson for ABC’s literacy campaign, wrote and published a series of children’s books, and had the opportunity to indulge my passion for wine as the host of “Spencer Christian’s Wine Cellar”, which aired on HGTV and later on the Food Network from 1995 to 2000. More recently, in 2018, I released my memoir entitled “You Bet Your Life: How I Survived Jim Crow Racism, Hurricane Chasing, and Gambling.”

After 22 years in New York, I heard the Bay Area and the wine country calling my name. ABC 7 has been my home since 1999, and I now get to test my forecasting skills for the Bay Area’s micro-climates. In my time away from work, I enjoy visiting wineries, watching baseball (or just about any sport), working out at the gym, and doing community service. But my greatest joy is spending time with my son and daughter, Jason and Jessica--and more recently my grandsons, Noah and Zach.

Having been blessed with so many memorable career experiences, I find it difficult to name just a few, but here’s a short list:

• Interviewing then-Senator Barack Obama just before he announced his candidacy for President

• Emceeing former President Jimmy Carter’s 75th birthday celebration (1999) and his 95th (2019) in Americus, GA.

• Surviving and reporting from the Loma Prieta earthquake, while on World Series assignment for GMA in 1989

• Suiting up and playing baseball with the NY Yankees and NY Mets in their spring training camps

• Playing basketball against the Harlem Globetrotters at Madison Square Garden

CRAIG SPRAGGINS

Craig Spraggins is a Digital Integration Specialist with more than two decades of successful educational experience in Arlington and Loudoun County Public Schools. He specializes in the meaningful integration of educational technology to deepen the learning experiences of adult and student learners alike. Craig regularly attends professional development learning opportunities through conferences and workshops to continually hone his ability to meet a learner’s needs, all while using educational technology. In May of 2008, Craig joined the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated, where he currently serves as the Third District’s Keeper of Records and Seal (Secretary). Craig is married to his lovely bride of seventeen years and is the proud father of two beautiful young ladies.

Over several years, Craig has earned a reputation for his ability to plan and execute small and large-scale events for families, friends, and new customers. Through his interpersonal skills, Craig quickly builds rapport with those he works with to achieve the goals and objectives set forth by the plan. Craig plans to continue his work in event planning in the foreseeable future.

LOTTIE MICKENS SPURLOCK

Lottie Mickens Spurlock has served as Director of Equity for Loudoun County Public Schools since July 2019. She does not take her role and responsibility lightly to increase division-wide intentionality in diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism. As equity director, Lottie leads division-wide efforts connecting the work of equity, access, and opportunity in collaboration with leaders in every department. Additionally, she engages with a variety of internal and external stakeholders and provides staff liaison support to the LCPS Equity Committee (of the school board) as well as to the Minority Student Achievement Advisory Committee (MSAAC). Some division-wide accomplishments over the past few years include the development of a school-board-adopted Comprehensive Equity Plan, the launching of the Equity Lead Network (with an equity lead at every school), and, as a means to amplify students’ voices, the creation of the Share, Speak Up, Speak Out Sessions through a Student Equity Ambassadors program in Loudoun County Public Schools.

Her twenty-eight-year career in public education has included a variety of instructional and leadership roles. Mrs. Spurlock’s early teaching efforts were recognized with the Sallie Mae Award for Outstanding First-Year Teachers for Chesterfield County Public Schools in 1993. After serving 14 years as an elementary classroom teacher in both the Chesterfield County Public Schools and Prince George County (VA) Schools, Lottie was afforded a unique opportunity to serve as a Beginning Teacher Advisor/Coach for Chesterfield County Public Schools through a partnership with Virginia Commonwealth University and the META Consortium. Lottie also served as a Communities in Schools (CIS) Site Coordinator, assistant principal (Petersburg and Loudoun County Schools), and elementary school principal in Loudoun County, all before starting in her role as Director of Equity. Mrs. Spurlock holds a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education from Virginia State University, a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction from Central Michigan University, a Post-Master’s endorsement in Educational Leadership from Virginia Commonwealth University, and she is currently enrolled as a doctoral student in the Educational Leadership cohort at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Lottie understands the benefit and impact of partnering with school and community stakeholder groups to create a stronger and more impactful equity imprint for her school division’s community. Additionally, in her local community, she serves at Oak Grove Baptist Church - Sterling, VA where her husband serves as pastor. They are the parents of young adults, and she and her husband reside in Loudoun County, Virginia. Lottie is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and is actively engaged in the Psi Rho Omega chapter in Loudoun County, Virginia.

DELAWARE VALLEY AREA WORK DAY HOSTED BY BURLINGTON COUNTY

Delaware Valley Cluster Area Workday

Hosted by the Loudoun County Chapter November 1 7 19, 2022 Agenda

Thursday, November 17

Time Workshop

8:00pm 9:00pm “Keeping it in the Family: How Family Members Can Preserve Financial Assets for Generations”

Location

Virtual (Zoom)

8:00pm 9:00pm Chapter Finances Let's Get "Lit" on Finances (financially literate that is!) Virtual (Zoom) Friday, November 18

5:30pm 6:30pm

Sip and Style by Chance

Virtual (Zoom)

5:30pm 6:30pm Enhance Your Competitive Edge! Virtual (Zoom)

5:30pm 6:30pm

QuickBooks Pt 1 Today and Moving Forward

7:00pm 10:00pm Homecoming Fitness Dance Night

7:00pm 10:00pm A Different World Teen Game Night

7:00pm 10:00pm Friends Giving Middle School Youth Saturday, November 19

Time Workshop

7:00am 10:15am Registration

Location

Grand Foyer

7:00am 8:00am Breakfast Grand Ballroom

7:00am 4:00pm Vendors Grand Foyer

8:30am 10:15am General Session and Officers Report Grand Ballroom

9:18 am Teens and Middle School Dismissed

10:30am 11:15am Workshops - Session 1

P.E.A.R.L.S of Wisdom for Chapter Presidents (Presidents Only)

Let’s be intentional about Membership Work Life Balance: Fact or Fiction?

Governance What you don’t know can hurt you QuickBooks Pt 2 Today and Moving Forward

11:30am 1:00pm LUNCH Grand Ballroom

1:15pm 2:15pm Town Hall Grand Ballroom

2:25pm 3:10pm Workshops - Session 2

Community Service/Regional Dance

QuickBooks Pt 3 Today and Moving Forward

3:15pm 4:00pm Workshops - Session 3

Big Conversations with Little Kids

The WTF Session Everything you need to know about fundraising

Innovative Game Changers (Programming)

QuickBooks Pt 4 Today and Moving Forward

The ABC’s & 123’s of Chaperoning

Teens

Time Workshop

9:30am 9:50am Ice Breaker

9:50am 10:35am More than a Lemonade Stand: Create Your Own Business Plan

Location

10:40am 11:15am Teen Officers Report 11:30am 12:50pm LUNCH Grand Ballroom 1:10pm 2:15pm Teen Officers Report/Modules

2:25pm 3:10pm Gap Year: Is it for me?

3:15pm 4:00pm Wild ‘N Out Improv Class

Middle Schoolers

Time Workshop Location

9:30am 9:45am Ice Breaker

9:55am 11:15am Adulting 101: Skills to Learn before You're Grown Up 11:30am 12:50pm LUNCH Grand Ballroom

1:15pm 2:00pm More than a Lemonade Stand: Create Your Own Business Plan

2:15pm 3:00pm Officers Report/Modules

3:15pm 4:00pm Mindfulness & Meditation

MOTHER’S WORKSHOPS

SIP AND STYLE

BY CHANCE CHANCE MORRISON

Over 15 years of experience establishing strong connections and business opportunities with 100+ filmmakers, community partners, innovation strategists, and entrepreneurs in the media and entertainment industry. Effectively providing strategic guidance to cross-functional teams to ensure revenue growth, sustainability and operational efficiency for various Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs.

She currently serves as the Chief Equity Officer of the Bowery Residents Commitee (BRC) in NYC.

ENHANCE YOUR COMPETITIVE EDGE!

NIKKI BETHEL

Nikki Bethel is a dynamic, results-driven senior leader with over 20 years of experience in strategic planning, diversity, equity & inclusion, talent management, leadership development, and public speaking. She is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Emma L. Bowen Foundation (EBF). In this role, Nikki is responsible for leading the development and implementation of the overall EBF mission to prepare students of color for the workforce and increase and sustain diversity in the media industry. She is the primary spokesperson for the Foundation and works with the Board of Directors, staff and stakeholders to develop the future strategic direction of EBF and oversee the execution and communication of that strategy across the organization, with corporate partners and the broader industry. Nikki also guides and oversees the financial sustainability of the Foundation, maintains the EBF brand identity, and successfully implements operational improvements to support the long-term success of the Foundation’s mission.

Prior to the Emma Bowen Foundation, Nikki was the Senior Vice President of Talent Management for Home Box Office, Inc., and was responsible for overseeing the areas of talent acquisition and organizational effectiveness, which encompasses executive leadership and coaching, management training and professional development, employee communications and initiatives. She also oversaw integrated business solutions, including culture, talentassessment, succession planning and organizational strategy. In addition, Nikki represented HBO at Time Warnerand WarnerMedia councils in the learning and development areas. She joined HBO in 2003 as a recruiting associate and was named manager, Human Resources, in 2004, responsible for employee relations for eight internal departments. In 2006, she was promoted to director, Human Resources, adding several internal clients to her responsibilities. She was elevated to vice president and then senior vice president, Organizational Effectiveness, in 2008 and 2013, respectively.

In 2001, Nikki was a consultant at A-List, where she developed, coordinated and managed strategies designed to help college students and professionals find placement and/or transition across industries. Between 1998 and 2001, she worked in the financial sector as an associate, Global Diversity at Morgan Stanley and as an associate, Human Resources at Merrill Lynch, responsible for various strategic initiatives including career development, recruitment and retention. She began her career in 1997 as a teacher at English High School in Boston, where she also managed an after-school tutoring program for elementary grade students through the B.E.L.L. Foundation.

Nikki is a member of the Brooklyn Chapter of The Links, Inc., a member of the Brooklyn Chapter of Jack & Jill,Inc., a lifetime member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and is an honorary member of the Women’s League of Science and Medicine, Inc. She also sits on the board of The Apollo, is a former board member of the Emma L.Bowen Foundation, and is a member of the Executive Leadership Council (ELC).

She holds a BA degree in Government and Politics from the University of Maryland, College Park, an MA in Education from Harvard, and received a Human Resources Management Certificate from the City University of New York (New York City College of Technology). Nikki is happily married to the love of her life, Richard, and they live between Brooklyn and Sag Harbor with their daughter, Sydney.

KEEPING IT IN THE FAMILY: HOW FAMILY MEMBERS CAN PRESERVE

FINANCIAL ASSETS FOR GENERATIONS MICHELE ADAMS

Michelle Adams is a seasoned attorney, speaker, Coach and newly titled author. Michelle is passionate about helping people live their lives purposely with a focus on establishing their personal legacy. This passion is conveyed during her numerous conference presentations in the United Sates and Canada, and further reflected in her first book entitled, “Family Strong – 7 Gifts For A lasting Legacy”.

She is the founder of Hello Legacy a training and personal development firm and the Law Office of Michelle Adams, LLC where she helps families in the areas of estate planning and family legacy planning. Additionally she is an adjunct faculty member at Metropolitan State University of Denver where she teaches a course on Child Abuse and Neglect. Her work is not just business, but personal. As a wife and mother of two, she is dedicated to championing organizations that support and empower women and children. But more importantly, that strengthen families.

BREATHE MAMA BREATHE: MINDFULNESS & MEDITATION KIA BROOKS

Kia Brooks Ms. Kia Brooks is the founder and creator of the mental health space and company – Relax, Relate, Reclaim, LLC. As a retired educator, trauma informed family life counselor and wellness coach, Kia is dedicated to the education, healing of self and community.

Kia’s practice serves individuals challenged by self-awareness, anxiety, trauma, depression, and life transitions. Ms. Kia L Brooks is also a certified yoga, meditation, and SEL (Social/Emotional Learning).

IMPORTANCE OF MENTORSHIP JUSTICE FABIANA PIERRE-LOUIS

Justice Fabiana Pierre-Louis was nominated by New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy on June 5, 2020 and was sworn in as an associate justice on Sept. 1, 2020. She is the first Black woman to serve on the New Jersey Supreme Court. At the time of her appointment, Justice Pierre-Louis was a partner at Montgomery McCracken, where she worked in the white collar and government investigations practice group. She focused her practice on complex commer cial litigation, white collar crime, and government investigations.

Born on Sept. 9, 1980 in New York City, Justice Pierre-Louis spent her early childhood in Brooklyn and moved to Irvington when she was eight years old. She received a bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University and a law degree from Rutgers Law School.

Justice Pierre-Louis began her legal career as a law clerk to New Jersey Supreme Court Associate Justice John E. Wallace Jr., whose seat she now occupies. In September 2010, she joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office, where she served as the attorney-in-charge of the Trenton and Camden branches. Justice Pierre-Louis also worked in the Newark office in the general crimes and organized crime and gang units.

Justice Pierre-Louis and her husband have two sons.

BIG CONVERSATIONS WITH LITTLE KIDS DR. SCHENIKE MASSIE-LAMBERT

Dr. Massie-Lambert has a doctorate in clinical psychology with expertise in the areas of trauma, relational issues, and cultural concerns. Under the purview of the CCRTR, Dr. Massie-Lambert provides training and consultation to professionals involved in the treatment and care (mental health, education, healthcare, etc.) of children. Training topics include trauma assessment, trauma-informed care, and evidence-informed treatment of complex trauma for children (ages 0-10) and their caregivers, Question Persuade Refer, and Youth Mental Health First Aid. The models that are utilized for clinical training are the Attachment Regulation and Competency (ARC) Framework as well as ARC-GROW which is a caregiver skill building intervention (Blaustein & Kinniburgh, 2010; Kinniburgh & Blaustein, 2005).

Dr. Massie-Lambert is currently working with Dr. Kelly Moore to collect and analyze data on the impact that trau ma-informed care training has on the attitudes of providers, and treatment outcomes for ARC and ARC-GROW. Dr. Massie-Lambert completed her undergraduate education at Fairleigh Dickinson University, where she earned a combined BA/MA degree in psychology. She then completed her graduate studies at Adelphi University’s Derner Institute where she was trained in relational and interpersonal therapies, and earned a doctorate of philosophy in clinical psychology.

MORE THAN A LEMONADE STAND: CREATE YOUR OWN BUSINESS PLAN

ANGELA DURANT

Angela Durant is a Brand Strategist, the creator of the Legacy Brand Method, and the Founder of the Be Brilliant Movement where she helps established business owners and brave entrepreneurs build their brands from the inside out, so they own themselves, run profitable businesses and they’re positioned to make a significant impact in the lives of others.

A talented speaker and master storyteller, Angela has the ability to inspire companies and individuals to take action and show up powerfully in business and in life.

Angela is also a wife and proud mom of a brilliant little boy she affectionately calls Duke.

Angela attended the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. She holds a Certificate of Hotel Administration from Cornell University, is a LevelC Brand Strategist and is a Certified John Maxwell speaker, trainer and coach.

GAP YEAR: IS IT FOR ME?

CHRISTINA FONTANAROSA

Christina Fontanarosa is a 20 year educator. She has worked for the NYC DOE, NAIS schools, and in Higher Education as a teacher/administrator/counseling services.

She has a BA in Early Child Education from Spelman College and MA in Applied Psychology and Counseling from NYU. Christina believes in supporting the whole child and empowering youth to direct their own path through educational experiences.

She has served as board member for Rainbow Rumpus in support of LGBTQ students, a Registered Yoga teacher for KAVI, and a Child Development Trainer for the Children’s Defense Fund’s Freedom Schools along with CUNY. Currently Fontanarosa is the Performing Arts Dance and Yoga Instructor for the NYC Department of Education and author of the Library of Congress archive Early Childhood Journal: Yoga & Feelings.

WILD ‘N OUT IMPROV CLASS

MARCELY JEAN-PIERRE

Marcely Jean-Pierre is a writer and performer from Willingboro, NJ who has been teaching Improv Comedy class es and workshops with Philly Improv Theater, Crossroads Comedy Theater, and Comedy Sportz Philly for over 5 years. He has been performing improv and sketch comedy for over 8 years and has coached and directed house and indie improv teams around the greater Philly area since 2017.

Marcely values the art of improv and specifically aims to make it more accessible to people of color and other minorities who may not have had the exposure or opportunity to take improv classes elsewhere

MIDDLE SCHOOL WORKSHOPS

ADULTING 101: SKILLS TO LEARN BEFORE YOU GROW UP APRIL LEE

April Lee is a teacher with 22 years of experience in high school and middle school English, Language Arts and study skills emphasizing remediation of skills and the inclusion classroom. She is also a teacher and facilitator for character education and citizenship as well as teaching Freshman and Senior seminar.

Ms. Lee is a co-founder of two non-profit organizations assisting students with college preparation by conducting work shops for the college application and financial aid process. In addition, she works in program design, development and facilitation with high school and college students for spiritual, educational, and social preparedness. She is a Licensed Associate Counselor working with children, young adults, couples counseling, as well as a motivation al and inspirational speaker on adolescent sexuality, behavior, and parental empowerment.

MORE THAN A LEMONADE STAND: CREATE YOUR OWN BUSINESS PLAN ANGELA DURANT

Angela Durant is a Brand Strategist, the creator of the Legacy Brand Method, and the Founder of the Be Brilliant Movement where she helps established business owners and brave entrepreneurs build their brands from the inside out, so they own themselves, run profitable businesses and they’re positioned to make a significant impact in the lives of others.

A talented speaker and master storyteller, Angela has the ability to inspire companies and individuals to take action and show up powerfully in business and in life.

Angela is also a wife and proud mom of a brilliant little boy she affectionately calls Duke.

Angela attended the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. She holds a Certificate of Hotel Administration from Cornell University, is a LevelC Brand Strategist and is a Certified John Maxwell speaker, trainer and coach.

MINDFULNESS & MEDITATION

CHRISTINA FONTANAROSA

Christina Fontanarosa is a 20 year educator. She has worked for the NYC DOE, NAIS schools, and in Higher Education as a teacher/administrator/counseling services.

She has a BA in Early Child Education from Spelman College and MA in Applied Psychology and Counseling from NYU. Christina believes in supporting the whole child and empowering youth to direct their own path through educational experiences.

She has served as board member for Rainbow Rumpus in support of LGBTQ students, a Registered Yoga teacher for KAVI, and a Child Development Trainer for the Children’s Defense Fund’s Freedom Schools along with CUNY. Currently Fontanarosa is the Performing Arts Dance and Yoga Instructor for the NYC Department of Education and author of the Library of Congress archive Early Childhood Journal: Yoga & Feelings.

ORATORICAL JUDGES

LATONYA N. BLAND-TULL, ESQ

LaTonya N. Bland-Tull, Esq. is a partner with the law firm of Hagerty & Bland-Tull Law in Collingswood, N.J. Ms. Bland-Tull and her partner, Robert J. Hagerty Esq., worked together at the Mt. Laurel firm of Capehart & Scatchard. In 2013, they joined practices in forming their own firm. Ms. Bland-Tull, a graduate of Rutgers Law School-Camden, has twenty years of experience as a litigator. Currently, her practice is focused on Employment Law, providing advice and representation to protect the workplace rights of employees. Ms. Bland-Tull is also currently an Adjunct Professor at Rutgers Law School in Camden and Rowan University in Glassboro.

Ms. Bland-Tull has achieved the highest rating from Martindale-Hubbell (AV Preeminent) and in 2016 she had the distinguished honor of being recognized by the New Jersey Law Journal as one of the Top Women in the Law. She was also previously named as a New Jersey Law Journal 40 under 40 member. Ms. Bland-Tull is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. She has also been recognized by The American Registry among America’s Most Honored Professionals.

LAURA L. BRYANT, ESQ

Laura L. Bryant, Esquire, has worked almost exclusively in the public sector for 30 years. She is employed with the New Jersey Office of the Public Defender where she is a tireless advocate for parents involved with child protective services in our community. She holds a B.A. from Rider University and her J.D. from Widener University, Delaware School of Law. She is a member of the Association of Black Women Lawyers, New Jersey. She was recently honored by Legal Services New Jersey as a unification hero for her work in reunifying families. She is the mother of two adult children who are longtime members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

NICOLE TATE-PHILLIPS

On January 3, 2022, the Honorable A. Nicole Tate-Phillips was sworn in as a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Montgomery County. She is the second African American female judge in the history of the Court. Judge Tate-Phillips came to the bench with 20 years of experience as an attorney; as an Assistant District Attorney, an Assistant United States Attorney, and as a Partner at the law firm of Montgomery McCracken Walker & Rhoads, LLP. In these roles, Judge Tate-Phillips litigated hundreds of trials in the local and federal courts. She also spent three years as the Senior Director for Career Planning at Temple University Beasley School of Law.

In addition to her practice, Judge Tate-Phillips was involved in the federal Supervision to Aid Reentry Court Program, which provides participants successfully reintegrate into society after having served federal prison sentences. She has also volunteered with the Philadelphia Reads Program and Big Brothers/Big Sisters. She is an active member of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women – Pennsylvania Chapter, in which she is a member of the Education Subcommittee and coordinates career panels for middle and high school students in the Philadelphia region. In 2020, Judge Tate-Phillips was recognized by the Philadelphia Business Journal as a Women of Distinction Honoree.

Judge Tate-Phillips is an Associate Minister and member of the music ministry at the Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church.

Judge Tate-Phillips is the proud mother of two sons (one in high school and one in college) and two adult bonus daughters. She earned her BA in Political Science from Spelman College (Atlanta, GA) and her J.D. from Northeastern University School of Law (Boston, MA).

TEMPERANCE WILLIAMSON

A native of Chicago, Illinois, Special Deputy Attorney General/Acting Assistant Prosecutor Temperance Williamson works for the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office and is the Chief of the Trial Team Section. Prior to that, she served as the Chief of Grand Jury. During her tenure at the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office, she has worked in the Domestic Violence Unit, Juvenile Unit, Grand Jury Unit, and the Trial Team. Ms. Williamson has tried a variety of cases either before a judge only or before a jury. She has spent the last 16 years fervently advocating for justice, on behalf of victims and defendants alike.

Ms. Williamson was admitted to the New Jersey and Pennsylvania Bar in 2005, the Illinois Bar in 2013, and obtained her Juris Doctorate from Rutgers’ School of Law- Camden in 2005. After graduating law school, she clerked for the Honorable Michael J. Kassel, J.S.C., Civil Division, Camden Vicinage.

Ms. Williamson is certified by the State of New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety Division of Criminal Justice Police Training Commission to teach various legal topics to law enforcement officers. She is one of the founding members of the Diversity Council at the Gloucester County Prosecutors Office and is currently the Chair of the External Committee. As the External Chair she planned the 2022 Juneteenth Celebration at Fasola Park, in conjunction with the Gloucester County NAACP. She is a member of the Association of Black Women Lawyers of New Jersey, the New Jersey Black Prosecutors Association, and the Garden State Bar Association, where she currently serves as the Southern Region Director. She serves the community as Vice-President of a condo association board. In her spare time, Ms. Williamson enjoys spending time with her beautiful daughter, reading, helping the Parent Teacher Organization, traveling, and rooting for the Chicago Bears.

METROPOLITAN AREA WORK DAY HOSTED BY ESSEX-HUDSONCHAPTER

Metropolitan Cluster Area Workday

Hosted by the Essex-Hudson Chapter December 1-3, 2022 Agenda

Thursday, December 1

Time Workshop

Location

8:00pm 9:00pm ““From Cubicle to C.E.O.”: Entrepreneurship” Virtual (Zoom) 8:00pm 9:00pm Chapter Finances Let's Get "Lit" on Finances (financially literate that is!) Virtual (Zoom)

Friday, December 2

5:30pm 6:30pm Sip and Style by Chance

Virtual (Zoom)

5:30pm 6:30pm Enhance Your Competitive Edge! Virtual (Zoom)

5:30pm 6:30pm QuickBooks Pt 1 Today and Moving Forward

7:00pm 10:00pm Sip and Salsa Dance Party Brunswick Ballroom

7:00pm 10:00pm Teen Night @ Bowlero Bowlero, N. Brunswick

Saturday, December 3

Time Workshop

Location

7:00am 10:15am Registration Atrium Foyer 7:00am 8:00am Breakfast Regency Ballroom

7:00am 4:00pm Vendors Garden State Ballroom

8:30am 10:15am General Session and Officers Report Regency Ballroom 9:18 am Teens and Middle School Dismissed 10:30am 11:15am Workshops - Session 1

P.E.A R.L.S of Wisdom for Chapter Presidents (Presidents Only) Conference Room JK

Let’s be intentional about Membership Conference Room I Self-Love: “Post” Pandemic Conference Room BC

Let’s Stop The Craziness What You NEED To Know About Governance Brunswick Ballroom AD

QuickBooks Pt 2 Today and Moving Forward Conference Room A

11:30am 1:00pm LUNCH Regency Ballroom

1:15pm 2:15pm Town Hall: “The State of Black America” Regency Ballroom

2:25pm 3:10pm Workshops - Session 2

Community Service/Regional Dance

Brunswick Ballroom

QuickBooks Pt 3 Today and Moving Forward Conference Room A

3:15pm 4:00pm Workshops - Session 3

Having Hard Conversations Softly Conference Room BC

The WTF Session Everything you need to know about fundraising Conference Room I

Programming Innovative Game Changers Brunswick Ballroom AD

QuickBooks Pt 4 Today and Moving Forward Conference Room A The ABC’s & 123’s of Chaperoning Regency Ballroom Teens

Time Workshop Location

9:30am 9:50am Ice Breaker Salon AB 9:50am 10:35am College Prep & Graduates Panel Salon AB 10:40am 11:15am Teen Officers Report Salon AB 11:30am 12:50pm LUNCH Regency Ballroom 1:10pm 2:15pm Teen Officers Report/Modules Salon AB 2:25pm 3:10pm Exploring Careers Panel Salon AB 3:15pm 4:00pm Mindfulness and how to Manage Stress and Anxiety Salon AB

Middle Schoolers

Time Workshop Location

9:30am 9:45am Ice Breaker Salon CD 9:55am 11:15am Inspiring Careers: The Future is Yours Salon CD 11:30am 12:50pm LUNCH Regency Ballroom 1:15pm 2:00pm Living Your Best Life-Tips for Addressing Anxiety Salon CD 2:15pm 3:00pm Officers Report/Modules Salon CD 3:15pm 4:00pm Let’s Get Physical...Party Walk/TikTok Competition! Salon CD

MOTHER’S WORKSHOPS

SIP AND STYLE

BY CHANCE CHANCE MORRISON

Over 15 years of experience establishing strong connections and business opportunities with 100+ filmmakers, community partners, innovation strategists, and entrepreneurs in the media and entertainment industry. Effectively providing strategic guidance to cross-functional teams to ensure revenue growth, sustainability and operational efficiency for various Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs.

She currently serves as the Chief Equity Officer of the Bowery Residents Commitee (BRC) in NYC.

ENHANCE YOUR COMPETITIVE EDGE!

NIKKI BETHEL

Nikki Bethel is a dynamic, results-driven senior leader with over 20 years of experience in strategic planning, diversity, equity & inclusion, talent management, leadership development, and public speaking. She is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Emma L. Bowen Foundation (EBF). In this role, Nikki is responsible for leading the development and implementation of the overall EBF mission to prepare students of color for the workforce and increase and sustain diversity in the media industry. She is the primary spokesperson for the Foundation and works with the Board of Directors, staff and stakeholders to develop the future strategic direction of EBF and oversee the execution and communication of that strategy across the organization, with corporate partners and the broader industry. Nikki also guides and oversees the financial sustainability of the Foundation, maintains the EBF brand identity, and successfully implements operational improvements to support the long-term success of the Foundation’s mission.

Prior to the Emma Bowen Foundation, Nikki was the Senior Vice President of Talent Management for Home Box Office, Inc., and was responsible for overseeing the areas of talent acquisition and organizational effectiveness, which encompasses executive leadership and coaching, management training and professional development, employee communications and initiatives. She also oversaw integrated business solutions, including culture, talentassessment, succession planning and organizational strategy. In addition, Nikki represented HBO at Time Warnerand WarnerMedia councils in the learning and development areas. She joined HBO in 2003 as a recruiting associate and was named manager, Human Resources, in 2004, responsible for employee relations for eight internal departments. In 2006, she was promoted to director, Human Resources, adding several internal clients to her responsibilities. She was elevated to vice president and then senior vice president, Organizational Effectiveness, in 2008 and 2013, respectively.

In 2001, Nikki was a consultant at A-List, where she developed, coordinated and managed strategies designed to help college students and professionals find placement and/or transition across industries. Between 1998 and 2001, she worked in the financial sector as an associate, Global Diversity at Morgan Stanley and as an associate, Human Resources at Merrill Lynch, responsible for various strategic initiatives including career development, recruitment and retention. She began her career in 1997 as a teacher at English High School in Boston, where she also managed an after-school tutoring program for elementary grade students through the B.E.L.L. Foundation.

Nikki is a member of the Brooklyn Chapter of The Links, Inc., a member of the Brooklyn Chapter of Jack & Jill,Inc., a lifetime member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and is an honorary member of the Women’s League of Science and Medicine, Inc. She also sits on the board of The Apollo, is a former board member of the Emma L.Bowen Foundation, and is a member of the Executive Leadership Council (ELC).

She holds a BA degree in Government and Politics from the University of Maryland, College Park, an MA in Education from Harvard, and received a Human Resources Management Certificate from the City University of New York (New York City College of Technology). Nikki is happily married to the love of her life, Richard, and they live between Brooklyn and Sag Harbor with their daughter, Sydney.

FROM CUBICLE TO C.E.O.

DJENABA JOHNSON-JONES ENTREPRENEUR

Djenaba Johnson-Jones was a Marketing & Business Development Executive when she was laid off in late 2014. Seeing this setback as an opportunity to strike out on her own, she launched Hudson Kitchen. Djenaba’s Northern New Jersey-based, food business incubator enables entrepreneurs to start, sustain, and scale profitable food businesses through access to 8,000 square feet of commercial kitchen and storage space, mentorship and coaching, networking events, and educational programming. Over the last two years, member businesses created 58 jobs, generated almost $9 million in collective revenue, and appeared on QVC, Vice Street Food Icons, and in the New York Times.

SELF LOVE: “POST” PANDEMIC KIMBERLY GIVENS ENTREPRENEUR

Kimberly Givens is a seventeen year beauty industry expert and certified life coach. She has combined her talents as a gifted business owner and stylist with her love for empowering women to create spaces for people to find forgiveness and K.I.M. (Keep It Moving). She helps people break free from beliefs that block their emotional & professional abundance. Whether sitting in her stylist chair or at a workshop, Kim will help you see all that makes you perfect and whole so you can K.I.M. and succeed.

HAVING HARD CONVERSATIONS SOFTLY LINNITA HOSTEN

AUTHOR, PHILANTHROPIST, EDUCATOR

Award-winning author, philanthropist, and student success strategist, Linnita Hosten empowers high school stu dents to stand on their own two-feet, after graduation.

As a respected education-planning professional and Founder of Excellence Brainery, Linnita has been honored with various awards including: Excellence in Education, Youth Speaker of the Year, 40 under 40 in Education, Education Book of the Year, University of Maryland Global Campus Alumni of the Year, and Leading Women of the Year.

Linnita is passionate about preparing ambitious students to get clear on their plan and confident about pursuing their DREAM career.

TOWN HALL

RASHIDA JONES PRESIDENT, MSNBC

Rashida Jones made history when she became the first African-American female to run a major cable news network. Jones has been an integral part of the MSNBC family for 9 years. She is currently the president of the organization and has previously served as a managing editor and an executive producer.

Ms. Jones has a wealth of experience in media as a working professional and as a coach to journalism students at the City University, New York. In addition to her time with MSNBC, she was a senior vice president at NBC, a news director at WIS-TV. While at the Weather Channel she was the director of live programming, an executive producer and a senior producer. She was also a producer at WTKR-TV.

Jones is the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions which include, but are not limited to being named one of the “Most Powerful People in New York Media”, by the Hollywood Reporter in 2022. She also received Hamp ton University’s 2022 Outstanding Twenty-Year Alumnus Award.

Ms. Jones is married and the mother of two children.

TRYMAINE LEE CORRESPONDENT, MSNBC

Trymaine Lee is a Pulitzer Prize and Emmy Award-winning journalist and correspondent for MSNBC and the host of the “Into America” podcast, where he explores the intersection of politics, race and justice through the lens of the Black experience in America. He won a Pulitzer Prize in 2006 as part of a team covering Hurricane Katrina for the New Orleans Times. Since then Lee has covered some of the biggest news stories of the last decade, including high profile cases of police violence and the killings of unarmed black men and women by police. In 2018 he won an Emmy Award for Outstanding News Discussion & Analysis, for his reporting on gun violence and trauma in Chicago as part of a series and hour-long special on MSNBC. In 2019 he was nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding News Discussion & Analysis for his reporting on Everyday Racism in America, an MSNBC Special that examined the daily torment of racism suffered by racial minorities. Lee was also among the contributors to the New York Times Magazine’s 1619 Project, which earned a 2020 George Polk Award for its exploration of the role of slavery in America and it’s enduring effects in contemporary American society. He is currently writing a book on race, trauma and gun violence in America.

EXPLORING CAREERS ALEX SEPULVEDA, JD

Essex-Hudson Jack and Jill dad, Alex Sepulveda is a Professor at Kean University in the Criminal Justice Department. Professor Sepulveda received a JD from the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University. He was a HEOP scholar at Syracuse University where he holds a BS in Producing for the Electronic Media and a BA in Spanish Lan guage, Literature and Arts. He is a member and Kean campus advisor for Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Professor Sepulveda began his legal career as an associate at Bozeman & Trott, LLP. He has also worked in for the New York Supreme Court for Justice Donna Mills, the New York Board of Education Legal Department, Landlord/Tenant for New York Quadel and the New Jersey Nets. Professor Sepulveda was a certified Major League Baseball agent.

ALIX BAUDIN

Prior to joining Will Packer Media. Alix served as senior vice president and general manager of digital products and operations for Scripps networks Interactive, a leading developer of high-profile lifestyle oriented content for media platforms including television, digital, mobile and publishing via popular lifestyle brands HGTV, DIY Network, Food Network, Cooking Channel, Travel Channel and Great American Country. Alix led teams responsible for product management, UX/Design, product development, operations and audience development/ data science to deliver a next generation multi-platform lifestyle media experience.

Prior to Scripps Network Interactive, Alix served as head of strategic planning and operations for Dow Jones. Alix oversaw strategic planning and business operations for the Product Group, comprised of consumer and enterprise businesses, including All things D, Barron’s, Dow Jones Newswires, Factiva, MarketWatch, SmartMoney and The Wall Street Journal. Alix Led teams responsible for product strategy, strategic planning, capital planning, pricing and commercial policy decisions and audience insight and analysis.

Preceding his time at Dow Jones, Alix was the Chief Operating Officer of Newsweek Digital, responsible for strategy, product and business development and audience development and analytics. He also served as vice president of business development at BET Networks and Chief Operating officer of Carol’s Daughter Holdings, LLc.

ASHLEY MCFARLIN BUIE

As Vice President of Development for WE TV, Ashley McFarlin Buie oversees new and developing projects for the network and serves as an Executive Producer on the popular series Waka & Tammy: What the Flocka, Brat Loves Judy, and 50 Cent’s Hip Hop Homicides.

With over twenty years’ experience in the industry, Buie has garnered a strong reputation for crafting layered, elevated stories of larger-than-life characters that are relatable, real and wildly entertaining. She founded Bird’s Eye Entertain ment, Inc., and has worked on a multitude of shows with various television networks including Bravo, Discovery, OWN, Oxygen, CNN, MTV, The Travel Channel, and VH1, producing popular series such as, Bravo’s The Real Housewives of Potomac (season one), The First Family of Hip Hop, and Southern Charm New Orleans (season one). She also produced VH1’s Love and Hip-Hop spin-off series Meet The Mackies, as well as VH1’s hit Girls Cruise, starring Lil’ Kim, Chilli, and Mya. Buie began her career as a production assistant at CNN in Atlanta, Ga.

Buie has served as an Adjunct Professor at Montclair State University, a guest lecturer at Yale and Clark Atlanta Universities; and facilitates annual production bootcamps during Jackson, Mississippi’s Jxn Film Festival. Additionally, as Co-Director of the non-profit teen empowerment group, The Power of You Teens, Inc., she has launched a new chapter servicing young girls in the Atlanta metropolitan area. She has also published a book of daily devotionals, The Truth: Wrapped In Love. Buie received her B.A. in Mass Communications from Howard University, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude.

TARA FAVORS

Tara Favors is an Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer for Mutual of America. In this role, she is responsible for all aspects of human resources strategy for the Firm’s 1100 employees. This includes talent acquisition, development and retention, diversity, equity and inclusion, organizational learning and development and total rewards. Prior to joining Mutual of America, Tara was a Vice President in Human Resources at American Express and was awarded the title of Managing Director, Human Resources at Morgan Stanley. In both organizations, she held significant leadership roles.

She is also active within her community. Tara is a member of Jack and Jill of America, Inc, Syracuse University’s Multicultural Advancement Council and a Board member of NJ-LEEP. Tara was named one of Savoy Magazine’s Power 300 (2022), Most Influential Black Executives in Corporate America.

Tara holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Human Resources from Syracuse University, and a Mas ter of Science degree in Human Resources from The New School University.

She is married to Dale Favors and has two sons.

Steve Richard currently serves as Senior Vice President, Chief Risk Officer. He joined BD in February 2016 and is responsible for the oversight of Internal Audit and Enterprise Risk Management, Corporate Security and Aviation and Global Information Security and Product Security activities, helping to further align its practices with best-inclass organizations and deliver value through continued focus on risk, governance and effective partnership with the business. Mr. Richard holds an MBA degree in Finance from Columbia Business School and a BS degree in Accounting from Northeastern University and is a certified CPA in the State of New Jersey. He also serves on the board of New Jersey Society of CPAs and is a life member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Prior to joining BD Steve was at the National Basketball Association(NBA) as the Senior Vice President, Business Development and Global Operations and he also was the Chief Financial Officer and Interim Chief Executive Officer of NBA China. He also spent time as a consultant at Deloitte. He has a wife and 2 children.

STEVE RICHARD

TEEN WORKSHOPS

COLLEGE PREP & GRADUATES PANEL

DR. LINDSAY GRANGER

Dr. Lindsay Granger-Weaver is an equity-minded education professional with a desire to increase access to highquality future-focused programming for underrepresented students. After graduating from Columbia University with a Bachelor of Arts in Comparative Ethnic Studies in 2006, she got a Master of Philosophy in Education in Professional Counseling & Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education in 2009. While working as a high school counselor in Philadelphia, PA public schools, Lindsay developed a passion for career-readiness upon witnessing the high stop-out rates of her alumni. This prompted her to attend New York University’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, where she earned a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership in 2015. Her studies combined critical pedagogy and developmental theories with urban educational policies, specifically focused on the college and early career experiences of Black girls.

Lindsay has worked in career development spaces since 2013 at both public and private institutions. She is currently the Senior Associate Director of Internship Programs & Equity Lead at Barnard College of Columbia University. In this role, she manages a portfolio of internship, research, and leadership programs that provide funding and support to over 250 students per year. As the Equity Lead, Lindsay has ensured that the students who participate in these competitive opportunities are representative of the Barnard College community. In 2022, she received an institutional grant to create inclusive resources for transgender, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming students. Lindsay regularly serves on panels and presents at conferences on topics centered on uncovering the “hidden curriculum” of career development services.

Outside of work, Lindsay enjoys writing, crafting, and watching sports. She lives in West Orange, New Jersey with her husband, Michael, and daughter, Kasey.

ALISON THOMAS-COTTINGHAM, PH.D.

Dr. Alison Thomas-Cottingham is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Rider University in Lawrenceville, NJ. As a clinical psychologist with a specialty in community/health psychology. Dr. Thomas-Cottingham enjoys supporting and inspiring her students in their study of the field. She teaches a variety of classes at Rider including, Abnormal Psychology, Personality, Introduction to Research Methods and Psychology of Aging.

Dr. Thomas-Cottingham’s current research and clinical interests focus on the health of older adults. She partners with organizations in the public and private sectors to educate older adults about sexual health and promote improvements in community health. Dr. Thomas-Cottingham has conducted numerous workshops and delivered presentations at senior centers throughout the State of New Jersey. She has also provided keynote addresses at meetings of the New Jersey Foundation for Aging and New Jersey Partners. She speaks on multiple topics, from sexual health among older adults to the importance of social relationships and the impact of social isolation on the health of older adults. Dr. Thomas-Cottingham periodically provides commentary on the topic of aging to various media. She has contributed a series of articles to Renaissance Magazine, a publication of the New Jersey Foundation on Aging and appeared on Aging Insights, a local community television series. In addition to her work with older adults, Dr. Thomas-Cottingham is very active in championing issues of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) at Rider University.

TAHIRA JORDON CRAWFORD

Dedicated to ensuring marginalized populations gain access and success in higher education, Tahirah Jordan Crawford has devoted her career to being a voice for the voiceless and breaking down barriers to quality institu tions of higher education. A proud Hamptonian, Tahirah graduated in May 2004 from the illustrious Hampton Uni versity in Hampton, VA with her Bachelor’s degree. With the desire to right the wrongs in education law she went on to become a “legal eagle” she graduated from North Carolina Central University School of Law in Durham, NC in May 2007.

After being promoted to Assistant Dean & Director of Intercultural Affairs and Student Success at Allegheny Col lege in Meadville, PA, the first ever hybrid student and academic affairs position in the institutions’ history, Tahirah went on to become the inaugural Director of College Placement at People’s Prep Charter School in Newark, NJ. Having been with the organization for over 10 years, Tahirah was one of the School Leaders responsible for help ing to shape the direction and vision of the school. Responsible for building out and implementing programming related to college preparation, persistence and success Tahirah created a support program that spans a decade of service. From grade nine to six years post-high school graduation. In September 2021 a major accomplishment for those in her profession, Tahirah was elected by the association’s membership to the Board of Directors for the National Association of College Admission Counseling during the first-ever “one member one vote” election process in the organization’s history. In August 2022 Tahirah returned to higher education as a leader in the undergraduate admissions office of Columbia University in New York City.

SHAVIECE HARMON

Shaviece Osborne née Harmon (B.A. Sociology /Multicultural Studies, Rider University; M.A, Educational Lead ership, Montclair State University) has worked in higher education for the past ten plus years. Ms. Osborne got her start in education at The Princeton Review and worked for Drew University and Seton Hall University prior to her start at Bard High School Early College (BHSEC) Newark as the Director of the College Transfer Office. In addition to her role as the Director of the College Transfer Office, she manages the culture and climate for a community of four hundred students as the Dean of Students. Her purpose and passion are her students. She strives to maintain a safe and supportive school climate with presence, participation and purpose. She is living her passion daily as she guides students through the college admissions process and provides graduate support for alumni. Ms. Osborne has helped thousands of students get in to the college of their choice.

She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, cohost of a “Cuz I Said So,” a podcast for the modern mother of color, the founder of Montclair Moms of Color; a social media group with over 500 members that provides support and community for mothers and their children. Mrs. Osborne sits on the executive board of her PTA and volunteers her time and talents to numerous community events. In addition to her professional passions, she enjoys reading, dining out, politics and spending time with her family.

TEEN WORKSHOPS

COURTNEY MCANUFF

Vice Chancellor Courtney McAnuff oversees Undergraduate Admissions, Student Financial Aid, Office of the Registrar, a One Stop Student Services Center to address student administrative, registration, and financial needs in one location, and RU-info, the university’s central call center. Vice Chancellor McAnuff brings outstanding leadership, innovative thinking, and progressive programming to the university such as the Rutgers Future Scholars program, a college access pipeline program beginning in 7th grade. He consults to various advisory boards and post-secondary institutions, was elected Vice Chair for the Coalition for College, serves on the Board of Trustees for the College Board, is an adjunct faculty member at the University of Southern California, and has testified before the House of Representatives and NJ Senate. His goals of ensuring Rutgers University–New Brunswick is a diverse institution and leader in quality education are widely recognized. He has been recognized as the Most Outstanding Administrator-State University of New York and Administrator of the Year at Eastern Michigan University, among other accolades earned. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from City College of New York, a Master of Science degree from Hofstra University, and completed all coursework for a doctorate from Wayne State University.

NYSSA NIXON

Nyssa Nixon is a first year student at the New Jersey Institute of Technology who majors in Biomedical Engineering. She is an Education Opportunity Program student, Albert Dorman Honors Scholar and Newark Mayor’s Honors Scholar. Nyssa is also an Jack and Jill graduate out of our distinguished Essex-Hudson Host chapter.

MINDFULNESS AND HOW TO MANAGE STRESS & ANXIETY

DR. KWAMIA RAWLS

Dr. Kwamia Rawls is a professor at Seton Hall University who focuses on Psychotherapy. She applies principles of research and is a published author. She leverages a variety of techniques from meditation, affirmations to exercise as a way to channel anxiety to help her clients find the strategy to help them live their best lives. She has a sports performance certification and helps athletes reach their maximum potential. She lives in West Orange with her husband and three beautiful children.

KIM SEVERE

Kim Severe is a school psychologist in the East Orange School District. She works with the district to support students’ ability to learn and the teachers’ ability to teach by applying expertise in mental health, learning and behavior. Her focus is to ensure that the scholars succeed academically, socially, behaviorally and emotionally.

MIDDLE SCHOOL WORKSHOPS

INSPIRING CAREERS: THE FUTURE IS YOURS

RANDY FITZGIBBONS

Randy Fitzgibbons is a proud husband and father in the Essex-Hudson Chapter of Jack & Jill whose career has yielded invaluable experience in telecommunications and technology. As a leader, Randy embraces change and is known for creating high-performing, inclusive, cross-functional teams that deliver operational excellence. He is professionally skilled in operations management, customer personalization, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Business Transformation. Randy prioritizes spending time with his family, staying fit and truly believes that we live in a universe of abundance and as we freely and joyfully give, we join the divine flow and all that we share with life returns to us abundantly.

ENSHALLA ANDERSON

Enshalla Anderson is the Global Head of Brand and Creative for Google Cloud. As a renowned Branding and Mar keting expert, Enshalla has a proven track record of building strong consumer and B2B brands that drive revenue growth. She’s had a global career that has taken her from New York, to London, to Caracas, Venezuela.

Enshalla has an MBA from Harvard Business School and an Undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania. She’s the proud mom of two young men and an active member of the Essex-Hudson Chapter of Jack & Jill.

DWAYNE CLARK

Dwayne Clark is an acclaimed Broadway actor and his experience includes the Emmy and Tony Award-willing cast of The Color Purple revival, Paradise Square, Spider Man: Turn Off The Dark, In The Heights, Cry-Baby, Tarzan The Musical, Urinetown The Musical, Smokey Joe’s Cafe. New York City Opera: Porgy and Bess (Sportin’ Life). Dwayne was on the National Tour of Rent and Regional tours of: Ain’t Misbehavin’, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Shrek, Tick, Tick... Boom!. Dwayne has done many voice over commercials, audiobooks, and TV commercials. Dwayne is an author and motivational speaker and can be heard on his podcast - Inspirations by Dwayne. Dwayne is a proud father of two children in the Greater Essex Chapter of Jack & Jill.

PAIGE GRAVES

Paige Graves is the General Counsel of the NY Metropolitan Transportation Authority (“MTA”). She has over 25 years of Legal experience and started her career as a prosecutor for the Manhattan DA’s Office. She oversees the MTAs 350 attorneys and staff who provide a wide array of legal services to the agency.

In addition to being a high-powered attorney, Paige is a wife and mother. She is an active member of the EssexHudson Chapter. Paige holds both a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a Juris Doctorate Degree from Hofstra University.

WILLIAM NIXON

William Nixon is the Vice President of Global Technology at Sony Music Entertainment and an Essex-Hudson father. He leads a global team of developers, project managers, and business analysts to create and support a suite of Budgeting, Marketing, and Recording Cost applications. William specializes in merging art, finance, data analytics, and programming technologies to provide creative solutions to complex business problems. He has a B.S. in Information Technology, MBA in Finance, and numerous certifications in Project Management and Data Science. William is a native of Newark NJ, and served honorably in the U.S. Army’s 37th Airborne Engineer Battalion. In William’s spare time he enjoys spending time with his family, playing sports and video games.

TATIA MAYS-RUSSELL

Tatia Mays-Russell is the Chief Financial Officer of the Major League Baseball Players Association. She brings a wealth of experience across diverse industries including transportation, media, sports, publishing and service. She has an MBA from the Wharton School of Business and an Undergraduate degree from Cornell University.

She is a married mother of two children. She’s also an active member of the Essex-Hudson Chapter of Jack & Jill.

MICHAEL SWEENEY

Michael Sweetney was born in 1982 in Washington DC. He played his high school basketball at Oxon Hill High school located in Oxon Hill, Maryland. Michael went on to play at Georgetown University in Washington DC where was an All American and Naismith College Player of the Year finalist. In 2003 Michael went on to get drafted #9 by the New York knicks in the famous draft class including Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, and Carmelo Anthony. He played 4 years in the NBA, 2 with the New York Knicks and 2 with Chicago Bulls. Soon after. Michael traveled the world to play in China, Uruguay, Puerto Rico, and Venezuela.

Michael now spends his time being a mental health advocate, coaching at Yeshiva University and mentoring youth. His been married to his wife India for 15 years and they have 3 beautiful children Ayden, Grayson and Stella.

MIDDLE SCHOOL WORKSHOPS

LIVING YOUR BEST LIFE - TIPS FOR ADDRESSING ANXIETY

MAUDJAH HENRIQUEZ - FRANCIS

Essex-Hudson Jack & Jill Mother Maudjah Henriquez-Francis is a licensed psychotherapist in northern New Jersey. She has been working with individuals and families for the past 14 years. Her clinical expertise is centered primarily with clients presenting with depression, anxiety, ADHD, post-partum depression and parenting challenges. She partners with clients to build respect, strategies and solutions. Her clinical approach is cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, solution-focused and humanistic. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, spending time at the beach and enjoying the outdoors.

MILES LEANDRE

Miles LeAndre is currently teaching in the middle school at the Montclair Cooperative School, focusing on Mathematics and English and leading programs in promoting diversity, accepting identities, as well as on preparing for high school.

In 2021, Miles graduated from Bucknell University, majoring in Political Science. At Bucknell, Miles was active in the Black Student Union, the TEAM program and music and piano ensembles. Miles is a 2017 graduate of the Essex-Hudson Chapter of Jack & Jill of America, Inc. and was a part of the chapter for 8 years. Miles graduated from The Pingry School, where he played varsity baseball, jazz piano, was elected to the Student Diversity Leadership Committee, was a peer leader mentor for underclassmen, and was awarded the John Taylor Babbit award for character.

LET’S GET PHYSICAL -PARTY WALK/TIK TOK COMPETITION

TANYA CURRY-MCMICHAEL

Tanya Curry-McMichael is a seasoned marketing/business development executive & engineer, as well as an AFFA certified group exercise instructor, professional dancer, and choreographer. Trained in jazz, ballet, and hip-hop from various studios including Broadway Dance Center in NYC, Tanya has a passion for empowering youth through movement. Tanya calls herself a “Well-Being” evangelist, focusing on moving people mentally, physically, and emotionally by sharing insights from her personal journey and 20-year career in Media/Entertainment, and teaching a unique spin on dance, camaraderie, and style. She is the choreographer of the Region’s first Party Walk competition winner. Her vision for connecting youth & women to each other and themselves is evident in all Tanya does.

ORATORICAL JUDGES

JOEL C. ANDREWS CHIEF EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OFFICER, MTA NEW YORK CITY

TRANSIT AUTHORITY

Joel C. Andrews serves as the Vice President and Chief Equal Opportunity Officer at MTA New York City Transit (NYCT), North America’s largest public transportation agency with a workforce of approximately 50,000 employees. Andrews has served in this capacity as vice president and chief officer since December 2005, where he is a member of the Executive Leadership Team.

Over the past 16 years, Andrews and the members of his talented teams have provided strategic leadership and guidance in identifying practices, policies, procedures, programs, and initiatives that strengthen NYCT’s commitment to Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) in the workforce and the communities NYCT serves – including establishing the inaugural cohort of Employee Resource Groups, a D&I best practice and one of the first such D&I programs at a large public transportation agency in the United States. Andrews proudly serves as a member and executive sponsor of the All Generational Employee Resource Group.

Additionally, Andrews is responsible for ensuring NYCT’s compliance with the United States Federal Transit Administration’s Equal Employment Opportunity, Title VI, and Limited English Proficiency regulatory mandates as well as compliance mandates from New York State and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

Prior to joining NYCT, Andrews served in municipal government as Associate City Personnel Director and Executive Assistant to the Deputy Commissioner at the New York City Department of Personnel Citywide Equal Employment Opportunity Department. Before joining New York City municipal government, with the objective of creating equal access to justice, Andrews practiced law with the Georgia Legal Services Program providing civil legal assistance to low income persons addressing matters involving family stability, subsistence, and safety.

Andrews received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Georgia and his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Tennessee. Andrews is a member of the State Bar of Georgia and is admitted to practice law in the courts of the State of Georgia and the federal district courts for the northern and middle districts of Georgia.

Andrews is an advisory board member of the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, and has served as a video mentor with the organization Infinite Family, providing a supportive voice of experience and understanding to teens at the Refilwe Township orphanage near Pretoria, South Africa.

Andrews is a fan of professional and collegiate football and basketball. He loves to travel, spend time with family and friends, and attends services at the Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem, New York.

STEPHANIE LAWSON-MUHAMMAD MANAGING DIRECTOR, ACCENTURE

Stephanie Lawson-Muhammad is a Managing Director at Accenture in the Cloud First Practice based out of the New York Office. She is currently a Delivery Lead in the NA Cloud Migration HUB. She has over 20 years of experience spanning infrastructure development, engineering, implementation and operations. She has strong experience across entire project lifecycle from strategic analysis to requirements generation to building and maintaining high availability networks, platforms and applications.

Prior to joining Accenture, Stephanie spent 11 years advancing within Verizon Wireless and has significant leadership experience in Network Engineering and Operations at both the Regional and HQ levels. In addition, she led Product Development teams for some of the largest customer facing applications within VzW. Stephanie has a MS in Electrical Engineering Systems from University of Michigan, a BS in Electrical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology and a BS in Mathematics from Spelman College.

Stephanie is the chair of the South Orange Community Police Collaborative and the founder of Erasing Essex’s Borders creating a movement to unifying the county, creating a sense of belonging that transcends lines, borders and boundaries. She is an avid runner and planning her first triathlon in 2023.

CLIFTON MANNING, MBA

AUTHOR

Cliff spent the first 17 of his 20-year career in healthcare working with physicians and healthcare leaders to achieve patient-centric goals, while bootstrapping his way into leadership possessing only an associate degree in applied science. At times, these challenges were daunting, and he felt unqualified to achieve the success he wanted. However, he focused on becoming intentional in reading every leadership book that he could find, as well as attending frequent seminars in areas where he saw opportunities to improve. Over time, as he applied insights gained from these various sources, he was able to cross the hurdles successfully and efficiently he found himself up against. Eventually, varying degrees of success within his sphere of leadership influence became more evident.

The success Cliff achieved, and lessons learned became the catalyst for the formation of his newly published book available on Amazon, Dream Octane: Seven Steps to Discover, Develop and Deliver Your Niche. The infrastructure and frameworks that make up the book has been used over the last year for online webinars, oneon-one training, and executive coaching cohorts. Insight from the book has also been used to launch The Niche Finder Podcast which has grown from its single inception platform on Podbean.com to being on Spotify, Apple Podcast and Google podcast in less than six months.

Cliff’s goals for the Niche Finder Community and the Dream Octane movement are to help Trainers, Coaches and Entrepreneurs discover, develop, and deliver their unique services online. As a result, his belief has become the mantra for the movement: “If innovative change is an engine, your unique dreams and abilities could be its fuel.” You can easily connect with Cliff on www.dreamoctane.org Your Dream Is Worth It!!!

ORATORICAL JUDGES

LISA RADCLIFFE, ESQ, RP DEPUTY CHIEF COUNSEL, HOMELAND SECURITY

Lisa A. Radcliffe is a Deputy Chief Counsel with the Office of the Principal Legal Advisor for the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement in New York City (OPLA NYC). She was selected as a Deputy Chief Counsel in June of 2012. In addition to managing a team of attorneys and serving as secondline supervisor to the support staff, Lisa oversaw the National Security program at OPLA NYC for over 10 years. She supervised a specialized team of attorneys (NS) responsible for representing the Department in all phases of litigation before the Executive Office for Immigration Review. The NS team works with OPLA NYC’s clients Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) and Homeland Security Investigations Joint Terrorism Task Force (HIS-JTTF), the United States Attorney’s Offices in the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York, and other stakeholders, to assist in the investigation and prosecution of terrorists and those who pose a danger to the United States. Lisa is OPLA NYC’s Special Emphasis Program Manager (F-SEPM), which is a program that is designed to advise and assist management officials in the identification, analysis, and resolution of policies, practices, and procedures which serve to create barriers to the hiring, advancement, and retention of minorities, women, and persons with disabilities, or other identified groups. As F-SEPM, Lisa also coordinates OPLA NYC’s cultural observances and has provided officewide training for OPLA attorneys in the area of Diversity and Inclusion and the Elimination of Bias in the Legal Profession pursuant to New York State’s CLE Program Rules 22 NYCRR 1500.2(g).

Lisa began her service in the federal government as an Assistant District Counsel with the legacy U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service. Later, as an Assistant Chief Counsel, she became a member of the Aguilar/Suppression Litigation Team. As a member of the team, she litigated motions to suppress and terminate in the New York area of responsibility that alleged violations of the Fourth and Fifth Amendments, and she provided training on these issues to HSI and ERO. Prior to her tenure with the Department, Lisa was an Assistant District Attorney with the New York County District Attorney’s Office. In this role, she was responsible for all phases of criminal case prosecution. Lisa received her Bachelor of Science degree in Social Psychology and Spanish from Tufts University and her Juris Doctor from Fordham University School of Law where she served as Managing Editor of the Moot Court Board.

She is a Registered Parliamentarian and an active member of the National Association of Parliamentarians. She is also a life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and currently serves as the Parliamentarian of her chapter.

K-12

SUPERVISOR

OF SOCIAL STUDIES, EAST ORANGE SCHOOL DISTRICT

Shea Richardson is a proud graduate of the inaugural class of The Cicely Tyson School of Performing and Fine Arts in East Orange, New Jersey. After high school, Shea matriculated at Seton Hall University as a proud scholar of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Association, where she earned a B.S. in Secondary Education and History and an M.A. in Education with a certification as a School Library Media Specialist.

Ms. Richardson returned to her roots and taught social studies for 11 years at East Orange Campus High School. After concluding her time in the classroom, she now impacts the larger East Orange School District population as the K-12 Supervisor of Social Studies.

Shea is currently a board member of the following organizations: New Jersey Orators, Incorporated New Jersey Center for Civic Education New Jersey History Day

JUDITH STOCKMAN ASSISTANT

DEAN OF GRADUATE ADMISSIONS FOR THE COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES AT AMERICAN UNIVERSITY

An MBA graduate of The Wharton School, Ms. Stockmon advises a range of applicants with diverse backgrounds in gaining admissions to top-tier graduate schools. Ms. Stockmon’s professional history includes consulting and marketing at leading companies such as Johnson & Johnson, American Express, Showtime Networks, and USA Cable. She is currently Assistant Dean of Graduate Admissions for The College of Arts and Sciences at American University in Washington, DC. She graduated from Brown University with a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing and English. Judith currently lives in DC with her husband and teenage daughter. She also has a daughter who is a senior at Tulane University.