Mary Bowen
Attorney
City of Lansing
Attorney Mary Bowen lives in Lansing Michigan and works for the City of Lansing as an assistant attorney. Ms. Bowen is actively involved in a number of community service organization such as United Way, a judge for Michigan Mock Trial and Ready for Reading Month in the Waverly Community Schools. She also mentors law students and students interested in law. Attorney Brown is the recipient of a number of awards and accolades. In October 2020, Michigan Lawyers Weekly honored Attorney Bowen as one of 30 women selected for the 2020 Women in Law Class.
Attorney
City of Lansing
Attorney Mary Bowen lives in Lansing Michigan and works for the City of Lansing as an assistant attorney. Ms. Bowen is actively involved in a number of community service organization such as United Way, a judge for Michigan Mock Trial and Ready for Reading Month in the Waverly Community Schools. She also mentors law students and students interested in law. Attorney Brown is the recipient of a number of awards and accolades. In October 2020, Michigan Lawyers Weekly honored Attorney Bowen as one of 30 women selected for the 2020 Women in Law Class.
Jacqueline Campbell
Founder
F.A.C.T.S by JaOperience
Inspired by a 27-year career in banking and wealth management, where black women represent less than 1% of the industry, Jacqueline Campbell founded F.A.C.T.S. by JaQperience, an organization focused on attracting, advancing and impacting the next generation of African American financial advisors and Investors. In 2018, Jackie’s experience leading top financial advisors, along with her passion as an advocate for diversity and inclusion, made her a perfect fit to drive growth and expand the diversity of advisors as Head of Diverse Advisor Engagement for Chase Wealth Management. Her role focused on attracting, retaining, and developing advisors of color. Jackie holds her Bachelor's Degree in Liberal Arts with a focus area on Diverse Leadership in Financial Services from DePaul University. She also holds her Series 4, 7, 24, 53, 63 & 65 securities licenses.
Founder
F.A.C.T.S by JaOperience
Inspired by a 27-year career in banking and wealth management, where black women represent less than 1% of the industry, Jacqueline Campbell founded F.A.C.T.S. by JaQperience, an organization focused on attracting, advancing and impacting the next generation of African American financial advisors and Investors. In 2018, Jackie’s experience leading top financial advisors, along with her passion as an advocate for diversity and inclusion, made her a perfect fit to drive growth and expand the diversity of advisors as Head of Diverse Advisor Engagement for Chase Wealth Management. Her role focused on attracting, retaining, and developing advisors of color. Jackie holds her Bachelor's Degree in Liberal Arts with a focus area on Diverse Leadership in Financial Services from DePaul University. She also holds her Series 4, 7, 24, 53, 63 & 65 securities licenses.
Felisa Cockrell
Teacher
Wayne High School
Felisa Cockrell has created a career educating the youth of Wayne High School. Ms. Cockrell uses her Master’s in Communication to teach English, Public Speaking and serving as the head speech coach for Wayne High School. She reports one of proudest moments as coaching a student to state championship in poetry. When not teaching, Felisa enjoys spending time with her two children, reading writing and watching movies.
Teacher
Wayne High School
Felisa Cockrell has created a career educating the youth of Wayne High School. Ms. Cockrell uses her Master’s in Communication to teach English, Public Speaking and serving as the head speech coach for Wayne High School. She reports one of proudest moments as coaching a student to state championship in poetry. When not teaching, Felisa enjoys spending time with her two children, reading writing and watching movies.
Dr. Patricia Collins
Administrator
Michigan Department of Transportation
Dr. Patricia Collins career as a public servant has allowed her to work a variety of individuals and entities across the state of Michigan. As a resident of the Lansing area and a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Dr. Collins has worked with Meals-on-Wheels, the Get-Out-the-Vote initiative, the homeless population and local high school students on effective oral communication. Dr. Collins works for the Michigan Department of Transportation and is an Adjunct Faculty member at Olivet College-Business Program. Dr. Collins earned her doctorate from Western Michigan University.
Administrator
Michigan Department of Transportation
Dr. Patricia Collins career as a public servant has allowed her to work a variety of individuals and entities across the state of Michigan. As a resident of the Lansing area and a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Dr. Collins has worked with Meals-on-Wheels, the Get-Out-the-Vote initiative, the homeless population and local high school students on effective oral communication. Dr. Collins works for the Michigan Department of Transportation and is an Adjunct Faculty member at Olivet College-Business Program. Dr. Collins earned her doctorate from Western Michigan University.
Daphne Dickens-King
Chief Operating Officer
21st Century Commerce, Inc.
Mrs. Daphne Dickens-King has dedicated her life to empowering youth and young adults to become all they can be through mentoring, advocacy and community organization. This passion has seen her serve as school board trustee and develop parenting groups for Black, Indian and Chinese families. This passion has created opportunity for her to receive numerous awards, including, the 39th Annual YWCA Lake County Women of Achievement award. In her professional career, Mrs. Dickens-King serves as Chief Operating Officer of 21st Century Commerce Inc., a Leadership and Management Consulting company.
Chief Operating Officer
21st Century Commerce, Inc.
Mrs. Daphne Dickens-King has dedicated her life to empowering youth and young adults to become all they can be through mentoring, advocacy and community organization. This passion has seen her serve as school board trustee and develop parenting groups for Black, Indian and Chinese families. This passion has created opportunity for her to receive numerous awards, including, the 39th Annual YWCA Lake County Women of Achievement award. In her professional career, Mrs. Dickens-King serves as Chief Operating Officer of 21st Century Commerce Inc., a Leadership and Management Consulting company.
Kristen Dupard
Law Student
Columbia Law School
Kristen Dupard is a third year law student at Columbia Law School. From the time of her graduation from the University of Southern Mississippi to now, Kristen has clerked for the Congressional Black Caucus, participated in the SEO Fellowship program and the CDC Public Health Fellowship. Currently, Ms. Dupard volunteers with the DNC’s Civic Engagement and Voter Protection Program.
Law Student
Columbia Law School
Kristen Dupard is a third year law student at Columbia Law School. From the time of her graduation from the University of Southern Mississippi to now, Kristen has clerked for the Congressional Black Caucus, participated in the SEO Fellowship program and the CDC Public Health Fellowship. Currently, Ms. Dupard volunteers with the DNC’s Civic Engagement and Voter Protection Program.
Dr. Paul Elam
Youth and Policy Expert
Dr. Paul Elam earned his PhD in Family and Child Ecology and a master’s degree in Criminal Justice and Urban studies from Michigan State University. Dr. Elam has used his wealth of knowledge and experience to create public policy on fairness and equity by measuring racial and ethnic disparities. Dr. Elam strives to create social spaces where fairness, equity and social justice is experienced by all, especially marginalized populations. In addition to creating public policy, Dr. Elam also mentors and trains professionals from historically underrepresented groups in culturally responsive and equitable engagement.
Youth and Policy Expert
Dr. Paul Elam earned his PhD in Family and Child Ecology and a master’s degree in Criminal Justice and Urban studies from Michigan State University. Dr. Elam has used his wealth of knowledge and experience to create public policy on fairness and equity by measuring racial and ethnic disparities. Dr. Elam strives to create social spaces where fairness, equity and social justice is experienced by all, especially marginalized populations. In addition to creating public policy, Dr. Elam also mentors and trains professionals from historically underrepresented groups in culturally responsive and equitable engagement.
Tim Herd
Graduate Student
University of Pennsylvania
Tim Herd is a currently a Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed) graduate student of the University of Pennsylvania, and a recent December 2019 graduate at Michigan State University who graduated with a bachelor's degree in elementary education. Herd founded his own mentoring organization in 2017, titled Rising Black Men, which was the 2017-18 MSU Student Organization of the Year. Herd has also received numerous awards and acknowledgements for his community activism and research.
Graduate Student
University of Pennsylvania
Tim Herd is a currently a Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed) graduate student of the University of Pennsylvania, and a recent December 2019 graduate at Michigan State University who graduated with a bachelor's degree in elementary education. Herd founded his own mentoring organization in 2017, titled Rising Black Men, which was the 2017-18 MSU Student Organization of the Year. Herd has also received numerous awards and acknowledgements for his community activism and research.
Angela Hook
Academic Success Coach
Lansing Community College
Mrs. Angela Hook, a lifelong resident of Lansing Michigan, is an accomplished author, transformative speaker and life coach. Mrs. Hooks holds a master’s degree in Human Services and is pursuing a Clinical Mental Health Counseling masters which she will use to uplift and empower children, youth, women, and families. Mrs. Hook’s has written two books entitled, ‘Bridging the Gap between Women’ and Tragedy to Triumph. Her most fulfilling roles is that of being a wife, mother and grandmother.
Academic Success Coach
Lansing Community College
Mrs. Angela Hook, a lifelong resident of Lansing Michigan, is an accomplished author, transformative speaker and life coach. Mrs. Hooks holds a master’s degree in Human Services and is pursuing a Clinical Mental Health Counseling masters which she will use to uplift and empower children, youth, women, and families. Mrs. Hook’s has written two books entitled, ‘Bridging the Gap between Women’ and Tragedy to Triumph. Her most fulfilling roles is that of being a wife, mother and grandmother.
Allyson Horton
Author and Teacher
Quick Fire
Allyson Horton is a long career as a writer and teacher. She enjoys working with youth and helping to develop a love of writing. When a teacher at Park Tudor, in Indiana, Ms. Horton advised the Spoken Word Poetry Club, the Center for Interfaith Youth Ambassadors, the Black Student Union 2.0 and the Speech and Debate teams. Ms. Horton, is the author of Quick Fire through the Third World Press Foundation.
Author and Teacher
Quick Fire
Allyson Horton is a long career as a writer and teacher. She enjoys working with youth and helping to develop a love of writing. When a teacher at Park Tudor, in Indiana, Ms. Horton advised the Spoken Word Poetry Club, the Center for Interfaith Youth Ambassadors, the Black Student Union 2.0 and the Speech and Debate teams. Ms. Horton, is the author of Quick Fire through the Third World Press Foundation.
Kodjo Kumi
Law Student
Columbia Law School
Kodjo Kumi is a graduate of Brown University, where he received a degree in Public Policy and American Institutions. Mr. Kumi is a third year law student at Columbia Law School. Mr. Kumi has served as a coach for the Fredrick Douglas Moot Court Team and Co-Chair of the Admissions for the Black Law Students Association. Following graduation from Law School, Mr. Kumi plans to pursue a career in white collar defense and commercial litigation.
Law Student
Columbia Law School
Kodjo Kumi is a graduate of Brown University, where he received a degree in Public Policy and American Institutions. Mr. Kumi is a third year law student at Columbia Law School. Mr. Kumi has served as a coach for the Fredrick Douglas Moot Court Team and Co-Chair of the Admissions for the Black Law Students Association. Following graduation from Law School, Mr. Kumi plans to pursue a career in white collar defense and commercial litigation.
Dr. Curtis Lewis
Chief of Teaching and Learning
Detroit 90/90 10 School Network
In 2015, Dr. Curtis Lewis had a vision to galvanize his years of learning, experience, and network of educators to marshal in a new organization with the primary goal to recruit, retain and develop black male educators. Black Male Educators Alliance of Michigan was established to dismantle the institutional impediments to diversity within the educational profession, thereby improving the educational experiences of urban youth. Dr. Lewis is currently the Chief of Teaching and Learning for Detroit 90/90’s 10 school network.
Chief of Teaching and Learning
Detroit 90/90 10 School Network
In 2015, Dr. Curtis Lewis had a vision to galvanize his years of learning, experience, and network of educators to marshal in a new organization with the primary goal to recruit, retain and develop black male educators. Black Male Educators Alliance of Michigan was established to dismantle the institutional impediments to diversity within the educational profession, thereby improving the educational experiences of urban youth. Dr. Lewis is currently the Chief of Teaching and Learning for Detroit 90/90’s 10 school network.
Deonna Moore Taylor
Author and Life Coach
Deonna Moore Taylor is a best-selling author, award winning motivational speaker and certified life, executive and mindfulness coach. Mrs. Taylor has worked with corporations and governmental organizations such as the Cleveland Clinic, CVS, Girl Scouts USA, Toastmasters, and NASA. Mrs. Taylor is wife and mother of two sons and the proud owner of DMT Consulting based out of Northeast Ohio. Mrs. Taylor is currently pursuing a degree in Healthcare Informatics at DeVry University.
Author and Life Coach
Deonna Moore Taylor is a best-selling author, award winning motivational speaker and certified life, executive and mindfulness coach. Mrs. Taylor has worked with corporations and governmental organizations such as the Cleveland Clinic, CVS, Girl Scouts USA, Toastmasters, and NASA. Mrs. Taylor is wife and mother of two sons and the proud owner of DMT Consulting based out of Northeast Ohio. Mrs. Taylor is currently pursuing a degree in Healthcare Informatics at DeVry University.
Ngozi Okorafor
Director of Employment Actions
Cook County Sheriff's Office
Attorney Ngozi Okorafor was appointed Director of Employment Actions for the Cook County Sheriff’s Office in 2019. Her legal career spans 22 years covering the public, private and non-profit sectors. A number of these years saw Ms. Okorafor work as Chief Legal Counsel for the Illinois Department of Human Rights. Ms. Okorafor holds a law degree from University of Illinois Urbana-Champagne College of Law.
Director of Employment Actions
Cook County Sheriff's Office
Attorney Ngozi Okorafor was appointed Director of Employment Actions for the Cook County Sheriff’s Office in 2019. Her legal career spans 22 years covering the public, private and non-profit sectors. A number of these years saw Ms. Okorafor work as Chief Legal Counsel for the Illinois Department of Human Rights. Ms. Okorafor holds a law degree from University of Illinois Urbana-Champagne College of Law.
Aaron Reeves, Jr.
Professor
Saint Louis Community College at Forest Park
Aaron L. Reeves Jr. works as a professor of Business and Accounting at Saint Louis Community College at Forest Park. He graduated from Saint Louis with an MBA and a Master’s degree in Professional Accounting. Mr. Reeves has a deep passion for teaching and helping other learn about finance and accounting. Mr. Reeves further engages the community civically through his volunteer work as a member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.
Professor
Saint Louis Community College at Forest Park
Aaron L. Reeves Jr. works as a professor of Business and Accounting at Saint Louis Community College at Forest Park. He graduated from Saint Louis with an MBA and a Master’s degree in Professional Accounting. Mr. Reeves has a deep passion for teaching and helping other learn about finance and accounting. Mr. Reeves further engages the community civically through his volunteer work as a member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.
Matthew Robinson
Law Student
Columbia Law School
Matthew Robinson originally hails from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. In 2018, he graduated from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service where he pursued a degree in International Politics with a concentration in International Law and minors in both Arabic and Arab Studies. He currently attends Columbia Law School where he has served as a member of the Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot Court Team, Co-Chair of Admissions for the Black Law Students Association, and Diversity Editor for the Columbia Law Review. After graduation from Law School, he will be pursuing a career in commercial litigation.
Law Student
Columbia Law School
Matthew Robinson originally hails from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. In 2018, he graduated from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service where he pursued a degree in International Politics with a concentration in International Law and minors in both Arabic and Arab Studies. He currently attends Columbia Law School where he has served as a member of the Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot Court Team, Co-Chair of Admissions for the Black Law Students Association, and Diversity Editor for the Columbia Law Review. After graduation from Law School, he will be pursuing a career in commercial litigation.
Dr. Pamela Smoot
Assistant Professor
SIU
Dr. Pamela Smoot is a native of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. Dr. Smoot earned her doctorate in American history with an emphasis on Black America. Dr. Smoot has been employed at SIU for 20 years and currently teaches courses in Struggle Resistance and Survival, History of African American Women, Blacks on the Western Frontier and Black Lives Matter. Dr. Smoot is the recipient of a number of awards including the Diversity Excellence Award and Faculty Woman of the Year.
Assistant Professor
SIU
Dr. Pamela Smoot is a native of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. Dr. Smoot earned her doctorate in American history with an emphasis on Black America. Dr. Smoot has been employed at SIU for 20 years and currently teaches courses in Struggle Resistance and Survival, History of African American Women, Blacks on the Western Frontier and Black Lives Matter. Dr. Smoot is the recipient of a number of awards including the Diversity Excellence Award and Faculty Woman of the Year.
Denise Tallaferro Baszile
Associate Dean of Diversity and Student Experience
Miami University of Ohio
Denise Taliaferro Baszile is the Associate Dean of Diversity and Student Experience and Professor of Curriculum and Cultural Studies in the College of Education, Health and Society at Miami University of Ohio. With over 18 years of service at the University of Miami, Dr. Baszile has worked out of her passion for equity and inclusion to the benefit of students, faculty and the community as a whole. She earned her doctorate from Louisiana State University in Education.
Associate Dean of Diversity and Student Experience
Miami University of Ohio
Denise Taliaferro Baszile is the Associate Dean of Diversity and Student Experience and Professor of Curriculum and Cultural Studies in the College of Education, Health and Society at Miami University of Ohio. With over 18 years of service at the University of Miami, Dr. Baszile has worked out of her passion for equity and inclusion to the benefit of students, faculty and the community as a whole. She earned her doctorate from Louisiana State University in Education.
Channon Washington
Doctoral Candidate of Education
Peabody College
Diversity, equity and inclusion are Mrs. Channon Washington’s passions and have been for the past 20 years. Her experience includes serving on the executive board of the NAACP, and teaching US Government, US History and Practical Law at Romulus Community Alternative High School. Currently, Mrs. Washington is a stay at home mom of two and a doctoral candidate of Education at Peabody College. Mrs. Washington has worked to ensure African American children and children of color are exposed to a culturally rich and diverse curriculum and presenters in the educational setting. This work has earned her a number of awards and accolades.
Doctoral Candidate of Education
Peabody College
Diversity, equity and inclusion are Mrs. Channon Washington’s passions and have been for the past 20 years. Her experience includes serving on the executive board of the NAACP, and teaching US Government, US History and Practical Law at Romulus Community Alternative High School. Currently, Mrs. Washington is a stay at home mom of two and a doctoral candidate of Education at Peabody College. Mrs. Washington has worked to ensure African American children and children of color are exposed to a culturally rich and diverse curriculum and presenters in the educational setting. This work has earned her a number of awards and accolades.
Caleb Woods
Law Student
Columbia University
Caleb Woods is a third year law student at Columbia University. He is originally from Ashburn Virginia and graduated from Hampton University. He has a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. Mr. Woods is currently involved in the Thurgood Marshall Moot Court Competition from 2018 to 2020.
Law Student
Columbia University
Caleb Woods is a third year law student at Columbia University. He is originally from Ashburn Virginia and graduated from Hampton University. He has a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. Mr. Woods is currently involved in the Thurgood Marshall Moot Court Competition from 2018 to 2020.