Community Empowerment Through
Black Men Healing Conference
Shawn Ginwright, a leading national expert on African American youth, youth activism, and youth development. Dr. Ginwright serves as the Senior Research Associate at the Cesar Chavez Institute for Public Policy in San Francisco, CA and is also an Associate Professor of Education in the Africana Studies Department at San Francisco State University. He is the author of “Hope and Healing in Urban Education”, “Black Youth Rising, Activism and Radical Healing in Urban America”, “Black in School- Afrocentric Reform, Black Youth and the Promise of Hip-Hop Culture” and co-editor of” Beyond Resistance!: Youth Resistance and Community Change: New Democratic Possibilities for Practice and Policy for America’s Youth”.
Morning Workshops
"Brains Are Built Campaign: What To Say, What To Do" Nedra R. Robinson is the Early
Childhood Specialist for the Young Parent Program at Simpson Housing Services
The goal of the Brains Are Built Campaign is to share what is known from brain science
and early childhood development research in a culturally relevant and accessible way
with parents, grandparents and young people. Participates will learn about the following:
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Why the project was developed.
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The 15 Factors that develop healthy brain growth.
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How you can be a Certified Host Trainer for the "Brains Are Built Campaign"
"Strengthening Families Affected By Incarceration Collaborative: Outcomes Among
Youth with Incarcerated Parents in Minnesota" Lee Buckley, MA, Community Reentry
Coordinator for the Minnesota Department of Corrections and Ebony Ruhland is the Research Director for the Robina Institute’s Parole Release and Revocation Project and the Probation Revocation Project.
The objective of this presentation is to share information about outcomes of students
who have or have had incarcerated parents. Key points of the presentation will include
statistical analysis of the “incarcerated parents’ variables and their relationships to students’ attendance, behaviors, achievement, engagement, and school connectedness, in addition to other mental health variables.
"Men Talking About Breastfeeding; Making Dads Part of the Solution" Curtis Marshall, MS, African American Breastfeeding Network and Terron Edwards, Walnut Way Men’s Wellness Council
There are combinations of factors, including knowledge and attitudes, which influence decisions to breastfeed. Many African Americans still negatively associate breastfeeding with its’ historical role during slavery. Believing that breastfeeding is a continuum of slavery keeps African American infant mortality rates at disparate levels and denies health benefits to women and healthy infant and child development.
"Intergeneration Trauma and the Black Family-From Trauma to Triumph, a Road to Recovery!" Kamyala Howard MSW, LICSW, Children’s Services Director (non-profit crisis center) & Independent Consultant and Trainer
With the growing needs of many communities, there is a sense of urgency in
addressing the historical impact of intergenerational trauma. In our day to day practices,
most people do not have the opportunity to process or reflect upon adverse experience of the
communities they served and their own cultural values and beliefs, and how it may impact relations with children and their family.
"In our Voices: Chemical Dependency and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders"
Ruth Richardson, Director of Programs at MOFAS, Tiffany Morgan and Mary Ann Harris
Annually in Minnesota there are more than 7,000 babies born with prenatal alcohol exposure. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders is a range of developmental, physical, and cognitive effects. This session will provide a brief overview of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders and the risks associated with drinking alcohol during pregnancy.
"Generation Genius: The Social and Emotional Development of Black Youth"
Brandon Jones, MA, Psychotherapist, Speaker, and Writer with Jegna Institute
This workshop will explore the link between historical and current trauma related to the
urban youth and their experiences, perceptions, beliefs and behaviors that may act as
challenges to them in development. We will discuss practical, culturally sensitive, trauma
informed, outcome driven and community based best practices focused on Urban Youth.
"It's a family affair: a holistic approach to building resilience in African American families" Doris Moore, MS, NCC, CPC, LIMHP, Founder and CEO of Center for Holistic Development, Inc.
Through the lens of psychological trauma this workshop will review a historical perspective of the African American family, the state of African American families in the 21st Century, and introduce a holistic model for building families and increasing protective factors and resilience for children and youth.
"Trauma Healing: Introduction to the Practice of Mind Body Medicine using the circle
process" Dr. Nadarajan “Raj” Sethuraju, professor at Metropolitan State University
Attendees will be introduced to the circle process and the fundamentals of Mind Body
Medicine (MBM). They will be in an active circle process that will introduce the MBM and
practice the process. Those of us who work in the arena and those of us who have been
affected by trauma will benefit from this introductory work. This evidence based practice will help us to learn from one another how things are being done at our respective places and walk away with information to help enhance what we do. This is about raising us all together and recognizing that the process is about our community.
“Standing up for the Children” Panel
This panel will discuss and examine issues in the African American community linked to children health.
Hosted by
Sameerah Bilal-Roby
is the Director of African American Babies Project
and the African American
Babies Coalition "Brains Are Built Campaign".
Panel Moderator
Alida Abdullah,
Education Professional,
Parent Advocate and
Youth Motivational
Speaker
Panalists:
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Melvin Carter III, Director of the Office of Early Learning at the Minnesota Department of Education
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Rena Moran Minnesota State Representative
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Dr. Artika R. Tyner, public policy/leadership professor at University of St. Thomas College
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Michael Walker, director of the Office of Black Male Student Achievement for MPS
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Brandon Jones, M.A. is a Mental Health Practitioner
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Doris Moore, MS, NCC, CPC, LMHP, founder and CEO of the Center for Holistic Development, Inc.
June 24th - Day Two
9 am to 12:30 pm
“Morning Keynote”
Tobeka G. Green, President and CEO of National Black Child Development Institute
Ms. Green is a strategic management veteran with extensive experience in program development and implementation. Ms. Green possesses a wide and unique set of skills that range from family engagement and youth development to technology integration and data-driven decision making. Ms. Green came to NBCDI from the District of Columbia Promise Neighborhood Initiative (DCPNI), where she provided leadership in the implementation of two-generation strategies designed to improve educational and developmental outcomes for children from cradle to career through community-driven, place-based efforts. Prior to DCPNI, Ms. Green served as CEO of Communities In Schools of the Nation’s Capital; Vice President at America’s Promise Alliance; and Director at the Points of Light Foundation.
Sam is licensed as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor who has over 25-year experience as a behavioral consultant in the areas of chemical dependency, violence abatement and historical trauma. He specializes in practical culturally sensitive trauma informed work with African American males and their families. He is an Adverse Childhood Experience Interface Trainer in the state of Minnesota. Sam was awarded the 2009 Governor’s Council on Faith and Community Service Initiatives Best Practices Award for his work with MN Department of Veterans Outreach Services, prison reentry and in the African American community. He is co-host of "Voices” radio show on KMOJ FM that addresses issues of the urban community. Sam is respected for his highly informed work around African American historical trauma around the country.