and chief development officer of For Oak

Cliff, which works liberate Oak Cliff from

systemic oppression. Xavier is tied to the

neighborhood being born in raised in South

Oak Cliff and Pleasant Grove. Previously,

Xavier was a Teach For America corps

member and taught at a school on the same

street where he grew up in South Oak Cliff. He

was drawn to education because of his

experience with limited resources in his

community and as a Dallas public school

student. While teaching, Xavier got a closer

look at the barriers families faced in accessing

resources, inspiring him to co-found For Oak

Cliff. He works to ensure resources are accessible to the predominantly Black neighborhood he

grew up in and still calls home. He received a master’s in education from Southern Methodist

University and a bachelor’s in communication studies from the University of North Texas.

that plagued her community alongside her mother, Jacqueline. She marched and led protests to help keep the streets of South Dallas a place where citizens could be proud to live. After graduating from South Dallas’ Lincoln High School and matriculating to Prairie View A&M University, she completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry, and returned home to assist her mother, caring for those in need while continuing to create programs and events that would help dissipate abhorrent issues persisting in the community. This work ultimately led to the formation of T.R. Hoover CDC. Sherri was chosen by the community to head T.R. Hoover. While only in her 20s she embarked upon one of the largest transformations in South Dallas, building over 55 new homes, repairing over 100 senior citizen’s homes in The Ideal Neighborhood, the construction of a new multipurpose center, and the development of a retail plan for a business corridor. “Ms. Sherri,” as she is affectionately known, is an experienced community organizer whose family has worked in this neighborhood for over 100 years. She is a developer with experience in operating and managing community development projects. She has an extensive background in grant writing, financial management, and program development and is hands-on with not only the execution of programs and services at T.R. Hoover, but is also a key facilitator. Ms. Mixon continues to serve on several city

appointed boards including the Grand Park South TIF Board, the South Dallas Council

for the Fair & Equitable Treatment of Women, and the South Dallas Transportation Fair

Park Committee, and collaborates with a number of surrounding neighborhood organizations. She seeks to drive the change that is needed in our communities through problem-solving, innovation, and exchange of ideas between change agents. She is currently the driving force behind the creation of T.R. Hoover CDC ’s Hoover Tech facility. Hoover Tech is the first Tech Resource Center in South Dallas for all of South Dallas, ensuring residents have access to equitable technology-based opportunities in the workforce, education, and other community resources. 

She oversees the development and implementation of equitable strategy, practices, and policies. She also leads the organization in creating people-centric organizational culture and strengthening their community engagement. Although based in Dallas, Bemnet is an Ethiopian immigrant and that lens remains central to her advocacy in understanding nuanced experiences of people of color and its intersection in navigating inequities within systems and interpersonal connections. Bemnet also serves on a few boards-- Social Venture Partners, Deep Vellum, Harmony CDC and co-chairs the sponsoring committee for the Urban League affiliate. And when she's not working on these amazing initiatives, she is busy catching flights traveling to the next destination with a beach!

Dr. Y. “Falami” Devoe also known as “Dr. Falami” is a Holistic Human Development Strategist, Public Speaker, Educator, Poet and Self-Care Ritualist. She is passionate about centering the voices of Black women and curates’ intentional spaces for authentic dialogue, self-reflection, and community building. Dr. Falami specializes in community conversations with higher education institutions, public school systems, and nonprofits. She has facilitated training for hundreds of participants across the United States focusing on self and collective care, leading from within, and mindfulness. Dr. Falami is a Self- Care Ritualist and integrates meditation, sound healing and reiki practices into her a private well-being practice, Holistic Alchemy. She received her PhD from the Graduate School of Leadership and Change from Antioch University. She is a Certified Holistic Health Coach and a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Being a curious and creative learner sets Valerie Hope apart as a leadership coach and professional speaker. For more than two decades, Valerie has been called to inspire and activate global leaders to become more conscious, connected, and creative.  After traveling to more than 30 countries and living with 400+ host families, she’s learned that life is the best teacher and that we humans are the star pupils

Cessilye Smith is the founder and CEO of Abide Women’s Health Services, which exists to improve birth outcomes in communities with the lowest quality of care. Through her leadership, Abide is on the map as a breakthrough maternal justice organization, a recognized Perinatal Safe Spot, Accredited Easy Access Clinic through Commonsense Childbirth Inc., and future birth center

Shelly has served churches and denominations, worked in church planting and consulted with businesses to grow people and teams for the past twenty years. She holds a Masters degree in Theology and Christian Leadership from Fuller Seminary. She served students with disabilities and began her career as a Speech Pathologist. Shelly developed and launched a Training and Development arm for best-selling author Laurie Beth Jones.  Shelly has authored, created and developed brand programs for Training, Coaching and Building Teams. She consults with coaches, trainers and organizations throughout the US and International. Her mission is to teach, promote and release the feminine voice of God in herself and others.

Leah Frazier is a 2-Time Emmy Award-Winning and 10-Time ADDY Award-Winning entrepreneur and was recognized by DCEO Magazine as one of Dallas' most powerful business leaders in 2022. She is an attorney turned marketing and communications guru, who unapologetically left the practice of law to pursue her entrepreneurial ventures. In 2020, Leah was recognized by Dallas Innovates as one of the Future 50 Leaders in Dallas-Fort Worth for tech, innovation and disruption and also as a winner of the 2020 “Inno on Fire” award from American Inno’s North Texas Innomedia outlet, for her service to the startup, small business and entrepreneurial community. Just recently, Leah was named as one of the “top 10inspiring black women in the marketing and communications industry to follow” by Top Rank Marketing, and also as the 2021 Black Women in Media Trailblazer Award in the Media category. Leah has built a multi-faceted empire as an award-winning journalist, publicist, media personality, digital marketing expert, and in-demand consultant to notable brands. She is also a proud adjunct professor at the University of Texas at Dallas and at Texas Wesleyan University

Jasmin Brand is an award-winning marketer and serial entrepreneur who’s built a solid reputation as an out-of-the-box strategist and expert at the business of innovation and community building. In spring 2022, Jasmin was named as the first Director of Innovation for the Frisco Economic Development Corporation where she is responsible for the creation of jobs through tech-focused business attraction and crafting a strategy for the city's innovation ecosystem. In 2009, Jasmin was bitten by the entrepreneurial bug and launched her first company - a creative agency (known today as The Start) that specialized in producing culturally rich content and experiential events. In 2017, she got her official introduction to the North Texas startup scene with an opportunity to lead one of the region’s first platforms created for the startup community. In 2019, she founded Her Texas, a tech enabled membership platform on a mission to increase community and capital for women that do business in Texas. Her Texas membership officially goes live statewide in Spring 2023

“I once was bound but now I’m free” sums it up for this mom, widow who bloomed in the darkness, ordained minister of the Gospel, and Coach/mentor to many – a few of the hats Ingra wears. While being freed from religious bondage, Ingra’s purpose was made crystal clear. Create receptive insight, God said. Ingra’s M. O. is to divinely whet appetites and increase expectations of believers who feel stifled by the religious expectations of others, encouraging them to explore the Kingdom of God freely and expansively through her budding business endeavor, Slingshot U. Freedom to be and to have abundant life right here on earth IS possible and it looks as different as we all do. There’s a Master Plan for each of us.

Thana is a former teen mother and the Founder/CEO of Viola's House. Viola's House is a Maternity Home for teen mothers who are homeless and facing an unplanned pregnancy. Thana is also the founder of the Baby Benefit Boutique. The BBB currently has over 5,000 visits a month from mothers in the community that take pregnancy and parenting classes. In return for taking classes, mothers receive vouchers to shop in the beautiful boutique. Thana has found her greatest joy in serving homeless teen mothers as they transition from homelessness to self-sufficiency. Thana has three adult daughters and currently resides in Dallas, TX.

Oni comes to the ACLU of Texas after serving as executive director of LINK Houston, a non-profit organization advocating for robust and equitable transportation for all Houstonians. She helped shape a $7 billion transit plan to increase equitable bus access; compelled the mayor to fix Houston’s dangerous intersections and launch a zero-fatality safety campaign; aligned advocates of affordable housing and transportation; and won $51.5 million for communities of color adversely impacted by highway expansion.

Before her work at LINK Houston, Oni was a Foreign Service Officer (U.S. diplomat) with the U.S. Department of State. At the State Department’s headquarters in Washington, DC, she directed a human rights office and worked as a special assistant to the U.S. Deputy Secretary. She also served at the U.S. embassies in Jordan, Pakistan, and Iraq.

Oni has led teams to impact policies and advance rights at the local, national, and international levels. Oni is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, a fellow of the Truman National Security Project, and a 2021-2022 non-resident fellow of Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center. She is a graduate of Texas A&M University and the Harvard Kennedy School. Oni earned her bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University and a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government

In seventh grade, she read a book called How To Become An Airline Stewardess that fueled her desire to see the world. And that's just what she did when she graduated from URI—she went to work for TWA as a flight attendant.

She wrote her first novel, Somewhere Off the Coast of Maine, on international flights and on the Train to the Plane, which was the subway out to JFK. It was published in 1987. Since then, she’s published in The New York Times, The Paris Review, O, Bon Appetit, Tin House, The Atlantic Monthly, Real Simple, and other wonderful places; and has won two Pushcart Prizes, two Best American Food Writing Awards, Best American Spiritual Writing and Travel Writing Awards, and a Boston Public Library Literary Light Award. Ann is also a part of the Miami Book Fair this November. 

Accused by teachers and parents alike of being a daydreaming, head-in-the-clouds child, she grew up lost in the fictional worlds created by Steinbeck, Hemingway, Woolf and Faulkner. She would emerge long enough from these books to create her own fictional and poetic worlds. Encouraged by her practical-minded parents to get an undergraduate degree in business, Thrity survived business school by creating a drama club and writing, directing, and acting in plays. Her first short stories, essays and poems were published in national magazines and newspapers in India at age fifteen. After earning a M.A. in journalism in the U.S., Thrity worked for several years as an award-winning reporter, columnist, and magazine writer. She also earned a Ph.D. in English. In 1999, Thrity won a one-year Nieman Fellowship to Harvard University, which is given to mid-career journalists. While at Harvard, Thrity wrote her first novel, Bombay Time. In 2002 she accepted a teaching position at Case Western Reserve University, where she was recently named a Distinguished University Professor of English. Her articles have been published in national publications such as The New York Times, the Washington Post and the Boston Globe. Thirty is also a part of the Miami Book Fair in November. Visit their website for details. 

Even though she was drawn to math and science at an early age, Omolola was always a voracious reader; her mother taught African and African-American literature at the University of Ibadan in Nigeria and so there were hundreds of intriguing books jammed into bookshelves around her house. Bored with her Enid Blyton collection, at age ten, she switched to reading James Baldwin, Flora Nwapa, Richard Wright, & similar authors. Although she was too young to understand much of what she was reading, the books opened up fascinating new worlds and fostered an unquenchable curiosity about different people and places.

Omolola was born and raised in Ibadan, Nigeria. She now lives in Los Angeles, California with her husband. Her short story, “Area Boy Rescue” was a finalist for the 2009 PEN/Studzinski Literary Award. It appears in the collection, New Writing from Africa 2009. Her short story, “Jollof Rice and Revolutions” appeared in Ploughshares in 2017 and was named to the list of “Other Distinguished Stories of 2017” in The Best American Short Stories 2018. In September 2022, her first book, a novel in stories, “Jollof Rice and Other Revolutions” was published in North America by Amistad Books, an imprint of HarperCollins. It will also be published by Trapeze Books, an imprint of Hachette’s Orion, in the United Kingdom and much of the Commonwealth. Omolola is also a part of the Miami Book Fair in November. Visit their website for details. 

 As a voice actor, writer, and newly appointed editor in chief of Catapult magazine, Tajja Isen is no stranger to the power and function of language—how words can be loaded or empty, insightful or incendiary, manipulated or manipulative. In her daily life and in the world around her, Isen has traced a pattern that, by now, should feel familiar to many of us: that the progressive language of inclusion is often used in an attempt to rebrand institutions whose actions often show the opposite. She calls this diversionary tactic “lip service.” In her debut essay collection, SOME OF MY BEST FRIENDS: Essays on Lip Service (One Signal Publishers; Hardcover; On Sale April 19, 2022;), Tajja Isen articulates the absurdity of living in a world that has grown fluent in the language of social justice but doesn’t always follow through. 

Wattley then went into private litigation practice, where her work included white-collar criminal defense, civil rights litigation, federal and state criminal defense, and post-conviction proceedings. In 1995, she was nominated by President Bill Clinton for a federal judgeship.

Wattley is the author of a "A Step Toward Brown v. Board of Education: Ada Lois Sipuel Fisher and Her Fight to End Segregation” published in October 2014, and winner of the 2015 Oklahoma Book Award, Non-Fiction category. Professor Wattley also authored “Ada Lois Sipuel Fisher: How A ‘Skinny Little Girl’ Took on the University of Oklahoma and Helped Pave the Road to Brown v. Board of Education” in 2010. 

Professor Wattley continues to work with Centurion Ministries, a non-profit organization based in Princeton, New Jersey, devoted to the vindication and liberation of persons wrongfully convicted and imprisoned. 

She bravely embarked on her educational and career journey to become a physician with two preschool children in tow and enough resilience to move mountains. Her medical education and training include an MD from University of Texas Southwestern Medical School and residency at Children's Health in Dallas. Furthering her passion of strong leadership in healthcare, she holds a Certificate of Physician Leadership from Naveen Jindal School of Management at UT Dallas and commencement from Stagen Leadership Academy. She has amassed decades of experience practicing pediatric medicine, leading physician focused and community-based organizations and providing medical consulting for numerous healthcare companies including Veradigm, RxTruePrice, Surescripts, and McKesson.

Because she believes supportive relationships are vital to physician and patient success, she currently holds multiple leadership roles pursuing this value daily. She is Chief Medical Officer of Plano-based Catalyst Health Network, a clinically integrated healthcare organization supporting primary care physicians and their patients, as well as Medical Director of Catalyst Community Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding access to quality primary care in traditionally overlooked and underserved neighborhoods.

A strong believer in walking the path together, she relishes and seeks out opportunities to collaborate and create with like-minded individuals and organizations in pursuit of creating higher ground for our collective communities.

Ten things I wish I knew by my 30s

1. The importance of establishing credit and finances

2. Time flies so make wise decisions…each decision is building a foundation

3. What you focus on, you’ll get more of

4. Realize when it’s time to leave a job, friendship or relationship

5. Expecting others to be something they are not

6. Love isn’t enough

7. No regrets…just lessons you learn from

8. A closed fist can’t get anything in it—be open to possibilities

9. Learn to give AND receive

10. Investing in your career is great but if you only build one area and fail to invest in the others, you are like the fencers I saw in high school—well developed on one side but weak and atrophied on the other—how are you building relationships, spiritually and emotionally, etc. You are more than what you do

11. Bonus: Build an emotional vocabulary—

In Her free time, Lorraine has served fellow Texans in a Variety of capacities including service in Public Boards, and mentoring up and coming community organizers.

Lorraine earned a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Texas A&M University School of Law with an intellectual Property Concentration. Prior to Law School, Lorraine graduated from the University of North Texas where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science.

Over the last 20 years, Aimee has led work on the politics and policies that impact women and families, particularly around access to sexual and reproductive health care. Aimee is currently a member of the Board of Directors of Planned Parenthood Federation of America; from 2019 to 2021, she served as the Chair of the Board. the Chair of the Board of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. Aimee has also founded several organizations designed to empower women to engage in politics and to fight for the right of all people to access affordable, high quality healthcare. Aimee has also served on the boards of a number of national progressive organizations, including the Center for Reproductive Rights, and EMILY’s List. Today, Aimee leads The Boone Family Foundation in charting its mission to create equity for women and girls; to drive innovation and justice for students in public schools; and to steward and create accessible green spaces.

Kay Taylor Oliver has served as Executive Director for Professional Development for Detroit Public Schools; Associate Superintendent for Philadelphia Public Schools; and Associate Professor in the College of Education at Temple University in Philadelphia. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Michigan State University; a Master of Science from the University of Detroit; and a Doctor of Education from Wayne State University. Kay served as president of the Board of Directors for the George Washington Carver Museum in Phoenix, Arizona; on the National Advisory Boards for Michigan State University’s College of Education; and on “The Learning Classroom” presented by Mort Crim Communications and Stanford University. Kay has served as president of The Phoenix Chapter of the Links, Incorporated; she is a Golden Life member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated; a Lifetime member of the NAACP; Founder of the H. LeBaron Taylor $10,000 Scholarship distributed biennially to a student who has overcome difficulties; and she is a member of the African American Women’s Giving Circle, a philanthropic organization dedicated to providing grants to minority startup businesses. Kay is also a Board Member of the Be Kind People Project, an organization designed to provide students with comprehensive programming using a positive approach to social, emotional, and academic learning and she is a Board Member of the Arizona Theatre Company.

Kay is a founding member of the National Staff Development Council’s Coaching for Results. She is the author of Teacher Behavior in the Context of a Continuum of Teacher Improvement; Through Their Eyes: A Strategic Response to the National Achievement Gap; Princess Aisha and the Cave of Judgment; Princess Aisha and the Arrow of Truth; and Winter’s Love. 

June Holley has been weaving networks - and helping other learn to weave networks – for over 40 years. Much that she learned is included in The Network Weaver Handbook, 400 pages of simple activities and resources for Network Weavers. She also created www.networkweaver.com, a site with many free resources and a blog authored by over 40 network weavers. She also writes at https://medium.com/@juneholley. She is currently writing a book called Transformation: co-creating a world that is good for all of us. In addition, she is convening people from around the world to develop an ecosystem to support transformation. 

Bio: Stylishly overcoming adversities is nothing new for Jasmin Brand. As an award-winning marketer, serial entrepreneur and the CEO of Her Texas, the first statewide organization and platform for women that live, work and do business in the state of Texas, Jasmin’s journey towards success has not been a perfect one. However, her ability to continuously rise above life’s obstacles and fail forward has equipped her with the big wins, bold ideas and innovative tools needed to help other businesswomen build sustainable brands in challenging times too. Jasmin is also the co-founder of The Start, a creative agency specializing in culturally rich content and experiential events. She brings close to a decade of executive experience in tech-driven, marketing strategy and digital publishing. Passionate about creating opportunities for others, Jasmin’s community service includes: Executive Board: Southern Methodist University, Dedman College; Vice President, Executive Board: 24HourDallas; Board of Directors: Per Scholas

Some of Jasmin’s professional accolades include: Minority Business Leader of the Year Award presented by the Dallas Business Journal; First recipient of the Young Professional Leadership; ATHENA Award presented by the Dallas Regional Chamber and KPMG; Techweek 100 Talent Cultivator Award; Best of the Best in PR/Marketing by Examiner.com; 10 Texas Women To Watch In Media, Houston Urban Media

Jasmin recently released her first book, Pretty Girls Have Options: The Ultimate Guide to Building a Hot Brand in Unpredictable Times; a modern blueprint to personal branding for professional women.

For decades she has shared her spotlight with her husband, children and grandchildren…now enough is enough!

On stage Angela delivers endless opinonation, fearless sass and irreverent reflection. 

When not on stage she enjoys trophy wife activities like brunch, nails and tattoos.

Angela Owen produces Deep Fried Comedy at The State Fair of Texas and performs at Dallas comedy clubs: The Addison Improv, Hyenas, Four Day Weekend East, The Plano House of Comedy, The Backdoor and The Comedy Arena.

As a social entrepreneur, Kimberly recognizes the value that nonprofit startup organizations provide to communities, especially in historically discriminated communities. In January 2015, she launched Cause Studio, an incubator, and training initiative that is designed to reduce the number of failing nonprofit organizations in North Texas. Kimberly has been recognized as a 2017 Minority Business Leader Awards honoree by the Dallas Business Journal, a 2019 Humanitarian Visionary Award Honorable Mention by Juanita J Craft Civil Rights House and Museum, and 2020 Social Innovation Award honoree by United Way of Metropolitan Dallas. She previously served as Chair for the City of Plano Community Relations Commission.

In addition to being a sought-after thought leader, strategist, and speaker, Kimberly is a published author and professor who was honored as the 2017 Outstanding Associate Faculty of the Year for Collin College. She is the founding director of Power in Action, a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, and a founding member of HERitage Giving Fund, the first Black giving circle in Texas.

Gloria’s goal is to impact generations of young people on their journeys as confident leaders and maintain self-sufficient lives. Her drive is to close the gaps of connecting education to careers, by making a social impact and improving economic progress.

As a civic and community leader Gloria serves board leadership roles with The Texas Diversity Council, Dallas Independent School Racial Equity task force, President of the United Methodist Women of St. Luke, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and The Links, Inc. Gloria is graduate of Tennessee State University with a bachelor’s in business management and a graduate of University of Dallas where she earned her MBA. She is married to Officer Willie Reynolds and mother to Gabrielle(deceased), Austin and Alexandria.

Kathie Klarreich is the author of Madame Dread: A Tale of Love and a contributor to two anthologies: So Spoke the Earth and Women, Writing, and Prison. In 2010 she received a Knight International Journalism Fellowship to train journalists in investigative reporting in Haiti, where she spent half of the last 24 years reporting for print, radio, and television, including Time, The New York Times, ABC, and NPR. Kathie started facilitating writing workshops in the correctional system in 2009 and began the writing exchanges with academic institutions in 2013. She graduated from the University of Michigan and received her MFA from Leslie University.

Paula Stone Williams is an internationally known speaker on issues of gender equity, LGBTQ advocacy, and religious tolerance. She has been featured in TEDWomen, TEDSummit, the New York Times, Red Table talk, TEDxMileHigh, the Washington Post, NPR, Good Morning America, CNN, ABC News, and scores of other media outlets.

 Paula has been a keynote speaker for hundreds of corporations, conferences, and universities around the world. Her TED talks have had over six million views. Paula’s memoir, As A Woman – What I Learned About Power, Sex, and the Patriarchy After I Transitioned was published by Simon & Schuster in June of 2021.

Beginning in 2020, she helped her 10 -year-old son fulfill his philanthropic dreams with the origination of the “Race to Kindness,” a series of events designed to spread kindness throughout the country. With the help from family, friends and people all over the world, they have completed the “Race to 500 Toys,” and the “Race to 100,000 Meals.” They are currently working on the “Race to 500,000 Books” to provide books to children and adults across the country who may not have access to books.  

She enjoys travelling (her favorite places to visit are Barcelona, Capri, Dubai and Monaco); listening to audiobooks with her family, and watching movies. 

She is married to McDonald, and is the mother to Orion, 10 and Crown, 5. 

Kherri earned her Bachelor and Master of Business Administration degree from Florida A&M University in 2006.

 A graduate of Palmetto High School in 1997, and a graduate of Manatee Community College (n/k/a State College of Florida) with an associate degree in Social Work. As president of Active Concerned Team, Inc. (A.C.T. Now) Mrs. Griffin worked to instill the philosophy that there are no limits for someone who tries their best and gives their all; to look beyond what is perceived and to think outside the box. She has been active in the community for over twenty years, starting many community organizations, such as “Youth of Empowerment” back in 2003, and Active Concerned Citizens, Inc. in 2007, and receiving praise, honor, and awards for her numerous efforts; winning a Hometown Hero Award from the Henry Lawrence Foundation in February 2010, a Humanitarian Award presented at the Unsung Hero Awards ceremony hosted by Wayne Washington held May 2010 and Unsung Heroine Award from the Manatee County Branch NAACP 2012.

In 2012 she started her own cleaning business to provide an uplifting outlet for individuals that needed a second chance at rebuilding their lives with greater respect and income. She taught individuals how to revive their credit and later became a realtor so that she could take them from renting to becoming homeowners. She also obtained her insurance license to provide the full package that individuals need to develop a whole life plan with everything included.

Shavonda is a devoted minister as the Shepard for God Is Real Ministries in Palmetto FL, her story is still being written and she is on another chapter that is yet to unfold. Helping to make communities a better place for individuals to live in, her mission is to instill the philosophy “without God there is nothing, with God you are and can accomplish anything”!

Dr. Slonim is considered a pioneer in interventional radiology. She is among only 12 percent in the highly specialized surgical field who are women. In her 25-year practice, she has performed more than 30,000 procedures, and she is widely regarded as a leading expert in UFE. She also is a sought-after speaker and author of the 2018 book, Pain-Free Periods — Banish Menstrual Misery, Fight Fibroids, and Get Your Life Back. She is repeatedly recognized as a “Best Doctor” in the North Texas area and recently she was named a 2020 Women in Business award honoree by the Dallas Business Journal.

Suzanne’s wife, Pam Gerber, is a renowned connector in the City of Dallas. She is the former Executive Director of Entrepreneurs For North Texas, a member of the LGBT Task Force for the City of Dallas and is a proud Board Member of the nonprofit, City Year. Pam also served National Chief of Staff & Founding Executive Director of the San Jose City Year. The recipient of many awards, Pam was honored in 2012 by Dallas Business Journal as a Top 25 Women in Business.

Born in Arizona but raised in Hawaii, she now lives in Portland, Oregon. Kelly has been called a “Dame Disruptor” by Adventure.com, a “travel veteran” by Brit + Co, a “badass female founder” by the Huffington Post and “The Woman Making Travel Safer and Better for All Women” by the Muse. Lewis and her work have also been featured in Shape magazine, ELLE, Cosmopolitan, Culture Trip, O the Oprah Magazine, and more. She is the author of several travel guidebooks. Tell Her She Can’t is her debut book in memoir/ inspirational non-fiction.

Kelly has published 8 books selling more than 200,000 copies and visited 82 countries.

Website: https://www.gokellylewis.com/

The author of several papers in the Stone Center/ Jean Baker Miller Works in Progress Series, Dr. Walker has also written journal articles and textbook chapters. Works in Progress publications include Therapist’s Authenticity, Racial Images and Relational Possibilities, Getting to the Truths about Race…And the Stories we Tell Along the Way. She has published articles Women & Therapy in 2008 and 2011. She also contributed chapters in the textbooks Diversity and Development: Critical Contexts that Shape our Lives and Relationships, Diversity in College Settings: Directives for Helping Professionals, as well as the manual The Complete Guide to Mental Health for Women, Beacon Press. She is also co-editor of two books: How Connections Heal and The Complexity of Connection.  

Her current projects include developing a practice model for confronting the claims of post-racialism and promoting justice in the context of inequitable power arrangements. In addition, she is the author of When Getting Along Is Not Enough: Reconstructing Race in Our Lives and Relationships, published in 2019 by Teachers College Press.

Her current projects include developing a practice model for confronting the claims of post-racialism and promoting justice in the context of inequitable power arrangements. In addition, she is the author of When Getting Along Is Not Enough: Reconstructing Race in Our Lives and Relationships, published in 2019 by Teachers College Press.

Instagram: @,mwalkphd

Twitter: @MMaureenwalker

Website: www.maureenwalker.com  

Website: www.colormesafe.net  

Social Media Pages Include: 

https://www.facebook.com/ColorMeSafe 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gvemula/

https://twitter.com/ColorMeSafe

https://www.instagram.com/color_me_safe/

Prior to her joining the Mavs, Cynt founded Marshalling Resources, a consulting firm specializing in Leadership, Diversity & Inclusion, Culture Transformation and overall optimization of people resources. Upon the company naming its first Chief Inclusion Officer in June 2017, Cynt worked with The Dow Chemical Company to develop and implement a strategy for institutionalizing an inclusive culture. Cynt’s notoriety began many years ago as a young Officer at AT&T and grew exponentially when she served as Senior Vice President – Human Resources & Chief Diversity Officer at AT&T. There she was responsible for identifying and developing leaders, aligning employees with the company’s vision and priorities, overseeing major business unit HR support, performance development, employee engagement, skills transformation initiatives, EEO and Affirmative Action.

In March 2020 and several times prior, Cynt was selected as one of the “50 Most Powerful Women in Corporate America” by Black Enterprise magazine and named to Ebony magazine’s 2016 “Power 100” list. In 2014, industry analysts and members of the press conferred on Cynt the HR Executive of the Year - Best in Biz Award. For her efforts on behalf of the people of North Carolina, in 2013 Cynt received the prestigious Leadership North Carolina Governor’s Award, which honors just one citizen each year for lifetime achievements. Cynt graduated from the University of California-Berkeley with degrees in Business Administration and Human Resources Management and holds four honorary Doctorate degrees. She has chaired a variety of non-profit boards and is currently on the board of Dallas CASA, Dallas Regional Chamber, Texas Women’s Foundation, Texas 2036, T.D. Jakes Foundation, and a member of the Executive Leadership Council (ELC). She is also on the Board of Directors of BGSF Staffing and Blinktbi, Inc. The fourth of six children, Cynt grew up in Richmond, California, and lives in the Dallas area. She and her husband, Kenneth Marshall, have four adult children.

Website: evemayermedia.com/allabouteve

Cessilye prides herself on living in the gray and working through the messiness that life has to offer.  Over the years she has witnessed the devastating impact systemic failures in healthcare, housing & economics have had on the human condition. Having the ability to see the overlap in these structures has given her the drive to pursue justice in a way that brings unlikely people together. Cessilye's passion for Black women and for her community is what compelled her to found Abide Women's Health Services in the heart of South Dallas. Founder, Executive Director, anti-racist, maternal justice activist, speaker, and educator are just a few of the many hats she wears. But the most challenging and rewarding hats she wears are of mother to her four children and wife to her husband Ramon. 

website: www.abidewomen.org www.cessilyersmith.com

Instagram and Twitter Handles: @abide_women @cessilyersmith

Shannon Woodruff, Co-Founder of Guidely brings together a strong personal development background, multi-faceted successful entrepreneurial ventures, and a passion for connecting others to their best selves. Guidely is a globally curated community of top tier personal and spiritual development coaches, making them accessible to any client via a custom matching process and integrated coaching platform. Shannon is also the host of the Guidely live interview series, where she greatly enjoys exchanging meaningful conversations with coaches , authors, and change-makers worldwide. She resides in the sunny desert of AZ with her three strong-willed, spirited daughters, where she can often be found hiking, drinking tea and playing her singing bowls.

Website: guidely.com

Jarie is the Founder and CEO of Sound & Sable, The People Consultancy. She partners with executives and heads of Human Resources to build people-centric, equitable Human Resources strategies that create transformative, sustainable organizations. Sound & Sable has a particular focus on Women and Black talent in leadership. Jarie serves as an adjunct professor at Dallas College, El Centro Campus in the Conflict Management Program, where she teaches in a mediation certificate program for those seeking to become mediators in Texas. Jarie is also a racial equity coach to organizations and leaders in the Racial Equity NOW and Black Women in Non Profit Leadership cohorts led by Dallas Truth, Racial Healing,

Website: soundandsable.com

Sylvia Dunnavant Hines is an author, photographer, speaker, breast cancer advocate and an ordained minister. She has a communications degree with an emphasis in journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Mrs. Hines has had the privilege of studying under world renowned speaker, Les Brown. She is also the founder of the Celebrating Life Foundation.

The Celebrating Life Foundation is a non-profit organization devoted to making breast cancer powerless by educating, encouraging and empowering those most impacted by the disease. 

The organization has also worked with major corporations across the country and has assisted health education projects in the Virgin Islands, and Ghana.

Mrs. Hines’ work, Celebrating Life: African American Women Speak Out About Breast Cancer, has been recognized with national and state awards.

In October of 2013 she and New York based artist, Wilhelmina Grant opened their exhibit – Transformation and Triumph at the African American Museum in Dallas, Texas. The exhibit was on display for 4 months and continues to travel around the country. Mrs. Hines is currently working on the second version of her breast cancer book, Still Celebrating Life, and journal for cancer survivors, Love Notes: Encouraging Words to Survivors from Survivors.

She is the owner of Chocolate Diamond Publishing Company, LLC. Her moto is to give a voice to the voiceless.

Mrs. Hines resides in the Dallas, Texas area with her husband James Hines. 

Videos: https://animoto.com/play/fbdrN01Nn9FpsqAihszH5w

https://animoto.com/play/lFo2gdoXaJKgkearo0PLQQ

https://animoto.com/play/ygdQzTbDxe0xNSRFa8SLVQ

Dr. Ketra L. Davenport-King, a native of Dallas, Texas, received her Bachelor of Arts and Science in Christian Counseling, Master of Arts in Christian Education, and Master of Business Administration from Dallas Baptist University. She earned her Doctorate of Strategic Leadership from Regent University. She has spent much of her life serving people in various capacities. One of her greatest joys is starting Life After Advocacy Group, Inc., in 2004, to help individuals who have been victims of sexual abuse recover and live a healthy life.

Dr. Ketra opened the doors to Rock Dimensional Consulting (formally known as KLD Consulting Services) in 2005. Through RDC, she has spent the past 15 years coaching and training leaders, developing and educating church ministries, hosting leadership seminars and workshops. Dr. Ketra is known for her innovative and engaging Leadership Seminar name, 'The Leadership ReCourse' designed to reconnect today's leaders to collaborative leadership. Dr. Ketra wholeheartedly believes, "when you live in a community, there should be a handprint of your work left behind for future generations." She launched the North Vernon Women's Community Bible Study group in 2015 to bridge the gap and bring together a diverse group of women to improve the family dynamic in underserved communities.

Her latest accomplishment is her new book, Seeing Beyond the Shattered Glass, a fictional memoir based on her true-life events. Dr. Ketra is confident that her book will inspire victims of sexual abuse who have suffered in silence to speak their Truth.

Website:  www.lifeafterag.org

Email: info@DRKETRA.com

Social media:

Facebook: @Author Dr. Ketra

Instagram: author_dr.ketra

Twitter: @DrKetra

LinkedIn: Dr. Ketra L. Davenport-King

Amy Banks MD is a Harvard trained psychiatrist and a Founding Scholar of the International Center for Growth in Connection (formally the Jean Baker Miller Training Institute) She is the author (with Leigh Ann Hirschman) of Wired to Connect: The Surprising Link Between Brain Science and Strong, Healthy Relationships. She is a member of the Clinical Advisory Board for the Renfrew Center for Eating Disorders. Dr. Banks has lectured nationally and internationally on Relational Neuroscience. She maintains a private psychiatric practice in Lexington, MA specializing in the long-term sequelae of chronic disconnections. 

Isaac Knapper

Isaac Knapper is currently the head trainer of the Crescent City Boxing Gym in New Orleans, LA. Isaac has a deep passion to help young kids avoid the psychological beat down and suffering that he experienced in the Department of Corrections. To that end, he volunteers to mentor and coach young boxers helping to keep them off the streets and away from violence.

Boxing has been at the center of Isaac’s life. He was a Golden Gloves Champion in LA at the age of 15. He held the Louisiana Department of Corrections boxing title for eleven years while in the State Penitentiary, Angola. After leaving Angola in 1991, he restarted his amateur boxing career just missing by one bout a spot on the USA team that competed in the Barcelona Olympics. From 1992 until 1998 he boxed professionally traveling around the country and the world.

At the age of sixteen, Isaac was arrested, tried as an adult and wrongly convicted of the murder of Dr. Ronald Banks.  He was sentenced to life in prison without parole at the deadliest prison in America, the Louisiana State Penitentiary, Angola in October 1979. In 1992, his conviction was overturned after a police document was discovered that contained exculpatory evidence not shared with his defense team at the time of the original trial. Isaac received no financial compensation for the thirteen years of his life spent wrongly imprisoned. 

In 1999, Isaac pled guilty to trafficking drugs and was sentenced to another twenty years in Federal Prison. He served seventeen years of this sentence and was released in the spring of 2015. Isaac estimates that roughly seven of the thirty years he spent incarcerated was served in solitary confinement.

Isaac is the father of four children and while in prison taught Parenting from Prison classes to other inmates helping them to maintain active parenting roles even while incarcerated.  He currently lives with his wife, Denise, in New Orleans, LA.

With the help of faith organizations and philanthropies working together, Quynh Chau was reunited with her father who had already been sponsored in the United States. Quynh Chau’s extraordinary childhood strengthened her faith and cemented her lifelong commitment to truly give back. A woman of many talents, Quynh Chau’s entrepreneurial talents have earned her great successes. She has been working with Spa Source USA for more than 30 years to educate and implement healthy skincare practices for customers. She has helped establish over 10,000 salons, spas and Medical Spas. Quynh Chau also manufactures a line of exclusive skincare products sold to boutique skincare clinics internationally.

FB: @stoneiwc

IG: @stoneiwc_

Twt: @stoneiwc_

TikTok: @stoneiwc

LinkedIn: Quynh Chau (QC) Stone

YouTube: Stone International Wellness Center

Instagram: @elizavancort (https://www.instagram.com/elizavancort)

Twitter: @elizavancort (https://twitter.com/elizavancort)

Email: inquiries@vancortconsulting.com 

A serial entrepreneur, professional speaker, author and leading business strategist, Steve has successfully uncovered the secret to creating powerful long-lasting connections and their impact on one’s personal and professional life. Steve has transitioned his years of business experience and unyielding customer focus into a successful consulting practice appropriately named The Ripple Effect after his successful first book by the same title. You can learn more at ripplecentral.com.

Steve has always maintained a unique focus on developing strong, long-lasting relationships with his clients, prospects and employees. By building a strong network of referrals and repeat customers, Steve has honed his ability to foster client relationships into a leveraged system for achieving solid business success. That system is represented in his book The Ripple Effect and through his speaking engagements and customized speaking and workshop programs.

In addition to Rippling, Steve owns and operates two software firms, Owner Insite, LLC & RS Planner, LLC dba Facility Insite where his Ripple ideas and strategies are changing the game in the software-as-a-service business. You can learn more at owner-insite.com and facility,com

She’s the Founder and Executive Director of A Chance to Learn – an organization that provide programs and solutions to enhance families through quality early education for kids and empowerment programs for parents, specifically moms. Coined the Motivated Mom, she helps moms create strategies for success to live a healthy life of purpose, fully engaged, and financially free.

LaToyia offers motivational, inspirational, and educational content on her blog that allows moms to fund their dreams and to be great women and extraordinary moms, without compromising their family life.

LaToyia received her undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Dallas Baptist University. She obtained her Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Nonprofit Management from University of Dallas. LaToyia is married to Andre Dennis and is the mother of an incredible son, Chance. 

She is a graduate of Tuskegee University with a BS in Aerospace Science Engineering and New Mexico State University with an MS in Industrial Engineering.

Her for-profit leadership experience includes working at three Fortune 500 companies. She transitioned into the nonprofit sector through afterschool program leadership and several college/workforce readiness initiatives. 

In her role as VP of Education and Programs at the Frontiers of Flight Museum, she was responsible for managing STEM education programs, reaching over 45,000 students annually.

She is the Co-Lead of the Policy and Advocacy Committee of Power in Action Dallas. Power In Action is comprised of community leaders with the goal to make a change in Black communities helping to remove systemic disparities.

Deemed a prolific author, Cheryl was featured at the 108th NAACP National Convention and Congressional Black Caucus and has assisted greater than 100 other aspiring authors become best-sellers. A multi best-selling author herself, Cheryl has authored and published a series of books to include Words from the Spirit for the Spirit, Soul Reborn, Safe House, Affirmed, Soul Talk, Soul Bearer, & Soul Source. Adding to her list of accomplishments, Cheryl has also published literary works, Souled Out & Success Factor. 

As CEO of WMG, she has won a national award for Executive Producing the stage play – Soul Purpose in Dallas, Texas during the Spring of 2018. Having been sought for her entrepreneurial expertise, Cheryl has been a featured guest or contributing author on Fox News, the Huffington Post, Forbes, Black Enterprise, Rolling Out, and Today’s Purpose Woman to name a few.

Mateo is giving back to the community by dedicating his life to evangelizing the pursuit of a higher education. His message challenges students and encourages them to be resilient in their journey to and through higher education. Through the use of powerful real-life narratives, Mateo’s message inspires and motivates his audience to action. Mateo also speaks to organizations about the importance of diversity and community engagement. To date, Mateo has reached millions of people across the country as a champion for higher education and has been featured as a special guest on CNN, Univision’s Don Francisco Presenta Show and NBC, among many other broadcasts and print publications, such as, NSHMBA and Latino Leaders Magazine. He currently serves as Chief Innovation Officer for CityScape Schools in Dallas, Texas.

Akilah is a Dallas Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree and a 2018 Dallas Public Voices Greenhouse, Op Ed fellow. Her philanthropic leadership includes the founding of Texas’ first African-American giving circle HERitage Giving Fund at Texas Women’s Foundation, awarding nearly $30,000 in grants to Black women-led organizations, in addition to providing consulting services for small- to-medium-sized community organizations.

I was born in Texas and my family was part of the Great Migration, moving to the Northwest in the 1960's. I'm the eldest of four children and the only daughter.

I earned my Bachelor of Arts degree in French from Whitman College in 1983 becoming the second generation of college graduates in my family. My first career was in retail and customer service. Shortly after getting married, I made a conscious decision to concentrate on raising my children, Tyler and Rachel.

My career in early childhood education started in 1988 when my children were in cooperative preschools. This unique model had at its core developmentally appropriate emergent curriculum for children that centered on anti-bias principles. At the same time, our group of diverse families participated in a monthly parent education component supplied by Seattle Central Community College. I served as co -chairperson and weekly volunteer for Madrona Co-op preschool for 5 years.

I held a variety of positions in Seattle Public Schools where my children attended, such as tutoring program coordinator, parent advisory committee member and volunteer. These experiences working closely with students, teachers and parents fueled my decision to build on my B. A. and go to graduate school. I earned my teaching credentials in elementary education with an emphasis in early childhood from Pacific Oaks College in 2000. Next I became a kindergarten teacher in Seattle Public Schools for 7 years.

The learning environments in my kindergarten and preschool classrooms were intentionally optimistic spaces where culturally responsive pedagogy was the norm. We embraced and celebrated the range of differences we represented amongst ourselves and beyond. Including (but not limited to) race, family structures, language and religion. I fostered communities in which teaching and learning flowed between children and adults. In addition, I’ve served as a preschool literacy coach and trainer for the federally funded, Seattle Early Reading First (SERF) program and have worked as a full-time preschool teacher.

On a more personal note, even before I became part of an interracial family that includes a disability, I believed strongly in social justice and actively resisting bias and unfairness.

An employment opportunity in a leadership role motivated my husband, Kirk and I to move to New York City in 2016. After a strategic planning process, his organization moved its headquarters to the DC metro area in 2017. An employment opportunity in a leadership role motivated my husband, Kirk and I to move to New York City in 2016. After a strategic planning process, his organization moved its headquarters to the DC metro area in 2017.

I’m highly invested in The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) and volunteer regularly. It’s a national nonprofit working to confront and eliminate barriers resulting from prejudice, misinformation and bias concerning people who are visually impaired or blind with an emphasis on dignity and respect. In full disclosure, my husband is the president and CEO.

Listening and learning are really important to me and I seek to combine them to spread joy.

her first job, where she worked almost 4 years at a camp deep in the Piney Woods of East

Texas. She has worked in the social impact world for nearly 25 years, focusing on social and

environmental justice causes. She is the co-founder of Amplify, a non-profit organization

that exists to amplify underrepresented voices in technology, and the founder of 9Forty

Coaching, where she works with social impact organizations to design processes and build

technology systems that help them achieve their mission. At 9Forty, Joni also works with

organizations to design more LGBTQIA-inclusive processes, programs, outreaches, and

workspaces.

As a white-passing person with Cherokee ancestry, Joni recognizes her inherent privilege

and contribution to a society that promotes racism, xenophobia, bigotry, and white

supremacy. She actively works to recognize and dismantle these institutions through her

work with organizations who are pursuing the same end, as well as through amplifying

marginalized voices around her.

As a queer person and LGBTQIA activist in America, Joni is well-acquainted with the

challenges experienced by our LGBQ and Trans communities, particularly in the southern

United States, and actively works to dismantle homophobia and transphobia through

storytelling and education. She believes that connection happens in sharing our stories,

and sees her own story as a love story in progress. She is presently working on a new project

called "Wild Lore", which aims to help individuals who have experienced societally inflicted

trauma to reframe and reclaim their narrative and rewrite their future. She is also a masters

student at Saybrook University, where she is studying mind-body medicine and integrated

health and wellness.

She lives in Denton Texas with her rainbow family consisting of a husband, 3 teenagers,

two dogs, and a cat. She is passionate about writing and telling stories, and riding her

motorcycle and making new stories to tell.

Shonnah had the distinct honor of signing the White House’s Pledge to America’s workforce along with Marc Benioff. The Pledge to America’s Workers—committing to expand programs that educate, train, and reskill American workers from high-school age to near-retirement.

A lifelong student with a deep respect for education, Emily has studied at the University of Chicago, DePaul University, Case Western Reserve University and American Public University, Texas Bible Institute and Seminary, Light University and Grace International Seminary. She holds two Bachelors’ degrees, both a Masters and PhD in Theological Studies, and Hs additional training in Biblical Counseling, and Christian Life Coaching.

An ordained minister, Elder Newsome currently serves on the ministerial staff as Community Liaison at Open Door Church Dallas under the leadership of Dr. Glenn Tatum. She has been a supporter of the community through the years, currently serves in several capacities at Southern Methodist University including the President’s Commission of the Needs of Persons with Disabilities, President of the Black Faculty and Staff Association, and a member of the newly established Black Unity Forum. She also moderates a weekly live coaching call entitled Keys to Godly Freedom through the International Faith Covenant Fellowship 24-hour prayer line. This ministry is designed to provide practical keys based on biblical principles to understand and unlock unprecedented freedom in daily Christian life.

Emily has been recognized by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority for Outstanding Achievement in the Arts, the Texas Gospel Excellence Awards for Spoken Word, Region 10 Educational Service Center for using her literary works to inspire women to excellence, and by My Second Chance, Inc. as Volunteer of the Year.

Emily has been perfecting her literary craft since the fifth grade. Her poetry has been published in the 1995 and 2005 National Library of Poetry anthologies, both the 1975 and 1996 editions of Lindsay Patterson’s anthology, A Rock Against the Wind, and the 1997 anthology Kente Cloth: Southwest Voices of the African Diaspora, edited by Jas. Mardis. She is also featured on Uncertain Rituals (2013), a CD of short stories by S. Pearl Sharp. Her first self-published volume of poetry, Phoenix, received limited circulation in 1980, and is currently being considered for a second release. In 1997, she published a second collection of poems entitled Seasons of Desire: Love Poems for Ordinary People. Dr. Newsome has several projects in the works, including a spoken work CD, a devotional that captures lessons and exercises from Keys to Godly Freedom, as well as the non-fiction work, Sanctioned Misogyny, focusing on how the church condones the culture of domestic violence, and what we can do to change that culture.

Her extensive work with the grass root community has led her to serve on multiple advisory boards, including Asian Advisory Committee to the Congresswomen Eddie Bernice Johnson. Public Policy Commission of Texas Council on Family Council. The policy team researches, works and eventually crafts the legislative agenda pertaining to intimate partner violence to ensure that survivor voices are included.

Mona also serves on the Senior Advisory Board for senior citizens to the Mayor of City of Plano. In this capacity she advises the city council on the issues that are important to seniors living in Plano.

She led a youth led initiative in High schools across Dallas to educate /prevent teen violence. Mona created the Environmental Education Program for children in Plano ISD schools. At Texas Interfaith she led her to develop community programs serving at-risk children, seniors and unemployed adults. A frequent presenter on diversity, inclusion, intersection of faith and family violence.

She was awarded “Education Mentor” by the City of Plano for her work.

Alumni of America Muslim Civic Leadership Institute at USC. Alumni Leadership Plano.

Thana was determined to finish what she started, although the journey had shifted. Thana was never homeless due to the amazing support system she was blessed with. Her parents, sisters and godmother were the support system that helped her realize that she could have a husband, children and still obtain a degree and career. Thana started an insurance career at the age of 21 and continued the journey of completing a degree in Business Administration now with three daughters. Her support system with grand!

As Thana evolved in her journey, she relocated to Dallas in 2007. Thana realized that she was blessed with something that many girls did not have, a real mother, a father, a surrogate mother and a village of women around her, thus Viola’s House was formed in 2008 as a mentoring program to give aid and support to teen mothers. Thana’s passion was undeniable as she felt all teen mothers deserved support and the opportunity to obtain education and a successful career to take care of their children. Shortly after the inception of the mentoring program, Thana realized that so many teen mothers in the Dallas area lacked housing and became homeless after learning of their pregnancy for various reasons. Hence, a residential program for homeless expectant teen mothers was started. Through a partnership with Cornerstone Baptist Church, Viola’s House opened one apartment with two beds in 2015 to start the residential program. Within six days, there were approximately 10 applicants for two beds! Shortly thereafter, more apartments were opened and Viola’s House was at capacity at all times with 7-8 homeless expectant teen mothers and their newborn babies after they gave birth.

Years later, Viola’s House has given a safe home, a bed, and programming to over 50 homeless teen mothers in South Dallas. Viola’s House currently operates out of a newly renovated state of the art facility which holds six mothers and six babies. There is staff on site 24 hours a day and licensed counselors, mentors, and educators who partner to ensure the growth and success of our residents.

Thana currently holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, is a certified Life Coach and holds a license of ordination in ministry. Thana has had a successful insurance career for 20 years for several top insurance companies as a catastrophic claims manager. Due to her longstanding career, Thana has discovered her passion for contract law and will begin the journey of Law School at UNT Dallas College of Law.

As the Executive Director of Viola’s House, Thana has found her greatest joy in serving homeless teen mothers as they transition from homelessness to self-sufficiency. Thana is blessed with three beautiful daughters who now serve at Viola’s House in various capacities and she resides in Dallas, TX.

She has experience and knowledge working in local government managing millions of HUD dollars, Rural Development and TDHCA funded housing and community programs. She has experience in grant writing, program creation and implementation. In the nonprofit sector she’s administered education programs to students in Austin Texas on Child Support and Paternity Law from the Texas Attorney General and facilitated trainings and presentations to students in Travis County ISD and the Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program. She previously served as the Community Engagement Manager at VolunteerNow and was the liaison for the City of Dallas’ volunteer driven efforts. She has served on numerous committees for City of Dallas Special Events, programs and initiatives as well as consulted on program implementation and adjustments.

Currently Shaylon serves as the Regional Director of North Texas for On the Road Lending. She presents information sessions on the agency’s mission and programming specifics to large and small groups as well as strategize on outreach efforts to area nonprofits and businesses. Her focus is on expanding the program’s reach in the North Texas Region to further promote its value while partnering and collaborating with organizations that align with OtRL’s core mission. She also works with senior leadership to improve and evaluate processes, technology, innovative ideas and staffing needs.

Most recently she’s received an award for innovation from the financial inclusion roundtable of Dallas and was also honored to win the 2018 Social Venture Partners Impact Investment Pitch competition. As the newly elected President of Collin County Social Services Association she continues to use her platform to elevate the needs of the community and the nonprofit sector as a whole.

She served as the Communication & Marketing Chair for the Texas Volunteer Management Conference for three years and freelanced for the Dallas Morning News’ Frisco Insiders blog. She is a graduate of Leadership North Texas University, received the 2016 Outstanding New Volunteer Administrator of the year by the National Association of Volunteer Programs in Local Government and currently serves on the advisory committee for Collin County families IMPACT initiative. She recently launched a new business venture called Book Mecca, an online black bookstore and platform for black literature and their authors. She is an avid reader, aspiring writer and has also expanded her speaking portfolio. Her career is continuously accelerating and growing while she continues to learn new skills and reach out for new opportunities to advance and make a larger impact in her community.

Bio: Cherie Banks is the mastermind behind the moniker, CEO Influencer™. Her visionary leadership generated the first billion dollars for an international Fortune 500 company as an integral contributor. She is a success leader, enterprise entrepreneur, and business investor. Cherie is a highly-sought after industry expert for her business mastery, strategic planning, market penetration, growth expansion, leadership development, and organizational management.