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Professional Experience & Education

Professional Summary

I have worked with “at-risk” youth as a Prevention Specialist and have worked for more than 32 years in Education. I have been responsible for admissions, academic advising, community outreach, directing an Upward Bound program, student activities, programming, campus climate assessment, and setting campus policy on diversity and civility. I have taught graduate and undergraduate leadership, cultural diversity and multicultural competency, and African-American male development courses.  I have also taught middle school math and science. I am the Publisher at Saint Rest Publications and Principle Consultant for Applied Academic Solutions.

Languages

HTML

Limited Spanish

Skills
Professional Experience

  • Equity & Inclusion

  • Social learning theory and identity development 

  • Trauma informed healing centered practices

  • Restorative practices

  • Diversity, Multiculturalism, & Civility

  • Academic achievement strategies

  • Event planning and project management

  • Community outreach

  • Deliberative process and consensus building

  • Strategic planning and data analysis

  • Web design and HTML editing

  • Social media management

  • Graphic design

Principal Consultant / Applied Academic Solutions [Click Here]

​2013 - Present

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Publisher / Saint Rest Publications [Click Here]

​1998 - Present

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Humanware (SEL) Partner / Cleveland Metropolitan School District [Click Here]

2017 – 2022

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Middle School Teacher / Emmanuel Christian Academy [Click Here]

​2013 - 2016

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Assistant Professor / University of North Carolina Wilmington

2008 -2012

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Associate Dean for Multicultural Affairs / Arcadia University

2006 - 2008

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Associate Director of Multicultural Development Programs / The University of Akron

2003 – 2006
 

Assistant Director of Pan African Center for Community Studies / The University of Akron

2000 – 2003

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Assistant Director of Upward Bound / The University of Akron

1999 – 2000

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Admission Counselor for Minority Recruitment / Kent State University

1993 – 1999

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Prevention Specialist for Turning Point Program / Urban Ounce of Prevention

1991 – 1993

Selected Professional Accomplishements

  • Co-led the team that won first place in the Ohio Bar Association 2023 State Moot Trail competition

  • Co-led the development of content and curriculum for Equity Training for Managers

  • Developed and wrote new professional learning modules (Race, Equity & Achievement; Intro. to Restorative Practices; SEL, Identity & Achievement; SEL, Restorative Practices, PBIS Crosswalk)

  • An active member of the Equity & Inclusion team that developed the district’s first Equity & Inclusion Statement

  • Selected to represent the district on a national equity workgroup

  • Facilitated the increase in Ohio Achievement Assessment scores in math and science grades 5th – 8th.

  • Taught, motivated, and mentored students increasing self-efficacy.

  • Developed and designed a class website utilizing various social media to ensure students and parents access important notes and resources.

  • Presented with a student at the International Conference on Diversity in Cape Town, South Africa.

  • Recognized three times by students as a faculty who Made a Difference.

  • Developed and taught the only course in North Carolina universities specifically purposed to cultivate competencies in pre-service teachers to engage African-American males.

  • Co-developed and team-taught Psycho-educational Interactions with Black Males course at the University of Pennsylvania.

  • Assessed marketing materials and worked with University Relations to redesign new ads and brochures.

  • Awarded $10,000 Serve the Underserved grant from Lumina Foundation.

  • Developed and implemented the Civility in Action initiative.

  • Coordinated the production and marketing of Baba King by Dance Afrika Dance.

  • Coordinated the development, mounting, and opening of three themed exhibits for the Dr. Shirla R. McClain Gallery for Akron’s Black History and Culture.

  • Developed, planned, and implemented the Rev. Martin L. King Jr. “Sharing the Dream” Annual Activities Fair.

  • Coordinated and implemented College for Kids at The University of Akron; recognized by the National Congress of Black Women as their model program.

  • Implemented portfolio assessment for Upward Bound Summer Program.

  • Purposed, planned, and implemented the Hartford Middle School Adoption.

  • Implemented recruitment and retention strategies that resulted in an increase of minority students from 139/2300 in 1993 (6%) to 265/2750 in 1999 (9.6%)

Military Service
U.S. Air Force / Ohio Air National Guard 179th Tactical Airlift Group

Crew Chief / Highest Rank: Sergeant (E - 4)

(1985 – 1991) Honorable Discharge

Education​
The University of Akron / Ed.D. Educational Foundations & Leadership​ (2003)

Dissertation: The Academic STARS Retention Model: An Empirical Investigation of its Effectiveness Cognate: Urban Studies

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Kent State University / M.Ed. Cultural Foundations​ (1996)

Individual Investigation: African-Centered Rites of Passage, Sense of Self, and Education: Connecting Theory to Practice.

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The University of Akron / B.A. Geography - Spatial Analysis (1990)

 

Certificates:

Peace Circle Facilitation; Project Ujima (2023)

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion; Cornell University (2021)

Trauma & Learning; Lesley University (2021)

Youth Mental Health First Aid; National Council for Mental Wellbeing (2021)

School Survival: Understanding Educational Law; Summit County Community Legal Aid (2019)

Restorative Practices; International Institute for Restorative Practices (2018)

Nonviolent Crisis Intervention; Crisis Prevention Institution (2018)

Ally Trainer; The Bryson Institute (2006)

Common Ground: Deliberative Dialogue; Kettering Foundation (1997)

HIV/AIDS Prevention Specialist; American Red Cross (1992)

Afro-American Studies; The University of Akron (1990)

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Awards:

Favorite Father, International Fatherhood Conference (2023)
We Are The Ones We Serve, Akron Community Voice (2022)

Keepin It Lit, Golden Ciphers (2021)

Narrative Changer, Forest of the Rain Production (2016)

Commitment to Education, Tutoring Nurtures Talent, Inc. (2015)
Made a Difference, Division of Students Affairs, UNCW (Fall 2011)
Made a Difference, Division of Students Affairs, UNCW (Fall 2009)
Made a Difference, Division of Students Affairs, UNCW (Spring 2009)
Knight’s Honor, Black Awareness Society, Arcadia University (2008)
Who’s Who among America’s Teachers, Nominated by a student (2006)
Martin L. King Jr. Drum Major Award, Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Correction (2005)
Ida B. Wells Black Book Award, United Brothers & United Sisters Communications (1999)
Letter of Commendation, Ohio State House of Representatives (1996)
Significant African-American Male Award, Ohio Black Women’s Leadership Caucus (1995)
Special Appreciation Award, Ohio Army National Guard (1994)
Training Achievement Award, Cultural Diversity in Urban America (1993)
Achievement Award, Community Skills Building, OPEN-M (1992)
Kym Award, Youth Excellence Performing Arts Workshop (1992)
Outstanding Band Member, John R. Buchtel High School Marching Band (1984)

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