Community Empowerment Through
Black Men Healing Conference
Morning Workshops
Dr. Jonathan Lofgren, a Faculty member at Minneapolis College
Dr. Jonathan Lofgren, a Faculty member at Minneapolis College, a native Minnesotan with 35 years of behavioral health and education experience, holds a Ph.D. in Education - specializing in Training & Performance Improvement from Capella University, a Master of Science in Community Counseling Psychology and Human Services from Springfield College, and his undergraduate degree in Interdisciplinary Social Science from the University of South Florida. Jonathan is an MN-Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor and a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers. Dr. Lofgren is a full-time, Time Unlimited Faculty member at Minneapolis College and a visiting faculty member at other regional colleges and universities.
Dr. Lofgren designed, developed, and launched Minneapolis College’s Collegiate Recovery Program, Adler Graduate School’s Co-Occurring Disorders master’s degree specialization, and Minneapolis College’s Student African American Brotherhood program. In 2016 and the 2024-2025 academic year, Jonathan was named a Minnesota State Colleges and Universities’ Outstanding Educator. In 2023, Lofgren was inducted into the African American Museum of Addiction, Treatment, and Recovery’s Hall of Fame.
Dr. Lofgren is a Board Member of Twin Cities Recovery Project, More Than a Single Story, a founding board member of the Center for African American Recovery Development (CAARD), and a member of the Minnesota Association of Black Psychologists and the Minneapolis chapter of the NAACP.
Dr. Cedric Weatherspoon, DMFT, LMFT, President of Empower Therapeutic Support Services Inc.
Dr. Cedric Weatherspoon, DMFT, LMFT, President of Empower Therapeutic Support Services Inc., is a licensed marriage and family therapist and the founder of Empower Therapeutic Support Services, Inc. With over 20 years of experience specializing in the mental health and well-being of Black boys and men, Dr. Weatherspoon is recognized for his culturally responsive, trauma-informed approach to therapy, leadership development, and community engagement. His work spans various settings, including schools, correctional facilities, and community-based organizations, focusing on breaking generational cycles of trauma, dismantling systemic barriers, and fostering resilience within Black communities. Dr. Weatherspoon is also the creator of the Afrocentric Systemic Leadership Program (ASLP), a leadership model designed to empower Black individuals through cultural identity, mentorship, and holistic support. His passion lies in creating safe, healing spaces where Black boys and men can reclaim their narratives, strengthen familial bonds, and develop into confident, thriving leaders.
W. Curtis Marshall, MS
W. Curtis Marshall, MS, is a former Public Health Strategist/Consultant for the Wisconsin Division of Public Health. In this role, he consulted Wisconsin and national fatherhood agencies and consulted on the impact of fatherhood on maternal-child health and birth outcomes. He co-founded the Milwaukee Fatherhood Initiative and co-authored the Wisconsin Statewide Fatherhood Plan under Former Governor Jim Doyle’s Administration. He currently leads strategic partnership development for health consortiums, non-profits, consultations, community-based organizations, and national workgroups.
Curtis has over twenty-five years of experience assessing organizational capacity and readiness for leading population-based health improvement strategies. He is recognized as an engaged change leader who builds and facilitates healthcare partnerships for sustainable progress on community health issues.
Felicia Perry, Innovative Leader
Felicia Perry, Innovative Leader, is an accomplished Economic Development Strategist and Creative Entrepreneur with a deep passion for supporting the growth and prosperity of individuals, organizations, and communities. She is the Founder of DesignHer Life, LLC, where she supports ARTrepreneurs and small business owners through business strategy, creative entrepreneurship coaching, and community wealth-building initiatives.
In her current role as Economic Development Manager at Rondo Community Land Trust, Felicia leads initiatives that directly support small businesses, including access to funding, commercial property acquisition, and business incubation. She spearheads commercial revitalization efforts, such as the Rondo Exchange Small Business Incubator, ensuring that entrepreneurs can thrive in sustainable, community-centered economic ecosystems.
Felicia's expertise spans nonprofit leadership, economic development, and real estate strategy. As Business & Commercial Real Estate Manager at Partnership in Property Commercial Land Trust (PIPCLT), she developed infrastructure and support systems for emerging business owners and managed the organizations commercial real estate portfolio. Previously, as Executive Director of the West Broadway Business and Area
Coalition, she led a capital campaign that raised over $4 million and increased the organization’s revenue, driving major economic and cultural placekeeping projects, including the FLOW Northside Arts Crawl and Open Streets West Broadway.
A champion of creative entrepreneurship, Felicia has worked extensively as an Artist Career Consultant with Springboard for the Arts, guiding artists in navigating the business side of their creative work. She also previously hosted "DesignHER Life" on KRSM Radio, where she interviewed women and non-binary ARTrepreneurs about building careers aligned with their passions.
Felicia’s leadership extends to community engagement and advocacy. She serves on multiple boards, including Northside Awesome Fund and Vivid Black Paint Circus Arts, and has co-chaired the METRO Blue Line Extension Business Advisory Committee and the West Broadway Livability Coalition.
She is also a certified yoga instructor and meditation guide, curating wellness experiences that prioritize collective care, including her 22/22 Guided Meditation series.
Her educational background includes certifications from the Urban Land Institute’s Real Estate Diversity Initiative (ULI REDI), coursework in Marketing at Metropolitan State University, and studies in Microbiology at the University of Minnesota.
Felicia continues to drive transformative change through economic and environmental justice, creative entrepreneurship, and holistic wellness, building sustainable pathways for individuals and communities to thrive.
Andre Dukes, Vice President of Community Power and Impact Programs at Northside Achievement Zone
Andre Dukes, Vice President of Community Power and Impact Programs at Northside Achievement Zone, oversees the Early Childhood and Community Impact strategy, which focuses on ensuring that NAZ scholars are ready for kindergarten through access to quality early learning centers, scholarships, screening, parent support and education, and advocacy. Throughout his career, he has learned a great deal about how experiences shape child behavior and how strong communities, environments, and supports can promote healthy development and prevent harmful behavior in children.
Before joining NAZ, Andre worked for several years as a community Pastor. He worked in partnership with Hennepin County and the City of Minneapolis on the issue of youth violence prevention. Andre holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the Minnesota Graduate School of Theology and a Certificate in Infant Mental Health and Early Childhood at the University of Minnesota Center for Early Education Development. He serves on the Think Small board and is a member of the MinneMinds executive committee.
Taharka Sankara, MSW, LCSW, LCADC, is licensed in Clinical Social Work and Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counseling
Taharka Sankara, MSW, LCSW, LCADC, is licensed in Clinical Social Work and Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counseling has a broad array of experience that intersects with multiple service delivery systems targeting the various needs of youth and families. He holds a Master of Social Work degree from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. He is licensed in Clinical Social Work and Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counseling.
In addition, he is certified as an anger management treatment provider (AMTP) and a trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapist (TF-CBT). As a clinical consultant and facilitator, he can fuse qualified lived experience, education, and professional expertise to empower others. Using first-hand experience, he demonstrates how turning stumbling blocks into stepping stones is possible.
As the founder and current managing member of Counseling Support Services, LLC, he consults with other professionals to provide various services and resources to parents and other responsible adults and develop effective strategies that best support children and families.
Greg Norfleet, Director of the Paid Family and Medical Leave Program, was appointed by Governor Tim Walz in 2023. Previously, he was chief operating officer for the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care. he was deputy director for operations at the Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave program, which launched in 2021. Before that, he was a member of the Massachusetts Strategic Innovation team, an in-house consulting group deployed on critical initiatives throughout state government on behalf of the Governor's Office. Norfleet was a government innovation fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School, and he holds an MSc in evidence-based social intervention from the University of Oxford and a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology and criminal justice from Indiana University.
Panlist:
Department of Employment and Economic Development are collaborating with the African American Babies Coalition and Projects (of the Wilder Foundation) to recruit panelists who fulfill one or more of the following: Can personally speak to the experience of Black fatherhood, are community leaders who are part of fatherhood and/or family-related initiatives or organizations, can speak to the policies and research relevant to Paid Leave and Black fatherhood. Although we do not have confirmed panelists yet, we have a very strong list of candidates we plan to recruit as soon as possible.
Afternoon Workshops
Jeremiah Ellis, Public Historian, with Ellis Heritage Services
Jeremiah Ellis, Public Historian, with Ellis Heritage Services, brings a unique perspective to exploring Black family history and its role in healing. Rooted in his own experiences as a father and his deep commitment to understanding the complexities of intergenerational trauma, Ellis approaches historical research with empathy and a focus on personal narratives.
While his previous work has addressed broader themes of Black history in Minnesota, including the contributions of Black Rosies during World War II and the significance of the Sterling Club, his primary focus for this workshop is the intimate and often unspoken aspects of Black family life. Ellis will share insights drawn from 100 years of his own St. Paul family history, illustrating how archival resources and genealogical research can be powerful tools for navigating grief and breaking cycles of trauma.
His academic background in Public Administration, Strategic Management, and Theology provides a framework for understanding the social and historical contexts that have shaped Black fatherhood. However, it is his personal connection to the workshop's themes, as a father deeply invested in the well-being of his family, that will guide the discussion.
Ellis's involvement with the African American Interpretive Center of Minnesota and the Saint Paul Heritage Preservation Commission underscores his commitment to preserving and sharing Black stories. He lives in Saint Paul with his wife and son. In this workshop, he will share his family's journey, emphasizing the role of family history in intergenerational healing.
Pleasant Radford, Jr., Health Equity Officer, UCare
Panelist:
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Collins Eboh, Equity Business Partner, UCare,
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Cedrick Frazier, Attorney and Minnesota State Representative
Pleasant Radford, Jr., Health Equity Officer, joined UCare in 2020 in the inaugural role of Health Equity Officer. In his role, he develops, oversees, and implements an organization-wide health equity program that promotes and advances health equity for all members and communities.
Radford has more than 15 years of driving systemic transformation through health equity innovation in the healthcare, nonprofit, and academic sectors. He has proven leadership spanning evaluation, training, programming, policy, and advocacy realms - all grounded in trust-based community relationships - to identify and reduce inequities in healthcare. Prior to UCare, he led the evaluation of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Center for Prevention's multi-million dollar portfolio of healthy eating, physical activity, and commercial tobacco prevention. At UnitedHealth Group, Radford spent four years as a consultant to streamline medical insurance products, increase customer retention, and strengthen brand recognition among Medicaid and Medicare members. Previously, he conducted community engagement research at the University of Chicago, advocated for Chicago Public School pregnant and parenting youth students at the Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health, and served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Nicaragua.
Radford is a national health equity leader and speaker who has received numerous accolades and distinctions for his leadership and contributions to the healthcare community, including state of Minnesota appointments to the African American Health State Advisory Council and the Governor's Community Council on Inclusion and Equity and recognition by Managed Healthcare Executive magazine as a 2024 Emerging Leader in Healthcare. In 2023, Radford received the NAHSE Program of the Year for the Heart of Equity podcast, a national podcast that talks with Black healthcare professionals to learn what they are doing to advance health equity in the Black community. Radford currently serves as the health equity committee leader of the American Health Insurance Program (AHIP), Association of Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP), Minnesota Council of Health Plans (MCHP), and Alliance of Community Health Plans (ACHP), and is the Minnesota ambassador of the National Association of Health Services Executives (NAHSE).
Radford earned his B.A. in Spanish and B.S in Psychology from the University of Illinois and his MBA in Finance from the University of Saint Thomas in Minneapolis. He lives in Minneapolis with his wife and two children.
Panelist:
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Collins Eboh, Equity Business Partner, UCare, has served in numerous roles and has worked in a variety of units that specifically focus on diversity, social justice, public health, facilitation, and public policy. Father of three sons.
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Cedrick Frazier, Attorney and Minnesota State Representative, has a demonstrated history of working in the public and education sectors. Father of three girls.
Naajee Dennis, MA, Licensed Clinical Counselor
Naajee Dennis, MA, Licensed Clinical Counselor, is a Victim Survivor and Youth Program Supervisor at the Domestic Abuse Project. She is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with 6 years of experience in trauma-informed care and cultural competency, dedicated to dismantling oppressive practices within BIPOC communities in the mental health field. Demonstrates expertise in policy implementation, program development, and staff training, focusing on creating anti-racist interventions and fostering inclusive environments. Passionate about empowering diverse populations through innovative therapeutic strategies and collaborative partnerships.
Phillip McGraw, author of “The Greatest Love Story,” shares personal lessons about self-awareness, forgiveness, and the power of love
Phillip McGraw, author of “The Greatest Love Story,” shares personal lessons about self-awareness, forgiveness, and the power of love, not just for others but also for oneself, as a young father of three by age 25, I experienced firsthand the toll that generational trauma, mental health struggles, and toxic environments can take on a person and their family. My healing journey began when I recognized that I was both a victim of my past and a participant in perpetuating harmful patterns. Through therapy, self-care, and intentional growth, I transformed my life and rebuilt my relationships with my children.
In my book, The Greatest Love Story, I delve into the lessons I learned about self-awareness,
forgiveness, and the power of love, not just for others, but for myself. Today, I am dedicated to helping other Black fathers break the cycle of trauma and create legacies of health, happiness, and connection.
Jimmie Heags Jr., MA, LSC, LADC, ACSL & LPCC
Jimmie Heags Jr., MA, LSC, LADC, ACSL & LPCC, is a board-approved clinical supervisor by the Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy, is a seasoned counseling professional with over 20 years of experience in education and therapy. A graduate of Metropolitan State University and Adler Graduate School, Jimmie holds degrees in Individualized Studies and Psychotherapy. He's accredited with three distinct licenses in school, clinical, and drug and alcohol counseling, and has certifications in Trauma Informed Practice and Co-Occurring Disorders. As a recognized authority in his field, Jimmie is an LPC & LPCC board-approved clinical supervisor by the Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy.
Jimmie’s practice primarily serves black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC). His counseling approach is marked by genuine curiosity, treating his clients' thoughts, feelings, and experiences with respect and honor. He is a proficient trainer and consultant in Restorative Practices, Crisis Prevention and Intervention (CPI), and other Social Emotional Learning (SEL) methods. Outside his therapy work, Jimmie is an Adjunct Instructor at the Adler Graduate School and an active Minneapolis NAACP's Integrated Health Committee member. Committed to providing comprehensive mental health services, Jimmie continually incorporates new insights, such as the generational trauma work of Resmaa Menakem, to enhance his practice and better serve his clients.
Dr. Altreisha Foster, an author, scientist, baker, and entrepreneur, is a public health leader, microbiologist, author, and equity strategist
Dr. Altreisha Foster, an author, scientist, baker, and entrepreneur, is a public health leader, microbiologist, author, and equity strategist dedicated to advancing racial and gender equity in health and justice systems. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Microbiology from Howard University College of Medicine and a Master of Public Health from the Milken School of Public Health at George Washington University.
With expertise in infectious disease research, trauma-informed care, and strategic planning, Dr. Foster has worked across academia, government, and community sectors to address disparities in health and social systems. She is the president of the Cake Therapy Foundation, a nonprofit that empowers women and girls through baking as a tool for healing, resilience, and entrepreneurship. She also leads Strategic Health Solutions, a consulting firm specializing in health equity, infectious disease preparedness, and public policy.
Dr. Foster is the author of three books: Cake Therapy: How Baking Changed My Life, Lessons I Never Learned from My Father, and the guided journal A Slice of Joy and Healing. She also hosts the Cake Therapy Podcast, where she explores the intersection of baking, mental health, and personal transformation.
A sought-after speaker, Dr. Foster has presented at international conferences and public health forums, collaborating with policymakers, healthcare organizations, and community leaders to drive meaningful change. A dedicated mentor and advocate, she remains committed to fostering inclusive, sustainable health systems that bridge gaps between policy, practice, and community needs.
Dr. Trish Skophammer, Child Support Services Division Director, Ramsey County Attorney Office, Guy Bowling, Planning Specialist, Child Support Services Division, Office and Joe Fick, Ramsey County Attorney Office
Dr. Trish Skophammer serves as the Child Support Services Division Director in the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office located in St. Paul, Minnesota. She has 27 years of experience in child support. She has been involved in national, regional, and local associations with conference planning committees, policy workgroups, and DEI initiatives. In addition to her expertise in child support policy and practice, Trish’s expertise includes topics related to organizational leadership. Trish has a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Bethel University and a doctorate degree in public administration from Hamline University.
Guy Bowling is a Planning Specialist for the Child Support Services Division, Office of the Ramsey County Attorney, John J. Choi. As a former Director of the FATHER Project, he has overseen substantial multiple grants funded by the Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, and the Office of Family Assistance. Guy brings over 30 years of experience working with low-income, unmarried, non-custodial fathers and fragile families. In 2012, he received the Ronald F. Johnson Award at the National Center for Strategic Planning and Community Leadership’s 14th Annual International Fatherhood Conference and has been inducted into the Spirit of Fatherhood Hall of Fame. His specific area of focus is working with low-income, non-custodial, never-married fathers and their families in culturally specific, multi-racial, multi-ethnic, and rural communities. As a nationally recognized fatherhood leader and speaker, Mr. Bowling has delivered more than 450 fatherhood trainings, keynotes, consultations, and workshops with public/private agencies in 30 states and two countries over his 30+ year career. He has a Master of Public Affairs (MPA) degree from the University of Minnesota Humphrey Institute. He was selected as a 2020 Bush Fellow from the Bush Foundation Fellowship Program.
Joe Fick is a dedicated father of three young men. With 25 years of experience in the Ramsey County Attorney's Office, Joe has served in various roles, primarily focusing on drafting legal documents and providing testimony in hearings related to setting support and establishing paternity. Currently, he serves as a supervisor, leading teams responsible for establishing child support and paternity orders and managing service of process.
“You don’t have to be a man to fight for freedom.
All you have to do is to be an intelligent human being.” — Malcolm X