Community Empowerment Through
Black Men Healing Conference
June 18 & 19, 2020
“Healing can start by understanding the intersections of the pain.”
Metropolitan State University St. Paul Campus, Founders Hall
700 East Seventh Street, St. Paul MN 55106
We want to invite you to the upcoming 12th Annual Community Empowerment Through Black Men Healing Conference. The conference would be held on June 18-19, 2020 at Metropolitan State University, St. Paul Campus. The theme of the conference is the “Intersections of Community Violence”. The objective will be to look beyond community violence to deeper issues like racial trauma, adverse childhood experiences, domestic violence and community’s relationship with systems. Also, will explore strategies to increase protective factors that leads to community health and healing. We realize that a stronger, thriving African American community improves the health of society as a whole.
“A role model is one who is aware that the babies are watching and acts accordingly.”
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Guy Bryant “Forever Dad” has been a foster parent for the past 12 years, opening his home to over 50 young men who otherwise would have aged out of the system. He wants to set up these young adults for success, and he wants them to know they’ll always have a home. He will discuss his work with youth transitioning out of foster care is what powers his work with kids who are still in the system.
Mr. Bryant will be interviewed by Curtis Marshall, MS a Public Health Consultant with the Wisconsin Division of Public Health. He is a founding member of the Milwaukee Fatherhood Initiative, serving eight years as program chairperson for the Milwaukee Fatherhood Summit. He is passionate regarding positive father and male involvement in their children’s lives and provides consultation to fatherhood and family service providers.
Dr. Joseph Richardson, Jr., Principal Investigator for the University of Maryland, Baltimore Center for Injury Prevention and Policy and the Violence Intervention Program
As Principal Investigator, he is leading violence research studies to understand the effectiveness of hospital-based violence intervention programs in reducing trauma and criminal recidivism.
Brandon Jones M.A. is a psychotherapist and professor at Metropolitan State University and Century College.
"Healing is a Journey: How Developmental Trauma Shows Up in our Lives"
He specializes in Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), historical and intergenerational trauma, Social/Emotional Intelligence (EQ), and youth justice. He lives by the motto of “Live life with Purpose on Purpose”.
Sam Simmons, AA, LADC, behavioral consultant and conference co-creator
Sam has over 30-year experience as a behavioral consultant specializing in practical culturally sensitive trauma informed work with African American males and their families with a focus on addressing historical trauma. He is co-host of "Voices” radio show on KMOJ FM that addresses issues of the urban community.
“The village that hides the truth cannot expect to heal but to pass on the pain.”