Community Empowerment Through
Black Men Healing Conference
Featured Speakers
Dr. Carl L. Young trauma-informed therapist, community advocate, and author of "A Son’s Reckoning with Family,"
Dr. Carl L. Young, PhD, is a dedicated trauma-informed therapist, community advocate, writer, and author of A Son’s Reckoning with Family, which explores the legacy of secrets and intergenerational trauma. Known for his extensive work in Minnesota’s mental health sector, Dr. Young’s published works also include It Takes a Nation of Millions to Fight the Power: Dismantling the War on Drugs, Vol. 1, and It Takes a Nation of Millions to Fight the Power, Vol. 2.
His professional practice expertly blends behavioral health, cultural analysis, and narrative healing to support individuals and communities in reclaiming their identity, dignity, and emotional truth. As the founder of Increasing Life Chances 4 You (ILC4Y), Dr. Young leads a movement focused on communal repair, emotional literacy, and generational healing.
Dr. Young currently serves as a school-based mental health therapist for the Wilder Foundation’s Kofi Program, providing specialized care for Black and African American youth and families. In addition to his school-based work, he provides community-based therapy services, specializing in trauma, substance abuse, and crisis intervention. He is a sought-after speaker and trainer, frequently featured on platforms like KMOJ and Minnesota Public Radio.
Pastor Carmen D. Lewis the author of “Loving Jesus Made Me Crazy,”.
Carmen D. Lewis is a racial justice and community healing leader, ordained Pastor of over two decades, and author of Loving Jesus Made Me Crazy—a healing journey exploring recovery from church hurt, religious trauma, and reconnecting with God. A Chicago native rooted in Minneapolis, she is the founder of Black Brilliance and a nationally recognized facilitator, speaker, and advocate who creates culturally grounded healing spaces for Black and racialized communities.
Her work integrates anti-racism, restorative practices, trauma-informed care, and mindfulness to help individuals and communities build resilience, reclaim agency, and move toward collective well-being. Carmen is known for her dynamic preaching, powerful facilitation, community-centered leadership, and deep commitment to intergenerational healing, faith and justice.
Rev. Aledria “Lee” A. Buckley a leader in trauma and spiritual care, emphasizing community healing and the faith community's role in her keynote, “How Is Your Soul Today?”
Rev. Aledria “Lee” A. Buckley is an executive leader, trauma-informed practitioner, and spiritual care provider whose work bridges systems leadership and community healing.
With more than 30 years of experience advising executives across healthcare, government, corporate, nonprofit, and highly regulated environments, she specializes in organizational resilience, culture transformation, and workforce well-being. She is widely recognized for her ability to translate trauma-informed principles into practical strategies that strengthen both institutions and the people they serve.
In parallel with her executive leadership, Aledria serves as a hospital chaplain and minister, providing spiritual care in moments of crisis, grief, addiction recovery, and incarceration. Her lived experience across boardrooms and bedside ministry gives her a rare perspective on how generational trauma, suppressed grief, and culturally conditioned survival patterns impact the mind, body, and soul of communities—particularly Black men.
Her keynote, “How Is Your Soul, Today?”, invites faith leaders, clinicians, policymakers, and practitioners into a deeper conversation about healing that integrates breath work, grief acknowledgment, generational trauma awareness, healthy relationship modeling, and the essential role of the faith community.
Aledria’s work challenges systems to move beyond crisis response toward sustainable, culturally responsive, and spiritually grounded community restoration.
Sam has over 36 years of experience as an alcohol and drug counselor and behavioral consultant, focusing on trauma-informed strategies to address addiction, violence, and trauma, mainly aiming to improve the lives of African American men and their families. He developed a culturally specific curriculum to engage men and boys in promoting healthy, nonviolent relationships. An Adverse Childhood Experience Interface Trainer in Minnesota, Sam has led presentations on historical trauma and partnered with various organizations to dismantle barriers to healing.
He has received numerous accolades, including the 2007 Kirby Puckett Legacy Award and the 2009 Governor’s Council on Faith and Community Service Initiatives Best Practices Award. In 2014, he was honored with the Minnesota Fathers & Families Network Excellence in Fatherhood Award and the 2016 Healing the Hidden Wounds of Racial Trauma Award. In 2018, he was recognized by the city of Minneapolis recognized him as a Public Health Hero for his innovative work in the community, and the NFL honored him for his efforts to stop violence against women. In 2024, he received Minnesota’s Professional of the Year Award from the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Minnesota for his exceptional work with Black men.
Sam co-hosts the "Voices" radio show on KMOJ FM, discussing issues that affect urban communities. He is well-respected nationwide for his insights on African American historical trauma and his successful Community Empowerment Through Black Men Healing Conference, noted as innovative and leading-edge. He also wrote "Just Sam: A Black Man's Journey to Healing," which explores trauma's impact on Black men and provides a pathway to healing and empowerment. Sam emphasizes, “A community is as strong as the information it’s given.”
“A role model is one who is aware that the babies are watching and acts accordingly.” Uncle Big