Fall 2024
Ph.D., Human Development & Learning Department of Educational Psychology, University of Illinois at Chicago
May 2013
M.Ed., Youth Development, Department of Educational Psychology, University of Illinois at Chicago
June 2006
B.A., Liberal Arts and Science, Northern Illinois University, Dekalb, IL
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Youth/Adult Partnership
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Psychology
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Human Development
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Representational Art
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Trauma and Restorative informed practices
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Creativity/Imagination
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Black/Youth Popular Culture Identity Exploration/Formation
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Youth Development
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Sociology
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Urban Planning
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Black Male Development
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School/Community Relationships
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Photography
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Mentorship Intergroup Dialogue
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Critical/Intergroup Dialogue
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Critical Race Theory
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Adolescent Mental Health
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Social Work
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Lead Consultant
Chicago Public Schools, Out of School Time, 2023 – Current
Director of Community Engagement
City Bureau Journalism Lab, 2022 – Current
Founder and Coordinator
360 Nation: A community based intergenerational eco-system that supports the social, emotional, mental, and physical development of Black youth, 2014-current
Fall 2010-Spring 2011
Howard Brown Health Center, Sexual Habits Among African American Youth in North Lawndale Community
2009-2011
University of Chicago Crime Lab & Youth Guidance, Violence intervention program for at-risk adolescent males
Spring 2013
Institute for Youth and Community Engagement, How Youth Remain Resilient in Traumatic Environments
2018-2020
University of Illinois at Chicago, Hull House Museum
What is the experience of Black folks and the CPD on the West Side of Chicago
Summer 2024
The Experience of Black adolescent males in an out of school program on the west side of Chicago, Dissertation
2023 / 2024
Crossroads Foundation ($50,000)
2020
Field Foundation ($35,000)
2021
Chicago Beyond ($50,000)
2017-Present
Chicago Community Trust ($80,000)
Pending:
Ford Foundation ($40,000)
We a family: Youth reflections of their involvement in an out of school program.
It’s messy as hell: The nuance and complexities in cultivating an environment of liberation in a neighborhood school
The experience of Black adolescent males in an out of school program on the west side of Chicago. University of Illinois at Chicago, 2024. Dissertation.
IN PROGRESS:
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It’s messy as hell: The nuance and complexities in cultivating an environment of liberation in a neighborhood school
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We a family: Youth reflections of their involvement in an out of school program.
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Social Emotional Group Therapist
Youth Guidance, Chicago Public schools, 2009-2012
Permanent Lecturer
Intergroup Dialogue. Diversity and Social Justice, University of Illinois at Chicago, 2013-2022
Fall 2009
WBEZ 91.5/NPR interview: “Youth See Slain Panther as Role Model”
Spring 2010
Chicago Public Schools, Harper High School, Professional Development: Youth and Cultural Sensitivity
Fall 2011
Chicago Public Schools, Marshall High School, Professional Development: Teacher/Parent relationships
Spring 2012
Chicago Public Schools, Marshall High School, Professional Development Youth /Adult Partnership Workshop
Summer 2012
Chicago Public Schools, Safety and Security. City Wide Youth and Cultural Sensitivity training
Fall 2012
3rd Annual Youth Development Conference, College of Education, University of Illinois at Chicago, Recruitment and Retaining Black Males in Academic Settings
Spring 2013
School of Social Work Administration, University of Illinois at Chicago (Graduate Class). Adolescents and Trauma
Spring 2013
Institute for Youth and Community Engagement, Truth ‘n’ Trauma, Chicago State University, Revolutionary Love: Trauma and Radical Healing, Teach In
Spring 2013
American Council for School Social Workers Conference, Tulane University, New Orleans, Community and Restoration, Truth ‘n’ Trauma
Spring 2013
1st Annual Institute for Youth and Community Engagement’s Conference, Healing and Restoring Communities. Panel Moderator, School and Restoration
April 2013
6th Annual Global Activism Expo, University of Illinois at Chicago (Forum), After Hadiya and “Nirbhaya”: From Chicago to Delhi. What does Justice Look Like?
Spring 2013
Student Alumna Organize Workshop for Healing Urban Youth, University of Illinois at Chicago: College of Education. Web publication
Spring 2013
Commencement Ceremony, University of Illinois at Chicago: College of Education’s Dean’s Merit Speech
Summer 2013
Social Justice Initiative, Summer Institute: Youth/Adult Partnership and Restoration (undergrad)
Summer 2013
School of Social Work, Chicago State University: Youth/ Adult Partnership, Social Justice and Community Building (Grad Class)
July 2013
Radical Love: Intentional Healing in Urban Communities, Free Minds Free People Conference, Chicago, IL
October 2013
Not for the Faint at Heart: The Role of the University in Community Transformation, The American Educational Studies Association Conference, Baltimore, MD
October 2013
Healing in Communities and Universities, Eastern Michigan University
Feb 2014
Black Males and Trauma, Black Young Men in America: Rising above Social and Racial Prejudice, Trauma, and Educational Disparities
May 2014
War, criminal justice and restorative justice, Freedom Dreams Freedom Now conference. University of Illinois at Chicago
November 2017
Reclaiming the West Side, Jane Addams Hull House, University of Illinois of Chicago
Winter 2018
Environmental Racism, Power and Justice in North Lawndale Christian Health Center
December 2019
The School to Prison Pipeline on the West Side, University of Illinois at Chicago
March 2020
Fellowship Talk: Latitude Print Lab, Black Existence and the Lens
June 2018
#Justice, A Black Photography Exhibit, Mana Contemporary (Exhibit and Talk)
February 2018
Black Photo Futures, Museum of Contemporary Art (Talk)
September 2017
Claiming Space Exhibit, Jane Addams Hull House, University of Illinois at Chicago (Solo Exhibit)
January 2019
Between Vision and Principle, Arts Incubator Gallery (Group exhibit)
February 2020
The Joy: The visibility of Black boy childhood, Semicolon bookstore (Solo Exhibit)
2021
Black Stars, November, Black Star Garden, West Garfield Park (Solo Exhibit)
August 2018
USA Today, City Podcast
June 2019
The Chicago Reader, Black Fathers
October 2019
The Chicago Reader, Ode to the Green Line
IN PROGRESS:
Plunder Off 5th Ave
A photo essay that will examine the assault and neglect (by way of environmental racism, school and business closures, and closed public transit stations) of a neighborhood that lies on the border of the North Lawndale/West Garfield Park communities on the west side of Chicago.
Sunsetting the Tre
An archival and photography project that examines gentrification through the transformation of an intersection in the Woodlawn community on the south side of Chicago – 63rd and Woodlawn
Spring 2008-12
Political Education and Cultural Awareness Class, Evening Reporting Center, Youth Outreach Services
Spring 2013
Restorative Justice Expo, Chicago State University and State Attorneys office
Spring 2013
Institute for Youth and Community Engagement: Restoring and Healing Communities Conference (Co-coordinator)
Spring 2013
Radial Healing Workshop, University of Illinois at Chicago: College of Education
Spring 2013
Healing Retreat, Institute for Youth and Community Engagement, Truth ‘n’ Trauma Program, Oregon, IL
Spring 2013
Peace Building and Justice Art Reflective Series, Jane Addams Hull House Museum, University of Illinois at Chicago
July 2013
Radical Love: Intentional Healing in Urban Communities, Free Minds Free People Conference, Chicago, IL
Summer 2013
Black Male Leadership Retreat, University of Illinois at Chicago: College of Education, Coordinator & Facilitator
Feb 2014
Human Rights Week, Bringing Awareness to Human Rights for the Black Diaspora, Chicago State University
April 2014
Healing, Hard work and Hope, Symposium, Chicago State University
Summer 2013, 2014, 2015
Coordinator for Black Male Leadership Retreat, University of Illinois at Chicago: College of Education, Coordinator & Facilitator
Fall/Spring 2014/2015
Youth Driven Restorative practice in East Garfield Park Community, University of Illinois at Chicago’s College of Education/Marshall High School, Chicago Public Schools
Fall, Spring/Summer, 2014/2015
Lead Facilitator: Cities of Peace, Jane Addams Hull House, University of Illinois at Chicago
Summer 2018
The C.U.S.H Project, Sumner Elementary (Community United to Switch-Up the Hood), Lead Coordinator
2017-24
360 Nation Freedom Camp, Lead Coordinator. Partners – Chicago Community Trust, Crossroads Foundation
2017- 2024
360 Nation’s Black Star Garden, Youth land stewardship and agriculture program. Partners – Sustainability Department, University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Education, University of Illinois at Chicago, Crossroads Foundation.
2016-2024
360 Nation’s Leadership Academy, Lead Coordinator. Partners – Chicago Community Trust, Crossroads Foundation, and University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Education and Sumner Community Math and Science Academy
2015-Current
Mutual Aid. - Lil Miracle. Lead Coordinator. Supplies produce and baby supplies for over 15,000 community members. Partners – Reva and David Logan Foundation and Sumner Community Math and Science Academy
2018-2022
Advisory Board committee member, Art Institute of Chicago
2020-Current
5th Ave Archives: West side archival project, Creator and Lead Archivist. Partners - Field Foundation, Sumner Community Math & Science Academy
2021-Current
5th Ave Smokers: Youth culinary arts program, Founder and coordinator. Partners – Chicago Beyond Foundation, Chicago Community Trust and Reva and David Logan Foundation
2009-2011
Social Emotional Counselor/Educator and Group Therapy Facilitator, William R. Harper High School, Chicago Public Schools
2011-2012
Social Emotional Counselor/Educator and Group Therapy Facilitator, Mayo Elementary, Chicago Public Schools
2010-2012
Social Emotional Counselor/Educator and Group therapy facilitator, BAM Program, John Marshall High School, Chicago Public Schools
2012-2014
Truth n Trauma, Institute for youth and community engagement. Chicago State University
2015-2016
360 Nation Leadership Academy, Leif Ericson
2016-2024
360 Nation Leadership Academy, Summer Community Math and Science Academy