top of page
2017-08-22 06.21_edited.png

EXPERIENCE

  • 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

    • Youth/Adult Partnership​​​​

    • Psychology

    • Human Development 

    • ​​​​​Representational Art

    • Trauma and Restorative informed practices 

    • Creativity/Imagination

    • Black/Youth Popular Culture ​​Identity Exploration/Formation

    • Youth Development​​​​ 

    • Sociology           

    • Urban Planning​​     

    • Black Male Development

    • School/Community Relationships

    • ​​​Photography

    • Mentorship ​​​​​​Intergroup Dialogue

    • Critical/Intergroup Dialogue​​​​

    • Critical Race Theory

    • Adolescent Mental Health​​​​

    • Social Work​​​

  • 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:

    • It’s messy as hell: The nuance and complexities in cultivating an environment of liberation in a neighborhood school

    • We a family: Youth reflections of their involvement in an out of school program. 

  • 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

CONTACT

bottom of page