we rise
2023
an innovative rising star is here...
taking care of your mental health is an act of self-love
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Welcome message
Your attendance demonstrated your commitment to prioritizing mental health awareness and destigmatizing discussions surrounding it. By joining us, you contributed to creating a safe and supportive environment for teens to explore resources, engage in meaningful conversations, and learn valuable coping strategies.
schedule
9 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 9:45 a.m. 10:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. 10:50 a.m. - 11:35 a.m. 11:40 a.m. - 12:25 p.m. 12:30 p.m. - 1:10 p.m. 1:15 p.m. - 2 p.m. 2:15 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Check-In + Breakfast Opening Remarks Keynote Speaker, Dr. Jay Barnett Break Session I Session II Lunch Session III Unplugged with MILLENNIALS
sponsors
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Dr. Jay Barnett
IG: kingjaybarnett Stay Connected
Dr. Jay, an acclaimed author, dynamic speaker, and foremost mental health authority, is driving transformational change in the mental health landscape. Dr. Jay utilizes his impactful storytelling, innovative strategies, and insightful teachings to enlighten and inspire. In his mental health access mission, he focuses on underserved communities and youth development. A former professional football player, Dr. Jay integrates the principles of athletic discipline into his clinical work, fostering a winning mindset. He has appeared on NBC Hoda Jenna, The Breakfast Club, Sherri Shephard, and Black Enterprise Magazine. In 2023, he was the Grand Marshal for the American Psychiatric Association Moore Initiative leads efforts to establish fair access to mental health services. Dr. Jay’s literary contributions are a mirror of his life’s work. His books are heartfelt, enlightening, and deeply rooted in his passion for mental health and youth advocacy. Whether seeking guidance, understanding, or a fresh perspective on mental health, Dr. Jay’s collection caters to a spectrum of readers. From in-depth analysis to relatable anecdotes, there is book for everyone.
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Sir Will Haggins IV
www.sir4ourth.com Stay Connected
As the Senior Event Producer of Sir4ourth Enterprises, Sir Will Haggins IV has the influence, expertise, and innovation to lead his team to create memorable event experiences that exceed client expectations. With his leadership, an event is executed seamlessly and with indefatigable work, class, and positivity. After excelling in corporate America, Will took his gifts to his passion, starting Sir4ourth Enterprises in 2012. From a young age, he watched his mother manage corporate events and knew this was a path for himself: His now past experiences in finance, sales, real estate, and hospitality helped shape the successful event production company. Today, Will continues to grow Sir4ourth Enterprise with his passion, leadership, honesty, and integrity. It’s not uncommon to hear him say, “Where there’s a Will, there’s a way,” and it’s because he intentionally listens to the client’s needs while maintaining positive composure, calm, and problem-solving with ingenuity. While both event planning and execution goes by seamlessly under his watch, it’s because he constantly focuses on the event’s goal with a critical eye on every detail. It’s through this success that he has established connections with an extensive network and is widely sought after for his exceptional skills in budget allocation, negotiations, timeline, and project management. Will is also the President and Creative Director of Doing Our Part Through Educating, Empowering, and Entertaining (DOPE). This nonprofit organization engages its core audience of Black and brown people with topical issues and prevalent information by using entertainers, athletes, and celebrities to draw in and entertain attendees, where motivational speakers and industry leaders can educate and empower attendees. And he has 47 suits.
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Sherry Buckley-Brown
www.sherrybuckley- brownauthor.com Stay Connected
Sherry Buckley Brown is a pioneering life coach, author, and motivational speaker, boldly stepping onto her empowerment platform and extending a global invitation to individuals seeking transformation. With a specialized focus on unlocking potential and overcoming obstacles, Sherry leverages over two decades of corporate leadership experience to guide her clients toward personal and professional fulfillment. As a two-time breast cancer survivor and a beacon of resilience, Sherry’s journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and optimism. Alongside her roles as a wife, aunt, sister, and cherished “Gigi” to her beloved grandchildren, Sherry embraces life with an unwavering spirit of positivity. Drawing from a wealth of personal strength cultivated through overcoming adversity, Sherry embodies the principles of positive psychology and flourishing. This philosophy forms the cornerstone of her coaching approach, empowering individuals to thrive in all aspects of their lives. In addition to her role as a life coach, Sherry is a dedicated advocate for professional development, harnessing her innate talents and firsthand experiences to drive meaningful change in the lives of others. Sherry Buckley Brown currently resides in the vibrant community of Dallas, Texas, with her husband. Her recent literary endeavor, “Who Will Take Care of Me Now?”, offers profound insights into the complexities of trauma and its enduring effects, further solidifying her commitment to inspiring and empowering individuals on their journey towards healing and growth.
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Darion Rose
www.therapeuticrose.com Stay Connected
Darion Rose hails proudly from Fort Worth, Texas, a city steeped in tradition and culture. A distinguished alum of Prairie View A&M University, renowned as one of the premier Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Darion earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, laying the foundation for his journey into the realm of mental health. Driven by a relentless pursuit of knowledge and expertise, Darion furthered his education at Dallas Baptist University, where he obtained his Master’s degree in Counseling. It was here that his passion for understanding and assisting individuals in navigating the complexities of the human mind blossomed into a career path. A proud member of the esteemed Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Darion embodies the principles of service, scholarship, and brotherhood in both his personal and professional life. As a Licensed Professional Counselor, he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his role at the Dallas County Juvenile Department at Youth Village, where he works tirelessly to support and uplift young minds in need. In addition to his public service, Darion operates his own private practice, aptly named Therapeutic Rose Counseling, where he applies his unique approach to therapy. Embracing the motto “I’m not your typical therapist,” Darion strives to create a safe and inclusive space for individuals, couples, and families to explore their innermost thoughts and emotions. In today’s fast-paced society, mental health has become more than just a luxury—it’s a necessity. Darion recognizes the pivotal role that mental well-being plays in individuals’ lives and society as a whole. As a trailblazer in his community, he is honored to be at the forefront of a new paradigm, breaking down barriers and providing access to vital mental health services for generations to come.
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Lontage Woods
FB: newfocusfyc www.newfocusfyc.com Stay Connected
Lontage Woods is a Louisiana native and current Arlington, Texas resident with nearly twenty-five years’ experience working with children and families, from diverse backgrounds as an K-12 educator and youth advocate. Her community involvement includes serving as a Youth Director for faith-based organizations on the local, state, and national level, volunteering at women and children’s shelters advocating against domestic and family violence and serving teens through a public speaking organization she helped co-found in Baton Rouge, La. called Young Voices. Lontage is the owner of a consulting business: New Focus Family and Youth Consultant, which specializes in various areas of family and youth dynamics through empowerment speaking engagements and workshops as well creator of the T.O.R.C.H. Program which stands for Tackling Opposition with Resilience Character and Heart. Lontage’s goal in all she does is to add positivity and hope to individuals so they can be empowered to live out the BEST version of themselves.
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Janice Miller
Janice Miller, Arlana J. Miller Check On Your Strong Friends Foundation Founder and President, Rethinking Strong As the Founder and President of Arlana Janell Miller Check On Your Strong Friends Foundation, Janice has appeared on the Doctor Phil Show, Documentary aired on CBS Sports Network last month for Black History Month, Essence Magazine, Sister to Sister with AARP, numerous interviews to share her story of healing after losing her daughter, Arlana, to suicide while Cheering at Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA. Janice has transferred her pain to advocacy. Janice started with the City of DeSoto the Arlana Miller Annual Walk Out the Stigma for Mental Health Walk the first Saturday in May to bring awareness to mental health in our community. She also started the Arlana Miller $5,000-dollar Cheer Scholarship for any deserving HBCU cheerleader in memory of Arlana. She works with Southern University and also with the Arlana J. Miller Memorial Scholarship. There have been 3 cheerleaders awarded this scholarship in honor of Arlana as of today at Southern. This May will mark the 2nd year anniversary of Arlana’s death. Her mother continues her legacy of letting others know it’s okay to not be okay and to check in on your strong friends.
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David Bellard
IG: David_bellard Stay Connected
David Bellard is an entrepreneur who helps businesses grow their brand online and protect and grow their wealth using insurance. He specializes in developing content strategies to drive organic growth and tailoring coverage plans to clients’ needs. Over the years he has helped clients generate tens of thousands of dollars online and I have worked with Brands such as Chase and ADP. In addition, David co-hosts the highly successful Black Wealth Renaissance Podcast and he organizes events for entrepreneurs & professionals in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
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Reggie Calhoun Jr.
IG: reggiecalhounjr Stay Connected
Reggie Calhoun Jr. stands at the forefront of athlete empowerment and education as the visionary founder of RPA College®. His remarkable journey interweaves extensive athletic achievements, academic distinction, and over a decade of dedicated service in both the Army National Guard and Army Reserve. This unique amalgamation of discipline, resilience, and foresight propels his commitment to nurturing the complete student-athlete, ensuring they excel in sporting arenas and life alike.
Community and Educational Leadership
Reggie’s contributions span innovative education programs, mentorship initiatives, and speaking engagements across prominent institutions, reflecting his mission to bridge the gap between athletic and academic success. His consultancy roles, media features, and public speaking events underscore his expertise in athlete development and his dedication to community engagement.
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Tyran Bolton
www.oneof6.com Stay Connected
I’m Tyran, a lifestyle, wedding, event, and portrait photographer.
Building relationships is a long-term investment. Photography is an extension of me. I thrive with the opportunity to meet new people and build long-lasting relationships. I find my connections in creativity and laughter. So why OneOf6? My brand derives from the connection with my sibling as the oldest of 6. I first picked up a camera in 2003. After 18 years in the Hospitality industry, returning to a career in photography in 2019 was the easiest decision ever. I grabbed my camera and only looked back to see how far I had come.
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Kurtis K.G. Graham
IG: cosignmag www.cosignmag.com Stay Connected
Kurtis K.G. Graham, a Panamanian Dallas-based entrepreneur, wears many hats as a curator, podcaster, and devoted father. With a background in media and marketing, where he served as a marketing representative for various magazines, he recognized a glaring lack of diversity in both print and media content. Faced with the absence of a platform that adequately addressed entrepreneurship, culture, and diversity within and beyond the entertainment realm, he took matters into his own hands. This realization fueled Kurtis’ ambition to create something unique. Thus, he established COSIGN Media and COSIGN Magazine, driven by the vision of connecting creatives through the act of “COSIGNing” or endorsing each other. His deep-seated desire to witness others thrive aligns seamlessly with his unwavering determination to provide a platform for individuals to showcase their talents and abilities. Over the past decade, Kurtis has transformed the COSIGN brand into a formidable force, encompassing a multimedia creative marketing agency complete with a print publication, digital platform, and podcast production studio. Additionally, he has spearheaded multiple event series that have garnered partnerships with renowned brands such as Foot Locker, Nike, Hennessy, Samsung, FX, and more. Kurtis’ expertise has led him to speak at numerous conferences and summits, including the prestigious Southern Glazers Wine & Spirits Multicultural Marketing Symposium.
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Rebecca Werts
IG: rebeccacwerts www.rebeccacwerts.com Stay Connected
Rebecca C. Werts is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Associate (TX) supervised by Dr. Leslie Jones, LPC-S, RPT and Cynthia Thompson, LPC-S, a National Certified Counselor (NCC), and a 4th year Ph.D. student studying Counselor Education at the University of North Texas. With over five years of clinical experience, she provides counseling services to adults, adolescents, and groups within academic, non-profit, community, and private practice settings. Rebecca centers her public speaking, writing, and program development around mental health and education. She is specifically passionate about mental health and wellness for Black/African American communities. Her areas of focus and experiences include grief/loss, anxiety, body image, self-esteem, relational dynamics, faith and mental health, domestic violence, and various forms of trauma. A Denver, CO native, Rebecca now resides in the Dallas, TX area. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking, writing, spending time in nature, listening to podcasts, and content creation.
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Kai Michelle
IG: MsKaiMichelle www.MsKaiMichelle.com Stay Connected
Ms. Kai Michelle is a vibrant and confident plus-size fashion and lifestyle influencer based in Dallas, Texas. With a flair for all things stylish and a passion for body positivity, she is a sought-after influencer in the industry. Ms. Kai Michelle is driven by a mission to break stereotypes and promote inclusivity, sharing fashion tips, body confidence advice, and lifestyle inspiration through her social media platforms. Her relatable and empowering content empowers her audience to love themselves and feel confident in their own skin. In addition to her work in fashion and lifestyle, Ms. Kai Michelle is also an experienced Public Health professional with an emphasis on sexual health education and training. She is the founder of The Good Sex Blog, aimed at educating about the importance of STD & STI awareness, human sexuality, combating sexual assault, supporting victims of sex crimes, and sex-positive issues within the Black community. She creates a safe space for adolescents and young adults to discuss their curiosity and the importance of safe sex. Ms. Kai Michelle’s dedication to education extends to groups of parents and young people, where she provides a sexual health curriculum to middle and high school youth. Her commitment to community education is further exemplified by her involvement in projects like the World AIDS Day event with her sorority, Sigma Gamma Rho, and their national Project CRADLE Care, which seeks to improve pregnancy outcomes in high-risk communities by increasing access to prenatal education and care. Ms Kai Michelle also spearheads 2 annual community service initiatives Panty Dropper, where the community donates new underwear for women and children to be donated to local women & children shelters, and Project Period where her organization accepts donations of all items needed for women and teens for her menstrual cycle and donates them to local high schools. Join Ms. Kai Michelle on a journey of fashion-forward empowerment as she spreads the message of self-love and acceptance.
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