Meet Our 2021 Presenters
Dr. Camille Adams Jones, LMSW, CEAP, PMP
Dr. Camille Adams Jones, is a recognized psychotherapist in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Dr. Jones earned her doctoral degree from the University of Southern California where she focused on family dynamics and trends with a special emphasis on Divorce Trauma in school aged youth. This author and organizational behavior scientist oversees a flagship Federal Occupational Health and Work/life balance program where she has become a standout corporate cultural transformation advisor and advocate for wellness in the workplace via Employee Assistance Programming. Dr. Jones is also a celebrated private practitioner for couples, hosting relationship restoration retreats and family rebuilding symposiums. Lastly, she works as a Parent Coordinator and Custody Evaluator in partnership with Washington, DC and the state of Maryland court systems
Dr. Roz Aker-Black, PsyD
Roselyn V. Aker- Black, Psy.D (affectionately known as Dr. Roz) is a native of Rome, Georgia and currently resides in the Washington, DC metro area. Dr. Roz is an award- winning psychologist and has over 14 years of experience in providing psychological services to children, families, and couples in the nonprofit, government, and private industry sectors. She also serves as a psychology professor at local universities in the DC area training the next generation of clinical and forensic psychologists. Dr. Roz’s media experience includes psychological consults with the Anderson Cooper Talk Show, the OWN’s Network docuseries Unfaithful, Huffington Post, Fox5DC, NBC4 and a regular guest appearance on Howard University’s WHUR 96.3 as a relationship expert. Dr. Roz is the Series Psychologist on TV One’s limited series, “For My Woman” and the host of the Dr. Roz Show podcast. She is a sought-out keynote speaker, commencement speaker, and advice columnist for her advice on practical relationship functioning, Human trafficking, Intimate Partner Violence, and Organizational Behavior and Management. Dr. Roz is also a TEDx speaker and presented the topic, “Surviving Betrayal” at the TEDx U Street Women’s Conference 2019.
Dr. Wendy Thelese Talley, LCSW
Dr. Wendy Thelese Talley, LCSW-C has worked in the mental health field for the last 20 years supporting the Los Angeles, CA community with an array of wellness needs. She uses her expertise in behavioral health to help people live out their destiny on purpose. Dr. Talley obtained her Doctorate of Social Work degree from the University of Southern California with a special emphasis on Intimate Partner Violence prevention. As private practitioner, Dr. Talley operates Thelese Consulting Group, LLC in West Los Angeles, CA. She is also a sought-out consultant working as the onsite clinician for SONY Pictures Entertainment in Culver City, CA, where she provides EAP services, staff development workshops, and leadership consulting. As a Corporate Wellness Consultant, she can be found speaking, coaching, and mentoring entrepreneurs to develop effective SMART Goals and SMART Time Management skills to achieve the success they so desire. She is also the author of SMART Goal-... Time Management Workbook and My Healing Journal which can be found on Amazon.
Dr. Jason Lester
Dr. Jason Lester identifies himself as a “Proud Social Worker” who has made a career and clinical practice of improving the lives of humans in general. Specifically, he focuses on social justice, ending family violence and supporting our unhoused community members. He is currently the Director of Family Support Services for the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless where he has championed a number of grassroots campaigns to uplift and enrich the circumstances and well-being of the underserved. A seasoned clinician that uses his platform to promote empowerment and collaboration to overturn the worst of societal ills, Dr. Lester is mentor and renown community activist in the heart of Colorado. In his spare time he dedicates his time to several civic action based organizations to help advance his immediate community of Southeast Aurora, Colorado.
Dr. Adijat Ogunyemi, DSW, LMSW-C
Dr. Adijat Ogunyemi, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Adjunct Faculty, Speaker, and Social Innovator. For over a decade, she has worked with individuals, families, and communities to improve their level of functioning and quality of life. Dr. Ogunyemi received her Doctor of Social Work degree from the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, her Master, and Bachelor of Social Work degrees from Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan.
Dr. Crystal McLeod, LCSW, BCD
As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I have over 13 years of active duty military experience working within the Mental Health profession, including work in family violence and substance use. My clinical expertise and depth focuses on trauma, grief, depression, anxiety, and increasing your ability to take care of yourself mentally, spiritually and physically. In addition, I work with women in positions of leadership who are attempting to thrive in their work as well as their home life.
Colette Brooks, LPC, NCC, CCTP, TFT-ALGO
Colette Brooks is a Licensed Professional Counselor, board-certified psychotherapist, and Business Coach. She holds a Masters in Education and Human Resources Develop, a second Masters in Clinical Mental Health, and a BS in Business Administration. She is a Doctoral Candidate in Clinical Education and Supervision at the University of the Cumberlands and her dissertation topic is focused on clinically responsive teaching and supervision in counselor education. Her goal is to identify ways to take the profession from awareness of diversity and multicultural issues to training therapists on how to implement practices to better support diverse clients. Her passion is with the development of future therapists and helping clinicians of color open successful practices. Prior to becoming a therapist, Ms. Brooks served in the corporate arena as a chief human resources executive where she led large teams and processes for fortune 500 companies in the US and abroad. She is the owner of Visions in Action LLC; The HR Division LLC and will launch The Therapist Mentor in the summer of 2021.
Nicole L. Turner, The Culture Pro
Nicole has transformed many organizations, in various industries which has all contributed to her subject matter expertise of navigating change by creating people-centered organizational cultures. Her clients have seen a higher level of productivity, employee engagement, morale, inclusiveness and belonging, customer satisfaction, and an increase in profits. Nicole is known as The Culture Pro™ because she is able to transform organizations by assessing the culture, diagnosing problems, and implementing a variety of interventions designed to drive tangible actions. Nicole L. Turner holds graduate degrees in Education and Business, has a graduate certificate in Diversity Studies, and is a certified Human Capital Strategist, Strategic HR Business Partner, and a Prosci-certified Change Manager, and an Executive Coach. Nicole is also a Diversity Value Index Judge. As a judge, Nicole uses defined metrics and benchmarks to assess how organizations are implementing Diversity and Inclusion programs and leveraging those programs to create business impact.
Dr. Princess Currence
Dr. Princess Currence has 15+ years of experience in building successful DEI recruitment, talent/student development programs from the ground up wherein she has assisted 1000s of diverse students to gain admission and graduate from top-tier higher education institutions. She is a DEI educator of anti-racism pedagogy, health equity, social justice leadership, and Intergroup dialogues pedagogy. Her deep bench knowledge of system-thinking, social justice education, and business optimization allows her to develop customized strategies that help organizations and individuals accelerate their goals. She is the lead author of the Association of American Medical College’s (AAMC) Holistic Student Affairs Model, which aims to extend to holistic admissions approaches. A recognized thought leader, she serves on several local and national boards and speaks nationally on a wide array of diversity of inclusion issues. Dr. Currence is currently the Director of Curriculum & Education at Rush Medical College at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago IL , Managing Partner/Co-Founder of Currence Solutions, LLC a business solutions consulting firm, and CEO/Founder of SuccessDx(TM) a mentorship, career development, and wellness digital platform for aspiring black physicians.
Tariiq Omari Walton
Tariiq Omari Walton is a Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist (LCMFT), lecturer, author, and radio/television personality. His private practice, Insight Marriage and Family Therapists, is based in Largo, Maryland. A graduate of the Couple and Family Therapy program at the University of Maryland – College Park, Tariiq primarily works with couples and individual adults, specializing in mindfulness, communication, intimacy, resiliency, emotional awareness, and problem solving.
Dr. Kathleen I. Sarmiento
Dr. Kathleen Sarmiento obtained her Doctorate in Social Work at the University of Southern California. Dr. Sarmiento currently works for RUSD as a licensed mental health clinician and focuses on ensuring healthy development for all youth. Dr. Sarmiento is also a co-chair for the Riverside County Suicide Prevention Coalition. She has been passionately working in the Mental Health field for over 10 years now. She has extensive experience working with at-risk adolescents, couples, and families, crisis intervention, LGBTQ youth, and trauma. Dr. Sarmiento created and oversees a Peer Counseling program called S.U.P.E.R. Peer Counseling Program© . This program was created as a school-based program designed to empower youth to help and support their fellow classmates. It is aimed at decreasing suicide attempts and deaths, decreasing the stigma around mental illness within the education system, as well as creating a culture of connectedness on campus.
Dr. Deborah Villanueva
Dr. Deborah Villanueva is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker practicing in Southern California. She currently works with Native American, Alaskan Native, and Indigenous Latin American Families- their children, and young adults- using an eclectic, culturally sensitive approach tailored to the unique needs of each client she serves. Dr. Villanueva has over 15 years of experience in a variety of settings and with diverse clients, including both long-term and brief interventions, with various areas of expertise within child and adolescent Psychotherapy addressing depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. She received her Doctorate degree in Social Work from the University of Southern California. Dr. Villanueva is the CEO of The Rising Spirits Program ™ a non-profit organization, committed to bridging the gap, in the reintegration and wellbeing of Native Youth within Los Angeles County. She is the Co-Founder of a For-Profit Organization- Cafecito Con Las Doctoras™ An organization that focuses on exemplifying the power of Hispanic, Latinas, and Latinx women- in representing their communities, families, higher education, and their place within the working force. Dr. Villanueva currently serves in the role of Assistant Region-I Director for the National Association of Social Workers NASW- California Chapter.
Dr. Michelle Fernández Gabilondo
Dr. Michelle Fernández Gabilondo, DSW, MSW is macro-level social worker and instructional designer interested in mental health justice, health equity, and victim services. In her current role, she serves as the Senior Training Specialist at the Association of Clinicians for the Underserved (ACU) working at the STAR² Center in health center workforce retention and recruitment training. Dr. Fernández Gabilondo has over seven years of training development and management experience and previously worked at the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) and the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN). As a social worker, she focuses on advocating for medically underserved populations and survivors of sexual trauma. Dr. Fernández Gabilondo is also the Co-Founder for Cafecito Con Las Doctoras™ an organization aimed at elevating the voices of Hispanic/Latina/Latinx women. She earned her Doctor of Social Work and Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California (USC) and holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications from New York University (NYU).
Dr. Simone Walton
International Social Strategist, Social Work Unicorn, Therapist, Founder and Visionary, Dr. Simone Walton, is also a dynamic trainer and guest lecturer with wide and varied professional experiences. Her training as a paralegal and international counselor, as well as extensive work in international humanitarian organizations, stretches her talent in cultural humility and service delivery. Having lived on every continent except Antarctica, Dr. Walton is uniquely placed to function in her role as a therapist and social strategist within the international humanitarian sector. As visionary and founder of Core Issues, Dr. Walton works with individuals, as well as within communities and organizations, to develop applied solutions to large-scale social challenges affecting vulnerable and marginalized populations.
Sydney Love Wilson, MSW, C-CBE (BADT)
Sydney Wilson is a Social Worker, Doula and Certified Childbirth Educator. Prior to birth work her professional background consists of youth development, community organizing, advocacy, parent education and reproductive health work. She received a Master’s in Social Work (MSW) from Howard University and a BSW from Arizona State University. Her passion for birth work was sparked shortly after giving birth to my daughter and experiencing first-hand how powerful and impactful a strong support system, preparation and education can be for the birth and postpartum experience. A lifelong passion for youth work collided with a love for birth, allowing Sydney’s focus to seamlessly shift from comprehensive sexual health education to also include reproductive health and birth justice. Sydney is recognized as a National Black Doula Association Ambassador, member of the Young + Black and Birthy collaborative and a member of the Phi Alpha Social Work Honor Society – Eta Eta Chapter.
Chantee Christian
Chantée Christian, CEO of My Best SHIFT, is a 2021 Northern Virginia 40 under 40 honoree. Chantée is an Amazon International Best-Selling Author. She is transformational management consultant with nearly two decades of experience in Program/Project Management, Organizational Change Management, and Strategic Planning. As a certified facilitator, Chantée has developed and delivered various forms of training and engagements for a wide range of multi-leveled staff and senior officials. With her experience and skills, Chantée created My Best SHIFT, which empowered her to present an innovative and distinct perspective to advocacy, learning and development, leadership development, organizational change management, organization development, and program/project management. Leading by example, executing with integrity, and implementing their values in all aspects of life. My Best SHIFT strives to be relatable and walk it like they talk it! The latest addition to what Chantée dubs as her credential alphabet soup is her Strategic Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Certificate from Georgetown University. This program gave her the opportunity to work with a Fortune 500 company to create an innovative DEI terminology-based training module that focused on Evolving DEI Language and Having Difficult Conversations Surrounding Race.
Kyira A. Harris
Kyira A. Harris is a certified Health and Nutrition Consultant who has helped hundreds fall in love with food that powers a vibrant life. As CEO of Keys to Abundant Life Inc., she and her team of award-winning chefs teach the connection between nutrition and its effects on the mind, body and spirit through healthy culinary classes and health and wellness workshops for all ages. Kyira’s journey in health and wellness began at the age of two, when she was diagnosed with moderate hearing loss, and was piqued by the work of her naturopathic doctor and her curiosity between her clients and their delayed abilities to communicate. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree from Hampton University, Master of Arts degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and eventually a certification from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, which led her to start Keys to Abundant Life Inc. (Keys).
Since its inception in 2005, Keys has grown exponentially addressing the whole body with nutrition, enrichment activities, physical fitness activities, and academics for more than 5,000 students and their families. Without good health, every area of your life suffers. Get healthy with the Keys to Abundant Life!
Dr. Joni J. Johnson, MD, NBC-HWC
Joni Johnson, MD is a Pediatrician and National Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach with over 12 years of clinical experience exclusively supporting individuals with ADHD, autism, learning disabilities, mood disorders and behavior problems. Dr. Joni is also a retired Army Colonel, disabled veteran, author, public speaker, entrepreneur and an individual with Dyslexia and a Visual Convergence Insufficiency. As the founder of UnCharted Territory LLC, Dr. Joni serves as a Health Consultant and Empowerment Strategist working with individuals seeking to discover underlying causes for difficulties in home, work, school, and social environments. She provides a roadmap for navigating support services and overcoming obstacles related to treatment plan adherence. Additionally, Dr. Joni’s coaching practice focuses on three areas of health and wellness which include Empowerment, Balance, and Inclusion.
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Dr. Joni received her B.S. in Mechanical Engineering Management from the United States Military Academy at West Point and her M.D. from Albert Einstein College of Medicine. She has received the Executive Certificate in Health and Wellness Coaching and the Executive Certificate in Strategic Diversity and Inclusion Management both from Georgetown University.
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Dr. Joni’s mission is to help you become empowered by your struggles as she has been empowered by her own.
Bunmi A. Oyelade
Bunmi (Boo-me) Hannah Lovee is a pioneering fempreneur, business operations expert, and champion of female self-defense. In addition to serving as the founder of the workflow solutions company OAO Solutions and as a credit union member experience director, she is a certified (R.A.D) Rape Aggression Women's Self Defense Instructor who founded Glamazon in Defense, a company that teaches women the art of self-defense.
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Through her company, Bunmi teaches women deployable self-defense tactics and survival skills to protect themselves in a world full of threats. Her company offers a variety of personal safety packages, workshops, home parties and full self-defense courses. As part of this work, she also developed a mobile app called Glam Defense that provides tips and tools to reduce the odds of violent crime against women, with advocacy by life chat, the ability to locate and book virtual and in-person self-defense classes, daily safety tip alerts, how-to videos, and much more. She also partners with the Black and Missing Foundation to brings the tools and techniques of self-defense to
the community. Her partnership with Black and Missing will be featured on an upcoming HBO segment in 2021.