Gateway to 8

Dr. Desireè Kelly is the Workforce Strategies and Evaluation Manager at Tennessee Primary Care Association. She has developed mental health resources, mental illness education campaigns, and workplace wellness content to educate over 50,000 adults, teens,  and children.  With 27 years of combined experience as a public health speaker, content developer, and facilitator; she specializes in designing and implementing curricula for various generational cohorts surrounding diverse public health topics, mental health education, and self-care management resources. She holds various certifications in Executive Coaching, Volunteer Management, suicide prevention, and certifies trainers in QPR and YMHFA. Dr. Kelly has a BS from the University of Memphis, a MS from the University of Central Arkansas, and a DrPH in public health advocacy and leadership from Capella University. In 2020, Dr. Kelly was nominated for the Education Award for Nashville 2020 Women Who Rocks. Session: 4/12/2021 Managing Stress in the WorkPlace

Michelle E. Shaw is a PhD candidate in Rhetoric and Public Culture at Northwestern University. She earned her BA in Mass Media Arts from Clark Atlanta University, and while working as a full-time journalist for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, she earned a Master of Divinity degree from the Interdenominational Theological Center. She later earned a Master of Theology degree from Emory University’s Candler School of Theology. Before returning to the classroom to pursue her graduate education, Michelle wrote for several newspapers in the South and Southeast, including The (Nashville) Tennessean and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, over the course of 15 years. As a result of her journalism career, Michelle is passionate about general and interpersonal communication, and particularly helping speakers craft clear, concise messages.  Session: 4/14/2021 Effective Communication Strategies in Viral and in-person Environments

Stacy Davidson is a native of Newport News, Virginia. She graduated from the University of Virginia with a degree in psychology as a first-generation college student.  Not having any idea what she wanted to do after college, she moved to California to “find herself” and figure out what life had in store for her.  After two years of discovery, she was led to her chosen profession in student affairs at Bowling Green State University, where she earned her Master of Arts degree. During her life’s work of 30+ years as a student affairs practitioner, Stacy mentored, advised, and coached countless college students, preparing her to share her wisdom and experience to a wider audience. In her personal life,  her journey is a story of survival and phenomenal will.  Stacy has navigated divorce, cancer, loss of an unborn child, a home, jobs, single parenting a son, dating, and addiction.  Through it all, she has developed and accessed her PHENOMENAL WILL.  Session: 4/12/2021 Phenomenal Will

Nile Harris is a life strategist, business consultant and coach, and Best-Selling Author. Gifted in the art of strategy creation and execution, she works with aspiring entrepreneurs and transitioning professionals to transform their passion and purpose into P.R.O.F.I.T.  In her 20+ years of experience, Nile has worked with Fortune 500 companies, startups, and non-profits in the financial services, life sciences, and education sectors, generating millions in revenue and delivering results by taking action. Her agility fuels her innovation by enabling her to connect dots and apply knowledge across multiple industries. Nile consults and coaches organizations and individuals to clarify vision, craft winning strategies, and execute plans with laser-like precision to realize mission-critical outcomes.  She earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance and a Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Sciences in interpersonal and speech communications in four years from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Following her tenure at world-renowned investment banks, she was admitted to the University of Michigan Business School as a Consortium for Graduate Study in Management Fellow. Subsequently selected as a Broad Center for the Management of School Systems resident, she led strategy for the largest Charter Management Organization in Tennessee, earning her a Master of Education in Education Leadership.  Session: 4/16/2021 The Art of Multitasking and Time Management

Christy Pruitt-Haynes combined her desire to solve problems, strategic thinking and keen self-awareness with degrees in Personnel & Labor Relations and HR Development, and 20 Plus years of corporate and entrepreneurial experience to launch Our Truths, a training provider, speakers bureau and coaching service amplifying Black Women and moving organizations towards excellence and equity. The TEDx Speaker and Nashville Emerging Leader Award recipient has held executive positions at Infiniti Americas/Nissan, CMT, and the Memphis Grizzlies. She’s displayed her expertise in leadership development, diversity, strategic planning and adulting through recent speaking or consulting engagements with Dollar General, Nissan, Vanderbilt, Cable, Montgomery Chamber of Commerce, Auburn University, Tractor Supply Company, the International Conference on Diversity, and many more.  She currently serves on the Advisory Board of Pathway Women’s Business Center and the Speaker Selection committee for TEDxNashville as well as on he board of directors for Women of Color Collaborative and Miriam’s Promise.  Session: 4/9/2021 5 Keys To Excellent Leadership

Jason Luntz is a new media strategist and the founder of UrVoyce, a small business that utilizes the creation of original content, multimedia projects, website design and social networks to help organizations build an online presence. He is currently serving in his second term as the president of the Nashville chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists. Jason is currently the managing editor of the Nashville Voice, an online newspaper that focuses on local urban news. He has also taught as an adjunct professor in the communications department at Tennessee State University. Jason has been actively immersed in social media since 2008 when he began his career writing online for various blogs. This lead him to attend Full Sail University to receive his Master of Arts in New Media Journalism; a program that focused on telling stories by using accessible digital devices. He soon realized that he could leverage his understanding of how to use online tools to tell stories, to help others grow their presence on the internet. This eventually grew into a career that allowed Jason to give small companies and non-profits the same online marketing opportunities as their larger counterparts. Recognized in 2014 as one of Nashville’s Black 40 Under 40 and in 2017 as a Black Chamber of Commerce Rising Star, Jason has continued to focus his work on helping minority owned businesses and organizations. He is a highly sought-after speaker on social media and online branding topics and has presented in front of audiences throughout out Middle Tennessee.  Sessions: 4/19/2021,  4/26/2021, 5 /2/2021 Words Matter The Advantages of Enhancing Your Business Writing Skills, Social Media Branding (The Do's and Don'ts), Mastering Grammar and Proofreading

Dr. Amy Simolo is a faculty development professional and online educator/trainer. Amy has experience teaching and conducting faculty development programming in both online and face-to-face environments. She received her Ed.D. in Teaching and Curriculum from the University of Rochester, and she continues to abide by U of R’s motto: Meliora (“Ever Better”) in both her own teaching, and in her work with faculty. Through her Master’s in Curriculum Development and Instructional Technology, and her previous work as an Instructional Technologist, Amy developed a keen sense for technology’s purpose in education, faculty’s individual capabilities in using technology, and the development of online learning environments. Amy has worked with universities, departments, and individual faculty on pedagogical training, curriculum design (particularly, curriculum mapping and the development/redevelopment of program and course learning outcomes), online course/program development, and, most recently, adjusting to restrictions due to Covid-19. Currently, Amy supports the faculty at the University of Scranton in Northeast Pennsylvania as their Faculty Development Specialist. She is also an adjunct online instructor, teaching graduate level students how to effectively teach online. In her spare time, she can be found hiking, kayaking, or training in canine agility with her dogs, Roxie and Flynn.  Session: 4/20/2021 Workplace and Zoom Etiquette

Theresa Shelton is a native Nashvillian who attended Parochial and Private Schools in Nashville and later attended University of Tennessee, Knoxville to pursue her undergraduate and graduate studies.  Theresa is a Licensed Masters Social Worker, currently working as the Manager of Social work at Centennial Medical Center.  Theresa is also an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and she is an active choir member at Temple Church.  After many, many years as a Social Worker and helping Professional, Theresa decided she needed to add something a little less stressful and more calming into her life so she followed the dream of venturing into the Art of Tea drinking arena, after heavy inspiration from her grandmother who was a gourmet cook.  Theresa always loved the teas brewed by her grandmother and she has always cherished the wonderful memories that were shared with her , hence the birthing of Josie’s Teas as a tribute to the lady that meant so much to her.  Josie’s Teas was established in 2015 , opening first at  Nashville Farmer’s Market.  After three very fulfilling years at the Market another grandmother figure approached Theresa about a brick and mortar situation and Theresa then picked up her bags at the market and moved into a very quaint storefront on Historic Jefferson Street in October 2018.  Teaching about Ancient Chinese tea drinking and selling packaged quality tea leaves has developed into a plan for retirement.  Theresa earned her status as a tea maven after completion of a tea class and months of training about tea. When Theresa is not enjoying her tea passion and working to  better the healthcare profession she spends time with her loving family, consisting of her mother, her two adult male sons and her two wonderful grandchildren.  Of course this enjoyment always comes with a cup of hot tea, sometimes loaded with fun things, sometime loaded with medicinal components.  Tea has become such an essential part of life for Theresa that her grandchildren know that when she sits down , it is time to offer her some tea to drink.   Thanks and let’s now have a teatastic time.  Session: 4/26/2021 It's All About The Teas

Harold Love., Jr. was born in Nashville, TN to the Late Rep. Harold M. Love, Sr. and Mary Y. Love. Love began serving in the TN House of Representatives for the 58th District in 2012. He serves on the following House Committees: Education Administration,  Local Government, K-12 Education Subcommittee, Elections and Campaign Finance Subcommittee. Love is a member of several organizations and boards, including being a 33° Mason and a Shriner, Board Member of the 18th Avenue Family Enrichment Center, Tennessee Second Look Commission, Tennessee Advisory Council on Intergovernmental Affairs, and Omega Psi Phi, Fraternity, Inc. Love was educated in Metro Nashville Public Schools and graduated with Honors from Whites Creek High School in 1990. He received his Bachelor’s in Economics and Finance with a minor in Political Science and a Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration from Tennessee State University, and a Masters degree in Theological Studies from Vanderbilt University School of Divinity. While in undergraduate school, he marched in the Aristocrat of Bands and pledged the Mighty Rho Psi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi, Fraternity, Inc. Love was ordained by the African Methodist Episcopal Church (A.M.E.) Church in 1999 and was assigned to Pastor Hopewell A.M.E. Church in Columbia, TN. From October 2002 to November 2016 he was the Pastor of St. Paul A.M.E. Church in Nashville, TN and in 2015 was also the Presiding Elder of the South Nashville District of the A.M.E. Church. On November 21, 2016, he was appointed Pastor of Lee Chapel A.M.E. Church in Nashville, TN. Love is married to the former Leah Dupree who is an attorney and serves as the Government Affairs Officer at Tennessee State University. The couple resides in North Nashville.  Session: 4/21/2021 Recognizing The Greatness In You

Morris Jamison is Founder and CEO of Pray and Exercise LLC, a company dedicated to the advancement of individuals’ physical and spiritual health. Prior to establishing Pray and Exercise, he was  president and co-founder of Marathon Fitness Company. He is an International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) certified personal trainer with CPR and first aid  certifications. As an ISSA certified personal trainer, he has extensive training experience over the past 15 years. Jamison has worked with the likes of gospel legend BeBe Winans, his very first client whom he travelled with and trained on the road for more than six years. Jamison is a engaging speaker and has made presentations to several notable organizations over the years such as Inroads, Vanderbilt Hospital and, most recently, HCA.  Jamison is a proud graduate of Tennessee State University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, and  is known for his unique ability to educate, motivate, and love his clients all at the same time.  Session: 4/7/2021 Control! Alt! Delete! Getting Rid of Those Carona Pounds

Dr. Jewyl C. Gibson is a native of Baltimore, Maryland and currently resides in Nashville, TN. She was educated in Baltimore City Public Schools and attended the following universities to attain her nursing education: University of North Carolina, Charlotte (BA-Biology), Tennessee State University (BSN and MSN), University of Alabama, Birmingham (Doctorate in Nursing Practice) and a post-graduate certificate from University of Tennessee-Knoxville (Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner). Dr. Gibson has practiced as a board-certified practitioner for over 18 years and has served in multiple specialty settings which include Family Practice, Internal Medicine, Integrative Medicine, Allergy and Asthma, Weight Loss, Geriatric Wellness and Prevention Clinics.  She has also served as an Associate Professor, speaker and nurse leader at Cigna Healthspring and United Healthcare insurance companies. She currently works as a provider at Integrative Health Care as a psychiatric provider and owns her own concierge mental health coaching business. Dr. Jewyl Gibson is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing and the American Psychiatric Nurses Association. She is a compassionate provider that believes in rendering individualized holistic care to patients that takes into consideration the interconnectedness of the mind, body and spirit. She is the wife of Terrence Gibson and mother of one adult son and godson.  Session: 4/23/2021 Your Mind Matters - A Holistic Approach To Optimal Mental Health and Wellness

Andrea L. Tyler, Ph. D is currently the  Interim Associate Director of Title III and Director of HBGI.  Dr Tyler is a researcher, an author, international lecturer, and the PI on several grants. In all that Dr Tyler does, she prides herself on staying on top of the work-life balance. Please join her in the session to learn effective tips on the work-life balance and ways to not get burned out.  Session: 4/22/2021 Don’t Get Burned Out