Our Keynote Speaker
Meredith Anderson, Ph.D., is a distinguished leader in advancing education for African American students, serving as the Director of K-12 Research at UNCF. Her work focuses on addressing systemic inequities in education and expanding opportunities for Black students, uplifting the voices of the Black community in education, and expanding HBCU awareness in schools and communities.
With extensive expertise in data analysis, Dr. Anderson has contributed to the development of teacher evaluation systems and longitudinal student tracking in Maryland and published several reports. Dr. Anderson has also taught courses at American University and Georgetown University. Meredith has presented her research to policymakers, mayors, practitioners, and researchers at various conferences and convenings throughout the country. A highly respected researcher and educator, she holds a doctorate in political science from Texas A&M University, where she also completed her undergraduate studies. She resides in Washington, D.C. with her husband and two children.
Founder & Host of the National Black Parenting Conference
Janice Robinson-Celeste, MBA, is the founder of Successful Black Parenting Magazine, a multi-award-winning publication dedicated to supporting Black families. With a degree in early childhood education and an MBA, Janice has expertise in early childhood education, nonprofit leadership, and media. She is an author, including of Miles Stuffy Nose, winner of the Gold Seal, Moms Choice Award, and the executive producer of Ethnic Animations. As the host of the syndicated podcast BACKTALK, Janice advocates for Black children and families. She is also the founder of the National Black Parenting Conference. Janice has presented at the National Parenting Conference at Disney and the National Black Child Development Conference. She resides in Atlanta, where she continues to uplift her community.
Panelist: Self-Care Isn’t Selfish
Katrina Hayes is a passionate Autism Advocate, author, coach, and speaker dedicated to sharing inspiring stories that foster understanding and inclusivity. As a proud mother and sister of individuals with autism, she enthusiastically promotes awareness and acceptance. A certified Mental Health First Aid Instructor, Katrina holds a B.S. in Biology and an M.S. in Medical Biology, combining her scientific background with advocacy. Recognized as Girls Inc. of NYC’s Volunteer of the Year in 2011 and a 2022 Top 100 Mental Health Advocate nominee for the Boris L. Henson Foundation’s Joy Awards, she empowers others through her work. In her self-care talks, Katrina emphasizes nurturing oneself as a foundation for caring for others, inspiring her audience to prioritize their well-being.
Panelist: Self-Care Isn’t Selfish
Brandi Barnett is a USAF veteran and professional school counselor, born and raised in Macon, Georgia, and currently residing in Dallas, Texas. She continues to embody “service before self” by educating others on the importance of social-emotional development and mental well-being. During the pandemic, she authored three books: Ryder the Biter, Wishing on a Star, and And, You Noah.
Panelist: Self-Care Isn’t Selfish
Dominiece Clifton is a Clarity Coach and Business Strategist on a mission to empower 1,000 women entrepreneurs and non-profit founders. Through her 90-day business coaching program, Transformation YOUniversity, she helps women gain the clarity and confidence they need to birth their visions and grow their organizations. Dom helps women gain clarity on six core pillars, including discovering their ideal clients, crafting authentic messaging, and creating an aligned business strategy. Founder of Move And Still, she also offers stress reduction and mindfulness services to organizations. Passionate about storytelling, Dominiece hosts The School of Healing podcast, authored Hold Space to Heal, and finds her greatest joy as a proud mom to Yara and Zuri.
Panelist: Self-Care Isn’t Selfish
Deedee Cummings is a professional dreamer, author, therapist, attorney, and mom from Louisville, Kentucky. Her books focus on hope, diversity, social justice, and therapeutic skills for all ages. Featured in outlets like HuffPost, Forbes, and NPR, Deedee is also the founder of Make A Way Media and The Louisville Book Festival. She believes literacy is a fundamental human right and that it’s never too late to begin again. After struggling to find diverse stories for her children, she founded Make A Way Media in 2014.
Panelist: Raising Black Children To Thrive
Dr. Riana Elyse Anderson, PhD, LCP is an Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan School of Public Health. Her scholarship addresses culturally specific parenting practices to reduce race-related stress in families. She strives to improve psychological outcomes for Black youth through culturally and contextually affirming parenting programs focused on racism and discrimination.
Panelist: Raising Black Children To Thrive
Jacqueline Douge is a writer, speaker, and pediatrician. She’s an in-demand speaker on the topic of racism and children’s health and has been featured in several media outlets (e.g. CNN, NPR, NY Times, Washington Post, and Today Show). She is the founder and CEO of a media company, What is Black, LLC, and co-author of the AAP Policy Statement, The Impact of Racism on Child and Adolescent Health.
Speaker: Raising Black Children To Thrive
Larry Adams is a powerhouse digital marketing and content and media veteran. He is an expert in DEI in media, content, and streaming. He is the former SVP and head of digital strategy for AT&T and WarnerMedia, where he helped design and develop HBO Max and launched DIRECTV NOW. More recently, he served as Sr. Advisor for the Bloomberg 2020 presidential campaign. Larry is also the founder and CEO of XStereotype, the world’s first inclusion OS, and BLKFAM, the first and only family-friendly streaming service for Black American kids and families.
Speaker: Not Our Parents’ Parenting
Dr. Marie Flore Stamps is an expert educator committed to creating high-quality, inclusive settings for young children, particularly within marginalized communities. With over 25 years in New York City’s education system, Marie holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership, a dual Master’s in Elementary and Special Education, and a Master’s in School Leadership. Currently, she serves as Program Director of Queens County Educators for Tomorrow, Educational Consultant at The Cooke Institute, and adjunct faculty at Brooklyn College. Through her business, Stamp of Approval Development Services, Marie is a passionate parent coach dedicated to empowering families, promoting equity in education, and illuminating Black and Brown folks’ brilliance. She is a proud wife and mother of three to Marissa, Marcus, and Mari.
Panelist: Raising Neurodiverse Black Children
Esther Dillard is a 2024 recipient of The Gracies Award for her exceptional reporting in the news feature entitled: “Black, Autistic and Safe” with iHeartMedia. She is also the author of the book, Raising an Autistic Young Adult.” With a rich background that spans authorship, journalism, podcast hosting, and public speaking, Esther has established herself as a multifaceted expert in communication and storytelling. You can catch her on the 24-hour news radio source: The Black Information Network. And she hosts her own podcast segment called: The Color Between the Lines where she interviews authors of color who have new book releases.
Panelist: Raising Neurodiverse Black Children
Jamiyl Samuels is an author, public speaker, and creative writer with over 25 years of experience. He began his college career as a Theater major at Morgan State University, but ultimately graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in English and a Master’s degree in Media Arts, with a concentration in screenwriting from Long Island University in Brooklyn, New York.
He has contributed creative copy to entertainment magazines, blogs, and websites, and moderated live online forums with Black Fathers about autism and Black fatherhood in support of his book “Speak II Me: A Black Father’s Journey Raising a Son on the Autism Spectrum.
He is the co-founder of The Amazingly Sensational Kids Media LLC, a company that fosters growth, creativity, and education through informed content, as well as the founder of W.R.E.a.C. (pronounced wreak) Havoc Enterprises.
Panelist: Raising Neurodiverse Black Children
Tracy-Ann Samuels began her college career studying Psychology at Brooklyn College before transferring to Rutgers University Camden campus, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She received her Master’s degree in Social Work from New York University. Her 26 years of social work experience provides vital research and information regarding material dealing with special needs children, families, and more. She is the co-founder and chief operating officer of The Amazingly Sensational Kids Media LLC.
Her ultimate goal is to raise awareness about Autism and other developmental disabilities, to assist at-risk children and their families, and ultimately make an impact in impoverished communities around the world through her nonprofit “A Humble Work, Incorporated