Thomas Adams – Chairperson, DWIHN
As a native Detroiter and graduate of Tuskegee University, Thomas Adams is the President and Founder of Detroit based TJA Staffing Services (TJAS), a full-service Human Resources and Management Consulting firm, which specializes in executive search, and corporate training on both a local and national level. Earlier in his career, Adams was appointed the Administrative Manager of Cardiovascular Medicine for Henry Ford Hospital, and he led the rewriting of the State of Michigan’s nursing home rules. He was recruited by Harper Associates, an Executive Search Firm, to establish and direct the HMO department. He is currently a member of the National Baptist Convention and heads the Deacon’s Ministry at Third New Hope Baptist Church.
Tom is affiliated with more than twenty (20) community, civic and business organizations, was recognized in 2011 as one of Detroit’s “Men of Excellence,” by the Michigan Chronicle and serves as the President of the Chance for Life Organization, a prison-based transformational program that earned him the 2009 Dahlberg Peace Award for the incomparable services he and his team have provided to the Michigan Department of Corrections for more than 20 years.
Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony – President, NAACP – Detroit Chapter; Pastor, Fellowship Chapel
Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony serves as the President of the NAACP Detroit Chapter and is the Pastor of Fellowship Chapel. With a steadfast commitment to social justice and community empowerment, Rev. Dr. Anthony has been a prominent leader in Detroit’s civil rights movement. His work focuses on advancing equality, advocating for economic and educational opportunities, and fostering unity within diverse communities. As a pastor, he provides spiritual guidance and support, emphasizing faith-based initiatives that promote healing and progress. Throughout his career, Rev. Dr. Anthony has demonstrated unwavering dedication to uplifting Detroit’s residents and addressing systemic challenges through leadership, activism, and service.
Dr. Reginald Best – Vice President of Institutional Advancement at Henry Ford College and Chief Executive Officer Henry Ford College Foundation
Dr. Best has devoted his professional life to education. He began his career at Rochester as an admissions recruiter. He went on to work in Institutional Advancement at the Wayne State University School of Social Work and College of Lifelong Learning, the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business, the Eastern Michigan University Foundation, and Schoolcraft College.
He joined HFC in 2013, where he leads Institutional Advancement, which comprises fundraising, alumni relations, scholarships, grants, corporate and foundation relations, and the Detroit Promise. He also works with the HFC Foundation’s Board of Directors and stewards the Foundation’s endowment.
Arthur Blackwell – Founder and CEO, M&M Advisory Group; Chairman, Intergovernmental Affairs Committee, Church of God in Christ; Radio Host, The Art of Politics
Arthur Blackwell is a distinguished leader, entrepreneur, and public servant with more than four decades of experience spanning government, business, and community development. He currently serves as Chairman of the Intergovernmental Affairs Committee for the Church of God in Christ (COGIC), where he collaborates with federal and philanthropic entities to advance faith-based initiatives and secure millions in grant funding for underserved communities.
As Founder and CEO of M & M Advisory Group, Mr. Blackwell provides strategic counsel to government officials, business leaders, and civic organizations nationwide. His extensive background includes serving as Emergency Financial Manager for the City of Highland Park, where he successfully eliminated $16 million in structural debt and restored the city’s financial stability.
A seasoned broadcaster, Mr. Blackwell hosts The Art of Politics on WGPR 107.5 FM, engaging over 150,000 weekly listeners in thought-provoking discussions on politics, business, and community affairs. Throughout his career, he has held leadership roles with the Wayne County Commission, Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority, and Greektown Casino, earning recognition for his vision, innovation, and commitment to public service.
Dr. Andre Johnson – Founder, President, CEO, Detroit Recovery Project Inc.
A native Detroiter, Dr. Johnson has consulted with global leaders, including the White House, on preventing AIDS abroad and was appointed by Kathleen Sebelius, former U.S. Secretary of Health Human Services, to serve a three-year term (2015-2018) as a National Advisory Council member for the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment/Substance Abuse Mental Health Service Administration. He was recognized by President Barack Obama as the “2016 Champion of Change for Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery” at the White House. Dr. Johnson has also taught Addiction Studies and Mental Health classes at Wayne County Community College District. In 2023, Dr. Johnson was appointed by U.S Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use Dr. Miriam E Delphin-Rittmon to serve as a member of the SAMHSA National Advisory Council.
Chaz Lanier – Detroit Pistons Shooting Guard
Chaz Lanier is a shooting guard for the Detroit Pistons, who was drafted in the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft. The 6’4” guard played his final collegiate season at the University of Tennessee, where he earned First Team All-SEC honors and the Jerry West Award as the nation’s top shooting guard. Lanier is known for his elite shooting ability, his winning mentality, and his strong mindset towards success.
Dr. Carmen McIntyre Leon – Assistant Professor and Associate Chair of Community Affairs, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University
A 1990 graduate of the WSU School of Medicine, Dr. McIntyre Leon joined the faculty in 2014. The Chief Medical Officer of the Michigan Department of Corrections, she is a member of the American Medical Association, the American Psychiatric Association, the Michigan Medical Association, the Michigan Psychiatric Society (president), the Oakland County Medical Association, the American Correctional Association and the National Commission on Correctional Health Care. She has served as Chief Medical Director for the Detroit Wayne Mental Health Authority, Southwest Counseling Solutions, Community Network Services, the St. Joseph Mercy Network and Boniface Human Services. Dr. McIntyre Leon also serves as the Human Services Collaborative Committee co-chair for the Steering Committee for Wayne County Providers of Services to Children, Youth and Families.
In 2020, she received the Exemplary Psychiatrist Award from the National Alliance on Mental Illness. She was named a Crain’s Health Care Hero for advancements in health care and received the Excellence in Mental Health First Aid Community Impact Award from the national Council for Behavioral Health, was named to the Class of 2015 Women of Excellence by The Michigan Chronicle and received the David J. Olen Award from the Mental Illness Research Association.
Shaka Senghor – Resilience Expert,
Best-selling Author, Speaker
Shaka Senghor is a globally recognized resilience expert, bestselling author, and transformative thought leader whose journey from incarceration to inspiration has empowered executives, entrepreneurs, elite athletes, and audiences around the world. Born in Detroit amid economic hardship, Shaka overcame immense adversity—including 19 years in prison—to become a leading authority on resilience, grit, and personal transformation.
Since his release in 2010, Shaka has guided individuals and organizations to break free from their hidden emotional and psychological prisons, turning resilience from theory into actionable practice. As President and Creative Director of Shaka Senghor, Inc., and former Vice President of Corporate Communications at Navan (TripActions), he has advised and inspired leaders at global organizations including Apple, Google, Meta, Airbnb, Clio, Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), and Slauson & Co.
Shaka’s acclaimed memoir, Writing My Wrongs: Life, Death, and Redemption in an American Prison, became a New York Times bestseller, followed by Letters to the Sons of Society, a twotime Porchlight bestseller. His forthcoming book, How to Be Free: A Proven Guide to Escaping Life's Hidden Prisons, offers powerful insights into achieving true freedom and personal success. His inspiring TED Talk has reached over 1.8 million viewers, further cementing his reputation as a dynamic communicator.
A sought-after speaker at universities, conferences, and summits worldwide, Shaka has received numerous honors, including Oprah Winfrey’s SuperSoul 100, Ebony Magazine’s Power 100, and the NAACP’s Great Expectations Award. His message resonates deeply with those committed to overcoming obstacles, unlocking potential, and achieving extraordinary results.
Bankole Thompson – Founder & Dean, The PuLSE Institute;
Opinion Columnist, The Detroit News
Bankole Thompson is an acclaimed journalist and the current Dean and Editor-in-Chief at The PuLSE Institute. With years of experience in investigative reporting and media leadership, Thompson has earned a reputation for his commitment to journalistic integrity and innovative storytelling. Under his guidance, The PuLSE Institute has become a leading platform for emerging voices in journalism, fostering a new generation of reporters dedicated to truth and social impact. Thompson's work has been recognized with numerous awards, reflecting his dedication to excellence and community engagement in the field of journalism.
Dr. Nikolai Vitti – DPSCD Superintendent
Dr. Nikolai Vitti was appointed as Superintendent of Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) in 2017. Dr. Vitti is now the second-longest serving Superintendent in the history of DPS/DPSCD. In strong partnership with the School Board, Dr. Vitti has rebuilt the school district after two decades of disinvestment under state-controlled Emergency Management and was most recently named National Urban School District Superintendent of the Year in 2022.
Through the leadership of the Superintendent, DPSCD has emerged as one of the most improved school districts in the country post-pandemic in literacy and mathematics. The Superintendent also serves as a mentor for several aspiring urban superintendents and frequently hosts district leadership teams throughout the country to understand the systems and processes his team has created and implemented to rebuild the district. Before arriving in Detroit, Dr. Vitti led Duval County Public Schools (DCPS), the 20th largest school district in the nation with approximately 130,000 enrolled students in 200 schools, and a fiscal budget of $1.7 billion. Dr. Vitti was previously Chief Academic Officer of Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Assistant Superintendent for the Miami-Dade school district, and Deputy Chancellor at the Florida Department of Education. He also served children as a Principal, Dean of Students, and teacher.
James E. White – President and CEO, DWIHN
James E. White is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Detroit-Wayne Integrated Health Network (DWIHN). With extensive experience in healthcare administration and behavioral health services, White leads DWIHN in its mission to provide quality mental health and substance use disorder care to residents across Wayne County. Under his leadership, the organization focuses on integrating community resources, improving access to care, and enhancing outcomes for individuals and families. White is recognized for his commitment to innovation, collaboration, and advancing public health initiatives within the Detroit metropolitan area.
Matthew Yascolt – MSF, Director of Substance Use Disorder Initiatives, DWIHN
Matt started his career in substance abuse treatment working at a withdrawal management clinic but yearned to make a greater impact, Matt transitioned to substance abuse prevention programming, and worked with community coalitions to raise awareness of the dangers of substance abuse and reduce stigma in our communities. In 2018 Matt started a consulting company to oppose the legalization of recreational marijuana, and was made the grassroots director of Healthy and Productive Michigan the campaign opposing proposition 18-1. Following its passage, Matt found DWIHN and continued his passion to support our communities, prevent addiction, and increase access to treatment.