MEET OUR PRESENTERS & SPEAKERS
"If our study of Black history is MERELY AN EXERCISE in FEELING GOOD about ourselves, then we will DIE feeling GOOD. We MUST LOOK AT THE LESSONS that history TEACHES us. We MUST UNDERSTAND the TREMENDOUS VALUE of the study of history for the RE-GAINING OF POWER. If our education is NOT about gaining REAL power, we are being MISeducated and MISlead and we WILL DIE 'miseducated and mislead'."
- Dr. Amos N. Wilson
MEET THE TEAM
DR. ANTHONY "TUTMOSE" YOUNG
Dr. Young is Chief Executive Officer of Achieving Healthier Lifestyles; Executive Director of Kuumba Cultural Collective of Southern Colorado (1989); a Founding Member and current President of the Denver-Rocky Mountain Association of Black Psychologists (1977); and Past National President of the Association of Black Psychologists (ABPsi) (2000-2001);. He established the Association of Black Psychologists Leadership Development Institute (LDI) while National ABPsi President and served as LDI director from 2003 to 2010 and 2021-2023.
He has over 45 years of experience in the areas of Clinical and Forensic Psychology was the Mental Health Hospitals Quality Assurance Analyst for the Colorado Department of Human Services-Office of Administrative Solutions, Division of Performance and Strategic
Outcomes 2017 until retiring from State service after 35 years of service. Dr. Young’s professional experiences include 26 years as Adjunct instructor of Psychology University of Colorado-Colorado Springs; appointment as a Member to the Colorado State Board of Parole 1991-1995 by Governor Romer and was subsequently appointed Chairman of the Colorado State Board of Parole by Hickenlooper in 2011, serving through 2013. As administrator of this state agency, he implemented evidence-based practices, best practices, and several technological enhancements to ensure public safety and the successful transition of returning citizens (parolees) to the community.
"Maafa 2025 Conference" Interview
"400+ Years of Trauma...and Counting"
Dr. Anthony "Tutmose" Young
Dr. Young’s professional experience also includes positions as Manager of Offender Mental Health Services for the Colorado Division of Behavioral Health; Clinical Team Leader with the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo’s Institute for Forensic Psychiatry; Clinical Behavioral Specialist and Acting Director for the Diagnostic Reception Center-Colorado Dept. of Corrections; and Clinical Behavioral Specialist with the Pueblo Regional Center: clinician with the Disabled American Veterans – Department of Colorado, and Clinical Supervisor for Adult Forensic Services of Pikes Peak Mental Health Center. Additionally, he developed the Tutmose Enrichment Program Experiential Life Skill, Suspension and Expulsion prevention programs for middle school students and Tutmose Academy, Harrison School District’s first Charter School serving high-risk high school students.
Since 1977, he has been engaged in and effectively led dozens of volunteer, community, and professional organizations which include serving as Chair and member of the Colorado Dept. of Public Health and Environment’s Minority Health Advisory Commission (2010-2021); Center for Public Health Practice Advisory Board - Colorado School of Public Health; University of Colorado (2010-2021); Council of National Psychological Associations for the Advancement of Ethnic Minority Interests (2000-2001); National Leadership Council on African American Behavioral Health (2004-2007); Chair of the Black American West Museum & Heritage Center; and current Board Chair of the
Denver Center for African Art.
Dr. Young’s educational background include B.A. in Experimental Psychology, from Millikin University (1975), M.A. in Psychology from Eastern Illinois University (1976), and a Psy.D. Clinical Psychology from the University of Denver – Graduate School of Professional Psychology (1990). He is the recipient of numerous professional and community awards and a 2000 graduate of the Colorado Springs Leadership Institute (sponsored by the Center for Creative Leadership and the El Pomar Foundation). His personal motto is, “Do your best and let God do the rest!”
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CANDACE JOSEPH
Candace Joseph, the dynamic force behind The Joseph Consulting Firm, LLC, serves as its Chief Executive Officer. A results-driven leader, Candace boasts an impressive background in marketing, coupled with a proven and award-winning track record of propelling business growth for new entrepreneurs. Her strategic mindset, coupled with a wealth of experience, positions her as an industry expert in developing and executing marketing strategies, fostering high-performing teams, and delivering unparalleled client experiences.
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Candace's expertise extends to coaching entrepreneurs on their journey from inception to growth, where she meticulously coordinates and executes all client plans. With a keen focus on creating robust marketing strategies, growth plans, and streamlining operational systems, she ensures a company's solid positioning upon launch.
As the host of the weekly radio show, "The Business Knowledge Broker Hour with Candace Joseph," she dedicates her platform to spotlighting entrepreneurs and non-profit organizations. Adding to her diverse portfolio, Candace serves as a Production Consultant at Harvuni J Studios / HJS TV.
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Beyond her corporate roles, Candace has actively engaged with various organizations, leveraging her skills as a political strategist and community advocate. Holding an accounting degree from Prairie View A&M University, Candace is well-equipped to navigate the intricacies of the business landscape.
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In her leisure time, she indulges her passion for opera, engages in strategic chess play, and volunteers with local charities, contributing her marketing expertise to their campaigns. Candace's commitment to excellence has earned her numerous awards in the business realm, and her ability to forge community partnerships reflects her dedication to serving entrepreneurs in the dynamic field of marketing.
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Just some of the stats for Candace Joseph:
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Candace and her team assisted 289 small businesses to stay operational during COVID Pandemic with free marketing services.
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Candace was a Judge for City of Houston’s Liftoff Business Plan Competition in 2021
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Candace was a past business mentor for the Turnaround program for the city of Houston – 2022
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G Unity Foundation Business Coach for HISD High School Entrepreneur Program – 2023
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Honorary Doctorate of Divinity received in 2023 due to community service and business excellence.
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Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award – 2023
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Member of Houston League of Business and Professional Women
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Member – Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc (Business Sorority) – Alpha Kappa Chapter
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Awarded by 180Lyfe Enterprise Magazine – Top Influential Woman for years 2023 AND 2022
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Cover story Woman for Purpose Magazine – September 2020
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Numerous Awards for business excellence and community services
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Known for Red Carpet Hosting and Mistress of Ceremonies duties.
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Public Speaker educating on marketing, living with a physical disabilities, LGBTQ Rights, Politics, and women empowerment.
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Candace Joseph Day in the City of Houston – Feb 23, 2024, issued by Mayor John Whitmire
THE PRAIRIE VIEW A&M UNIVERSITY THEATRE DEPARTMENT & THE CHARLES GILPIN PLAYERS
The Charles Gilpin Players (CGP or “Gilpins”) are a performance organization. Founded in 1929, CGP has a unique legacy as the oldest, consistently-performing theatre company in Texas to feature African American artists and has been producing plays annually since 1930. Since inception, the Gilpins have provided the Prairie View A&M campus and surrounding communities with vibrant arts and cultural programming previously non-existent in the area.
​CGP produces 2 main stage productions during the school year and several smaller productions including PVAMU’s popular Student Orientation show and numerous requested performances on-campus and in the
community at large for awareness (i.e. drug and alcohol) and culturally-themed months (Black History, Women’s History, etc). In addition to numerous on-campus performances, “CGP Troupes” travel throughout the state, at the request of schools, religious centers and other organizations providing original theatre works, often, in communities where there is none. Audiences across the country have enjoyed the dynamic, cross-cultural experience of CGP performances for over 80 years.
Ezekiel Morgan, a seasoned theatre professional with over 35 years of experience, is a force to be reckoned with in the industry. He graduated from the HSPVA in Houston and holds a B.A. in acting/directing from Prairie View A&M University and an M.A. in Counseling and Education Leadership and Theatre from Texas A&M Commerce. Ezekiel’s talent and dedication have earned him numerous accolades, including the prestigious Irene Ryan Award (ACTF) Regional Winner and Runner-Up National Winner and multiple awards at the Kennedy for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.
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Ezekiel’s expertise extends beyond performing; he is also a sought-after guest director for various productions. As the Founder and Artistic Director of UTAKE-1 Productions, he continually strives to create innovative and captivating experiences.
Currently, Ezekiel serves as a Theatre Professor at Prairie View A&M University and an Adjunct Professor at Blinn College in Brenham. His commitment to the field extends to his involvement as a former Committee member on the Standards and Practice of Adjudication and the Board of Directors of TTAO.
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With an unwavering passion for theatre, Ezekiel Morgan embodies the motto “Taking Talents to the next level of Perfection.” His profound impact on the industry and dedication to pushing artistic boundaries make him a true visionary in the world of theatre.
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Plans for the Theatre Department and the Charles Gilpin Players are to bring back Theatre and Excellence in Performing back to Prairie View. Creating Top Performers that will venture off to gather advance degrees from Yale, Cal Arts, NYU and other Prestigious well-known universities for theatre. Build a program that will regain its status as being the #1 HBCU for theatre and the performing arts.
AMANDA KEMP
Amanda Marie Kemp, founder of AKMarie, LLC (DBA Panda Oasis and ChubbPanda Graphics), is a visionary conscious living coach and spiritual alchemist on a mission to assist individuals in maximizing their power to live the life they desire. Through her transformative work at Panda Oasis, Amanda guides seekers "Down the Rabbit Hole to Elevate," embracing the philosophy that living without boundaries allows for a deeper understanding of the universe's intricate workings.
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As a certified hypnotist, NLP practitioner, sound healer, astrologer, and Reiki master, Amanda blends intuitive guidance with practical wisdom to catalyze profound personal growth. Her approach acknowledges that both positive and negative experiences contribute to our journey, transcending conventional logic – especially when considering the power of energy and words.
Amanda's signature program, "Mastering This Human Experience," empowers individuals to reconnect with their authentic selves and rewrite their life stories. She believes that truth resides within one's spirit, and every interaction is an opportunity to explore the depths of the human experience.
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Currently, pursuing a Master's in Applied Nutrition and revamping her podcast, Amanda continues to expand her holistic understanding of well-being. Her work attracts seekers, the curious, and open-hearted souls ready to dive deep and uncover new dimensions of understanding, fostering a community of like-minded individuals.
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Amanda's approach invites curiosity in the face of triggers and empowers individuals to leave behind what doesn't resonate. She stands as a companion in navigating the extraordinary human experiment, applying wisdom, embracing vulnerability, and celebrating the unique magic within each person.
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Born in Detroit and now thriving in Houston, this mother of four daughters brings warmth, empathy, and a dash of Motor City grit to her practice. Amanda's personal journey from self-doubt to self-mastery fuels her passion for guiding others to step out of their comfort zones and into their power, making her the go-to guide for those ready to embark on the journey of a lifetime.
REV. ASWAD WALKER
Aswad Walker, associate pastor of the Shrine of the Black Madonna (Houston), is a lecturer in the University of Houston’s Department of African American Studies, Associate Director of the Texas Southern University Urban Research and Resource Center, Associate Editor for the Defender Media Group (Houston Defender) and author of five books...
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"The 100th Monkey: Three Tales of Spiritual Revolution" (January 2013)
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"Princes Shall Come Out of Egypt: A Comparative Study of the Theological and Ecclesiological Views of Marcus Garvey and Albert B. Cleage Jr." (August 2012)
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"Weapons of Mass Distraction: A Other Sermons for a New World Order" (September 2004)
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"Annual 0-1" (June 2020)
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"Stand Your Ground" (June 2020)
Aswad’s writings have also appeared in...
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Dr. Jawanza Clark’s book "Albert Cleage Jr. and the Black Madonna and Child" Palgrave Macmillan (2016)
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The Journal of Black Studies, Volume 39, Number 2, November 2008
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The Frederick Douglass Encyclopedia, “Harper’s Ferry”, Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, December 2009
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UJIMA Magazine, “Making History Today”, University of Houston, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences’ African American Studies Program, Summer 2003
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The Defender Newspaper, www.defendernetwork.com, 2006 – Present
Aswad earned his Master of Divinity from Emory University’s Candler School of Theology, and a B.S. in Advertising from the University of Texas at Austin, where as a Heman Sweatt Service Award-winning student leader, he co-edited the Black student newspaper, The Griot.
CRAIG B. LEE
A native of Shreveport, LA, where he currently resides, Craig Lee is an alumnus of Xavier University in New Orleans, LA, where he earned a BS degree with honors in Marketing and Economics in 1989. Upon graduation, Craig earned over 25 career offers from corporate America and various federal agencies.
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During his corporate career, Craig worked for three (3) of the largest Fortune 500 & Global 500 corporations in the world: Navistar International, BellSouth Advertising & Publishing and Astra Pharmaceuticals. In 1993, Craig obtained his Series 6 and 63 securities licenses, and began working as a Municipal Bond Broker for McGlaughlin, Piven & Vogel Securities in Atlanta, GA.
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In 1995, Craig left corporate America to begin his transition into his life’s purpose. For the past 24 years, Craig has established himself as a visionary
Cultra-Social Entrepreneur, Cultra-Social Engineer, Black Empowerment Advocate and Corporate Grassroots Revolutionary. Craig is the CEO of Creole Soul Louisiana Meat Pies; Chairperson of GET UP, Inc. – Generating Empowerment to Transform Under-served People; Vice Chairperson of NICE – National Institute for Community Empowerment; Chairperson of PAID – Political Advocates for Independent Democracy; Empowerment Coach, Financial Advisor, Public Policy Lobbyist, 21ST Century Freedom Fighter, public speaker, philosopher, musician, writer, spoken word artist and dominologist. Craig is the living embodiment of the classic Bob Marley song, “Get Up, Stand Up, Stand Up For Your Rights”.
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He is a ADVOCATE for the POOR and DISENFRANCHISED, and is dedicated to EMPOWERING the MINDS of GRASSROOTS PEOPLE throughout the WORLD – especially the YOUTH, for he strongly believes:
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“Youth are like diamonds in the ruff; they must be CULTIVATED & REFINED if elder eyes desire to ‘C’ them SHINE.”
TAMANI A.M. MWANDANI
Tamani A.M. Mwandani is the cultural, social, political and revolutionary product of the Shrines of the Black Madonna of the Pan-African Orthodox Christian Church. While his introduction to Black history and consciousness began while serving in the US Army at age of 17 where he served as an Administrative Specialist in the Operations Department of a Light Infantry Unit, Tamani’s maturity into what many colloquially label “Nation Building”, “Empowerment Building” and/or “The Black Struggle” continued in the Shrine under the direct tutelage of Cardinal Mbiyu Chui and the indirect guidance and direction of the 1st Holy Patriarch, Jaramogi Abebe Agyeman (Rev. Albert Cleage), the “Father of Liberation Theology” and the Founder of the Shrines of the Black Madonna.
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After an Honorable Discharge from the Army in Oct of 1992, Tamani made the easy decision to relocate to Houston, TX on a Saturday, where he
joined the Shrines of the Black Madonna on the very next day.
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It was in the Shrine that Tamani gained a more complete understanding of not only what it means to be Black in America, but what must occur if survival in America, as a people, is to ever become a reality. It was as a member of the Shrine that Tamani learned more about the true evils and effects American slavery has had on the Black spirit and mind, but also, and more importantly, how to deal with and counter those effects. As a member of the Shrines of the Black Madonna, Tamani has served as a Missionary, Adult & Youth Group Leader, College Cadre Group Leader & Coordinator and Regional Community Outreach Coordinator as well as being trained for leadership in both the clergy and defense of the Black community.
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While working as a Senior Technical Writer for over 20 years, Tamani has always been a serial entrepreneur at heart. Having been involved in several ventures on local, regional, national and international levels, he’s always received every challenge as an opportunity to learn...which is why, in his mind, “failure” never occurs. He has served in the capacity of CEO, CIO, COO, VP & Sen. VP positions of multiple enterprises. Currently, Tamani oversees the management and growth of multiple ventures. Principally, Tamani is the Founder & Owner of Clearly Written Solutions, Black Gold Nation, the GROW4CARE Alliance and 3Levels Edutainment. Tamani is also the Chairman of PAID Texas, an independent political party focused on mobilization and organization of grassroots ethic groups in Texas.
Tamani is also the author of “Black Gold Devalued” and the recently released, “From the Grassroots: A Project 2025 Community Response & Action Plan” booklet.
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