TIERRA BANKS
As a mother-daughter coach and chief of probation, Tierra Banks excels in relationship reconciliation through her unique ability to make everyone she engages with feel seen, heard, and understood. This distinct approach, used in her work with the Mended Inc. foundation and the court system, creates a transformative experience for those she interacts with.
Central to Tierra’s method is her commitment to genuine connection. She goes beyond surface-level solutions, deeply understanding individuals’ perspectives, experiences, and emotions. This dedication fosters lasting change and sets her apart in a field often focused on superficial fixes.
Her empathetic communication style is crucial to her success. She actively listens and acknowledges feelings and concerns, validating experiences and creating trust. This validation encourages individuals to share their vulnerabilities, facilitating healing and growth.
CHRIS WESTBROOKS
Meet Chris Westbrooks, widely recognized as DJ Kristyles, a multifaceted DJ making waves across the country. Originally hailing from Cleveland, Ohio, DJ Kristyles embarked on his academic journey at John Marshall High School, where he not only excelled in the classroom but also showcased his athletic prowess. This dedication earned him a scholarship to Ashland University, leading to subsequent transfers to Hagerstown Community College in Maryland and, eventually, Shippensburg University.
During his college years, he garnered attention as an on-air personality on the college radio station at Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania. Kristyles made a significant impact by orchestrating the inaugural Urban Music Conference in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
ANTHONY WILLIAMS, MBA
After serving as an executive leader in Higher Education for the last 20 years, Anthony Williams made the difficult, and scary decision to pursue his dreams of launching his own financial planning venture! He wanted to leave a legacy to his children that was based on helping others and promoting financial literacy, so he gravitated, or inertia pulled him towards establishing his own Financial Advisory practice within Northwestern Mutual.
Williams has always enjoyed helping people by leveraging his prior experience as an adjunct professor. “We all must run the same race in this game of life. I simply want to play a role in ensuring everyone is exposed to the same strategies,” Williams said.
Sound financial planning is paramount to wealth generation and legacy building.
DR. ADAM BANKS
A committed teacher, midnight believer, and a slow jam in a Hip Hop world, Dr. Adam Banks is Professor and Faculty Director of the Program in Writing and Rhetoric at the Institute for Diversity in the Arts at Stanford University.
He also serves as an affiliate faculty member of the programs in African and African American Studies and Science, Technology and Society. Prior to arriving at Stanford, he served on the faculty of the Department of Writing, Rhetoric, and Digital Studies at the University of Kentucky and the Syracuse University Writing Program.
In addition to these academic appointments he served as the Langston Hughes Visiting Professor of English at the University of Kansas, and jointly with Andrea Lunsford as the Inaugural Rocky Gooch Visiting Professors for the Bread Loaf School of English.
