COURTNEY SMITH Courtney Smith is an accomplished educator from Cleveland with nearly 15 years of experience spanning from infancy to adulthood education. Holding a bachelor’s degree in English and education from Cleveland State University, and a master’s in industrial and organizational psychology from Adler University, she has a robust background.Continue Reading
en Darnell Appling was in elementary school, his love for the TV show, Family Matters, resonated with him. He told everyone that one day he was going to act just like Steve Urkel did in the show. The former East Cleveland resident didn’t know how he was going to getContinue Reading
Abortion rights in America have always been a talking point for elected officials, especially when running for office. The hot topic of deciding if a woman has the right to decide what to do with her own body has been debated and ruled on for over seventy years. After theContinue Reading
One of the most enduring stories and sagas of American life has been about Black women as wives, mothers, and pillars of strength ensuring the safety and cohesion of their families. They’ve been depicted in innumerable movies and books as determined, strong-willed, and unshakable in their leading and holding togetherContinue Reading
Dr. Deanna Kimbrel has established herself as a strategic and transformative leader, accumulating over seventeen years of experience across various sectors, including higher education, corporate, and government. Her initiatives have focused on driving change in leadership, organizational culture, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Dr. Kimbrel is recognized as a visionary leaderContinue Reading
People often wonder who the world’s leaders and professionals turn to when they need guidance. The answer is they turn to Dr. Norma Denise Mitchem — the strategic business partnership and community affairs consultant who helps the business and political elite build strategic relationships, and create impactful marketing strategies toContinue Reading
EVA RODRIGUEZ, CONSULTING OPERATIONS MANAGER Eva Rodriguez is the Consulting Administrator at ThirdSpace Action Lab where she directly supports TSAL’s consulting team in scheduling, client coordination, and project management. With a background in environmental science, science museum communications, and education, Eva spent 10 years working in the non-profit sector at nature-basedContinue Reading
For Black fathers, navigating the dynamics of co-parenting can present unique challenges due to societal stereotypes and historical contexts. Nevertheless, with dedication and a strategic approach, Black men can successfully co-parent with their child’s mother without encountering unnecessary drama. Co-parenting, the collaborative effort between separated parents, plays a pivotal roleContinue Reading
DR. MICHAEL BASTON Dr. Michael Baston is the fifth president of Cuyahoga Community College (TriC), based in Cleveland, Ohio. He is a national thought leader on the role of community colleges in shaping educational success, supporting regional workforce reforms, and developing executive leadership teams. “Tri-C has always been an institutionContinue Reading
DR. MARTHA POTTS Dr. Martha Potts joined TSAL as awareness building manager in 2021 and leads operations of Racial Equity Institute Workshops. Dr. Potts left a career at the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority to pursue a doctorate in organizational behavior at Case Western Reserve University. Her research focus isContinue Reading
