​SCRIPT

​Summit on Community Resilience, Intervention, Prevention, and Training

STOP THE STIGMA

Dr. Nicole Haggard is the Director of the Center for the Advancement of Women at Mount Saint Mary's University, Los Angeles. She is an award-winning professor, published researcher, and public speaker who was recently featured on MSN.com as one of “15 Visionary Educators Inspiring Knowledge and Growth.” For over twenty years Dr. Nicole has been contextualizing the intersection of Race and Gender in American Culture; she takes an intersectional approach to advancing culture and brings data to life through storytelling. She is a frequent speaker for outlets ranging from NPR and Variety to Spectrum and TheWrap.

In addition to being a faculty member in the Film, Media, and Social Justice program at Mount Saint Mary’s University, Dr. Nicole is the co-founder of the Center for Intersectional Media and Entertainment. Her consulting career has been dedicated to promoting equity for women, working with organizations like the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, Lyda Hill Philanthropies If/Then Initiative, and First Partner Jen Newsome's Representation Project to amplify all of their missions for advancing women in underrepresented fields. As the Director of the Center, Dr. Nicole strives to carry out the founders' mission of cultivating “uncommon women for an uncommon time,” visionary leaders who will be responsive to the needs of the times in which we live. 

KEYNOTE SPEAKER 

Dr. Benveniste is an experienced Faculty Director with a demonstrated history of working in the higher education industry. Skilled in non-profit organizations, sociology of education, educational assessment, psychology, applied psychology, sociology of culture, medical social work, foster care, and economic and racial inequality. Strong professional with a Research Doctorate focused in Social Work from the University of Southern California.r paragraph here.

CLOSING SPEAKER

Claire Amabile
Claire Amabile, MSW, MPH, graduated from UCLA with both Master of Social Welfare (MSW) and Master of Public Health (MPH) degrees. While pursuing her graduate studies, she worked as an MSW intern at UCLA's CARE office, a researcher in the Department of Community Health Sciences, and an Undergraduate College Academic Mentor for the Department of English. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara, with minors in English and Feminist Studies. Her research interests include sexual violence prevention and intervention, the link between violence against animals and gender-based violence, and intersectional approaches to public health. When she isn't working, she enjoys attending live music events, socializing with friends, watching 90s TV and hanging out with her adopted cat, Spoon.

Larry Britton
Dr. Larry Britton is a Clinical Forensic Psychologist and Adjunct Professor. Dr. Britton currently provides individual therapy, group therapy, crisis intervention, psychological testing, and court-ordered psychological evaluations. Dr. Britton also teaches various courses in the fields of criminal justice, sociology, and both clinical and forensic Psychology in the higher education sectors. His research interests include topics dealing with post-incarcerated individuals, homelessness, psychological testing, and violence.

Amalia Moreno Banda
Despite being born with Cerebral Palsy and a speech impairment, Ms. Amalia Moreno Banda has dedicated her life to helping others. She was awarded the 2018 Community Partner Award by Alma Family Services for her continuous contributions in improving the quality of life for people with disabilities. Ms. Moreno Banda currently works as an Administrative Support for Project Rebound at Cal State LA, assisting formerly incarcerated students in their academic pursuits. She never allowed her disability to hinder her from achieving higher education and earned a master's degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from California State University, Los Angeles.

Fitzgerald Cano
Fitzgerald Cano served 12 years in the Marine Corps, traveling the world before his honorable discharge in 2017. Struggling with the transition to civilian life and battling undiagnosed PTSD, Cano found a new path at Mount Saint Mary’s University. Originally enrolling as a business major, he shifted to applied psychology after connecting with a fellow veteran. With the support of mentors and the university’s strong support system, Cano excelled academically, graduating cum laude, making the Dean’s List seven times, and joining the Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society. He is now pursuing a Doctor of Clinical Psychology with the goal of helping veterans overcome the stigma surrounding mental health treatment.

Gina Cavalier
Gina Cavalier is a speaker and advocate who focuses on raising awareness and fostering thoughtful discussions about suicidal thoughts. Having personally overcome such challenges, Cavalier is committed to sharing techniques and offering hope to others struggling with similar experiences. Her work emphasizes that individuals do not have to endure these thoughts forever, encouraging those in tough times to seek support and find a path toward healing.

Nichelle Cieri
Nichelle Cieri's career has been rooted in community health, working with survivors of traumatic violence. For nearly 15 years, Nichelle has served as a direct provider, community educator, and legislative manager. She is currently employed by UCLA and Peace Over Violence, where she provides emergency response and advocacy services. Nichelle's heart is centered on community and health equity, which have informed her research and legislative work. She has contributed to several bills that have enhanced sexual health education and expanded healthcare coverage for marginalized populations. Recently, she has been awarded sponsorship for JING Lab, which explores neuroscience, epigenetics, mental flexibility, and traditional medicines to understand the impacts of psychological distress on human health and disease.

Nichelle has three publications in press focusing on therapeutic alliance rupture repair, cultural considerations in CBT, and the use of confrontation in therapy. Nichelle is a Doctorate of Clinical Psychology (PsyD) candidate at Mount Saint Mary's University in Los Angeles, CA. She also serves as a board member at large for the American Society of Acupuncturists and is a co-founder of Jai Olive Wellness, a non-profit organization that promotes health equity by serving rural BIPOC communities through collaborative health education, resistance education, and fostering political power.

Nikko Deloney
Mr. Deloney is a dedicated member of the P.C.I.T.I Leadership and Instructional Team. He has spent the past few years of his life assisting in restoring besieged communities. Currently, he manages the Pico Guidance Center in Mid-City Los Angeles and provides services ranging from youth development, intervention/prevention sessions, mentoring, community feed- the-needs, and a host of others. His mission truly defines the work of providing hope, restoring communities, and curbing violence through proactive solutions and self-determination as it relates to the field of community violence intercession.

Eli Lou Elliott
I am a first-year PsyD student with an emphasis on diverse populations and hold a B.S. in Sociology. My research focuses on family resilience and coping mechanisms in the context of generational trauma, aiming to develop culturally responsive therapeutic interventions.

Crystal Flores
Dr. Flores earned her doctoral degree in Clinical Forensic Psychology at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She has extensive experience working with individuals who have experienced a variety of challenges ranging from relationship issues to anxiety, depression, and trauma. Dr. Flores has lived in different areas throughout Southern California and in Mexico. As a result, she has been exposed to a wide range of cultures, lifestyles, and family make-ups, all of which have deeply strengthened the level of respect she has for people from all walks of life and influenced her work as a psychologist. Special areas of focus in her work include male trauma, working with undocumented individuals, and diversity.

Dr. Flores has worked in numerous settings including community mental health, a forensic hospital, a juvenile detention center, and forensic private practice. Dr. Flores has worked with individuals from many cultural backgrounds but has dedicated the majority of her career to working directly with the Latino population. Dr. Flores currently works at the Male Trauma Institute providing direct services in English and Spanish and is trained in conducting psychological evaluations, immigration evaluations, and medical-legal evaluations. Areas of her personal interest include mindfulness, expressive arts, and indigenous healing practices.

Sandi Forti
Sandi is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Columbus, Ohio. She has a thriving practice in central Ohio with years of experience dealing with a wide range of emotional and psychological difficulties.  She has more than two decades of AIDS work in California and Ohio, building on previous work in the areas of pain management and physical disabilities.  Her dual interests in archetypal psychology and body awareness have added breadth and depth to her work with individuals seeking to heal from past traumas and who desire new ground for a relationship with the present. She sees herself as providing a context within which trauma can be understood as part of the landscape of the soul, and healing can lay the foundation for the development and expression of the authentic self. She has worked for many years with victims and perpetrators of sexual abuse, as well as working with families who struggle to love and heal both the victim and the offender. She is also versed in working with the patterns of thinking and behavior that grow out of the effort to cope with abuse, such as depression, dissociation, use and abuse of alcohol and other drugs, etc.

Emily Gomez
Emily Gomez is a Mental Health Counselor within the Bullying and School Violence Advocacy Program at San Fernando Valley Community Mental Health Center Inc. She obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, with a minor in Sociology from the University of California, Merced. She has a passion for working with children and families. Her experience includes providing mental health counseling services to children and adults. She is also an educator and advocate to survivors of bullying. She provides education to the community and bullying perpetrators regarding the impact of bullying and how to rise up against bullying.

Herbert Hernandez
Herbert is a compassionate clinician who creates a welcoming, non-judgmental space for his clients. Fluent in conversational Spanish, Herbert is committed to achieving proficiency in clinical language to better serve Spanish-speaking clients. He values cultural humility, exploring each client’s unique intersectionality and cultural background. Herbert holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science with a minor in LGBTQ studies from San Francisco State University and a master's degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University, specializing in LGBTQ Affirmative Therapy. He is currently pursuing his doctorate in Applied Clinical Psychology at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Specializing in substance use, anxiety, depression, LGBTQIA+ challenges, Bipolar Disorder, and adolescent issues, Herbert also supports families struggling to accept their LGBTQIA+ child. He has experience working with the re-entry population, at-risk adolescents, individuals with paraphilias, HIV-positive clients, and those transitioning from high school to college.

Herbert’s therapeutic approach includes humor, which he believes is a powerful tool for healing and building rapport. He uses Narrative, Cognitive, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy while acknowledging the limitations of Western modalities. Herbert integrates discussions of societal “-isms” and phobias, recognizing their impact on clients’ lives. Herbert emphasizes humor and communication as key components of the therapeutic alliance. His own experiences with limited mental health resources as an adolescent drive his commitment to breaking cycles of violence and emotional dysregulation, providing empathy and resilience-building strategies to his clients.
Offering both telehealth and in-person services, Herbert maintains a flexible schedule to meet client needs. He creates a supportive and empowering environment, encouraging clients to take ownership of their mental health journey.

Robert Hernandez
Robert Hernandez aims to educate and engage in practice-driven research to address critical areas of society that continue to hinder communities from flourishing. His areas of interest include vulnerable youth populations, adolescent social issues, adolescent gang intervention, strength-based resilience, and youth empowerment models of practice. In particular, Hernandez's work examines risk and protective factors within communities that are associated with vulnerable youth populations residing in trauma-exposed communities. He has focused on advancing marginalized populations through a range of practice approaches addressing violence- related trauma through violence reduction, prevention, and intervention strategies. As a practitioner and evaluator, Hernandez has worked with various street youth populations in areas ranging from San Jose, California, to his hometown of Los Angeles. He also served on the Community Engagement Ad-Hoc Committee on Gang Violence and Youth Development, headed by then-District 6 Councilman Tony Cardenas. He contributed to the creation of “Two Prong Approach,” the city's community-based gang intervention model. Hernandez currently serves on the National Juvenile Justice Network, which is composed of coalitions and organizations that advocate for juvenile reform. Much of his work centers on community violence prevention and intervention. He also is cofounder and executive director of Visionary Youth Center, Inc. At USC, Hernandez teaches Leadership in the Social Work Profession and Organizations: Theory and Practice; Policy and Practice in Social Service Organizations; Social Work Practice with Families, Groups and Complex Cases; Social Work and Law; and Adolescent Gang Intervention.

Michael Levittan
Dr. Michael (Levittan) is an accomplished and recognized expert on domestic violence, anger management, child abuse, trauma and PTSD.  He is a licensed psychotherapist, director of T.E.A.M. - a state-certified batterers’ treatment program, serves as an Expert Witness in court, teaches seminars and courses at UCLA Extension, National Alliance on Mental Illness, International Conference on Violence, Abuse, and Trauma, L.A. Superior Court, Inter-Agency Council on Child Abuse and Neglect, California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, U.S. Marines, Women’s Shelters, etc.  His media work as an expert includes the Tyra Banks Show, ABC-TV News, Starting Over, Bad Girls Club, Montel Williams, Robert Irvine Show, Politico.com, Hollywood 411, and radio, on-line, and print publications.  Dr. Michael wrote "The History of Infanticide" – a chapter in Violence in Our Society and a chapter on Domestic Violence in “Her Story, His Story” – published earlier this year.  He appears in the newly-released documentary on parenting, "The Golden Opportunity of Child Development."  He recently completed the soon-to-be-published “Essentials of Anger Management.”  Dr. Michael is currently appearing as a Relationship Expert on the “Frangela” TV show.  As an Executive Board member of the NPEIV Think Tank (National Partnership to End Interpersonal Violence), he launched the GLOBAL PEACE COMMITTEE in order to promote peaceful, humane solutions to societal problems.  Recently, he has completed podcasts on “Fathers Raising Daughters,” the “Me Too” movement, and “Gender Expectations in the 21st Century.”  Dr. Michael is currently a leader in the Gun Violence Prevention movement.  His passion comes across in his writings, presentations, and media appearances.

Alfred Lomas
Raised in South Central Los Angeles, Alfred Lomas has succeeded in ways few thought possible. From his childhood in one of the worst neighborhoods in LA and his time as a gang leader to now running a transformational non-profit for youth in the city, Lomas brings a unique set of skills and firsthand experiences to each challenge he encounters. His life is dedicated to breaking the cycles of poverty, addiction and gang violence that he was once entrenched in himself. He has rescued hundreds of children out of the grip of traffickers and has given them hope for the future. Lomas focuses on keeping kids safe in high crime areas and gang hot spots, continuing to pioneer and innovate new prevention and intervention programs. Lomas has over two decades of experience working with systems-involved youth and has earned the respect of his community, local schools, non-profit leaders and the city of Los Angeles because of his commitment to holistic, peaceful transformation. He has been nominated to the steering committee of The New Fund for Children and Youth and has built partnerships with local churches and Latin American countries to assist children targeted for exploitation. Most recently, he continues to serve as an advisor and executive board member on several educational boards for the betterment of the community and local schools.

Lomas is an international peacekeeper, celebrated gang intervention specialist, humanitarian and social entrepreneur. He is the founder and executive director of Inner City Visions, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to reducing gang violence, preventing human trafficking and creating opportunities for youth development in the Florence-Firestone neighborhood of South Central Los Angeles. Inner City Visions’ day program includes education, job training, rehabilitation and
counseling and has an 85% retention rate. 92% of the systems-involved youth who have gone through the training program are now successfully employed, and the neighborhood has experienced a 43% reduction in violence and murders.

Not only has the South Los Angeles community been positively impacted by Lomas’ work, the City of Los Angeles has benefited as well. The L.A. Mayor’s Office trusts Lomas as a Peace Ambassador, and he is frequently called on by the city to mediate between transnational criminal gangs and interrupt the violence between African-American and Hispanic gang factions. Lomas pioneered the Hardcore Gang Intervention and Collaboration Model and works to maintain ceasefire agreements between the three largest and most notorious gangs in the city. Lomas is a pioneer and practitioner of several other initiatives in the city, such as the Parks After Dark and the Safe Route to School (SRTS) program, both of which have had significant success since their implementation. The Parks After Dark initiative increased physical activity, improved social cohesion and decreased violent crime in the community while the SRTS program created a safe passage for children to get to school every day. These initiatives are part of Inner City Visions’ logic model—a scalable framework that Lomas is using to create system-wide change through day programming, mental health services and community engagement. The model is designed for areas of conflict, and Inner City Visions is developing culturally sensitive curriculum that can be used to prevent violence and trafficking around the world. Lomas’ vision is to share this model globally to help conflict-ridden communities become places of safety and success.

Most recently, Lomas and Inner City Visions have been honored as a 2021 California Nonprofit of the Year by California State Assembly member Reginald Jones-Sawyer. “Alfred and his team at Inner City Visions are leading the way in fighting the sexual exploitation of our children in California and also across the nation,” said Kevin Malone, Founder & Chairman of the U.S. Institute Against Human Trafficking. “No organization in the state is as deserving of this award for their outstanding accomplishments in rescuing victims and ensuring survivors of human trafficking receive the care they need.

James “Blue” Marks
James Marks is a proud father of four who began his career by having to work his way up from the bottom. He watched his single mother and became inspired by her strength to work two jobs to support the family. This impression Mr. Marks with no excuses to achieve great things. He became recognized for building a reputation and becoming a man of strong influence in his community. Mr. Marks is a community developer who has dedicated his life to seeing the revitalization and self-empowerment of communities and believes that networking is the key to building a strong community foundation.

After Mr. Marks was approached by a young man named Calvin Broadus, aka “Snoop Dogg,” he was mentioned frequently in Snoop Dogg’s rap lyrics, referenced as “Blue.” While working with Snoop Dogg and coaching football at Long Beach Polytechnic High School, Mr. Marks realized the power of influence and how sports and entertainment celebrities impact the lives of others. Mr. Marks saw how his personal relationships with entertainers and athletes could be utilized to facilitate his true passion for helping others by uplifting and restoring communities. Mr. Marks organized and participated in various community events such as life skills/football camps, speaking engagements and presentations, Walk to Fight Obesity, cancer awareness at Boys and Girls Clubs, and schools.

The relationships Mr. Marks fostered with educators, scholars, business professionals, athletes, government officials and entertainers, which he calls the “Dream Maker’s Dream Team,” have allowed him to complete several achievements. These achievements include becoming a certified first responder with the Los Angeles Fire Department, working with professional sports agents as a mentor to their athletes, serving as director of operations and board member for Camp Go Hard Los Angeles, and receiving certification from the Professional Community Intervention Training Institute. With the support of his mentor Aquil Basheer, Mr. Marks started Konnectink, a brand development and professional advisory service that helps individuals maximize and capitalize on their talent through philanthropy and strategic partnerships.  Mr. Marks is also an advocate for educating others about trauma and increasing awareness about how trauma occurs in underserved communities. His story has been featured in the book “Barbra and My Boys: Life Stories of Change, Community and Purpose.”

Micheal Munson
Michael Munson is the co-founder and Executive Director of FORGE, a national trans anti-violence organization providing training and technical assistance to victim service providers and allied professionals.  FORGE focuses on improving the lives of transgender individuals by building stronger connections, providing resources, and empowering growth through knowledge. FORGE is a national training and technical assistance provider funded in part through the Office for Victims of Crime, the Office of Justice Programs: Bureau of Justice Assistance, the Office on Violence Against Women, the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Health Services, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Munson's educational background is in psychology, with an emphasis on trauma-informed care and non-traditional healing modalities. His work on violence against trans and nonbinary individuals stresses the intersectionality between complex components of identity, experience, and societal constructs that can both spur violence, as well as catalyze healing for individuals and communities. He is passionate about engaging professionals to embrace these complexities and learn key skills to better serve their clients/constituents.

Fernando Noor
My name is Fernando Noor and I'm a Mental Health Clinician at the San Fernando Valley Community Mental Health Center. I hold a Master’s Degree in Social Work. I'm bilingual in Spanish and English, having spent my early years in Mexico. Prior to working in the Mental Health field, I was an actor and filmmaker. In my free time I like to run, practice Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and hang out with my wife and three awesome cats.

Barbara Pavlo
Dr. Pavlo received her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from Ryokan College, her Master’s degree from Pepperdine University, and her bachelor’s degree from Brooklyn College. She completed her pre-doctoral training at The Rape and Sexual Abuse Center, treating trauma victims. During her time at both Lancaster State Prison and California City Correctional Facility, a federal prison, Dr. Pavlo treated inmates and corrections personnel. Dr. Pavlo continues to present at the Prostitution Diversion Program (PDP), helping rehabilitate over 3,700 men since 2008.

The Los Angeles Police Department hired Dr. Pavlo as a police psychologist in 2006, where she provides clinical services and training to law enforcement and their families. Additionally, she presently serves as a consultant to the SWAT Crisis Negotiation Team and orchestrates organizational discourse to the LAPD command staff. Dr. Pavlo has spearheaded a variety of psychology and law enforcement related presentations throughout the country.

Shirlie Mae Peralta
Dr. Shirlie Mae Peralta is the Director of Research for the Clinical PsyD Program at Mount Saint Mary’s University. Dr. Mae, as her students call her, primarily teaches courses related to research design and diverse populations. Her areas of expertise include College Student Development and Career Theories, Diversity in Higher Education, Ethical Approaches Across Helping Professions, Self-Efficacy and Navigational Resilience (SENR), Conflict Resolution, Social Emotional Learning, and Ethnic/Asian American Studies.

Felicia Reed
Ms. Reed is a Trained Speaker, Coach, Advocate and an international award-winning fiber artist who has exhibited in various galleries and art forums. She is a survivor of extreme domestic and neighborhood violence. Ms. Reed resides in Maryland, USA. Her mission work is to inspire healing with art, world changes and to support other survivors. Ms. Reed exhibits healing artwork in the Washington, DC area and throughout the United States.  She uses art as a communication modality for change and healing from trauma and life experiences.  Ms. Reed has also completed several solo art exhibits and is preparing for additional solo events in 2024. She has received many art awards and is a Gold Awardee in the 2022 Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum’s Annual Juried Exhibit. Felicia L. Reed is available for speaking and artistic opportunities.

Tommie “Ttop” Rivers
One refined and committed individual in restoring peace to traumatized and violent-prone communities, Tommie has re-dedicated his life to community restoration. He is an abundance of positivity in the lives of youth and young adults he touches. He is not only a member of the phenomenal Instructional and Leadership Team of P.C.I.T.I but he also coaches, speaks, and gives every bit of himself to his community and those in need.

Kashira Rodgers
Dr. Kashira Rodgers is a forensic psychologist. She addresses diverse topics including gang intervention, human trafficking, violence against all genders, sexual assault and mental health. Dr. Rodgers currently provides individual therapy, group therapy, crisis intervention and court- ordered psychological evaluations. Awarded the Distinguished Service Award from the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Vital Intervention and Directional Alternatives (VIDA) program, Dr. Rodgers is also the founder of Facing Our Facts, a community agency providing individual counseling and support groups for survivors of sexual assault, human trafficking, domestic violence, adults molested as children and victims of violent crimes. Dr. Rodgers has devoted her life’s work to addressing trauma in the African American community and at-risk youth.

George Santos-Garcia
George Santos-Garcia is a doctoral student at Mount Saint Mary's University, Los Angeles in the Clinical Psychology PsyD Latinx Emphasis. George's research lies in the lived experiences of Queer Latinx individuals post-suicide attempt.

Jeff Stein
Mr. Jeff Stein overcame adverse early childhood events, addiction, and incarceration through therapy and self-help groups while developing a spiritual pulse. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity along with support helped him to earn Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at Cal State LA. Mr. Stein currently serves as the Outreach Coordinator at Project Rebound Cal State LA and is the Director of Community Relations at The Prism Way.

Summer Stein
Summer Stein is the Director of Project Rebound at Cal State LA, a program supporting the successful and meaningful reentry of formerly incarcerated scholars. Ms. Brantner prioritizes programming that supports students as they develop themselves personally while earning their degrees, understanding the benefits and impact of doing the inner work and having access to mental health services for formerly incarcerated men and women. Ms. Brantner earned an M.A. of Sociology in 2018, with a focus on teaching at the collegiate level and is pursuing a Doctorate in Educational Leadership at CSUB.

Jim Struve
Jim serves as Executive Director of MenHealing/Weekends of Recovery. He has been working with male survivors since 1976. He was a pioneering co-organizer (1988) for one of the first national conferences to focus on non-offending male survivors. He was chair for several subsequent conferences and a founding member of the organization now known as MaleSurvivor. He joined the Facilitator Team for the Weekends of Recovery program in 2002. He was instrumental in launching MenHealing in 2017 and has served as Executive Director since that time. Jim is a nationally recognized workshop presenter. He has numerous professional publications and is a dedicated social justice advocate for issues related to sexual violence, as well as sexual and gender equity. In his free time, Jim is a dedicated husband and parent to a wonderful dog, as well as an avid devotee of outdoor adventures including skiing, biking, and mountain treks.

Terrall Tillman
Terrall E. Tillman is the CEO/Founder of LESSONZ LEARNED & best-selling Author of “Formula For Success Reentry-030”. Born & raised in South Central Los Angeles & schooled in LA & two neighboring cities of Inglewood & Compton he is a advocate for education & is a ReEntry Expert & Educator, a Certified Anger Management Instructor, Creative Writer via Mount Marty University, RADT I (Residential Drug & Alcohol Tech), Competent Communicator via Toastmaster International, Motivational Speaker & Adversity & Corrections Coach. Mr. Tillman is also a Certified Member of FEMA and the California LA Peacekeeper Collective & Professional Community Based Public Safety / Violence Interdiction Specialist via PCITI / BUILD. Mr. Tillman is an entrepreneur with two LLC’s to date after serving over 20 years incarcerated including 19 years in federal prison and 1 and 1 ⁄ 2 years in juvenile facilities. Presently Mr. Tillman is the Reentry Manager and Court liaison at LA CADA the Los Angeles Center for Alcohol and Drug Abuse where he facilitates Reducing Recidivism Groups in addition to being a mentor and educator to hundreds of people nationwide.

Alicia Trejo
Alicia Trejo is an emerging professional in psychology, currently pursuing her Doctorate at Mount Saint Mary's University, Los Angeles, with a focus on Clinical Psychology and Diverse Populations. Alicia's research lies within the experience of biracial and multi-racial people and their lived experiences as well as the experiences of poly and those who engage in kink. Fluent in English, American Sign Language, and some Spanish, Alicia's linguistic skills enhance her ability to connect with and serve diverse communities. Her professional experience ranges from being a Graduate Assistant at Mount Saint Mary’s University to roles requiring significant leadership and interpersonal skills, such as a Kink Consultant and a Live-in Caregiver. Alicia's commitment extends beyond her professional endeavors to volunteer roles as Vice President and Treasurer with Friends of the Knights, Los Angeles, where she has significantly contributed to fundraising and event coordination. Her academic contributions include presentations at prestigious conferences on topics crucial to advancing psychology's understanding of diverse populations and ethical considerations in research.

Roxann Wright
Dr. Roxann Wright received her Doctorate of Clinical Forensic Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology – Los Angeles in 2018. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology for the Helping Professions and a Master’s in Forensic Psychology. She has worked as a therapist at Ness Counseling Center, a non-profit for court ordered and voluntary low SES clients and San Fernando Valley Mental Health Centers for Older Adults FCCS providing mental health care for 55+.  She holds a position on the clinical team at Valley Mountain Regional Center in Stockton, Modesto, and San Andreas evaluating the eligibility of the developmentally disabled populations for services and providing competency court evaluations for developmentally disabled populations. Dr. Wright additionally works at the Psychology Assessment Resource Center in Rocklin, CA, providing psychological assessments/evaluations for forensic, educational, immigration, diagnostic, and treatment purposes as well as working with therapy clients dealing with trauma, abuse, and mental health disorders.

Ann Young
Captain Ann Young retired from the Los Angeles Police Department on July 13, 2016, after a 35-year career. Captain Young was appointed to the department in 1981. She promoted to include Police Officer III (Training Officer) in 1984. She worked as an undercover narcotics officer before being promoted to the rank of Detective in 1988. As a detective she worked 77th Area, Juvenile Division (Abused Child Unit), Robbery Homicide Division (Rape Special Section) and Internal Affairs Division. Young was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 1991. During that assignment, she was assigned as a field supervisor in the Central Area. She transferred to South
Traffic Division after her probationary period as a sergeant had ended. She was upgraded to Sergeant II and was assigned to the Tactical Planning Section in charge of Special Events. In 1995, Captain Young was promoted to Lieutenant. Her assignments included Hollywood Area, Pacific Area, and Transit Group. In March of 1999, she promoted to Lieutenant II and was assigned as the Commanding Officer of Operations Support Division, Van Nuys Area. In 2000 Captain Young was promoted to Captain and became the first African American woman to be promoted to the rank of Captain in the history of the LAPD. In 2002, Captain Young was promoted to Captain II and assigned to the South Traffic Division. As a captain, she worked in the Central Traffic Division and Detective Support and Vice Division. Her last assignment was the Central Traffic Division.

Captain Young earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Kinesiology at the University of California, Los Angeles. She earned a teaching credential from the University of California, Irvine. Captain Young earned a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Captain Young is a 1998 graduate of the FBI National Academy of Law Enforcement in Quantico, Virginia. She is also a graduate of the West Point Leadership Program and Supervisory Leadership Institute.

 

Nicole Haggard

Director of Center for the Advancement of Women

Day Opening Speaker

Ms. Fannie B. Robinson is a veteran businesswoman, nonprofit director, and Human Resources Professional with over 25 years of experience dedicated to HR day-to-day operations and functions across all scopes of the Human Resources department. Her extensive history of accomplishments in the nonprofit sector demonstrates her qualifications as a trainer and facilitator. She holds an MBA degree from the University of St. Francis in Joliet, Illinois with concentrations in Human Resources, Finance & Marketing, and Public Relations. Ms. Robinson sits on the board of directors for five nonprofits, four are in the Los Angeles Area and one in the Bay Area called Salute2Kindness.

Fannie Robinson’s extensive service working with nonprofits has brought her knowledge of rules and regulations, having spent the past several years serving and volunteering for various community outreach events such as View Park’s reading program, New You Resource Fair through Good Health Wins Initiative, SOS Saving Ourselves Sisters, Education Fairs, Social Justice initiatives, Fundraising events, Taste of Soul, King Day Parade, Black Health Expo, Partnering with Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell’s office for Health & Wellness, and Lobbying at the Capital on bill strategies, as well as being positioned on the DOJ’s Grants Peer Review Board. These are just a few of the events where Ms. Robinson participated in and served View Park and the community.

As President of The National Council of Negro Women, View Park Section, Fannie Robinson serves as head of the executive committee, conducts executive board meetings, and establishes and appoints committees as necessary for the operation of the Section. In addition to her standard duties, she works to increase social justice efforts for View Park, assists the community with addressing social injustices, and provides court accompaniment for those facing racial inequalities and injustices. In ongoing efforts, Ms. Robinson continues to establish meetings with city officials and lawmakers to advocate for the changes needed in underserved communities. Furthermore, she also ensures that the youth in these communities receive quality education and access to essential resources, and she actively fights against the “School to Prison Pipeline” that disproportionately affects students in these areas.
In her spare time, she is active in the Children’s Ministry at her church.

Angela Benveniste
Faculty, Mount Saint Mary’s University

FannIe Robinson

Founder and Director of MOTH Foundation

2024 SPEAKERS 

2024 Presenters