Conference Speakers
Dr. Brian Van Brunt
Dr. Brian Van Brunt has worked in the counseling field for more than 25 years, and specializes in educational counseling, behavioral intervention and support, and issues related to mental health and alcohol/substance abuse by students. He is the Assistant Deputy Director of Training for Secure Community Network (SCN), the official homeland security and safety initiative of the organized Jewish community in North America. Dr. Van Brunt is a prolific writer, having authored numerous books, book chapters, and articles. He has additionally produced various assessment instruments, video training materials, and is a blogger and photographer during his spare time.
B.J. Priester, Esq.
Benjamin J. Priester has been a law professor for nearly twenty years, teaching criminal law and criminal procedure, constitutional law, civil procedure, and a wide range of elective courses. He has taught at Florida State University College of Law and Florida Coastal School of Law, where he served a three-year term as Associate Dean of Faculty Development; he is a Visiting Professor of Law at Florida A&M University College of Law for the 2021-22 academic year. He graduated from Harvard College with a degree in Government and summa cum laude from Duke Law School.
Dr. Rudy F. Jamison Jr. is a native of Jacksonville, FL and proud graduate of Jean Ribault Sr. High School, Florida A&M University, and University of North Florida. Dr. Jamison currently works as faculty and Assistant Director of the Center for Urban Education and Policy in University of North Florida’s College of Education and Human Services. His academic interests include Black leadership development, community organizing, diversification of teacher education, culturally responsive teaching/leadership, career mobility, developmental relationships, self-monitoring, and nigrescence. Dr. Jamison is committed to advancing consciousness around equity, racism, and social justice in ways that assess, challenge, and support a more virtuous humanity.
Dr. Rudy F. Jamison Jr.
Dr. Wilder obtained her PhD from the University of Florida in Sociology. In addition to her studies in sociology, JeffriAnne also completed a PhD concentration in Women's Studies and Gender Research from the University of Florida. JeffriAnne completed her MA in Sociology from Cleveland State University, and a BA from Allegheny College. As a black woman and sociologist, JeffriAnne is deeply passionate about connecting sociology to the everyday issues occurring within our society. JeffriAnne regularly speaks on race, gender, and diversity issues, including:
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Women, Leadership, and Empowerment
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Diversity in Higher Education
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College Success
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Women of Color in Higher Education
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The Intersections of Race, Gender, and Social Justice
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Colorism in American Society
Dr. JeffriAnne Wilder
Snowden McFall, M.A.T, is a professional speaker, tv host, corporate trainer, and owner of Brightwork and Fired Up Professional Speaking and Coaching. Snowden has authored and co-authored 6 books, including Fired Up!, which has now sold over 65,000 copies. She is also the host of Ignite Success!, a tv show which airs on ABC and YouTube. She is also co-founder of the non-profit group “Success for Women Entrepreneurs” and was named National Women in Business Advocate of the Year by The United States Small Business Administration. Featured in Success Magazine, Investors Business Daily and Foxnews.com as an expert on burnout, Snowden has been speaking for over 25 years and has addressed several thousand professionals in companies like Pepsico, Vistakon, Fidelity National Financial and more.
Snowden McFall, M.A.T.
Abdullah T. Antepli
Abdullah T. Antepli is a globally acknowledged scholar and leader of cross-religious and cross-cultural dialogue in American higher education and in non-profit world. He has built multiple organizations and initiatives to facilitate religious and spiritual life across America’s college campuses, sowing seeds of understanding between religions while upholding their cultural integrity and dignity. In July 2019, Antepli joined the Sanford School of Public Policy as associate professor of the practice, with a secondary appointment at the Divinity School as associate professor of the practice of interfaith relations.
Willis Harris, JD.
Willis Harris, JD, is an experienced Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion expert. Driven by creating cultures of community respect and humility, he takes pride in providing the best equitable training and workshops possible to more than 3,000 employees. Being an equity specialist, allows him to focus his goals on increasing workplace psychological safety and retention, employee engagement, and eliminate discrimination. In addition to his career, Willis is also a father and husband and enjoys spending time with his family and three dogs.
Jacques S. Whitfield, JD
Jacques Whitfield is a seasoned Human Resources Executive with over 20 years of experience in human resources management, recently completing a six-year tenure as the Chief Human Resources Officer for the Yuba Community College District. He is a subject matter expert in performance management, employee engagement and state and federal EEO compliance matters. He is highly accomplished in successfully working with others to develop professional skills and improve employee effectiveness through training and development. Whitfield is a frequent speaker, trainer, and presenter.
Freda Doxey, LMHC
“Head” Coach Freda Doxey is passionate about transforming lives one mind at a time. She received her undergraduate degree from Cheyney University, where she was a starter for the iconic Lady Wolves Women’s Basketball team under the leadership of Naismith Hall of Famer Coach C. Vivian Stringer and was inducted into the Cheyney Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018. Freda continued her success in basketball as an assistant coach at the University of Missouri-Columbia and Florida State University before obtaining two master’s degrees: MPA from the University of Missouri-Columbia and MABC from Dallas Theological Seminary. Freda is currently a licensed mental health professional operating a private practice.
Freda is the proud wife of Gentry Doxey and mother of two young adult college students.
Dr. Tammy L. Hodo
Tammy L. Hodo earned her Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in Urban Studies, with a minor in Sociology in which she specializations in Race, Class, Gender, and Ethnicity. Dr. Tammy L. Hodo established All Things Diverse LLC, an educational consulting company working with organizations to optimize employee productivity through recognizing the value of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Tammy has provided training to local and national organizations all under the umbrella of diversity, equity, and inclusion. She has written course content on Implicit Biases and Microaggressions for a national educational vendor that is being used at hundreds of colleges and universities. She is a TEDx Jacksonville speaker where she discussed “The Social Implications of Race.” A few areas that she addresses are issues of racial equity, homophobia, gender identity, expression, and fluidity. She conducts workplace climate surveys, conducts policy audits and develops diversity programming based off organizational needs.
Dr. Kimberly Allen
Dr. Kimberly Allen is a Jacksonville native along with her husband and three children. She earned two bachelor’s degrees and a master’s degree from Florida State University. She obtained a Ph. D. from the University of Georgia. Dr. Allen also worked at the University of Georgia’s Center for Family Research where she examined the relationship patterns of rural, African American men. She became the CEO of 904WARD after serving as the board chair of the all-volunteer organization for two and a half years and a member two years before that. During that time, the organization has engaged over one thousand Jacksonville community members, created and sold over 1,200 decks of the Race Cards as a tool to invite meaningful dialogue. Her hope is to work the organization out of business so that her children, grandchildren and future generations can actually see the beauty in our city rather than just its potential.
Dr. Victoria McNeil-Young
Dr. Victoria McNeil-Young (she/her/hers) is a researcher, therapist, and professor committed to the liberation of BIPOC individuals and communities. She conducts research and provides consultations, trainings and workshops on topics related to understanding experiences of oppression and hate as well as justice and liberation among marginalized communities with the goal of increasing BIPOC wellness. Dr. McNeil-Young serves as an assistant professor of psychology at Jacksonville University.
Nicole Davidson-Harshaw
Nicole Davidson-Harshaw is a Nationally Board Certified Counselor and is an experienced Registered Marriage, Couple and Family Therapist Intern and a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern. She certifies for having met the highest national standards for general practice of counseling. Currently, she maintains her clinical role as a provider with Jewish Family and Community Services where she administers face-to-face and telemedicine services for a diversified population. Her focus with clients covers a myriad of mental, emotional and behavioral issues to aid with anxiety, trauma, depression, relationships, social skills, and severe mental illnesses as well as domestic violence. Nicole earned her Master of Science in Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling from Walden University. During her undergrad, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Pre-law from the University of North Florida and an Associate in Arts degree in Communications from Florida Community College at Jacksonville.