AllySHIFT™ EPISODE 1: KANSAS CITY, MO
On Friday November 11, 2022, at the Negro League Baseball Museum (NLBM) Kansas City, Missouri “AllySHIFT™ Episode 1 was launched. The inaugural town-style event brought together subject matter experts, leaders, and influencers with an audience to embrace the moment to movement experience. We focused and took a deep dive into subjects that call for AllySHIFT™ momentum and sustainability.
Our focus: Education, Economics, & Environment
Our fun: Premier of Black Panther & The “Thanks a Million” Hall of Fame Gala
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Take a look and listen….
Dr. Nikole Hannah-Jones
Pulitzer Prize Winning Reporter & Author
NIKOLE HANNAH-JONES is the Pulitzer Prize-winning creator of The 1619 Project, a #1 New York Times bestseller. Her reporting has earned her the MacArthur Fellowship, known as the Genius grant, a Peabody Award, two George Polk Awards and the National Magazine Award three times. She also serves as the Knight Chair of Race and Journalism at Howard University, where she is founding the Center for Journalism & Democracy. Hannah-Jones is also the co-founder of the Ida B. Wells Society for Investigative Reporting, which seeks to increase the number of investigative reporters and editors of color, and this year she opened the 1619 Freedom School, a free, afterschool literacy program in her hometown of Waterloo, Iowa. Hannah-Jones holds a Master of Arts in Mass Communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and earned her BA in History and African-American studies from the University of Notre Dame.
Rev. Kaylie H. Ines, Pastor Olsburg & Walsburg Lutheran Churches
Pastor Kaylie was born and raised in Wichita, Ks. In 2018, she graduated from Bethany College (Lindsborg, Ks.) with a degree in Psychology, and Religion, with a minor in Sustainability. From there she moved to Berkeley, CA., to pursue her M.Div at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, where Kaylie completed her degree (with a concentration in Climate Justice and Faith) in 2021. After that, she moved back to Wichita, Ks, and joyfully accepted a call to be the pastor of Olsburg and Walsburg Lutheran Churches in Kansas. Kaylie has a joy for all the good things in life: the bees, the earth, coffee, camping, books, flipping the tables of oppression, destroying the patriarchy… you know, all the simple things in life! When she is not reading and writing academic/pastor-y things, you can find her paddleboarding, hiking, baking, or reading some new thriller!
Blair Imani, Author & Creator
Blair Imani (she/her) is the creator of the viral web series Smarter in Seconds. She is the LA Times Bestselling author of Read This to Get Smarter and Head of Education at Feminist for All. She is also the author of Making Our Way Home and Modern HERstory. Her scholarship spans intersectionality, gender studies, race and racism, sociology, and United States history. As a public speaker, Blair Imani has presented at universities including Oxford and Harvard. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Tegan and Sara Foundation. The New York Times praises Blair Imani’s unique ability to create “progressive lessons with vibrant visuals and a perky, quirky delivery.” Her work centers women and girls, global Black communities, and the LGBTQ+ community. As an educator, influencer, and semi-retired organizer, Blair Imani is dedicated to making the world less terrible and amplifying the voices and work of those fighting the good fight.
Cheryl Stallworth & Melissa Dougherty,
Co-Founders Shedlight.org
Cheryl Stallworth is a co-founder of ShedLight.org. Previously, she was CEO of Firefly, Kantar Millward Brown's North American qualitative research division for a decade. Cheryl prides herself in providing ShedLight clients with insights and innovation that are transforming the social impact landscape for brands and non-profits. Earlier in her career at Colgate-Palmolive, Cheryl served as a Worldwide Brand Director, General Manager-Guatemala, and VP/General Manager-Multicultural Marketing. At The Coca-Cola Company, Cheryl was Marketing Director/Central America & Caribbean and Consumer Insights Director-Sports and Entertainment Marketing. She holds an MBA in Marketing from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is a member of the Dean’s External Advisory Board at the Wisconsin School of Business. Cheryl lived in Central America for 8 years and is fluent in English & Spanish.
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Melissa Dougherty is cofounder of ShedLight.org. She weaves diverse observations into a meaningful mosaic; helping clients understand markets, synthesize strategy, & identify compelling programs, positionings & partnerships. Before founding ShedLight, Melissa was Managing Director at Firefly, Kantar Millward Brown’s qualitative research division, where her clients included Google, Chase Bank, & Pepsico. She founded, grew & sold Voice Partners, a mobile communications research a& design consultancy; & was Director, UX at Nuance Communications. Melissa has a BA from Northwestern University & an MSW from Silberman School of Social Work/CUNY.
Tanaya Devi, Co-Founder, Sigma Squared
Tanaya Devi is the Co-Founder and Data Science Lead at Sigma Squared — a company that provides frontier analytical tools to recognize and reduce bias in workplaces. She is also the Principal Data Scientist at Equal Opportunity Ventures — a VC firm that invests in early-stage businesses that increase opportunity in America.
Tanaya graduated with an MSc from the London School of Economics, an MPhil from Cambridge University and a PhD from Harvard. It was while she was at Harvard that she co-authored a paper looking into investigations of police departments that was cited widely in mainstream media and within the U.S. Department of Justice.
Before her life as an economist, Tanaya was a professional Indian classical dancer who toured with her troupe around the globe.
Ralph G. Moore Founder & President, RGMA
A former executive at Arthur Andersen, Ralph G Moore founded Ralph G. Moore & Associates (RGMA). Currently, RGMA is one of the premier consulting firms for helping employers to diversify their suppliers. In addition, they consult government agencies with the development and implementation of Affirmative Action programs and help entrepreneurs raise capital. Additionally, Moore serves on the board of directors of several firms. He has also been a contributor to the Harvard Business Review and MBE Magazine. He is also a co-founder and the president of the Alliance of Business Leaders and Entrepreneurs. Since 1994, Moore has served as a trustee of the City Colleges of Chicago, and he is also a trustee of the University of Chicago Hospitals & Health System. Moore’s numerous awards include “Entrepreneur of the Year” from Inc. Magazine and Enrst & Young and the Governor’s Minority Small Business Advocate of the Year Award from former Illinois Governor George Ryan.
Jeary Payne Art & Assoc Educator,
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Jeary Payne is an artist and educator who believes that nothing done without passion is ever done for long. He is dedicated to exploring innovative ways to support and enhance the learning experience through the arts and education for young people at all levels and ages. After he received a bachelor’s of Inter-disciplinary Studies from Arizona State University, Jeary relocated to New York in the spring of 2015 and become active in the city’s art scene; first as a performing artist and eventually as a Teaching Artist, Teen Mentor and Program Manager for Urban Art Beat, a non-profit organization that increases youth literacy and leadership skills through creative collaboration in the arts. Joining The Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2017 as an Assistant Educator overseeing Museum’s High School Internship Program. In July of 2022 he stepped into a new role as Associate Educator for Teen Programs within Family and Teen programs division of the Education Department, where he currently focuses on the management, development and implementation of all Teen Program initiatives. He currently pursuing a graduate degree in Oral History at Columbia University.
Andrew Heinrich Founder & President
Project Rousseau
Andrew Heinrich founded Project Rousseau in 2011 while an undergraduate student at Columbia University. Since then, Andrew has completed his JD at Harvard Law School and MPhil at Oxford University. Alongside his leadership of Project Rousseau, Andrew is General Secretary and a founding board member of PARC Adventures Monaco. He also serves on the Fund Development Council at Columbia University, the Junior Board at City Harvest, the Board of the International School of Monaco, and the Board of Directors at HIAS.
Carol Carter, CEO & Founder of GlobalMindED
Carol Carter is a national and international student success author, speaker, and entrepreneur. She began her career in college publishing with Prentice Hall, and became the first female assistant vice president and director of college marketing at age 26. Later, as V.P. and publisher, she developed the widely acclaimed Keys to Success series to help college students connect their academic success to their future professional success. Now in its eighth edition, the series is available in multiple languages, and has been used by more than 3,000,000 students worldwide. In 2000, she started LifeBound, a student success company that provides academic and professional coaching skills training for K-12 and college faculty, advisors and staff. In 2014 she founded GlobalMindED to bring together leaders in education, government, business, and social enterprise committed to improving access and equity to education, employment and health. Now in its sixth year, the annual conference attracts more than 1000 attendees, including 100 first-generation college students who learn academic and professional skills while networking with companies who seek a diverse talent pipeline.
Tyrone Tubbs Managing Director, PSW Mgmt.
Tyrone Tubbs is the managing director for PSW Management, a full-service marketing firm with expertise in branding, sport marketing, and entertainment management. He is a 20-year veteran marketer and strategist who honed his expertise in brand marketing, brand strategy, new business and new product development through his work with some of America’s premier marketing companies, sports property giants, and leading entertainment companies.
In addition to his managing director responsibilities at PSW Management, Tyrone served as an adjunct faculty lecturer at the University of Louisville in the Sports Administration Department from 2007 through 2012. He taught courses in strategic brand management, sports finance, sports marketing, human resource management in sports and recreation, sports promotion, and sales management. Prior to his career as an entrepreneur and educator, Tyrone worked as a senior executive in the consumer product, sports, entertainment and advertising industry. He successfully directed sales and marketing teams at Clear Channel Radio, Churchill Downs, Major League Baseball, Coca-Cola USA, Miller Brewing Company, The Walt Disney Company and Pepsi-Cola Bottling Group where he was responsible for financial performance, strategic planning, brand marketing, advertising sales, shopper marketing promotions, and special events.
Dr. Dale Wesson, Former Provost & SCP Student Affairs Clark Atlanta University
Dr. G. Dale Wesson has over 20 years of successful higher education experience at five Historically Black Colleges or Universities (HBCUs), most recently at Clark Atlanta University (CAU) as Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs. At Virginia State University (VSU), he served as Vice President for Research and Economic Development. Dr. G. Dale Wesson has also served as Vice President for Research at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES), South Carolina State University (SC State), and interim Vice President for Research at Florida A&M University (FAMU). Dr. Wesson is a registered Professional Engineer with ten years of industrial experience with Dow Chemical, USA, and the author of more than 50 combined journal publications and technical presentations. Dr. Wesson earned degrees from the Illinois Institute of Technology, where he received a Bachelor of Science, a Master of Science from Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), and a Ph.D. from Michigan State University, all in chemical engineering.
Robert Smith, Founder & Managing Partner
NUE Capital
Robert Smith is a former Division 1 athlete turned serial entrepreneur.
As the founder and managing partner of NUE, he created a proprietary algorithmic formula known as the “Influencer Model” centered around the macroeconomic effects influencers have in TET (Technology, Entertainment, and Trends) to support his work in the field. As the Founder & Managing Partner of IECP, he was the lead investor and fund manager playing an integral role in building a portfolio of over 80 digital media companies with notable exits including: InDMusic acquired by LiveNation, FameBit acquired by Google, Vessel acquired by Verizon, StarMaker acquired by Everyone Happy, HelloGiggles acquired by Time Inc., and Overdog acquired by Odd Networks.
Robert previously served as a Director at Lido Advisors a $10B+ RIA where he led the firm's Sports & Entertainment division. With extensive relationships in the world of sports and entertainment Robert is also the Co-Founder of APGS (Alumni Pro's Global Sports), an IP managed services firm representing an elite group of iconic NFL & NBA Hall of Famers focused on acquiring ownership interest in professional sports leagues and franchises.
Janice Brooks Founding Chair, National Congress of Black Women Metro - Jackson , MS Chapter
Ms. Janice Brooks is a proud Mississippian who grew up in the City of Jackson, attended Jackson public schools and graduated from Jackson State University with master’s degrees in public policy and Administration and English Literature. Through her strong leadership experience on both the state and national levels, Janice became a Harvard University Advance Leadership Institute Fellow and Member of the Charles Ogletree Black ALI Fellows. Ms. Brooks is Chair of the National Board of Directors of the National Congress of Black Women, Inc, Founder of the NCBW Metro-Jackson Chapter and an NCBW Life Member. Janice has over 20 years of federal-level human resources and labor-management relations leadership experience through her work at the Treasury Department, Office of Personnel Management and National Labor Relations Board. Ms. Brooks also served as the Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS), Jackson, Mississippi, 2000-2002.
