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View the Thursday, Feb 2, 12:00PM-1:30PM for a panel conversation.
Black Resistance Panel Discussion
Our moderator will go through a series of questions that highlight our panelists' views and the passion behind their work. We will hear how their work paves a way towards restoration. We will list what barriers are faced--whether it be within our communities or the lack of support given to our communities and initiatives. The conversation will transition into listing needed supports. We will end with a Question and Answer session, sharing links for those who want to get involved, and challenge everyone to do their part to ensure the change we all want to see.
Meet the Panelists:
Kelis Houston is Founder of Village Arms. A Christ-centered organization that supports African American families impacted by child protection. Village Arms’ focus is family preservation and reunification through parenting education, in-home visits, resource acquisition and advocacy with a cultural base. Village Arms was created in direct response to the over representation and disparate treatment of African Americans across the child welfare service continuum. Kelis’ personal mission is to address and help eradicate these disparities through legislative action, youth and family advocacy, policy reform and community engagement. She currently serves as cultural consultant to child welfare staff, students and service providers. Her training is designed to bring a new level of cultural awareness to those working for and within the African American community. To achieve clearer lines of communication and a sensitivity to culture. Kelis began her career in social services over a decade ago and has since been a voice for marginalized communities. Check out this powerful video to learn more about the fight to pass the African American Family Preservation Act.
Lee Henry Jordan is a resident of Minneapolis Minnesota with a heart for community development. With over 25 years in the film industry, he is an accomplished filmmaker who owns a casting company, writes, directs and also manages several local and national production endeavors. He works with both Independent and Commercial Productions. Creating works that are thought provoking as well as artistically astute, his goal is to capture inspiring experiences that promote Black American history and the celebration of family. Mr. Lee started his Juneteenth Journey in the 1980's just going and finding out about Juneteenth and why people were excited about the event. His next stage of involvement with Juneteenth was as a vendor, he then became a committee member which connected him with the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation(NJOF). His continued involvement with the NJOF led him to his current position as Mid -West and State Director for the NJOF and Community Liaison for the local Minnesota Juneteenth. In that role his goal is to help share the motto of Juneteenth and the history of the NJOF. The NJOF is a national foundation, including hundreds of local organizations., that have been instrumental in the passage of Juneteenth Independence Day legislation. The NJOF advances the right of Freedom through its initiatives including education, health, music, art, and technology creating opportunities for a better life for all. By focusing on these key building blocks the NJOF movement creates long-lasting community change. The NJOF is a call to action for everyone to become a part of the change. As Mr. Jordan continues to grow as an Activist, Community Connector, Black Business Owner and Lover of Family and History he will continue to elevate the positive messages associated with Unity and Liberty in the Black community. Check out the trailer for Lee's film work.
Nick Muhammad is a Twin Cities transplant from Indianola, Mississippi. His journey has brought him from the cradle of white supremacy to the crown of white supremacy in Minnesota. He is a product and advocate for the American Descendants of Slavery ADOS/Black community. As Executive Director of the Black Civic Network (BCN) he is a strong advocate for reparations and repairing of the ADOS/Black families. Under his leadership they have authored the “ADOS Reparative Justice Fund” which is a bill to stabilize the ADOS/Black community and are strong allies in support of the “African American Family Preservation Act”. They are also the consultants on several State, County and Municipal initiatives to impact the ADOS/Black community. Learn more about economics and reparations from Rev Dr. Martin Luther King.
View the Thursday, Feb 2, 12:00PM-1:30PM for a panel conversation.
Black Resistance Panel Discussion
Our moderator will go through a series of questions that highlight our panelists' views and the passion behind their work. We will hear how their work paves a way towards restoration. We will list what barriers are faced--whether it be within our communities or the lack of support given to our communities and initiatives. The conversation will transition into listing needed supports. We will end with a Question and Answer session, sharing links for those who want to get involved, and challenge everyone to do their part to ensure the change we all want to see.
Meet the Panelists:
Kelis Houston is Founder of Village Arms. A Christ-centered organization that supports African American families impacted by child protection. Village Arms’ focus is family preservation and reunification through parenting education, in-home visits, resource acquisition and advocacy with a cultural base. Village Arms was created in direct response to the over representation and disparate treatment of African Americans across the child welfare service continuum. Kelis’ personal mission is to address and help eradicate these disparities through legislative action, youth and family advocacy, policy reform and community engagement. She currently serves as cultural consultant to child welfare staff, students and service providers. Her training is designed to bring a new level of cultural awareness to those working for and within the African American community. To achieve clearer lines of communication and a sensitivity to culture. Kelis began her career in social services over a decade ago and has since been a voice for marginalized communities. Check out this powerful video to learn more about the fight to pass the African American Family Preservation Act.
Lee Henry Jordan is a resident of Minneapolis Minnesota with a heart for community development. With over 25 years in the film industry, he is an accomplished filmmaker who owns a casting company, writes, directs and also manages several local and national production endeavors. He works with both Independent and Commercial Productions. Creating works that are thought provoking as well as artistically astute, his goal is to capture inspiring experiences that promote Black American history and the celebration of family. Mr. Lee started his Juneteenth Journey in the 1980's just going and finding out about Juneteenth and why people were excited about the event. His next stage of involvement with Juneteenth was as a vendor, he then became a committee member which connected him with the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation(NJOF). His continued involvement with the NJOF led him to his current position as Mid -West and State Director for the NJOF and Community Liaison for the local Minnesota Juneteenth. In that role his goal is to help share the motto of Juneteenth and the history of the NJOF. The NJOF is a national foundation, including hundreds of local organizations., that have been instrumental in the passage of Juneteenth Independence Day legislation. The NJOF advances the right of Freedom through its initiatives including education, health, music, art, and technology creating opportunities for a better life for all. By focusing on these key building blocks the NJOF movement creates long-lasting community change. The NJOF is a call to action for everyone to become a part of the change. As Mr. Jordan continues to grow as an Activist, Community Connector, Black Business Owner and Lover of Family and History he will continue to elevate the positive messages associated with Unity and Liberty in the Black community. Check out the trailer for Lee's film work.
Nick Muhammad is a Twin Cities transplant from Indianola, Mississippi. His journey has brought him from the cradle of white supremacy to the crown of white supremacy in Minnesota. He is a product and advocate for the American Descendants of Slavery ADOS/Black community. As Executive Director of the Black Civic Network (BCN) he is a strong advocate for reparations and repairing of the ADOS/Black families. Under his leadership they have authored the “ADOS Reparative Justice Fund” which is a bill to stabilize the ADOS/Black community and are strong allies in support of the “African American Family Preservation Act”. They are also the consultants on several State, County and Municipal initiatives to impact the ADOS/Black community. Learn more about economics and reparations from Rev Dr. Martin Luther King.
