PATHWAYS: to Change, to Connections, to Community

Olayami Dabls, the founder and curator of MBAD African Bead Museum and Dabls African Bead Gallery, created the project with the intention to use art for its original purpose in Africa. Instead of using art for entertainment or to make money, he uses art to stimulate emotional and cultural healing.

Dabls set off to see if our planet’s materials really helped the validity of the African ideal when he first created his installation and museum located at Grand River and W. Grand Blvd. in Detroit, Michigan. His purpose as an artist and educator was confirmed when he found that people naturally are drawn to MBAD to see the beacon and explore themselves through the art because they are already attuned to this ancient way of healing. Dabls also has a mural located in Eastern Market representing African women during enslavement and colonization through the use of triangle shapes, depictions of birds, symbols, and cultural materials. An additional mural is located at the intersection of Grand River and Warren with similar cultural materials depicting snakes, which have many symbolic interpretations and are known as the predator without limbs.

During the 1970’s, he began working at the Afro-American Museum which was founded in 1965, and the second African art museum in the country established at the time. Later the name was changed to The African American Museum in 1978 and sometime in the 1990s it was changed to The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. The people he worked with there had the preconception that African masks, textiles, and culture appeared frightening. Dabls had to wonder why a person would be afraid of their own culture, but feel enlightened going down the street to the Detroit Institute of Arts which focuses on European art. This catapulted him into learning as much as he possibly could about African material culture, because he felt it was his responsibility to share this knowledge in order to educate those around him. During this time, the museum world was run and determined by European Museums. In 1994, upon realizing this was indoctrination and colonization of art happening right in front of his eyes, he decided to build a museum that talked about material culture (art) from an African perspective.

Jessica has more than 13 years of experience in state and federal legislative policy and advocacy. For the past nine years, she has directed state and federal policy initiatives at CEDAM. Jessica’s work focuses on coalition building and advocating for policies that create more vibrant, equitable neighborhoods around the state. This includes affordable housing, tax policy, asset building, and consumer financial protections.

Jessica is also the acting executive director for the Rural Partners of Michigan (RPM) which focuses on economic development in rural areas around the state. She also serves on the Executive Committee for Partners for Rural America.

She previously worked as a staff member in the House of Representatives and for a nonprofit focused on developing affordable housing for those experiencing homelessness. Jessica graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Central Michigan University.

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Courtney Battle is the Executive Director for the Housing Association of Nonprofit Developers (HAND). HAND’s growing network of members includes a wide variety of real estate and community development professionals in the Capital Region (Baltimore, Washington and Richmond) who share the mission of creating more equitable outcomes through the vehicle of affordable housing. Courtney believes that relationships are one of life’s cornerstones, and cultivating a strong network of changemakers who are transforming communities is vital to addressing the inequities that create barriers to opportunity.

Courtney joined the organization in October 2016 as Membership Manager, and was promoted to Membership Director in July 2019. In these capacities, she was responsible for: the recruitment, management and engagement of members; launching and administering the association management system for 1,000+ members and 400+ prospective members; implementing the organization’s marketing & communications initiatives (including the website, social media, e-blasts sent to 10,000+ inboxes, annual marketing materials, blog posts and the annual fundraiser digital program book distributed to 1,000+ attendees); the planning and execution of 40+ training and capacity building events each year; overseeing activities of the committee supporting the emerging leader member segment; and supporting the Executive Director in special projects.

In July 2021, Courtney was promoted to Director of Strategic Partnerships & Membership. In this role she led a wide range of projects designed to scale HAND’s reach across the region and increase the organization’s ability to build its members’ capacity. These included, but are not limited to: relationship building and strengthening; fundraising activities; assessing member needs that can be translated to programming and/or advocacy initiatives; serving as an ambassador for the organization in external events and media interviews; overseeing membership functions; and leading the marketing and communications strategy.

Courtney brings a wealth of experience in journalism and communications to her work. Prior to joining HAND, she served as an Account Manager for a local public affairs firm, and spent several years at CNN’s Washington, DC bureau as a News Assistant and Media Coordinator.

Service is also deeply embedded in her DNA, and Courtney has engaged with several community organizations which include Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Reading Partners, and Community ONE. She has the pleasure of serving as a Board member for Women of Color in Community Development, and was President of the Board from 2020-2021. She also successfully completed the Illuminate Your Leadership Nonprofit Coaching Program and Prosperity Now’s Building High Impact Nonprofits of Color initiative. She received her Bachelor’s degree from Howard University, where she majored in Journalism and minored in Afro-American Studies. She is originally from Southfield, Michigan, and has found a second home in Washington, DC.

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Kheri Billy has 15-plus years of experience managing the fiscal and human resources of various non- profit organizations in New Orleans. Kheri holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a Master of Business Administration.
Her employment history includes large and small non-profit organizations, including Second Harvest Food Bank, DePaul Community Health Center, and De La Salle High School. Kheri serves as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Reconcile New Orleans, a workforce development non-profit organization serving young people ages 16-24. She served as Chief Financial officer for four years before taking on the role of CEO.
Few senior executive leaders in the New Orleans non-profit sector can look at the individuals they serve and say, “I’ve been there, and you can absolutely do this.” Kheri Billy can. Every day, she comes to work to offer her talents to the people in her community – both staff and program participants. Kheri sees herself in the young people they serve and often shares that she is home-grown talent. As a New Orleans native, she’s traveled the path and faced many of the barriers our program participants have experienced. She understands the challenges one must overcome for successful employment in our city.
Kheri believes passionately that a well-run, innovative non-profit can be a role model for program participants and the greater community. She makes decisions strategically, always considering how decisions will impact her ability to make a meaningful difference. She considers longer-term thinking instead of short-term “return on investment.” Sustainability of progress is always the goal.
As an executive leader, Kheri emphasizes professional development through one-on-one coaching and developing a positive and supportive working environment for staff. Looking at the young people in Reconcile’s program just starting their professional development, she can say, “I know what it’s like to be where you are. And you, too, can become a leader in your community.”

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Mark is the executive director at Dream of Detroit, an initiative to combine community organizing with housing and land development to revitalize a neighborhood and build a thriving, healthy community on the Westside of Detroit. DREAM organizes local residents as well as folks from throughout the metro-area Muslim community in the fight to achieve racial and economic justice in Detroit’s neighborhoods. Prior to DREAM, Mark honed his skills in digital strategy and community organizing at MoveOn, the Obama 2012 campaign, and the Inner-City Muslim Action Network. He also has significant organizational development experience and currently serves on the boards of the Detroit Justice Center, ReThink Media, and Emgage Foundation.

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We collect, analyze, interpret, and share high-quality data to drive informed decision-making processes and increase data-driven outcomes.

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Phyllis J. Edwards transitioned from the executive director of Bridging Communities, a non-profit in Southwest Detroit Michigan, to Project Development Consultant in 2022. Bridging’s primary focus is eldercare case management, development and rehabbing quality affordable housing and neighborhood stabilization. As executive director for 12 years, she was responsible for oversite of corporate resources, management of two senior independent living facilities, 24 townhomes, and several land contracts, in addition to other asset management and compliances. Under her leadership Bridging expanded it services to become a certified housing counseling agency, a City of Detroit Housing Resource Center, acquired certified housing counselors, resyndicated their elder living center Pablo Davis, grew the funding to exceed over 2 million dollars, and rehabbed the building to include solar panels on the roof of both the organization building and Pablo Davis. She is an advocate and supports administration and programmatic changes to current laws and practices that prohibits quality affordable housing for all. She endeavors to change the current housing practices by influencing legal, regulatory and legislative policies, and by fostering strong relationships with policy makers through the lifting of community voices. She serves as a partner with Aging Matters Conference, a day of learning for caregivers and seniors. She is board chair for the Southeast Michigan Senior Regional Collaborative, member of the advisory board for the Detroit Area Agency on Aging 1A, past board Chair for Community Development Advocates of Detroit (CDAD) and current board member, board member for 360 Detroit, board member Just Ask Foundation and partner with their Fun Day Event, advisory member MSHDA Housing Plan, and Advisory board member for First Merchants Bank. Nationally, she is the financial chair for the national board of Self-Development of People, board member National Community Reinvestment Coalition and National Association of Nonprofit Organizations and Executives. She is a servant to all especially in her church where she serves a chair of the kitchen committee, as usher, chair of the Pastor’s aides committee, monthly women bible study teacher and recently appointed to the role of Administrative Assistant. She loves people and ensures that all she meets know they are valued and worthy of being loved.

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Thaddaeus Elliott is housing advocacy coordinator at NLIHC. He works with the Coalition’s field team to expand membership and engage advocates in efforts to advance federal policy priorities. Before joining NLIHC, Thaddaeus completed a policy fellowship with the National Ministries of the United Church of Christ (UCC) in its Office of Public Policy and Advocacy in Washington, D.C. As a fellow, he educated and mobilized UCC churches and their members from all over the country to advocate on Capitol Hill for the denomination’s policy priorities relating to environmental justice, criminal justice reform, racial justice, and civil rights.

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After almost 10 years working at various Detroit nonprofits, Trina’s passion for mission work is what brought her to TechTown Detroit after a few years in the profit sector. Trina is a dynamic HR professional with over 15 years’ experience and expertise in all areas of human resources. She has proven success in change management; developing various programs, policies and initiatives that drives corporate culture and employee engagement. In her role as TechTown’s Director of Human Resources, Trina oversees all human resources activities through servant leadership. She champions inclusive and equitable staff policies and procedures that supports the organization’s strategic goals. Trina thrives at creating an unmatched work experience and being an advocate for all employees. She loves building relationships with employees and the leaders that she supports.



Trina earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance from Wayne State University, a Master of Science degree in human resources management from Central Michigan University, and a Professional in Human Resources certification from HRCI. In her free time, she can be found hanging out or travelling with her husband and two young daughters.

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Courtney Holts is an HR professional with over seven years of HR and operations experience in multiple industries. She has engaged with most aspects of human resources, including talent acquisition, onboarding, employee development and employee relations. She is dedicated to promoting continuous business growth and cultivating client loyalty.   
Courtney holds a bachelor’s in political science from Michigan State University and a master’s in human resources management from Central Michigan University.

In her free time, Courtney loves spending time with family and trying new restaurants in the city.

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Lisa Johanon is the founder and executive director of Central Detroit Christian CDC, a faith-based non-profit organization located in central Detroit. She has served in that capacity for 29 years and has been a Detroiter for 38 years. At CDC she supervises a staff of 30 who are empowered to develop and coordinate programs, businesses and bright ideas in three areas: education, employment and economic development, and she oversees a $6.4 million dollar budget. To meet the selected goals in the specific areas mentioned above, CDC has implemented 5 education based youth and family programs reaching nearly 500 kids on weekly basis; does extensive job training and placement for over 400 teens and young adults annually; has developed 17 different businesses of which 7 are still under CDC’s umbrella, and which employ 36 community members; provides extensive housing counseling services for over 800 families yearly while helping first time homebuyers get educated about finances and financing. Lisa has developed $43 million in housing/affordable housing with $3 million under construction presently and $32 million in the pipeline—all set to close and commence construction in 2024. Lisa has been highlighted in Crain’s Business Magazine as a top female real estate developer in the region.

Lisa serves on 2 boards including: Black Male Educators Alliance Board of Directors and Live Coal (chair). She coaches 2 dozen entrepreneurs.

As a graduate of Wheaton College with a B.A. in Christian Education and Bible, and as a graduate of John Marshall Law School, Lisa has a diverse knowledge base and skill set that has led to her unique community development style and philosophy.

Lisa (and her husband Dan) have 2 adult children, a young adult goddaughter, and many non-biological children throughout the central Detroit community they call home.

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Formerly the Director of Education and Programming Amy is now the Executive Director of Matrix Theatre. Matrix Theater is a small non-for-profit, social justice theatre in Southwest Detroit that produces traditional and experimental professional theatre as well as hosts (educational) courses and experiences for ages 6 on (or all ages). Our Mission is "to build community, improve lives, and foster social justice, Matrix Theatre Company teaches, creates, and shares theatre as an instrument of transformation".



Additionally, Amy has been teaching Communication, Performance, and Education courses at Eastern Michigan University since she graduated with her Master’s Degree in Performance Studies in 2007. Prior to that, she was a high school speech and English for eight years in Illinois. Amy is a create play and drama teaching artist and presenter, most prominently with Michigan Arts Access or MiAA (formerly the VSA: the State Organization on Arts and Disabilities).



Creating performance experiences is Amy’s wheel house. Most notably, she produced two devised shows for Eastern Michigan University: A Head Full of Snakes, centering around myth and impact of Medusa and [Something Between], exploring the word, idea, and feelings regarding walls. Using original and existing texts, she has also developed, built, and directed several award willing Reader’s Theaters for competition at ARTa (American Reader’s Theater Association). In 2016 and 2017 with her coconspirator, Marisa Dluge, she built the immersive, space-based performance experience It(s) About Time. Amy also writes and performs as a founding company member and Associate Producer for the UnTheatre Company in Detroit that produces the show "Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind”.

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Elise Lancaster assumed the role of Director of Federal Grants, Procurement, and Strategic Initiatives for U.S. Senator Gary C. Peters after serving eight years as his State Director. Other government roles include serving as State Purchasing Director for the State of Michigan, Procurement Liaison for the State of Michigan Defense Center, Constituent Services Director for Governor Jennifer M. Granholm, and Chief of Staff in the State Senate. Private sector experience includes serving as Senior Director of Government Affairs and Public Sector Procurement, and Government Relations Specialist, for statewide government affairs consulting firms. Through these roles she has gained extensive knowledge of federal and state processes and the resources available to constituents, particularly in the area of government grant and contracting opportunities.

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Joo Hee Pomplun joined the Alliance staff in May 2017. Joo Hee was formerly the director of policy and advocacy at Asian Economic Development Association (AEDA) where they worked with Asian communities along the Central Corridor and the Bottineau Transitway to open greater opportunities for wealth building via entrepreneurship, individual financial capabilities development, social lending, and governmental policies and practices.

Joo Hee founded and organized the Health Equity Working Committee, a coalition of community-based organizations serving and led by Asian, African, African American, Latinx, American Indian, LGBTQ, and ally communities seeking accountability of government to advance health equity. They also served as the executive director of the Minnesota Asian/American Health Coalition. Joo Hee has a bachelor’s degree in women’s studies, a master’s degree in public health, and is a certified massage therapist. Their strengths and interests are in the intersection of community development, racial equity, and spiritual health.

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Heather Raspberry is the Executive Director Emeritus of HAND, a cross-sector collective of changemakers whose strategic collaboration brings equitable communities to fruition in the Capital Region of Baltimore, Washington and Richmond. Through education, engagement and regional advocacy, HAND strengthens the capacity of its members who share a commitment to creating communities anchored by affordable housing. A values-driven and entrepreneurial leader, Heather believes that through thoughtful engagement and strategic collaboration, institutions and mission-driven stakeholders can disrupt systems of inequity to address the root causes that amplify housing disparities and restrict access to opportunity for communities of color.

Since her appointment in 2012, Heather has led HAND’s strategic, financial and administrative operations with innovative thinking and strong coalition building across sectors and jurisdictions. As a change association committed to centering racial equity, HAND identifies patterns of inequity, solves for the problems that persist, and activates its members to lead with collective action. Under her leadership, the organization has been deliberate in advancing the scale and depth of its programming and advocacy designed to empower HAND’s member base to operationalize racial equity within their respective institutions, while catalyzing impact for the communities they are missioned to serve.

Prior to her role with HAND, Heather held various leadership positions within the public, private and social sectors. While at Enterprise Community Partners, she executed national public relations campaigns to advance their business and philanthropic priorities. Additionally, Heather has designed resource development strategies and communication initiatives for housing & economic development coalitions, held public service positions with local and federal government, and managed political campaigns for elected officials. She has also operated a robust consultancy business that developed comprehensive branding strategies for companies to increase their competitive edge and impact.

Over the course of her career, Heather has been recognized for a number of accomplishments in the field. She was named the Court Appointed Special Advocate of the Year in recognition of her passion to represent the best interest of youth in foster care to the District of Columbia Family Court; honored as a Rising Leader in Community Development by the Coalition for Nonprofit Housing & Economic Development; received Affordable Housing Finance’s Young Leader award; CREW DC’s Raise Up Your Voice award; and named Commercial Observer’s 25 Most Powerful Real Estate Players in Washington, DC. Heather serves on the boards of New Partners Community Solar, Truist CRA Advisory Committee, City First Capital Advisory Board, Corporation for Supportive Housing Advisory Board and her homeowners’ association. She is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Leadership Greater Washington, and a Founding Board member of Women of Color in Community Development. Heather holds a dual bachelor’s degree in public relations and business management from Hampton University, earned the National Development Council’s Housing Development Finance Professional Certification, and completed NTL Institute’s Executive Leadership Program and Prosperity Now’s Building High Impact Nonprofits of Color initiative.

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Originally a native of Detroit, Michigan, Dexter left his hometown to complete a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma. There he was elected Student Body President for two consecutive terms, representing their 4,000+ student constituency. Coming from a strong background of entrepreneurship and business, Dexter’s leadership has played a key role in various professional contexts including: sales, recruiting, higher education, as well as spearheading and co-leading start-ups.

Canvassing the majority of the United States and more than 20 nations abroad, Dexter’s work has measurably empowered global communities – impacting leadership standards, social constructs, educational policy, and stimulating sustainable, equitable solutions for marginalized populations. His reputation has established him as a credible voice and thought leader, making him a highly sought- after advisor for global shapers around the world.
Dexter currently leads Forerunner, a cutting-edge consulting agency that provides strategy and planning services to clients across various industries. As Principal Consultant, his work is responsible for designing and implementing strategic plans, ideating brand cohesion and strategy, advancing community relations and advising executives. More operatively, Dexter functions as a strategist, a community leader, an idea generator and a plan developer. His leadership daily enhances the strategic and administrative success of both leaders and organizations alike.

Previously, Dexter served as the Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Lambert, a nationally- acclaimed and award-winning public relations firm. There he was responsible for developing the diversity standards, metrics and programming for the company’s workforce. As the lead diversity champion and practitioner, his cutting-edge approach to DEI realized 100% of the goals set, with measurable benchmarks for the organization’s best practices related to talent, culture, and strategy.
Dexter is also the founder of Dexter Sullivan Enterprises, a business collective that facilitates consulting services, philanthropic projects, and other cutting-edge ventures. In 2020, DSE convened the Michigan Mobility Institute’s Mobility On-Ramp Collaborative, a State funded initiative that created long term talent solutions for the mobility industry. Dexter is a proud resident of Metro Detroit. He chairs the Black Legacy Advancement Coalition, a movement that builds Black power by providing education and resources that uplift communities. This group of leaders and allies are committed to crafting systemic strategies that secure the future of Black America through meaningful reform.

Dexter enjoys biking, good music, live concerts, road trips, and spending quality time with family and friends. He is an active member of his local church, and faithfully serves as a mentor and youth advocate in his community.

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Eric Williams is a managing attorney in the Detroit Justice Center’s Economic Equity Practice. A native Detroiter, Eric is a transactional attorney with an emphasis on the legal needs of Detroit’s entrepreneurs, small businesses, and nonprofits. Eric previously served as the director of Wayne State University Law School’s Business and Community Law Clinic as well as the Director of the Wayne Law Program for Entrepreneurship and Business Law. His prior experience includes private practice in the New York offices of Nixon Peabody, LLP and Winston & Strawn, LLP.

Eric attended Cass Technical High School, received his J.D. from Columbia Law School, his M.Phil. in international relations from Cambridge University, Magdalene College, and his B.A. from the University of Michigan. Prior to attending law school, Eric worked extensively in the nonprofit sector, serving in the development offices of Focus: Hope in Detroit and the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island in New York.

Eric, a past BMe fellow, is a frequent speaker for local entrepreneurship training programs and community groups. He currently serves on the board of directors for Ponyride, the Neighborhood Advisory Committee for the Little Caesar’s Arena, and the Lawyers Committee for the Michigan ACLU.

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