LEGACY CAPACITY SUMMIT

Financial Implications of Slavery Heritage (FISH) is proud to present The Horizon of Hope Award, dedicated to honoring teachers who inspire and uplift their students, creating pathways to success and new opportunities. Teachers are the cornerstone of our future, shaping minds and providing guidance that goes beyond academics, empowering students to overcome obstacles and achieve their potential. This award is dedicated to teachers’ unique ability to break barriers, open doors, and foster hope in students, especially those from underserved communities. Through their dedication and commitment, teachers create lasting change, expanding horizons and offering a brighter future for all.

The Horizon of Hope Award Criteria:

• Courage: Demonstrates the strength to stand up for what is right, even in the face of adversity, and inspires others to do the same.
• Empathy: Shows a deep understanding of others' challenges, offering support and kindness to those in need, and fostering an inclusive, compassionate environment.
• Faith: Maintains unwavering belief in the potential of others, instilling confidence and hope for a brighter future, regardless of the obstacles faced.
• Perseverance: Demonstrates determination and resilience, overcoming challenges and setbacks while continuing to strive for progress and success.
• Lifelong Learning: Embraces continuous personal and professional growth, seeking new knowledge and skills to better serve others and adapt to changing circumstances.

Ryan Jones

Ryan Jones is the Director of History & Interpretation at the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee, where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated. He began his work at the Museum as a docent and later developed the museum’s docent training program. He also serves as the museum’s historian, validating interpretation and reviewing scholarly content shared by the Museum.

A native Memphian, Jones obtained his bachelor’s degree in history at University of Tennessee-Martin and interned at the Sixth Floor Museum in Dallas in the spring of 2008 to the fall of 2010. He has presented at history conferences about the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and on other topics related the civil rights movement of the 1960s.

Jones is currently a dual masters-doctoral candidate in the University of Memphis History Department and is writing his dissertation on the violence in the Civil Rights Movement in Mississippi and Alabama, focusing specifically of little-known, cold cases that impacted legislation in those states in the mid-1960s. In his free time, Ryan is an avid sports fan and enjoys collecting vinyl records.

Valerie Irick Rainford is a trailblazing executive, author, and advisor known for her transformative leadership in advancing equity and inclusion in financial services. Over her 30+ year career, she has consistently broken barriers and inspired professionals across industries.

She began her career at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, where she became the youngest officer and first African-American woman to serve as Senior Vice President. At JPMorgan Chase, she led the launch of “Advancing Black Leaders,” boosting Black executive representation by over 50% in just three years.

As Founder and CEO of Elloree Talent Strategies, Valerie now advises organizations on inclusive leadership, equity assessments, and executive coaching. She is also a bestselling author of Until the Brighter Tomorrow and the founder of Elloree Press, a boutique publishing firm that amplifies emerging voices.

Her thought leadership has been featured in PROVOKE: How Leaders Shape the Future, Black Enterprise, and numerous media outlets. Valerie has received widespread recognition, including being named one of Black Enterprise’s Most Powerful Women in Business and inducted into the DEI Hall of Fame by Inclusion Magazine.

Valerie is equally committed to community impact. She co-founded the Black Women of Influence network, serves on the steering committee of Black Women for Black Girls Giving Circle, and is a member of the Executive Leadership Council. She has been honored by the Network Journal and the Harlem YMCA for her leadership and civic engagement.

Through it all, Valerie Rainford continues to champion inclusive excellence, build equitable systems, and light the way for future generations.

Dr Carter is an experienced lecturer who specialises in Business history, Caribbean history and Barbadian history. He has delivered public lectures on various themes in Caribbean history to audiences in Barbados and the USA. He is an accomplished author who has produced books and articles on business history, social history and labour history. Dr Carter is a trained tour guide who has organised and conducted walking and bus tours in Barbados. He has considerable expertise in syllabus development and has worked with the Caribbean Examinations Council and the Ministry of Education to assist with the development of syllabi in history and Caribbean Studies.

Andrea Peoples

Andrea Peoples is a cultural dancer, movement healer, and teaching artist whose work bridges spirit, tradition, and community transformation. Rooted in African, folk, and Orisa lineages, she uses dance as a pathway to personal restoration, ancestral connection, and collective healing. Her classes and workshops blend technique, ritual, storytelling, and embodiment practices, guiding participants into deeper awareness of their power, presence, and purpose.

A respected educator, Peoples has taught and choreographed for Washington University, Tulane University, the University of Missouri St. Louis, Dillard University, and Xavier. She has served as a dance specialist with the Prism Project, supporting students with special needs, and has collaborated with CubaNOLA as both consultant and instructor. Her university and community work centers on movement as therapy, a grounding tool, and a bridge between cultural memory and modern well-being.

Her hometown honored her contributions with an official proclamation from University City, Missouri, recognizing her for artistic excellence in the cultural and performing arts.

Her performance and creative career spans major stages and global influences. She has worked on the film Sinners with Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan, performed with Usher at the 2024 Essence Festival, and collaborated with artists including Jet Life & Curren$y, Los Van Van, Pedrito Martinez, Cimafunk, Big Freedia, the New Orleans Philharmonic Orchestra, IFÉ, Weedie Braimah, and Big Sam. She also held a long-running drum and dance residency at the Ace Hotel New Orleans and is recognized as a cultural bearer of the city.

As a producer and cultural arts consultant, Peoples has shaped projects for Ashe Culture Institute, NOPSI Hotel, Black Dance USA St. Louis, and multiple community-centered initiatives. Her work uplifts Black culture, embodiment, and spiritual reclamation.

Across every space she enters—universities, retreats, stages, and healing circles—Andrea Peoples merges movement, spirit, and cultural knowledge to create experiences that restore, empower, and open pathways to collective growth.

Kiah Shurland

Kiah Shurland is a talented Barbadian steelpanist with a deep appreciation for jazz music and a keen eye for fashion. She discovered her love for the steel pan through the Youth Pan Project, where she honed her skills and developed a profound connection to the instrument. Now a member of the Barbados National Youth Steel Orchestra, Kiah continues to share her passion for music on national stages. Whether performing solo or with her group Genesis, she brings a unique flair and energy to every performance.

Wayne Branch strikes a rare balance: an artist whose emotional vision is matched by technical discipline. Raised in rural Barbados, he learned early that light is far more than illumination—it’s presence, memory, and mood. His routine walks at dawn to Bathsheba became formative visual research, an ongoing meditation on nature’s transformations.

He began as a self-taught painter, absorbing influence from local mentors and the landscape itself. Later, he refined his approach at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, and earned his MFA at Yale University, where his work engaged questions of identity, colonial legacies, and Caribbean life.

Branch’s career has spanned continents. He was selected to represent Barbados in the 1988 Emerging Artists of the Caribbean and Latin America exhibition in Nagoya, Japan. Later, his paintings were featured in Caribbean Artists Today, a touring exhibition moving through the Caribbean, Europe, and North America—his work Little Diamond was chosen as the exhibition’s poster image.

After relocating to Barbados in the mid-1990s, Branch began to integrate his formal training with a grounded Caribbean sensibility—drawing on the “Old Barbados,” Amerindian heritage, cultural memory, and water-source ecology as subject matter. His studio work channels shifting atmospheres and time, revisiting motifs across seasons and emotional registers.

Parallel to his studio practice, Branch is a passionate educator. He teaches in the Division of Fine Arts at Barbados Community College, leads workshops throughout the region, and has contributed as an external examiner and assessor in regional arts education programs. He believes art must be nurtured as a vital part of society’s consciousness.

Branch’s paintings feature in public and private collections across the Caribbean and beyond—including the Barbados Museum, the Barbados Gallery of Art, and the Detroit Institute of Arts. His work invites viewers not only to see, but to feel the light, texture, history, and presence of place.

Selena Dodson

Selena "REBEL GLAM" Dodson is an American-born, Caribbean-raised chef, artist, author, and life/wellness coach who leads with deep love for God and self, which naturally extends to others. She is widely recognized as the chef and restaurateur behind Jago's Lounge and was formerly known for her national Barbados television show, Rebel Glam's Kitchen. She also served as the wellness coach and manager of Fitness With Doddy's ShapeUp! Program, helping hundreds adopt healthier lifestyles. Today, she remains committed to inspiring healthy living while serving great food and positive entertainment at her restaurant. Her book, Love Yourself More, is available on Amazon

Romario Brathwaite

With a deep passion for the healing power of touch, I have built my career around helping others achieve balance, relief, and renewal through massage therapy. I believe that massage is not only a treatment for the body, but a pathway to overall well-being.

As a licensed massage therapist, I am dedicated to creating personalized sessions that address each client’s unique needs—whether that means relieving chronic pain, improving mobility, or simply offering a moment of calm in a busy world. My approach blends technical precision with intuitive care, ensuring every treatment is both effective and restorative.

What drives me most is seeing the transformation that occurs when clients leave a session feeling lighter, more relaxed, and more connected to their bodies. Massage therapy is more than my profession—it is my passion and purpose to promote healing, wellness, and self-care through the art of touch.

Sandra Britton

Always keep learning, always keep growing. Education will always be the key that opens doors. This has been the mantra of Sandra from the day she first opened her business. After many years in beauty, she still furthers her education through travelling to trade shows and taking advance classes and as such is now a Certified Master Pedicurist with the American School of Podology and even listed on their website. Feet are her fortay, as she loves to see the transformation, not only in how the feet look and feel after a pedicure, but how the individual feels. They have said and I quote “I don’t want to walk on my feet, they feel like I am walking on air” end of quote. She caters to diabetics and the elderly with the newly gained knowledge on how to take care of them efficiently. Our feet take us everywhere, let’s take of them. How many years in this business? 20 plus years and going strong. Hello I am Sandra, CMP, nice to meet you.

Kerryann Ifill

Biography – Kerryann Ifill FB

The Most Honourable Kerryann Ifill FB has devoted her life to service, leadership, and breaking barriers. Losing her sight at the age of five, she emerged as a national symbol of resilience, first appearing on the 10¢ stamp during the International Year of the Disabled. At 14, she became the first totally blind student at Combermere Secondary School, later earning qualifications from the University of the West Indies, Durham Business School, and Erdiston Teacher’s Training College.

For more than a decade, Kerryann championed the rights of persons with disabilities through her work with the Barbados Council for the Disabled, leading initiatives in advocacy, research, and project management. She also directed the national Technology Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired programme with the National Disabilitities Unit, empowering individuals with essential skills in assistive technology.

In 2008, she was appointed to the Senate of Barbados, becoming its youngest President in 2012 — and the first woman and person with a disability to hold the position. Her leadership continues to extend regionally and globally as Vice Chair of the Commonwealth Disabled People’s Forum, Chair of the CARICOM Advisory Panel on Disabilities, Director-at-Large for the World Blind Union North America–Caribbean Region, Vice President of the Barbados Council for the Disabled, and Public Relations Officer for the National United Society of the Blind Barbados.

Since joining the Rotary Club of Barbados South in 2019, Kerryann has embraced the organisation’s mission of “Service Above Self,” contributing to initiatives in inclusion, training, and community development. Her service extends beyond Rotary to her church, where she has actively engaged in community outreach and has sung with the church band for over 25 years.

An emerging voice on the international stage, Kerryann has recently launched her keynote speaking career, sharing powerful messages on resilience, inclusion, and leadership. She is also the author of her first book, further amplifying her commitment to inspiring change and empowering communities.

Her outstanding contributions have been recognised with some of the Caribbean’s highest honours, including the Order of the Freedom of Barbados (2023) and the Anthony N. Sabga Award for Caribbean Excellence (2024). Through

Biography – Kerryann Ifill FB

Service, Leadership, and Breaking Barriers

Early Life and Education

Kerryann Ifill FB has devoted her life to service, leadership, and breaking barriers. Losing her sight at the age of five, she emerged as a national symbol of resilience, first appearing on the 10¢ stamp during the International Year of the Disabled. At 14, she became the first totally blind student at Combermere Secondary School, later earning qualifications from the University of the West Indies, Durham Business School, and Erdiston Teacher’s Training College.

Advocacy and Professional Achievements

For more than a decade, Kerryann championed the rights of persons with disabilities through her work with the Barbados Council for the Disabled, leading initiatives in advocacy, research, and project management. She also directed the national Technology Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired programme with the National Disabilities Unit, empowering individuals with essential skills in assistive technology.

Senate and Regional Leadership

In 2008, she was appointed to the Senate of Barbados, becoming its youngest President in 2012 — and the first woman and person with a disability to hold the position. Her leadership continues to extend regionally and globally as Vice Chair of the Commonwealth Disabled People’s Forum, Chair of the CARICOM Advisory Panel on Disabilities, Director-at-Large for the World Blind Union North America–Caribbean Region, Vice President of the Barbados Council for the Disabled, and Public Relations Officer for the National United Society of the Blind Barbados.

Community Engagement and Rotary

Since joining the Rotary Club of Barbados South in 2019, Kerryann has embraced the organisation’s mission of “Service Above Self,” contributing to initiatives in inclusion, training, and community development. Her service extends beyond Rotary to her church, where she has actively engaged in community outreach and has sung with the church band for over 25 years.

International Impact and Recognition

An emerging voice on the international stage, Kerryann has recently launched her keynote speaking career, sharing powerful messages on resilience, inclusion, and leadership. She is also the author of her first book, further amplifying her commitment to inspiring change and empowering communities.

• Order of the Freedom of Barbados (2023)
• Anthony N. Sabga Award for Caribbean Excellence (2024)

Through every platform she occupies, Kerryann Ifill continues to inspire action, challenge limitations, and champion a more inclusive world.

Marshall Lee

Dr. Marshall Mkononi Lee received his Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Dr. Lee is a Yoruba Priest initiated through the Lukumi tradition of Cuba. He has provided clinical psychotherapy and has taught as a professor of psychology at various prestigious universities, including the University of Michigan, City College of New York, Baruch College (CUNY), Long Island University, Rutgers University, and both Xavier University and Tulane University in New Orleans. In New York, Dr. Lee worked as a clinician and an administrator in a large mental health clinic in Harlem, and as staff psychologist for a hospital outpatient clinic in Brooklyn. He also had active private practices in both Harlem and Gramercy Park. Dr. Lee currently has a private practice in New Orleans.

Dr. Lee is the author of numerous articles dealing with issues related to African American culture and psychology. He has been published and featured in Black Issues in Higher Education, Jet, Essence, The Crisis, and Ebony Man publications. Dr. Lee lived and taught for three years in Tanzania, East Africa. His insights and acumen regarding the issues of contemporary African American people have developed as a result of his active involvement in politics and culture spanning the last thirty years.

Chinyere Sam

Certified Aerobics Instructor & Personal Trainer
Dancehall Fit Instructor
Fitness Advocate/Fitness Model

DANCEHALL FIT- Get Your Sexy Back LLC

Founder/Owner

Tel: 917-651-7849

ABOUT CHINYERE

Chinyere Sam has been a dedicated competitive athlete for over 17 years. At the tender age of 8, she began competing with elementary and high school track and field teams in Guyana. At age 15, she moved with her family to Barbados and continued to excel in high school track and field. After graduating, she migrated to the United States to attend Ricks college. Upon graduation, Chinyere attended Utah Valley University and became a leading track athlete.

For over 15 years, Chinyere has been a Professional Certified Aerobics Instructor & Personal Trainer (www.bodybychinyere.com) in New York and Florida with endorsements for Step Aerobics, Kickboxing Aerobics and Group Exercise by the International Fitness Association (IFA). She is also certified in CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) & AED (Automated External Defibrillators). Chinyere is the Founder/CEO of DANCEHALL FIT-Get Your Sexy Back LLC (www.dancehallfit.com) which is a Caribbean Dance Fitness Workout that incorporates a mix of dance moves played to Dancehall, Reggae, Soca, Reggaeton & Calypso music and Beats.

ABOUT DANCEHALL FIT – GET YOUR SEXY BACK LLC

DANCEHALL FIT is a FUN class that brings a feel of the Caribbean vibe and is being taught to young adults and seniors. Our company provides services for Health/Wellness & Fitness Events, Insurance Companies, Medical Clinics, Community Centers, Non-Profit Organizations, Businesses, Conferences, Panel Discussions, Festivals, Resorts and more!

DANCEHALL FIT- A Caribbean Dance Fitness Workout that incorporates a mix of dance moves played to Dancehall, Reggae, Soca, Reggaeton & Calypso music and Beats. When the music hits, you wouldn't want to stop!!! This class uplifts your spirits, burns calories, tones the body, and makes you feel sexy and energized. You will have FUN, FUN & MORE FUN!!

Kiana McPherson

Certified Beauty Technician & Massage Therapist

From her early beginnings at Grantley Adams Memorial Secondary School, Kiana McPherson discovered a deep passion for beauty, wellness, and the art of self-care. What began as a genuine love for helping others feel confident and renewed has since evolved into a distinguished career as a Certified Beauty Technician and Massage Therapist.

With years of experience and advanced training, Kiana has mastered the art of combining luxurious spa techniques with authentic, personalized care. Her treatments go beyond the surface—blending relaxation, precision, and professionalism to create a truly transformative experience for each client.

Guided by her belief that beauty and wellness are deeply connected, Kiana takes pride in curating serene, uplifting experiences that rejuvenate the body, calm the mind, and nurture the soul. Her goal is simple yet profound: to help every client leave feeling restored, radiant, and renewed.

Vanessa M. Bing, Ph.D.Bi0

Dr. Vanessa Bing is a licensed clinical psychologist, educator, and scholar who has worked for more than 25 years providing educational, therapeutic, and consulting services to a range of populations. She has been responsible for developing health and wellness initiatives and programs in educational, corporate, and clinical settings designed to educate, empower, inform, and enhance the overall status and well-being of the populations she serves.

Dr. Bing has published articles addressing minoritized populations and gender issues in psychology, and has lectured extensively on the topic of trauma and gender violence. She was featured in two video/documentary projects, lending her expert voice to the topic of sexual assault and intimate partner violence in young adults, a primary focus of her research. Additionally, Dr. Bing has lectured and provided organizational training/consultation on the topic of diversity, equity, and inclusion, addressing the experience of implicit bias and microaggressions in corporate and educational settings. Dr. Bing has also worked extensively with people in the arts (actors, dancers, musicians, visual artists, writers) supporting the artist’s creative expression and helping them remove various emotional “blocks” and other challenges that may thwart their creativity.

Dr. Bing is a member of the New York State Psychological Association, the American Psychological Association, and has served on the Board of Directors of the New York Association of Black Psychologists. She is a graduate of New York University, the Graduate Center of the City University of New York, and completed her clinical internship/training at NYU Medical Center/BellevueHospital. She holds certificates in mediation and dispute resolution from LIU, couples therapy from the Brooklyn Institute of Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis, and has trained in EMDR, Crisis Management, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Focusing, Imago, and EFT therapy, and utilizes a variety of mindfulness-based practices in her work to support the health and wellness of clients.

Dr. Bing is committed to achieving equity and social justice in educational, professional, and community-based settings. She works tirelessly mentoring undergraduate and graduate students in psychology to ensure that the next generation of scholar/practitioners are not only culturally competent, but partners in broader efforts to achieve equity and social justice in the discipline and practice of psychology. She holds a faculty position at the City University of New York, is a consultant at Manhattan School of Music, and has a private practice in New York City.

Kim Bourne Biography

Kim Bourne is a guide who shows some of America's finest families a path to a more enriching life. She grew up watching family members and friends work hard yet fall short of happiness. It is important to her to help families and institutions enjoy a sense of accomplishment that comes from a lifetime of work. Kim is a Certified Public Accountant, a Certified Private Wealth Advisor® Professional, a Certified Financial Planner® and holds several tax, insurance, and investment licenses. Her New York City-based firm, Playfair Planning Services, oversees approximately $100 million supported by administrative and financial professionals across the United States.

As a lifelong Brooklynite, Kim is committed to creating opportunities for girls and women who need support and encouragement in New York City and globally. Kim serves on the boards of the Girl Scout Council of Greater New York, READ 718, and the Advisory Board of Earl Mosley's Institute of the Arts. Kim's commitment to her community and acumen as a financial advisor has not gone unnoticed. Crain's New York Business recognized her as a Notable Woman in Financial Advice in 2020.

Kevin Hutt, CPA, CPWA®, CFP®, MBA - Financial Advisor

After many years of managing money for clients, Kevin decided to reinvent Wealth Management. He saw that the industry focused too much on helping people invest their wealth but not helping them make great choices about how they live and spend their wealth. Kevin is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Financial Planner (CFP) with an M.B.A. in Finance. He holds several insurance and investment licenses. His Maryland, District of Columbia, based firm, Onyx Asset & Wealth Management, LLC, consults on nearly $100 million of client assets.

Kevin donates his time and expertise to several community initiatives and is affiliated with multiple non-profit organizations, including serving on the Investment Advisory Board for the National Children’s Center, Treasurer of the Celebration Community Development Corporation, and Treasurer for Christian Jail Ministry, Inc. In the past, he served as Board Trustee for Bon Secours Baltimore Health Systems, Chairman for the Coppin State University Community Development Foundation, and Treasurer of the Coppin State University Development Foundation.

Jason Melnick - NE Regional VP of Jackson National

Financial professionals who work with Jason benefit from his in-depth knowledge of the latest financial products and industry trends. Jason takes pride in serving as a first resource for competitive products, exceptional service, and high-impact marketing materials and programs.

Originally from Livingston, New Jersey, Jason began his financial services career in 2002 in Colorado working for Oppenheimer Funds. In 2005, he joined Jackson as an Internal Wholesaler covering annuity products and was promoted to Regional Vice President in 2006. He currently serves financial professionals in Manhattan. A graduate of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Jason earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science and management information systems. He holds FINRA Series 7 and 63 registrations. Jason and his son, Oliver, currently reside in New Providence, New Jersey. In his free time, he enjoys fishing, skiing, and everything related to the outdoors. He also has a Private Pilot license.

Christine Gordon - Licensed Real Estate Broker

Coming Soon

Rosemary Hueser - Senior Vice President of BOK Financial Advisor Trust Services

Rosemary Hueser is a seasoned leader in the financial services industry with deep expertise in human resources, finance, and strategic advisory. She currently serves as Senior Vice President and Manager of Advisory Trust Services at BOK Financial, where she leads a team delivering customized trust solutions and financial guidance to a diverse client base. Her strategic leadership drives innovation, strengthens client relationships, and enhances organizational performance.

Prior to joining BOK Financial, Rosemary held several senior roles that highlight her versatility and impact. As Director of Marketing and Communications at National Advisors Trust, she developed and executed strategies that significantly increased brand visibility and service expansion. At Legacy Trust Company, she led key projects that improved operational efficiency and client experience. Earlier in her career, she served as Regional Vice President at Eagle Management Group/Life Investors, deepening her expertise in financial planning and investment strategy.

Rosemary holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management and Finance from Colorado State University. Known for her collaborative leadership and forward-thinking approach, she consistently delivers value through innovative service models and a strong client-first mindset. Her contributions have elevated the institutions she has served, earning her recognition as a trusted advisor and thought leader in the field.

Alberthe Bernier, Esq. - Estate Planning Attorney

Alberthe Bernier is the founding member of Bernier Law Firm – an Elder Law & Estate Planning Firm. Mrs. Bernier is a graduate of St. John's University School of Law; Class of 2008. Upon matriculating from law school sixteen years ago, she worked at various notable law firms practicing exclusively as an estate planning and elder care attorney. Mrs. Bernier assists families with legacy protection planning, estate tax planning, and the establishment of trusts, wills, and advance directives. Mrs. Bernier also assists families with the probate process and long-term care planning process for elderly seniors. " Click the link to learn more about our speaker: www.bernier-estateplanning.com

Monique Tinglin, MSEd

Purpose Driven Leader

Monique Tinglin is dedicated to creating meaningful change in both her personal and professional journey. She has always been faithfully steadfast in fulfilling her deepest purpose and encouraging others to discover and fulfill their deepest purpose as well. From her early advocacy work to her current role leading philanthropic disaster response and workforce development grantmaking, Monique remains committed to being a proximate leader focused on sustainable impact.

Monique Tinglin Link

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/moniquetinglin/

Lauren Tinglin

Aspiring Physician

Lauren Tinglin is a passionate advocate for community-driven change, inspired by the people and experiences that shape everyday life. She believes in the power of localized impact—encouraging individuals to recognize opportunities for transformation within their own communities.

A global traveler with a deep appreciation for cultural exchange, Lauren has followed in the footsteps of her mother and explored much of the world. Traveling has reinforced her belief in the power of human connection, regardless of background or geography. Recalling a formative experience from her childhood Lauren wrote:

“I remember when I traveled to New Zealand with my family when I was 7 years old. When we disembarked from the boat, there was a family of darker-skinned people greeting all of the guests. As the only black family on the boat, they quickly noticed us and the mother’s face lit up and said “your kids look like my kids” to my mother. Every day after that, my siblings and I played with their children and they would give us home-cooked meals, coconuts and local desserts. They were saddened by our departure, but I will always remember how two families originating from thousands of miles apart found a commonality and shared each other’s cultures.”

Lauren brings her unique perspective on leadership, cultural competency, and grassroots change-making—urging others to recognize their own power as catalysts for transformation in their communities.

Raymond Tingling

Trainer in Training

Raymond Tinglin is a dedicated and adaptable professional committed to perseverance and growth. With a strong ability to collaborate across diverse backgrounds, he approaches challenges as opportunities for success. His long-standing dedication to service is reflected in his volunteer work, including over a decade as an Eagle Scout with the Greater New York Councils, Boy Scouts of America, and nearly two decades supporting the American Cancer Society. Raymond’s unwavering commitment to community and resilience in the face of obstacles drive his continued professional and personal impact.