My name is Cassian LeJeune and I am from Sicklerville, New Jersey. My family grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana which provided me a rich and vibrant culture.

I currently work at Apple as a specialist. Before my time at Apple, I worked at Millersville University as an Orientation Manger, campus tour guide, and information desk attendant. My involvement with the university was extended beyond work as I was the president of the Black Student Union and an active member of the Student Senate.

I was asked to share what was important to me and my immediate thoughts were education and equality. I’ve always felt that education is a major component of growth and understanding. In order to understand the importance of equality we must take time to educate ourselves and others. I try to implement that by sharing my personal experiences and tools that will foster conversations with opportunities to learn.

A quote that really stands out to me is one from Martin Luther King Jr. He says: “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”

Malcolm Parrish, South Jersey native and former Stockton University graduate shares his view on current racial issues that plague the country. With his mother being white and his father black he shares his unique bi-racial perspective and back story.

My name is Karen and I was born and raised in Atlantic City NJ. Attended Atlantic City Public Schools and went to Florida A&M University. I’ve worked in Public and Private Housing for 25 years as well as being CWA Union Shop Stewards for the last 10 years. Along with other various organizations and committees.

The most important things to me are family and being of service, any type of service.

I want to help my community and Race to be treated equally and not have to worry about being shot by Police.

“Don’t judge a book by its cover”

Tywan Russell, age 37, born in jersey city, NJ. He was originally raised in Hoboken, NJ and lived between Jacksonville NC and Wilmington NC. Ty attended college at Richard Stockton University with a degree in Criminal Justice, B.A He currently works as a Juvenile Corrections Officer for the Juvenile Justice Commission of New Jersey (August 05-Present)

Ty is a sponsored Elite Athlete for 1st Phorm International Sports Nutrition

Ty’s personal message is every day above ground is a good day. Focus on less complaining, less worrying, more gratitude and more working. Never stop learning and living with love in your heart, above all and for all!

Ms. Indra Lyn Owens, M.Ed., a millennial, change agent & native of Atlantic City NJ— graduated from Temple University with a degree in Communications, later earned a Masters in Education in School Counseling from the University of West Alabama & making a name for herself as founder of Princess, Inc. a reputable non- profit organization known widely for its untraditional hybrid mentoring style, innovative community service and being the catalyst for connecting people to resources, with the hopes of redefining Mental Health support in Urban communities, starting with her own in Atlantic City.

As a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Indra

understands the mantra "Service to all Mankind" and has made

that exact mantra the fabric of her lifestyle, actively being the change she desires to see!

Indra has been the recipient of numerous awards which include (but not limited to):Honoree for the 47th Annual NAACP Youth Award 2020; CASCA Counselor of Atlantic County 2019; one of Atlantic County’s Top 40 Under 40 in 2013, and the Black Image Award for Community Service & Engagement, honored by 101 Women Plus, Inc. of Atlantic County. Indra can now add, “published author” to her new list of accomplishments and celebrated her initial book debut---If Only She’d Listened...the Afterthoughts of a Mentor, in early 2018, and now second book, Trust Your Journey, both are available on Amazon & Kindle.

Other projects from 2018 for Indra are: publishing a co-authored book, that she wrote with best friend-business partner, Automne Bennett, POW: Pearls of Wisdom, which is a book that goes along with the curriculum for Princess, Inc.; starting the very first competitive Double Dutch Team in Atlantic City, The Jubilee Jumping Company—using an old neighborhood past time for girls but now turning it into a sports activity for urban youth to focus on mentoring, mental health and healthy living & exercise, starting a Princess, Inc. chapter in Atlanta and now branding herself as a Mental Health Support Professional with her newest venture, The Real Support Solutions (www.therealsupportsolutions.weebly.com), which is her platform to provide mental health support services at affordable rates to redefine mental health in urban communities, starting with her own.

During the completion of her newest project and weathering COVID-19, Indra earned a certificate of completion from Harvard University Online, in the Intro to Family Engagement course, which furthers her credibility and commitment to her work in Counseling, Mental Health support and community engagement and ultimately enriched the research for this special manuscript.

Indra Lyn Owens, M.Ed.—a millennial & native of Atlantic City NJ— graduated from Temple University with a degree in Communications & later earned a Masters in Education in School Counseling from the University of West Alabama.

Indra has created a lifestyle of service as a certified School Counselor, founder of Princess, Inc., a non-profit organization committed to mentoring, innovative community service initiatives, and being a resource connector for the underserved in the Atlantic City community, and The REAL Support Solutions, a platform on social media and beyond which focuses on redefining mental health support in urban communities and offering mental health support and awareness and consulting at affordable rates for people of color.

As a mother, mentor, educator, entrepreneur, workshop

facilitator— Indra believes that through her experiences she has the

mission to empower & educate not only just young women to love themselves in a way where no one or nothing can detour them from their God given gifts and talents & their true life's purpose—but to share empowering tools in Mental Health Support & Awareness with the urban community to combat their trauma with unconventional strategies that actually work.

Her recent project with fellow community powerhouses, Andrea Nelson & Automne Bennett, Pace Your Peace: the infusion of journaling, mindfulness/mental health support and yoga is a system created to help individuals create their own peace strategies in a safe space offering the tools which support a total transformative experience with the mind, body & soul at the participants own natural pace.

Indra credits her hard work & determination to her mother’s constant encouragement & her earnest dream which is to always be the first & truest role model to her daughter, Miss Journey Bea- --Indra believes that the first mentoring and self-work starts at home.

Indra has been the recipient of numerous awards which include (but not limited to):CASCA Counselor of Atlantic County 2019; one of Atlantic County’s Top 40 Under 40 in 2013, and the Black Image Award for Community Service & Engagement, honored by 101 Women Plus, Inc. of Atlantic County. Indra can now add, “published author” to her new list of accomplishments and celebrated her book debut---If Only She’d Listened...the Afterthoughts of a Mentor, in early 2018, which is available on Amazon & Kindle.

Other projects from 2018 for Indra are: publishing a co-authored book, that she wrote with best friend- business partner, Automne Bennett, POW: Pearls of Wisdom, which is a book that goes along with the curriculum for Princess, Inc.; starting the very first competitive Double Dutch Team in Atlantic City, The Jubilee Jumping Company—using an old neighborhood past time for girls but now turning it into a sports activity for urban youth to focus on mentoring, mental health and healthy living & exercise, starting a Princess, Inc. chapter in Atlanta and now branding herself as a Mental Health Support Professional with her newest venture, The Real Support Solutions (www.therealsupportsolutions.weebly.com), which is her platform to provide mental health support services and affordable rates to redefine mental health in urban communities, starting with her own.

One of Indra’s favorite quotes is: “Even in the word impossible, there is Im Possible!”—author unknown

I am a 51 year old African American that grew up in Elizabethtown NC until age 28 when I got married & move to Millville NJ. I worked at Bank of America for 12 years. I transitioned into Nursing for 3 years. My life tremendously changed when I divorced and moved back to Burlington NC where I worked at a Credit Union for 5 years. I now work at Lincoln Financial Group in Greensboro. I'm very active in my church working with our media department and greeting First time attendees. Throughout my young adulthood I volunteered in the Community with Girl Scouts and the youth. My goal is to assist our community to unity to end racism.

Ocean City, NJ. native Dathan Wright is a family man, former military, and pastor. He was raised by his loving mother and step father who instilled in him the value of hard work and discipline. Dathan speaks about his experience in the military and personal encounters with law enforcement. Dathan’s mantra through life is, “Respect wins the battle for change, even when they don’t like you they will learn to respect you.”

Does racism still exist? Is systemic racism real? Do black lives matter? Blue lives? All lives? Listen to Belinda Manning as she recounts 70+ years of knowledge, history, and wisdom! How does what’s happening now impact and shape the future?

Belinda Manning is a retired Organizational Development professional and has been a lifelong community volunteer and activist. She spent seventeen years as an internal consultant at Atlantic City Electric (the local utility) and was responsible for the design and delivery of diversity initiatives, management training programs, and the development of processes to enhance strategic planning and goal setting. Belinda then spent another five years as a consultant in her own firm, Phoenix Rising, Inc., providing similar services in both the private and public sectors prior to her retirement. Her firm provided strategic planning assistance for school districts including Asbury Park, Maplewood/South Orange and Atlantic City. She has consulted for the FAATC in developing their management diversity initiative and the Whirlpool Inc.’s diversity initiative between the cities of Benton Harbor Michigan and St. Joesph. Belinda has also worked with the cities of Seattle and Chicago as they navigated issues with public housing. Her previous experience as a volunteer includes Chair of Child Placement Review Board, the Chair of the NJ Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission as well as other leadership positions on boards and commissions at both the state and local level. She has continued to remain active in the community teaching yoga, providing support for the arts and serving on the board of The Leadership Studio, a local non-profit.