Parenting Our Youth Through Perilous Times
Thursday, May 20, 2021
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Watch on the
Greater Indianapolis NAACP Branch #3053’s
Facebook page:
MAY 20, 2021
Key To Ending Youth Violence Is Support, Empowerment, Say Panelists on IndyWIN NAACP Forum
Please click on the link below for a summary of the IndyWIN forum on
Parenting Our Youth Through Perilous Times.
Below you can learn about the participants in the forum.
Barbara Bolling Williams
President of the Indiana State Conference of the NAACP
Barbara Bolling-Williams, an alumnus of Gary’s West Side High School, returned to her roots in 1991 to start her own law practice. For two years she was a co-owner of Soft-n-Silky, a retail store that was located in the Village Mall. She is married to Terence Williams Sr. and together they have five children; three granddaughters: Arionna, Justice, Nyla; and one grandson, Makhi.
The product of a school teacher and brick mason, her mother, instilled in her the desire to give of herself to her community. Her sister Carolyn passed in 1995.
Attorney Bolling-Williams earned her bachelor’s degree from GMI (now known as Kettering University) and her law degree from Valparaiso University School of Law. As a practicing attorney for the past 30+ years, Ms. Bolling-Williams is a solo practitioner with an emphasis on plaintiff’s issues. She formerly served as an adjunct professor at Valpo School of Law and a part-staff attorney with the Lake County Office of Family and Children.
In addition to family commitments, her passion is working for and with community-based organizations. Ms. Bolling-Williams worked with the NAACP has spanned 30+ years, serving as president of the Gary Branch from 1998 to 2004, President of the Indiana State Conference, since October of 2003. In 2012, she was elected to the NAACP National Board of Directors, having formerly served as a member of the NAACP Foundation for nine years. At the Board level, she chairs the ACT-SO Committee, Vice Chair of the Criminal Justice Committee, and a member of following Board Committees: Legal; Environmental and Climate Justice; Life Membership Sub-Committee; Convention Planning; and Advocacy and Policy.
Because of her extensive work with NAACP and other not-for-profit organizations, she is often called upon for speaking engagements, diversity training, workshops and seminars.
She is a member of First Baptist Church where she is a member of the Bessie Griggs Mission and Recording Secretary of the Alter Guild. She serves on the Board of MWN/MOTTEP (Multicultural Wellness Network-Minority Organ Tissue Transplant Education Program); is treasurer of the James C. Kimbrough Bar Association, and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Attorney Bolling Williams has been blessed with many honors and awards, including the 2016 National State Conference President; two Regional State Conference President of the Year; Indiana State Conference Lauren Henry Award; Soror of the Year with Sigma Phi Omega Chapter of AKA; featured alumnus, Valparaiso, 2004; Valpo Black Law Student Honoree in 2004; NAACP/NBA 100th & 103rd National Convention Continuing Legal Education Summit Panelist on voting rights, just to name a few. She is especially proud to have served on the successful team that challenged the closing of the early voting sites in 2008 in Gary, Hammond, and East Chicago. Further she was one of a four member team that prevented the closing of the IV-D Court in Gary in 2013.
Having been taught at an early age, “To whom much is given, much is required”, Attorney Bolling-Williams uses all of her God-given gifts and talents for the betterment of her community by helping those in need. She has a strong commitment to faith, family and community.
Barbara believes ”The only thing necessary for evil to succeed is for men and women of good conscience to do, and or say, nothing.”
The Honorable Geoffrey A. Gaither
The Honorable Geoffrey A. Gaither is the Presiding Judge at the Marion County Family Division room 9 (formerly Juvenile Court) in Indianapolis, Indiana. He has served there since 1995. His jurisdiction has included delinquencies, child welfare issues, paternities, guardianships, adoption-related matters, child support, custody cases and now dual status cases.
Community involvement is extremely important to Judge Gaither. He is a former adjunct professor at IUPUI and Martin University, youth mentor, motivational speaker, Marion County Juvenile Court representative at the Undoing Racism workshops, created the “Is Indianapolis Another Ferguson?” forum and radio, TV, print and podcast legal analyst. He has been recognized many times locally and nationally for his community service and dedication to children and families. Judge Gaither developed a much-needed program entitled The Young Women’s Empowerment Conference Series benefiting young women on probation or otherwise involved in the juvenile justice system. He also created the Male Mentoring Conference which is a young men’s focused event that emphasizes the value of mentorship to educational and career success. Judge Gaither has hosted the 100 Black Men of Indianapolis’ Beautillion Militaire “Know Your Legal Rights” session several times and moderated public discussions on community issues.
The Robert F. Kennedy National Resource Center for Juvenile Justice invited Judge Gaither to serve on its National Dual Status Youth Practice Network in Spring 2016. This prestigious organization focuses on children with delinquency, neglect, abuse and/or dependency cases at the same time. Judge Gaither now leads the Dual Status Court in Indianapolis, Indiana. In this capacity, Judge Gaither has traveled across the country making presentations and providing technical assistance to other jurisdictions on Dual Status and related issues. He currently serves on the state-wide Indiana Dual Status Implementation Committee, Indiana Department of Child Services Race Equity and Inclusion Advisory Council, Indiana Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative State Steering Committee, Marion County Juvenile Court Race Equity Inclusion Committee, and the Marion County Community Corrections Advisory Board. Judge Gaither is currently a board member of the Indianapolis Commission of=n African American Males.
Inspiring and influencing youth through education is important to Judge Gaither. He helped develop the Urban Initiative Hi5 Rallies at local schools empowering young people to take ownership of their educational careers. Male volunteers form two lines at the school’s entrance and high five students at the start of the school day.
Judge Gaither is Hoosier born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana. He is a proud public school graduate. Judge Gaither earned his Bachelor of Urban Planning degree from the University of Cincinnati and then later received his Juris Doctor degree with honors from Howard University. Judge Gaither was an editor and published author on the Howard Law Journal. After graduation, he clerked for the District of Columbia Court of Appeals, is a former Marion County deputy prosecutor, deputy public defender and was in private practice before being sworn onto the bench.
Judge Gaither is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi, Inc. and the 100 Black Men of Indianapolis. He is also married to Attorney KiKi Gaither, current host of WTLC AM 1310’s “The Legal Word with Attorney KiKi Gaither.” They have 3 adult sons: Jordan, Taylor and Austin and are members of Phillips Temple CME Church.
Kieana Dyson
Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate, LMHCA
Partial Resume:
Education
M.S. in Community Psychology, Martin University - Indianapolis, IN
B.S. in Psychology, Martin University - Indianapolis, IN
Skills
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Individual / Group Counseling
• Child & Family Counseling
• Behavioral Therapy
• Group Therapy
Work Experience
Therapist, Independent Contractor
Collaborative Change - Indianapolis, IN
January 2018 to Present
Therapist, Independent Contractor
Complete initial paperwork including intake assessments and treatment planning within required timeframe
Complete progress notes and reports upon request from consumer and/or referring agency
Provide Individual and family counseling to children (ages 5 and up), adolescents and adults
Coordinate aftercare supports and link clients to appropriate community resources as needed
Home Based Therapist
New Hope of Indiana - Indianapolis, IN
August 2016 to January 2018
Employed as a home based therapist, providing services for families involved with the Department of Child Services:
Provide therapeutic services to children, adolescents and adults
Assist individuals with learning healthy coping skills, effective communication and an array of of other
concerns to address the family's presenting problems
Addressed concerns regarding substance use, neglect of a dependent, domestic violence
Denise Senter, MFT, LMHC
Reach for Youth Director of
Mental Health and Clinical Services
Denise Senter serves as Director of Mental Health and Clinical Services at Reach For Youth and is responsible for leading the development and implementation of Reach For Youth’s mental health, education and training services.
Denise is a licensed mental health clinician trained in Marriage and Family Therapy with more than 30 years of extensive experience serving families and children. She owns a private practice where her areas of specialization include mood disorders; behavioral problems in the home and/or school; trauma, including domestic violence, sexual abuse and physical abuse; attachment difficulties in children and adults, and cultural awareness and cross-cultural competency.
Denise is a consultant with the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) Program at the Riley Child Development Center, IU School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, and provides training to organizations and groups on various mental health topics, as well as on Culture, Equity and Inclusion. Denise is a published author dealing with mental health and currently serves on the Board of Directors with Infancy Onward (former, Indiana Association of Infant and Toddler Mental Health), and has served as a mental health consultant with the Players Development Program with the NFL.
Harry Dunn
President & CE0, Executive Director
HBHF ( HBHCSA )
Harry C. Dunn, III, is a third-generation homicide detective with Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD). Dunn, who, along with his wife Michelle, is the catalyst behind the HIM By HER Foundation, Inc. Dunn felt a calling to leave his then successful corporate career to enter the “family business”—being a detective— believing that he could make a difference. Following in the footsteps of his father and of his grandfather, he now is seeing an ever-increasing number of homicides in Indianapolis—where the current rate exceeds the per capita rate of New York City and ties that of Chicago—the worst murder rate since reporting ever began in Indianapolis. A native of Indianapolis, Dunn is committed to serving the community and improving the lifepaths of others. Especially serving as a homicide detective, seeing too many young people arrested or murdered, he knew that God was leading him to do something to intervene in this genocide of young marginalized youth—thus, the beginning of Him by Her Collegiate School for the Arts — “Helping Improve Mankind by Healing Every Race.”
HIM By HER Collegiate School for the Arts
4501 E. 32nd Street
Indianapolis, Indiana 46218
MISSION
The mission of HIM By HER Collegiate School for the Arts (HBHCSA) is to educate all students in our charge with rigorous academics appropriately infused with community commitment and character development necessary for college entry and success, and for productive lives in society. We also endeavor to counteract the “School-to-Prison Pipeline”.
VISION
HBHCSA’s vision is to serve all students—but especially those from marginalized families—to firmly establish the key aspects of 1) academic rigor, 2) character development and 3) strong, school-focused community. We envision that students will become lifelong learners, creative thinkers, and productive citizens.
Akua Miller Gaylor, MSW
Reach For Youth, Inc.
Social Worker, Coordinator
Akua Miller, MSW, is a social worker in Indianapolis, IN. She earned her Master of Social Work with a School Focus through Indiana University, and earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a Concentration in Clinical Rehabilitation through Purdue University. She is a compassionate, culturally competent Social Worker backed by over ten years of professional experience with integrated skills that include, group counseling, case management, program development, family engagement, and special education in diverse settings, such as schools, skilled nursing facilities, substance abuse centers, and mental health clinics. She is very passionate about improving outcomes for youth, their families, and the surrounding community by building working relationships to encourage personal growth and development.
Chelsea Goodlow
New Beginnings Fellowship
Church, Youth Pastor
Partial Resume:
Strong organizational and leadership abilities. Devoted to uplift the community. Profound problem solving and analytical abilities. Experience working with diverse and under privileged populations. CPR certified. Dynamic planning and communication skills. Committed to developing the family.
EDUCATION
Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
Graduated: December 2011
Bachelor of Arts
African American & African Diaspora Studies
EXPERIENCE
Outreach Indiana
Youth and Young Adult Coach 05/20-present
• Responsible for intake of new youth and young adults (ages 14-24) referred to Outreach.
• Actively engage youth and young adults (ages 14-24) experiencing homelessness at assigned street outreach sites, community agencies, schools, and/or program centers throughout Marion county.
• Intentionally build relationships, and coach young adults in individual and group environments.
• Facilitate group conversations with youth on topics including, but not limited to: conflict management, relationships, health and safety, coping strategies, etc.
New Beginnings Fellowship Church
Youth Pastor 06/19 - Present
• Plan and execute middle, high school and college student ministry programs.
• Design, plan, and conduct periodic parent meetings in order to meet the needs and expectations of families.
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
New Beginnings Fellowship Church
Youth Advisor/Minster 08/2013 - 06/2019
• Serve as a ministry leader for youth department.
• Provide mentorship to adolescents.
• Prepare and plan weekly lessons to empower youth through biblical examples.
• Connect youth in crisis with proper community connection including but not limited to housing resources, food pantries and mental health services.
Stepping Stone Therapy Center
Home Based Caseworker 08/19 - 03/2020
• Meet with clients on a regular, consistent basis, not less than one time monthly. The frequency of visits is determined by level of care needed on a case-by-case basis and/or by the referral source.
Community Health Network –Gallahue Mental Health Services
Life Skills Clinician 05/18 - 11/19
• Provide skills training and development services to adults with serious mental illness.
• Communicate on a weekly basis with psychiatrist and treatment team client updates.
Contact
