Community Empowerment Through
Black Men Healing Conference
Featured Speakers
Antoine Johnson, Fatherhood and Family Advocate and Speaker
Antoine Johnson is a dedicated advocate for fatherhood and family well-being based in Buffalo, NY. As a husband and father of two young children, he brings both personal experience and professional expertise to his work. With a Bachelor's degree in Health and Human Services from the University of Buffalo, his experience involves launching a grassroots fatherhood initiative in Western New York, successfully raising over $1 million in funding to support thousands fathers and father figures.
During his tenure as Program Manager at Buffalo Prenatal, Antoine helped expectant fathers develop the fundamental skills needed to be nurturing and engaged. His current work extends nationwide, where he supports fatherhood service providers in effectively supporting and engaging fathers.
Driven by the quote "You can't conquer what you won't confront," Antoine guides men through addressing unresolved trauma and emotional challenges (“father wound”), particularly around their relationships with their own fathers.
Alysha Price, is a qualified neutral family mediator and trained motivational interviewer with a Bachelor Degree in Human Services & Family Studies and Master Degree in Management. Price is a North Minneapolis native whose put in over 20 years of dedication into work of eliminating education and health disparities in her community. Price is a 2019-2020 Finnovation Fellow, recipient of The Bank of America “Emerging Leaders” Program as well as recipient of “The Minneapolis Award” for outstanding commitment to community. As CEO & Founder, Price has a personal investment in improving communication within co-parenting families as she believes effective communication is the cornerstone to healing fractured family dynamics. Price who was also raised in a co-parenting household and has built a successful co-parenting family of her own comes to this topic with life experience and passion. Through her personal experiences she brings raw empathy and an everything is achievable mindset which resonates with the families served. Keeping a family whole across households can be challenging therefore, Price sets out to heightened awareness of the power cooperative co-parenting can have on the development of our children.
Dr. Nathan T. Chomilo, Chair of Section on Minority Health Equity & Inclusion, American Academy of Pediatrics
Dr. Nathan T. Chomilo’s work centers marginalized communities in health policy so that we can dismantle racism in health care & provide children & families an equitable opportunity for health & well-being. He also works to understand and demonstrate how physicians and health systems can be accountable for producing racial & health equity. He is the Medical Director for the State of Minnesota’s Medicaid & MinnesotaCare programs and practices as a General Pediatrician with Park Nicollet Health Services/HealthPartners. He was previously tapped by Governor Tim Walz to serve as the State of Minnesota’s COVID-19 vaccine equity director and as a Senior Advisor on Equity to the Minnesota Commissioner of Health. He is the Chair-elect of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Section on Minority Health Equity. He serves on the board of Reach Out and Read and is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Minnesota Medical School. He has been recognized by the City of Minneapolis Department of Civil Rights as a 2019 History Maker at Home recipient, Minnesota Physician which named him a one of the 100 most influential health care leaders in 2020 and 2024, and the Aspen Institute which selected him to be an Aspen Ascend Fellow in 2022. He lives in Minneapolis with his wife & sons.
Sam has over 35 years of experience as an alcohol and drug counselor and behavioral consultant, focusing on trauma-informed strategies to address addiction, violence, and trauma, mainly aiming to improve the lives of African American men and their families. He developed a culturally specific curriculum to engage men and boys in promoting healthy, nonviolent relationships. An Adverse Childhood Experience Interface Trainer in Minnesota, Sam has led presentations on historical trauma and partnered with various organizations to dismantle barriers to healing.
He has received numerous accolades, including the 2007 Kirby Puckett Legacy Award and the 2009 Governor’s Council on Faith and Community Service Initiatives Best Practices Award. In 2014, he was honored with the Minnesota Fathers & Families Network Excellence in Fatherhood Award and the 2016 Healing the Hidden Wounds of Racial Trauma Award. In 2018, he was recognized by the city of Minneapolis recognized him as a Public Health Hero for his innovative work in the community, and the NFL honored him for his efforts to stop violence against women. In 2024, he received Minnesota’s Professional of the Year Award from the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Minnesota for his exceptional work with Black men.
Sam co-hosts the "Voices" radio show on KMOJ FM, discussing issues that affect urban communities. He is well-respected nationwide for his insights on African American historical trauma and his successful Community Empowerment Through Black Men Healing Conference, noted as innovative and leading-edge. He also wrote "Just Sam: A Black Man's Journey to Healing," which explores trauma's impact on Black men and provides a pathway to healing and empowerment. Sam emphasizes, “A community is as strong as the information it’s given.”
Panelists
Andre Dukes, M.A., Vice President of Family and Community Impact at Northside Achievement Zone
Andre Dukes oversees the Early Childhood and Community Impact strategy, which focuses on ensuring that NAZ scholars are ready for kindergarten through access to quality early learning centers, scholarships, screening, parent support and education, and advocacy. Throughout his career, he has learned a great deal about how experiences shape child behavior, and how strong communities, environments, and supports can promote healthy development and prevent harmful behavior in children. Before joining NAZ, Andre worked for several years as a community Pastor and worked in partnership with Hennepin County and the City of Minneapolis on the issue of youth violence prevention. Andre holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the Minnesota Graduate School of Theology and a Certificate in Infant Mental Health and Early Childhood at the University of Minnesota Center for Early Education Development. He serves on the board of Think Small and is a member of the MinneMinds executive committee.
Dr. Altreisha Foster, Public Health Leader, Equity Strategist, and Author, of Lessons I Never Learned from My Father
Dr. Altreisha Foster is a public health leader, microbiologist, author, and equity strategist dedicated to advancing racial and gender equity in health and justice systems. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Microbiology from Howard University College of Medicine and a Master of Public Health from the Milken School of Public Health at George Washington University.
With expertise in infectious disease research, trauma-informed care, and strategic planning, Dr. Foster has worked across academia, government, and community sectors to address disparities in health and social systems. She is the president of the Cake Therapy Foundation, a nonprofit that empowers women and girls through baking as a tool for healing, resilience, and entrepreneurship. She also leads Strategic Health Solutions, a consulting firm specializing in health equity, infectious disease preparedness, and public policy.
Dr. Foster is the author of three books: Cake Therapy: How Baking Changed My Life, Lessons I Never Learned from My Father, and the guided journal A Slice of Joy and Healing. She also serves as the host of the Cake Therapy Podcast, where she explores the intersection of baking, mental health, and personal transformation.
A sought-after speaker, Dr. Foster has presented at international conferences and public health forums, collaborating with policymakers, healthcare organizations, and community leaders to drive meaningful change. A dedicated mentor and advocate, she remains committed to fostering inclusive, sustainable health systems that bridge gaps between policy, practice, and community needs.
Brandon Jones, M.A., CPPM, Executive Director of the Minnesota Association for Children’s Mental Health
Brandon Jones, M.A., CPPM, is the Executive Director of the Minnesota Association for Children’s Mental Health (MACMH), where he utilizes his extensive experience in consulting, mental health, and leadership development. His expertise includes Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), historical and intergenerational trauma, social and emotional intelligence (EQ), leadership development, and the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI). Brandon earned a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Minnesota, a master’s degree in Community Psychology from Metropolitan State University, and a master’s degree in Psychotherapy (Marriage and Family Therapy) from Adler Graduate School. As a 2013 Bush Foundation Leadership Fellow, he is dedicated to impactful leadership and community transformation. Guided by his motto, “Live life with purpose, on purpose,” Brandon continues to inspire growth and resilience in the communities he serves.
“A role model is one who is aware that the babies are watching and acts accordingly.” Uncle Big