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Meet our latest Mentoring Kings

Malcolm Woodland

Malcolm Woodland

Malcolm H. Woodland, PhD is the co-founder and Director of Young Doctors DC, a health care and pipeline to health career program for boys and young men of color in Washington, DC. Dr. Woodland has worked as a psychologist and an administrator in juvenile justice for several years, conducting evaluations, providing psychological treatment, and expert testimony. His research examines out-of-school time programs for African American males, African American identity, and psychological test and measurement issues in forensic populations. Dr. Woodland was an American Educational Research Association fellow at the University of California, Berkeley. His work on youth development, forensic assessment, and African American males can be found in several peer-reviewed periodicals such as the Journal of Forensic Psychology and Psychiatry, Journal of Forensic Psychology Practice, and Urban Education. He obtained his doctorate in clinical psychology from Howard University and completed his undergraduate studies at Tougaloo College in Mississippi.

Abe Thompson

Abe Thompson

Abraham, "Abe" Thompson has extensive business consulting, business management, broadcasting, marketing, public relations, media entertainment and production experience. Abe is known throughout the U.S. and abroad as a broadcaster, author, educator, businessman, business consultant, motivational speaker and producer. He is regularly called upon to deliver keynote speeches at events throughout the country. Abe is President/CEO of Partnership Radio and an instructor in the Media Department at Kennedy King College. A successful businessman and consultant, Abe was formerly principal manager for Specialty Care, a health care out-source company which provides hospital management, physician and clinical management and training and education in the health industry. Abe was also formerly an instructor at Columbia College in both the Media and Broadcast Departments. An Emmy Award-Winning Executive Producer and Producer, Abe has participated in the marketing of films and international events since 1991, including the Cancun Jazz festival, Sinbad's Soul Music Festival in St. Martin and the Latino Film Festival. An icon in the broadcasting industry, Abe has served as Station Manager for WVAZ-FM in Chicago, Illinois, Chief Operating Officer of Silver Star Communications in Detroit, Michigan, Vice President and Station Manager at Gannet Company, Inc.'s WVON-AM and WGCI-FM. A published author, his first book, My Thoughts, Your Book, Our Journey, for his son, Phoenix, was published in 2000. Passionate about serving the community and the educational needs of our youth, Abe served as Chairman of the 1984 UNCF Special Promotions Committee, as well as the UNCF Telethon, he is a past board member of the Emergency Fund for Needy People, Volunteers of America, Safe Foundation, Rainbow Push and Served on the Clear Channel Advisory Board. Abe has received numerous media and community awards. He is currently a member of Rotary One, Board Member of the Christian Industrial League and A Safe Haven, as well as a member of the Board of the National Association of Black Screenwriters.

David Mann

David Mann

David Mann, the multi-faceted actor and NAACP Award winner for “Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series” for Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns. In 2018, David, and his wife, Tamela Mann, released their first book and joint album, Us Against the World. The book won an NAACP Image® Award for Outstanding Literary Work and the album continues to garner top-charting singles including the Urban AC track, “Ups & Downs.” Tamela and David together helm Tillymann Entertainment. David co-starred in the hit comedy series, Tyler Perry’s Meet The Browns, the NAACP Image® Award-winning docu-series, The Manns, It’s A Mann’s World, the comedy, Mann & Wife, along with other fan-favorite films and television shows. Recently, David appeared in the BET+ special, Madea’s Farewell Stage Play, and is reprising his role as “Mr. Brown” in Tyler Perry’s “Assisted Living,” with new episodes airing on BET. His new digital series, “Mann Family Dinner” debuted fall of 2020, with episodes releasing bi-weekly. David is starring in two new films – Soul Santa (BET) and new Tyler Perry Madea movie (Netflix).

Dr. Eddie Connor

Dr. Eddie Connor

Dr. Connor is an international speaker, college professor, and conference host of Vision Summit. As a founder of a Relationship Academy, he facilitates masterclasses on how to build healthy relationships via love, leadership, and leveraging your purpose. He also serves as the President of the National Entrepreneurs Association of Michigan. He is the author of 12 best-selling books. Dr. Connor is the founder of the mentoring program, Boys 2 Books, which empowers young males via literacy, leadership, and life skills enrichment. Dr. Connor is a recipient of The President Barack Obama Volunteer Service Award and The President Barack Obama Lifetime Achievement Award from The White House. Dr. Connor speaks extensively at churches, colleges, and conferences by empowering people to maximize their purpose.

Sheldon Day

Sheldon Day

After graduating from the University of Notre Dame, Sheldon Day was a 4th round draft pick landing with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Day played a season and a half with the Jaguars. During the 2017 season Sheldon was picked up as a free agent by the San Francisco 49ers, where he enjoyed playing the 2nd half of the season and started in the LIV Super Bowl. At the end of the 2019-20 season, Sheldon became a free agent and signed with the Indianapolis Colts. Sheldon was released from the Colts and picked up by the Cleveland Browns. Sheldon enjoys giving back through his Sheldon’s Daylight Camp, which is used to utilize football as a tool to engage and educate 4th-6th graders in Indianapolis, Indiana on the importance of education, healthy lifestyles, hope and perseverance.

Chris Broussard

Chris Broussard

Chris Broussard is an internationally known sports analyst and commentator for the FOX Sports 1 television network and FOX Sports Radio. Today, he serves as the daily Co-Host of “First Things First” on FS1, and can also be seen regularly on FS1’s “Undisputed,’’ “The Herd,’’ and “Lock It In.” Chris is the Founder and President of a National Christian Men's organization called The K.I.N.G. Movement. K.I.N.G. stands for Knowledge, Inspiration and Nurture through God, and seeks to help boys and men reach their God-given potential in every realm of life. He has also been a spokesperson for Allan Houston’s “Father Knows Best” program and is currently a Board member of Athletes in Action. Chris is a frequent speaker at colleges, high schools, charitable fundraisers, youth-related events, and churches.

James E.K. Hildreth

James E.K. Hildreth

James E.K. Hildreth, Ph.D., M.D. is the 12th president and chief executive officer of Meharry Medical College, the nation’s largest private, independent historically Black academic health sciences center. In 2002, Dr. Hildreth became the first African American in the 125-year history of Johns Hopkins School of Medicine to earn full professorship with tenure in basic sciences. In July 2005, Dr. Hildreth became director of the NIH-funded Center for AIDS Health Disparities Research at Meharry Medical College. In August of 2011, Dr. Hildreth became dean of the College of Biological Sciences at University of California, Davis. He was the first African-American dean in the university, which was founded in 1905. Dr. Hildreth received numerous awards for his research, commitment to diversity in medicine, biomedical research and service to communities. Dr. Hildreth has been appointed to two FDA advisory committees: Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) and Antimicrobial Drugs Advisory Committee (AMDAC), these panels reviews COVID-19 vaccines and drugs respectively for approval. In February of 2021, he was appointed by President Biden to the COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force. He currently serves on the Advisory Council to the NIH Director, as chair of the Veteran’s Administration National Academic Affiliations Council and the board of directors of the Association of Academic Health Centers. Dr. Hildreth serves on several other boards including chair of the board of the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.

Eric Austin

Eric Austin

Eric Austin is a brand building marketing executive at Procter & Gamble with over 20+ years of experience. He’s led some of the world’s most successful, billion-dollar brands in the US and abroad in Europe including Pantene, Head & Shoulders, Braun, Olay and others. Beyond brand management, Eric is also media maven with deep expertise in leading disruptive innovation, accelerating P&G’s global media strategy and operations for the world’s largest advertiser. He’s a recognized expert in the media / Adtech industry and an advocate for driving equality and inclusion which he is responsible for the development of industry award winning programs such as THE LOOK, #TalkAboutBias,THE CHOICE, Widen The Screen, Queen Collective, 846 Films, These Hands and others, which sheds light on systemic bias toward unrepresented communities and facilitates equitable solutions in media and beyond.

David Banner

David Banner

A Banner Vision (ABV) CEO, David Banner is an internationally recognized Grammy Award-winning music producer, recording artist, philanthropist, activist, and actor with over 26 films under his belt. The Mississippi native is an entrepreneur dedicated to preserving culture, economic empowerment and freedom of expression. Launching this year, The David Banner Podcast features bold and unapologetic conversations that will make you laugh, push your thinking, liberate your mind and move you to disrupt the status quo. Banner’s commitment to community, love for humanity and passion for justice are embodied in his foundation, Heal the Hood Inc., which provides clothing and other necessities to families during the holidays. Banner encourages under-served youth and creative minds to pursue professions “behind the scenes”. He leverages his affluence and influence to help leave the world in a better place than he found it.

Everett Taylor

Everett Taylor

Eric Austin is a brand building marketing executive at Procter & Gamble with over 20+ years of experience. He’s led some of the world’s most successful, billion-dollar brands in the US and abroad in Europe including Pantene, Head & Shoulders, Braun, Olay and others. Beyond brand management, Eric is also media maven with deep expertise in leading disruptive innovation, accelerating P&G’s global media strategy and operations for the world’s largest advertiser. He’s a recognized expert in the media / Adtech industry and an advocate for driving equality and inclusion which he is responsible for the development of industry award winning programs such as THE LOOK, #TalkAboutBias,THE CHOICE, Widen The Screen, Queen Collective, 846 Films, These Hands and others, which sheds light on systemic bias toward unrepresented communities and facilitates equitable solutions in media and beyond.

Malcolm-Jamal Warner

Malcolm-Jamal Warner

Malcolm-Jamal Warner has become known in the entertainment business for his seasoned acting talents and his accomplishments in music, directing, and producing. As an Emmy-nominated actor and Grammy award winning poet, Warner has positioned himself as one of the most accomplished talents in the industry today. As a staple in television and film for over 30 years, Warner first rose to national prominence by starring on the celebrated and long-running classic television series “The Cosby Show.” Presently, Warner can be seen starring on FOX’s hit medical drama “The Resident.” As a seasoned director Warner has worked on a host of television series, including “The Resident,” being a regular director [and producer] on the comedy series “Malcolm & Eddie,” and also having directed several episodes of “All That,” “Keenan & Kel,” “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” and “Sesame Street.” When not acting and directing, Warner is a poet and a bass player.

Kevin Curry

Kevin Curry

Kevin Curry is an entrepreneur, thought leader and founder of FitMenCook™, the highly popular food blog and cookbook that has inspired millions of people around the world to live healthier, happier and more balanced lives through food. With millions of followers around the world, Curry has become one of today's most sought-after personalities in nutrition, health and wellness. In 2018, Curry released his first cookbook, where he shares 100+ quick & easy meal prep recipes to help jumpstart your wellness journey. Curry has become one of the most sought-after personalities and thought leaders in Nutrition and Wellness. He is a regular contributor on TODAY and has made frequent appearances on GMA, Live with Kelly & Ryan and many others.