Speakers

Nathan Lee Roy Harris

Confident. Christian. Hardworking

Nathan Lee Roy Harris is a Ph.D. candidate at The Ohio State University, Department of Engineering Education. He graduated cum laude from Morehouse College, obtaining a bachelor's in Computer Science as a Gates Millennium Scholar. 

His current research is understanding how Black parents can promote culturally relevant STEM experiences in the home. He was recently awarded the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, a highly prestigious fellowship awarded to Graduate Students who show immense promise as researchers and leaders in STEM fields. Nathan can make a change and prove that we can be the change we want to see in our future. 

Upon completing his Ph.D., he seeks to do consulting for school systems that desire to implement STEM courses catered to their school and community. Nathan has always recognized that he is his ancestors' wildest dream, and the work that he seeks to accomplish is for the generations to come.

Elizabeth Caslin

Courageous. Loving. Real.

A native of Columbus, Ohio, Elizabeth Caslin is a student and education reform advocate with over 5 years of service in multiple school districts within the city of Columbus. Her expertise lies in social-emotional learning, strategic planning, professional development, community engagement, and mentoring. In 2019, Elizabeth launched her nonprofit organization, DNA Project, which is the acronym for “developing new attitudes.” The organization specializes in the development of youth-centered resiliency building.

She currently serves as an administrative assistant for the Ohio Department of Higher Education while she also completes her educational leadership licensure. She recently was initiated into Kappa Delta Phi—a high professional society that recognizes outstanding contributions to education. Elizabeth continues to serve as a facilitator for Franklin County Restorative Justice Circles while holding an advisory board position for DEI for American College of Education and Delta Phi Epsilon International Sorority.

Jennifer Fowler

Energetic. Passionate. Goal-Oriented.

Jennifer Fowler was born and raised in Waco, Texas. She’s the Director of Business Solutions at Per Scholas and the Founder of Project C.L.O.U.D.S., a nonprofit organization that focuses on providing educational and employment training for youth ages 14-22. Jennifer completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Missouri —St. Louis and holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice. She recently completed her Master of Divinity degree at Methodist Theological School in Ohio. This educational experience has further equipped her to work compassionately and think theologically with others to address matters of social justice, community development, and youth empowerment.

Jennifer is passionate about people and seeks daily to inspire, motivate, and encourage those around her to be all that they are capable of being. She is a kid at heart, who seeks to live a life that brings glory to God and positively impacts all those she encounters.

Diandra R. Gordon, Ph.D., JD

Visionary. Advocate. Servant-Leader.

Diandra R. Gordon, Ph.D., JD is a native of Columbus, OH. Dr. Gordon holds a BA in Psychology from Hampton University, an MS and Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Science, and JD from Capital University Law School. Dr. Gordon seeks to make effective change for under-resourced populations by applying critical race interdisciplinary perspectives to her interests and experience in building community, family wellness, intimate partner violence, cultural studies, and the arts, with law. Dr. Gordon continues to build a career with intention and seeking to create lasting and effective change using her research, experience, and law studies. Her ultimate goal is to create sustainable change and inform policy to build an equitable society for people of color. In times of leisure, Dr. Gordon enjoys laughing, dancing, traveling, and experiencing the diverse excellence of people and their culture.

Dr. Kyle Eugene Brooks

Insightful. Intellectual. Iconoclast.

Dr. Kyle Eugene Brooks, a native of Detroit, MI, serves as an Assistant Professor and Chapel Director at Methodist Theological School in Ohio. The second of seven children, he hails from a proud lineage of Black preachers, musicians, and visual/material artists. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Yale University and completed his Ph.D. in Religion at Vanderbilt University. His academic interests include Black religious cultures, rhetoric and communication, and the intersections of Black creative arts and religion. Beyond his work as a scholar, he expresses his creative voice as a poet and multi-instrumentalist. As an ordained minister and liturgist, he works to curate rituals and spaces for sacred memory. When he is not writing, teaching, or researching, he enjoys shooting pool, the great outdoors, the company of good friends, and collaborating as a co-host of the podcast Black Men Unlearning.

Deborah Aubert Thomas

Visionary. Creative. Hopeful.

Deborah Aubert Thomas is president and CEO of Philanthropy Ohio and is committed to leading and equipping Ohio philanthropists to be effective, powerful change agents in their communities. Deborah was previously vice president, programs & learning and provided vision and oversight for all educational programs. She previously served as director of grants and programs at the Princeton Area Community Foundation and coordinated a diversity internship program for Women & Philanthropy; developing the National Girls Inc. Media Literacy after-school program; and coordinating the Leadership Scholars program at the Institute for Women’s Leadership, Rutgers University. Deborah serves on the board of directors for Grantmakers for Effective Organizations and United Philanthropy Forum and previously on the board of the Women’s Fund of Central Ohio. She holds a Master of Arts from the Steinhardt School of Education, New York University, and a Master of Science from the Milano Graduate School, New School University. 

Jasilika Davidson

Strong. Confident. Leader.

Jasilika Davidson is the owner of Assisted Living Locators of West Columbus and the host of The Golden Life Podcast. As the owner, she is able to utilize her gifts and talents to assist seniors and their families in what could be considered the most overwhelming and burdensome experience of their lives: navigating senior care options. Jasilika’s innate altruism and nurturing spirit enables her to lend a listening ear and provide quality senior care information and direction. She proudly connects families to resources that are beneficial in areas such as planning for life finality, selling their home, securing Power of Attorney and last will and testament guidance, plus provide access and knowledge to other life planning tools.