Steven D. Kniffley Jr., PsyD MPA MBA ABPP is a licensed clinical psychologist, associate professor, and higher education administrator. Dr. Kniffley’s area of expertise is research and clinical work with Black males and the treatment of race-based stress and trauma. Dr. Kniffley also serves as an organizational diversity consultant and has worked with a variety of organizations ranging from small non-profits to Fortune 500 companies.

Dr. Kniffley has written numerous books, book chapters, and articles on Black male mental health, Black males and the criminal justice system, racial trauma treatment and training, program evaluation, organizational diversity, and academic achievement. He is also a Past-President for the Kentucky Psychological Association. He is currently the Vice-President for Diversity for the Ohio Psychological Association.

Additionally, Dr. Kniffley has been selected as one of Louisville’s top 40 under 40 for 2020, a recipient of the 2020 MediStar Healthcare Advocacy Award, a 2021 Louisville Healthcare Hero, the inaugural recipient of the University of Louisville Diversity Leadership Award and the Outstanding Alumni Award from Spalding University. Most recently, Dr. Kniffley was inducted into the Black Psychologist Hall of Fame at Hampton University.

Dr. Jonathan McKenzie is an award-winning educator, community organizer, business owner, and motivational speaker. He has been honored with several prestigious awards, including The Jefferson Award, the Council for Opportunity in Education’s (COE) Walter O. Mason Award, the Dr. Arnold L. Mitchem Lifetime Achievement Award, and the United Negro College Fund Distinguished Leadership Award.

Since 1988, Dr. McKenzie has worked to improve access to education for traditionally underrepresented students and families. He has developed, led, and evaluated programs for nonprofits, colleges, and universities. As an accomplished grant writer, he has secured funding for over 200 federally funded programs, resulting in thousands of students gaining access to and graduating from postsecondary institutions.

As pastor of Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church and CEO of the Family Centered Educational Agency (FCEA), Dr. McKenzie has united community stakeholders to support low-income families. In 2023–24, FCEA served more than 3,000 students with over 89,000 services, helping 901 TRIO students graduate high school and 766 enroll in college. His national influence extends through his work with U.S. Department of Education training grants and keynote presentations across the country, where his passion for educational equity continues to inspire and create lasting impact.

Dr. Halim Ali, Executive Director and Founder of From The Heart Foundation, is an activist, therapeutic mentor, master facilitator, mental health professional and soon to be author aiming to transform traumatic experiences and lifestyles by restoring strong personal foundations, bringing back personal balance and implementing wellness tools to apply for a lifetime and carries advanced degrees in Public Service, is Certified in The Wellness Recovery Action Plan, 5 Protective Factors, Youth Mental Health First Aid, Adult Mental Health First Aid, Habilitation Empowerment Accountability Therapy and is a certified CCAR Recovery Coach. 

Dr. Ali is embedded within the Denver Metro community and its suburbs advocating for the empowerment of individuals to take their power back and shine a light on mental health awareness to establish healthy American families. Through community events and programs ranging from youth leadership courses, adult male health and wellness counsels, educational seminars, and community services, Dr. Ali  is always for the people first. Cultural connector and advocate to so many voices in Colorado and abroad, he works hard in creating new movements that are direct, intentional and purposeful throughout all platforms of healthcare lending toward healthy families and communities.