Canceling your registration will remove your access to the event. If you proceed, you will no longer be able to participate or access event-related materials.

Victor Katch, Professor Emeritus, Kinesiology & Executive Vice President

Victor L. Katch has been doing research and teaching fitness, nutrition, and weight control for 45 yrs. He is a professor of Movement Science in Kinesiology and Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Michigan and a former American basketball coach and player. He was the first head coach of the Michigan Wolverines women’s basketball team holding the position during the program’s development.

Katch is the co-author of 3 college-level textbooks on exercise physiology and nutrition and published 150+ research papers. He also wrote monthly columns in Shape, Muscle & Fitness, American Health and the Healthy Weight Journal.

Tammara Kamei, CEO / President, A BRIGHTER TOMORROW COUNSELING SERVICES, INC.

Tammara Kamei was born and raised in Flint, Michigan and received her master’s degree in counseling from Argosy University in Nashville, TN. Tammara always had a passion for helping people in her community and would see people cry out for help in so many different ways, but it seems their emotional needs were always ignored. In fact, it seems that it was taboo to even acknowledge if you needed help mentally. She wanted a career in which she could give back and help her community. Her first major job was as a residential counselor at a juvenile sex offender treatment program.

At the time, Tammara did not realize the career path she was stepping in to, but now has over ten years working with adult and juvenile sex offenders. She’s also had her own bouts with depression and began to implement a plan which involved positive coping skills that assisted her in working her way through her depression. She was able to process some of her thoughts and feelings with some of her mature older friends and definitely prayed. It was then that Tammara began to get her motivation back and once again realized what was missing in her community, however, this time, she was equipped to help. Tammara put together a business plan to start her own mental health counseling practice that specializes in addressing trauma, sexual abuse, depression and anxiety. Thankfully, she is now able to offer services to her community.

Rita Coram, MD, FACC,Board Certified Interventional Cardiology, Cardiovascular Medicine and Internal Medicine, BEAUMONT

Rita Coram, MD, joined Beaumont in 2018 after 11 years in practice as an Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Louisville in Kentucky where she was the director of the Coronary Unit, Chest Pain Center and Women’s Cardiovascular Health Program.

Dr. Coram completed her training in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Medicine and Interventional Cardiology at the Krannert Institute of Cardiology at the Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, Indiana. She is board-certified in Interventional Cardiology, Cardiovascular Medicine and Internal Medicine.

Dr. Coram’s expertise includes percutaneous interventions/stenting of the coronaries and peripheral arterial system, as well as structural heart disease interventions such as PFO/ASD closure, valvuloplasty, left atrial appendage closure and TAVR. Conditions that she treats most frequently are chest pain, shortness of breath on exertion, coronary artery disease, hypertension, congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation, leg claudication and aortic valve stenosis.

Dr. Coram’s mission is to spread awareness in cardiovascular disease in the community to first increase prevention, maximize guideline directed medical treatments and, if indicated, offer the safest and most up-to-date interventional therapies.

Mir Babar Basir, DO, FACC, FSCAI, Director, STEM1 Program and Director of the Acute Mechanical Circulatory Support Program, HFHS

Dr. Mir Babar Basir received his medical degree from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Erie, PA. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine from the University of Indiana, Indianapolis, Indiana. He completed his cardiology, interventional cardiology and complex and high risk interventional (CHIP) training at Henry Ford Hospital and Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan.

Dr. Basir is currently a senior interventional cardiology staff at Henry Ford Hospital specializing in the treatment of complex coronary interventions and the use of advanced mechanical circulatory support devices. He serves as the Director of the STEMI Program and the Director of the Acute Mechanical Circulatory Support Program at Henry Ford Hospital. He is the co-principle investigator for the National Cardiogenic Shock Initiative a multi-center prospective single arm study evaluating the use of early hemodynamic support guided by invasive hemodynamics in the treatment of acute myocardial infarctions complicated by cardiogenic shock.

Roslyn Y. Daniels, Founder & President Black Health Matters

Roslyn Y. Daniels is president and founder of Black Health Matters, the leading health promotion and disease management online platform serving the needs of consumers, patients and physicians. She is a tireless advocate for eliminating health disparities by improving the health literacy of African American consumers and patients. A former senior executive in broadcast and publishing, Daniels is a nationally respected health strategist with more than 20 years designing and implementing cross-cultural health education programs and initiatives.

Daniels is disrupting the educational space for African American patients. In 2018, she launched the Black Health Matters Summit, which is a multi-platform initiative that features live Ted Talk-inspired presentations by leading clinicians and health advocates. The Black Health Matters Summits draw thousands of impressions via original content produced, which includes video pushed through social media and custom newsletters to its base of subscribers and fans. Black Health Matters has worked with: AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Boston Scientific, Gilead, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Sanofi and other leading pharmaceutical companies. Understanding that African American men have the lowest life expectancy and highest death rate compared to men and women in other racial/ethnic groups in the United States, 1 Daniels launched Precision Oncology in partnership with Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. The goal is to offer strategies needed to establish and strengthen the capacity of Kappa Alpha Psi chapters in promoting health and wellness among members and the greater community in which they live and work. Black Health Matters will host more than five Precision Oncology programs in 2020 at Kappa Province meetings with the goal of touching more than 60,000 Kappas within the program year.

Daniels’ other accomplishments include receiving the Digital Diversity Network’s Social EntrepreneurAward in 2017. She conceived and implemented two programs with original content adopted by the National Medical Association (NMA): 1) Prescription for Exercise, which motivates physicians and patients to discuss physical activity in the proper dosage to manage over 40 of the most common chronic health conditions effectively, and 2) the NMA Breastfeeding Medicine Alliance, designed to increase rates of breastfeeding for optimal health of mothers and babies. These programs impact more than 3 million patients annually. Her work in increasing clinical trial participation was captured in the Wall Street Journal’s Market Watch. Outside of business, Daniels serves on the Health and Human Services committee for the Bergen County (NJ) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, where she helps manage key initiatives, including feeding the homeless and community health programs. She is also a member of the Health Ministry at Abyssinian Baptist Church and member of Women of Color in Pharma. An ovarian cancer survivor, she often speaks to the importance of self-care and of being a knowledgeable patient. Professionally, she mentors women entrepreneurs on revenue acquisition and management. Daniels is a graduate of Boston University.

Ijeoma Nnodim Opara, MD, FAAP, WAYNE HEALTH

Ijeoma Nnodim Opara, M.D., FAAP, Class of 2008, is a graduate of the Detroit Medical Center/WSU Internal Medicine-Pediatrics combined residency program. The double-board certified assistant professor of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics who served as chief resident is the associate program director of the Internal Medicine-Pediatrics residency and an attending physician with the Wayne State University Physician Group. She is co-founding director of the Wayne State University Global Health Alliance, a multidisciplinary organization created to unify university and regional global health practitioners and create a collaborative community of best practice in global and urban health. She is the co-creator and co-director of the Global Urban Health & Equity curriculum, an innovative interprofessional comprehensive certificate and competency-based global health curriculum. She is also founding director of an innovative social determinants of health curriculum for internal medicine residents using critical reflection, the first of its kind in the state of Michigan.

Dr. Nnodim Opara provides clinical care to a chiefly underserved population, supervises resident clinics, and teaches inpatient and ambulatory medicine. Certified in Clinical Teaching by the Stanford Clinical Teaching Program, she is passionate about medical education, mentoring a number of residents and medical students in wellness, work-life integration, academic and career development.

A lead investigator in multiple interdisciplinary multi-center local and international research projects, she focuses on understanding how resilience can be leveraged to improve community health outcomes and convergence of implementation science in effective professional development in social determinants of health and health equity of health professional trainees. A certified facilitator in cultural competency and certified in Global Leadership by the American College of Academic International Medicine, she imbues every endeavor with her philosophy of ethical, culturally humble, patient-centered, evidence-based, high value, compassionate care and prioritizes attention to social determinants of health, disparities and equity in her comprehensive approach to patients.

Dr. Nnodim Opara has a long history of leadership in service to the African immigrant and African American communities, and co-founded Africans in Medicine. The organization's mission is to unite African medical professionals to further the health interests of Africans living on the continent and in the diaspora. Committed to advocacy, she serves as a member of the Wayne County Medical Society's Public Health Committee and the Consortium of Universities for Global Health's Network of Academic Advisers to improve policy development and support for global health and international development. She received the Detroit Medical Center's Most Engaged Physician Award, in recognition of her track record in community service and collaboration with colleagues and advocacy. She also received the Faculty of the Year Award, given by Internal Medicine-Pediatrics residents to the faculty member who best embodies the aspects of being a great clinician educator, including mentorship, teaching and humanism in medicine.

Michael Wood, MD, Bariatric Surgeon, DETROIT MEDICAL CENTER

Dr. Michael Wood has over 25 years of weight management, nutrition and weight loss surgery experience. Currently, he serves as the Medical Director of Bariatric Surgical Services at the Detroit Medical Center’s Harper University Hospital and is a Clinical Professor of Surgery at Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit.

Richard Winfrey, Host, MENTAL MATTERS PODCAST

Richard Winfrey is a native of Detroit, Michigan who currently works as a Field Engineer in water/wastewater systems while focusing on maintaining and improving the sewer infrastructure for the City of Detroit. He received his bachelors of science in Mechanical Engineering from Wayne State University in 2014. He has earned his Green Belt Certification in Lean Six Sigma, helping improve the process reduce the water and sewerage department’s cycle time to complete final surface restoration from nearly 365 days to less than 40 days.

He also focuses on giving back to the local community through his involvement in his fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated, and in STEM by ways of the National Society of Black Engineers. He is also preparing to become a Project Management Professional as well as Professional Engineer to simply prove to himself that he can do it. He has a passion for helping others become the best version of themselves through intentional growth and pursuing your passions vs chasing checks. He is not shy to help motivate others and has a mentality to help the next wave of young talent in STEM.

Richard, along with Jerrell Mitchell, also co-hosts the Mental Matters Podcast, which was created for black men and other men of color to discuss the topics that we as a culture would shy away from to avoid “weak appearances,” to erase the negative stigma of mental health and challenging toxic masculinity in black men to create a safe space or “make it ok” to open up about their experiences/journey into manhood and to highlight and promote resources for mental wellness assistance.

John Houston Smith, Owner, GRINDTIME FITNESS

GrindTime Fitness was started 6 years ago by John Houston Smith. The gym model he created was based upon the need he saw in the fitness industry. Gyms were full of machines and trainers but no one there to help with the nutritional side. So like many others, he struggled to find healthy options to couple with his training regimen. So he started a gym that provides unlimited training at a low cost, customized meal plans, and even added an on staff chef to help with meal prep for his members. The gym is also equipped with a tutoring center for children to do homework while the parent works out and a theater to entertain them after homework.

The handprint concept in his gym is the fun part. When you walk in you’ll see lots of handprints on his gym walls. The white handprints signify people who have lost up to 19 pounds. These people are usually the ones who just needed to “tone up”. The blue handprints represent members who have lost between 20 and 49 pounds. And the red handprint signify members who have lost 50 pounds and above.

Every quarter John hosts graduation to celebrate and honor those who stuck it out and achieved their goal. John’s look often confuses people because he has the build and presence of someone who may be mean, loud, and unaccepting. Don’t let the tattoos fool you. His approach is the exact opposite. He focuses on delivering overwhelming intentional kindness. He’s responsible for over 20,000 pounds of weight loss over the last 6 years that he’s been a trainer hence GrindTime’s nickname “Resultsville”. He knows EVERY SINGLE CLIENT by name. And that’s because he wants them to all know that they are more than just a number or a dollar sign. He wants people to feel like people. He will challenge you to become the best version of yourself for yourself. He’ll even make you laugh while doing it.

Madhumitha Krishnamoorthy, MD, Family Medicine / Diabetes, DETROIT MEDICAL CENTER

Dr. Madhumitha Krishnamoorthy is inspired by the idea of continuity of care for patients across a broad range of age groups and diverse backgrounds. Dr. Krishnamoorthy will provide valuable perspective about the effect of Diabetes on long-term heart health and why maintaining normal blood sugar levels are important for overall health.

Dr. Frank Fazzalari, Board Certified Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgeon, BEAUMONT

Dr. Frank Fazzalari recently joined the cardiovascular surgery team at Beaumont, Royal Oak, bringing over 30 years of experience and extensive knowledge of adult cardiovascular surgical procedures. He has partnered with many health systems in his career to create world-class cardiovascular surgery programs in addition to serving as an instructor and publishing articles throughout his career.
Dr. Fazzalari is board-certified in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery and holds a medical license in four states.

Dennis Treece, DO - Family Practice, DETROIT MEDICAL CENTER

For our Hypertension and Heart Disease and Heart Health segment, board certified family practice physician, Dr. Dennis Treece, will speak on the dangers of high blood pressure and the effects hypertension on heart health. Dr. Treece is an experienced family medicine physician in Detroit and says he became a family physician because he wanted to meet the medical needs of a wide range of patients throughout the Detroit Community.

Kevin "K.L." Belvin, Crisis Counselor & Owner, BRAVIN CONSULTANTS, LLC

Keith "K. L." Belvin is a Crisis Specialist, award winning author/poet, former New York City Dept. of Education, Dean of Students with over twenty years of educational experience with Deleware and New York teaching credentials. Keith is the proud owner of Bravin Consultants LLC and Bravin Publishing LLC. He is also an ordained minister in Delaware who offers counseling along with weekly online Bible Study.

Keith possesses a Masters in Counseling / Specializing in Human Service and Christian Ministry from Liberty University, a Masters in Education / Specializing in Curriculum Writing, Assessments, and Teaching along with a BS in Physical Education, an a AS in Business Keith provides private counseling and consults. He has helped many singles and couples in developing actionable goals to becoming better individuals, mates, and parents. Keith offers personal, family, literary, and educational counseling for those in need of assistance in various areas. He also offered direct mentorship to young men currently incarcerated through is “Young Kings Mentor Program.”

Keith is the founder and operator of Bravin Publishing LLC, established in 2010, a company that provides literary services to new and previously published authors. Bravin Publishing has released all of Keith's five (5) titles, as well as worked on over forty-eight (48) others from various authors.

Kenton Zehr, MD, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, DETROIT MEDICAL CENTER

Dr. Kenton Zehr is the Executive Director of Detroit Medical Center's Heart Hospital and cardiovascular service line. He will present our Heart Disease and Heart Health segment. Dr. Zehr will speak about maintaining your heart health during a pandemic and share his perspective on why maintaining good heart health is important, especially for those within the African American community. Dr. Zehr has a strong interest in the development of mechanical devices to assist the heart and lungs and holds several device patents.

Kimberlydawn Wisdom, MD, MS, Senior Vice President of Community Health & Equity and Chief Wellness and Diversity Officer, HFHS

Kimberlydawn Wisdom, MD, MS, is Senior Vice President of Community Health & Equity, and Chief Wellness and Diversity Officer at Detroit’s Henry Ford Health System. She is a board-certified emergency medicine physician; Chair of the Gail and Lois Warden Endowment on Multicultural Health. In 2003, she was appointed by Governor Granholm as the nation’s first state-level Surgeon General. In 2012 she was appointed by President Obama to serve on the Advisory Group on Prevention, Health Promotion and Integrative and Public Health. She focuses on health care equity, infant mortality/maternal & child health, chronic disease, physical inactivity, unhealthy eating habits, and tobacco use.

Dr. Wisdom provides strong leadership in diversity, population health, and improving the health of those disproportionately affected by poor health outcomes. Dr. Wisdom founded the award-winning program – the African American Initiative for Male Health Improvement (AIM–HI) and the Women Inspired Neighborhood (WIN) Network: Detroit to reduce infant mortality. As Michigan Surgeon General, she founded the nationally known Generation With Promise program - a youth leadership and empowerment effort now housed at Henry Ford. Under her leadership, the health system has received numerous awards for its equity, diversity and inclusion efforts, including the American Hospital Association Equity of Care Award in 2015, and No. 2 ranking on DiversityInc’s 2017 Top Hospitals and Health Systems list. Most recently, Secretary Azar appointed her to the Advisory Committee on Minority Health (2019). Recipient of numerous awards, including Modern Healthcare’s Top 25 Innovators - Population Health. Dr. Wisdom has authored several peer-reviewed publications, appeared on national television, including ABC’s Nightline, and has presented to audiences across the country and internationally.

Chadi Alraies, MD, MPH, FACC - Interventional Cardiologist, DETROIT MEDICAL CENTER

Dr. Chadi Alraies is an interventional cardiologist at the Detroit Medical Center Heart Hospital and cardiovascular service line. Dr. Alraies will discuss the impact of heart disease on the African American community and steps people can take to help improve their heart health.

Audrey Gregory, PhD, Chief Executive Officer, DETROIT MEDICAL CENTER

Audrey Gregory, PhD was named Chief Executive Officer of the Detroit Medical Center on January 1, 2020. She came to the Detroit Medical Center in October 2019 as the CEO of its adult central camps hospitals including Detroit Receiving Hospital, Harper University Hospital, DMC Heart Hospital and Hutzel Women’s Hospital.

Dr. Gregory comes to the DMC from Tenet Healthcare’s Saint Francis Healthcare System in Memphis, where she served as Market CEO, and CEO of St. Francis Hospital - Memphis.

Dr. Gregory is a highly respected leader who has been recognized nationally for her commitment and dedication. As a recipient of three Tenet Circle of Excellence awards, Dr. Gregory has been with Tenet for 15 years in a variety of senior leadership roles, including Chief Nursing Officer, Chief Operating Officer and CEO Placentia-Linda Hospital in Southern California.

Dr. Gregory was a member of the Tennessee Hospital Association Board of Directors and the Memphis Chamber Chairman’s Circle. In 2017, she was awarded Diversity Champion by the Tennessee Hospital Association. She has been featured in Becker’s Hospital Review as Women Hospital and Health System Leaders to Know, African American Leaders in Healthcare and Nurses Who Transitioned to Hospital CEO. She served as Chairperson of the Tennessee Hospital Association’s Tennessee Center for Patient Safety Advisory Council.

Dr. Gregory earned a Ph.D. in global leadership from Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida. She earned both a master’s degree and a bachelor’s degree in nursing and a master’s degree in healthcare administration from Armstrong Atlantic State University in Savannah, Georgia.

Brittany Fuller, MD, FACC, FASE, Interventional Cardiology - Edith and Benson Ford Heart and Vascular Institute, HENRY FORD HEALTH SYSTEM

Brittany Fuller received her medical degree from Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit, MI. She completed her internal medicine residency, general cardiology fellowship and interventional fellowship at Henry Ford Hospital and Wayne State University in Detroit, MI. Dr. Fuller is currently a senior interventional cardiology staff at Henry Ford Hospital specializing in complex coronary interventions and mechanical circulatory support. Her other interests include cardio-obstetrics and improving outcomes in pregnant patients with cardiovascular disease.

Private Chef, Entrepreneur – Chef Max Miami Catering Company; Chef Max Designs - Chef Coats), Philanthropist - Founder One Chef Can 86 Hunger, Author

Chef Max began his culinary experience in the Culinary Arts Program at Wharton High School in Tampa, FL. Working under the program’s Executive Chef, Edward Bujarski, Chef Max, began catering events in the Tampa community. Recognized for his exceptional culinary skills and talent on and off the basketball court, Chef Max was awarded a scholarship to attend Johnson & Wales University in Miami, FL. Chef Max Miami, Chef Max’s catering company, specializing in a range of American, Asian, Caribbean, French, and Kosher cuisine. Proving to be a success, Chef Max has been able to train and employ several chefs between Miami, New York, and Los Angeles. Chef Max’s clientele includes award-winning Hip Hop and R & B artists, actors, professional athletes, and dignitaries like the Prince of Dubai and the prime minister of Turks and Caicos. From 2009 - 2014, Chef Max was the full-time personal chef for New York Knick Amar’e Stoudemire. During Chef Max Hardy’s tenure with New York Knicks Amar'e Stoudmire, he co-authored a cookbook with Stoudemire released June 2014 called Cooking with Amar’e - 100 Easy Recipes for Pros and Rookies in the Kitchen. Outside the kitchen, Chef Max created Chef Max Designs, a chef apparel line that gives a modern style to classic chef look. For more information on Chef Max Designs, please visit www.chefmaxdesigns.com. Chef Max is also a philanthropist and founder of the One Chef Can 86 Hunger foundation. One Chef Can 86 Hunger is a not-for-profit organization that works toward raising awareness and fighting the hunger epidemic in America. With the help of its board and supporters, One Chef Can 86 Hunger has been working to raise funds to support their commitment to educating people about the hunger crisis in America and offering not only

Bridget A. Leonard, DNP, RN, Life Skills Coach & CEO, BRIDGET LEONARD ENTERPRISES, LLC

What may have broken others, Dr. Bridget Leonard uses as building blocks to her next level of success. She received her Doctorate Nursing Practice (DNP) degree from Madonna University in 2015 with a focus on Nursing Administration. As a nursing leader with over 25 years of experience, her transparency, courage, and motivation to empower employees and mentees alike to know that anything is possible when you are committed to doing the work. From certified nursing assistant to Chief Nursing Officer her passion for nursing is contagious. As the founder and CEO of Bridget Leonard Enterprises LLC she tailors her efforts to helping people at all levels reach their highest potential through mentoring, professional development, community involvement, and increasing their media presence.

Dr. Bridget serves as a LifeSkills Coach to many who are on a mission to live their best life, authentically and unapologetically. She is committed to helping people identify their strategic goals, tear down potential barriers, and develop strategies to make their dreams a reality. She serves as the digital TV host of Dr. B’s Best Life where she has guests that show how they’ve overcome obstacles on the road to success. From motivating the masses, team building and engagement, to employee recognition and professional advancement opportunities, Dr. Bridget is sure to leave a mark on the hearts and minds of attendees through her speaking and nuggets of wisdom.

Paul Underwood, MD, Medical Director, Interventional Cardiology Division, BOSTON SCIENTIFIC

Dr. Paul Underwood, MD is a Medical Director for the interventional cardiology division at Boston Scientific, a global manufacturer of minimally invasive medical devices. He has more than 20 years’ experience in direct patient care and clinical research as a board-certified cardiologist. Over the past 10 years his medical input and risk management oversight has guided clinical trial, strategic partnership and health equity projects for Boston Scientific. Originally from Knoxville, TN, Dr. Underwood graduated from Morehouse College, completed his medical studies at Mayo Clinic and interned at Henry Ford Hospital followed by cardiology fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic. He is a former president of the Association of Black Cardiologists and has authored over 100 publications.

Dr. Underwood is dedicated to assuring that innovative technology used to treat cardiovascular disease is available for all people who need it. He works closely with clinical project management and R&D teams regarding compliance with quality and regulatory standards. He also works closely with Close the Gap, Boston Scientific’s health equity initiative. He has collaborated with universities, federal agencies, trade groups/professional societies and clinical trial transformation initiatives to promote clinical trial diversity.

During the Black Health Matters Close the Gap Community Health Challenge & Wellness Fair Dr. Underwood will lead a conversation on the importance of clinical trial participation on the health of our community.

Camille Chang Gilmore, Vice President, HR & Global Chief Diversity Officer, BOSTON SCIENTIFIC

Camille Chang Gilmore leads the development and execution of Boston Scientific’s global inclusion, engagement and diversity strategy and initiatives. She is a member of the global HR Leadership team. She has more than 25 years of HR leadership experience.

In 2004, Camille joined Boston Scientific as an HR manager and held HR business partner (HRBP) roles of increasing responsibility supporting both sales and core businesses. In 2014, she was promoted to a dual role of VP, HR, Interventional Cardiology and Global CDO. In January, her Global Chief Diversity Officer responsibilities expanded to include driving D&I strategies across Close the Gap, supplier diversity and U.S. diversity recruiting, as well as overseeing the company’s Community Engagement efforts. Camille has prior HRBP experience at leading organizations, including Federal Express, Exxon Chemical Company and IBM.

Camille is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University and earned a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Odis Bellinger, MA, LLPC,Licensed Clinical Therapist, Motivational Speaker, Founder & Director, BBM

Growing up fatherless is a struggle far too many of our young boys face today. Angry, resentful, confused, uncertain and often unmotivated, the youth of Metro Detroit are desperate for guidance. Odis Bellinger was once one of those children. He credits his success to two people who refused to give up on him, no matter how hard he pushed them away. Now President/C.E.O of Building Better Men Counseling Services LLC, successful author, community leader and mobilizational speaker, Bellinger continues to ask one question: “How do I Build a Better Man?”

It was the combination of his own experience and education that drove Bellinger to his life’s calling – building better men. Bellinger is the founder of the Building Better Men Program, a non-profit organization that service males age 8-18. It’s objective is to bring value and positive change to one young man at a time. It is Bellinger’s hope that by changing the life of one, he will change the lives of many.

Odis Bellinger has completed extensive research on conflict resolution, violence prevention techniques and socio-economic issues affecting youth and young adults, primarily African-American males. He conducts workshops and trainings focusing primarily on building African American male development and leadership skills. He has been recognized by local and national media outlets for his efforts related to his community work within the urban community. Most recently, he was awarded the 2017 Detroit News Michiganian of the Year honor for his long-time community involvement.

Collaborative with the D2N (Detroit 2 Nepal) Foundation

The D2N Foundation and it’s director, Dr. Richard Keidan has helped the Building Better Men Program in various ways. The D2N foundation has served as a funding fiduciary (the DeRoy Testamentary Foundation, and the Marjorie and Maxwell Foundation), funding source, and consistent supporter. Dr. Keidan has been a blessing to our program. He has personally spent his time/personal resources to help the young men of the Building Better Men Program acquire school supplies, program identity t-shirts, program suit blazers, Christmas gifts, academic software, program supplies/refreshments, and laptop computers. Dr. Keidan has been a weekly coach to Odis Bellinger and has helped build an infrastructure and donor base within the Building Better Men Program. As a result of our collaboration and relationship, the Building Better Men program has “upgraded” our program site to the at the premier youth training center located on the east side of Detroit, the S.A.Y. Detroit Play center in Detroit MI. The Building Better Men Program is appreciative of our relationship with the D2N foundation, and look forward to continuing collaborating with Dr. Richard Keidan and the D2N foundation.