Leadership in our community of executives, entrepreneurs, creatives, and activists is made of ingredients that are rich and plentiful. The creativity we use, the impact we reach for, the inspiration and conversations that bring us together — all of these work together while we heal from the very experiences that call us to be who we are. Pancakes From Scratch is a conversation series hosted by Ernest Comer III sharing powerful stories of our generation’s leading voices on commitment, perseverance, and changing lives. How we help others overcome trauma has everything to do with how we tackle our own.
Here's the November Guest line up:
MONDAY, 11/7 : 1pm cst || GUEST: Dr. Daniel Upchurch
Chair of Psychology at Morris Brown College & Founder of a mobile application for access to mental health services called Positivity+. He serves as the new chair of the Department of Psychology. Dr. Upchurch is a native of Mobile Alabama and is an experienced researcher and psychologist who has taught as a professor at the University of Louisiana and Alabama A&M University (AAMU). He is also the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Positivity+, an Affordable Telemental Health App that provides coaching, counseling, and assessment. Dr. Upchurch was also the creator of TED x AAMU and founder of ABPsi Chapter at AAMU. In addition, he is an author of several publications focusing on innocence, psychological assessment, bullying and racial disparities. Dr. Upchurch has 15 years of experience in the mental health field and is currently working to become a board-certified medical psychologist.
Dr. Upchurch received a Ph.D. in School Psychology from Tennessee State University, an M.S. in Human Development and Family Studies from Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University, and a B.A. in Psychology from Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University. Dr. Upchurch received an Online Instructor Certification from Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University and the University of Louisiana at Monroe. He also holds a School Psychology Certification and is a License Psychologist.
TUESDAY 11/8 : 3pm CST || GUEST: Dr. Abdul Omari
Former University of MN Regent and CEO of AMO Enterprise which focuses on leadership development and the inseparable ties to equity, inclusion, and diversity. Additionally, Dr. Omari coordinates the Minnesota Private College Fund’s Eddie Phillips Scholarship for African-American Men.
He holds a B.A. in global studies, a master’s of public policy, and a PhD in comparative and international development education from the University of Minnesota.
Abdul is devoted to civic and public service. He served six years as an elected member of the Board of Regents at the University of Minnesota and currently serves on the University of Minnesota Foundation Board of Trustees, the Board of Directors for Achieve Twin Cities, and Civic Eagle. Abdul has been featured in Minnesota Business Magazine's "Young Entrepreneurs". In 2019, he was selected as one of 140 people nationwide to participate in the Young American Leaders Program at Harvard Business School. Abdul has also been recognized as one of Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal 40 Under 40 and was named one of Minnesota’s Top 100 People to Know in 2021 by Twin Cities Business. Omari is a proud native of Minneapolis, Minnesota with immigrant parents from Kenya and Jordan and is a sucker for a good TV show and an avid sports fan.
WEDNESDAY 11/9 : 1pm CST || GUEST: Joané Booth and Londell Thomas
Co-founders of Groundmind Strategies, a Black-owned national political and advocacy development consulting firm.
LONDELL serves clients with two decades of expertise and professional experience in electoral politics, government affairs, community organizing, and campaign management. Among his achievements are serving as the Political & Outreach Director for the Michigan League of Conservation Voters where he consulted on its political engagement, campaign management and internal organizing. At the Center for Popular Democracy, he was the National Senior Manager of Organizing for the State’s Power Project. While there, he helped develop and support 11 CPD Action Network Black-Led Affiliates, bolstering their state power-building strategies and propelling them to fight for freedom on the frontlines. Additionally, Londell was State Director for the Michigan State Council and Field Director for U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth’s successful U.S. Senate primary bid. For more information about Londell visit: https://www.groundmindstrategies.org/londell-thomas
JOANE is the former Partnerships Manager of the Michigan League of Conservation Voters where she developed plans to expand the organization's reach and network across the State of Michigan. She supported the organization through the COVID-19 pandemic by producing their virtual events to keep members engaged and informed during unprecedented times. Before relocating to Michigan, Joané began her thriving career in Minnesota. Recognizing the need to engage communities of color and create lasting and authentic relationships, she pitched and created her position as Diversity & Inclusion Outreach Director for the Office of United States Senator Tina Smith. While there, she directed internal and external office policies to ensure they were respectful and inclusive of diverse communities and aligned and reshaped the Senator’s policies and priorities impacting communities of color across Minnesota. For more information about Joane visit: https://www.groundmindstrategies.org/joan-booth-bio
THURSDAY 11/10 : 1pm CST || GUEST: Dara Beevas
Co-Founder & CEO Wise Ink Creative Publishing. Dara Beevas is an award-winning author, publisher, and speaker with a passion for storytelling. Born in the Washington, DC area, she earned her master's degree in publishing from George Washington University. Through her books, articles, and presentations, she explores the importance of #diversereads, the power of storytelling, and mission-oriented publishing. As a mentor of more than 400 authors and publisher of more than 300 books, she pushes executives, storytellers, innovators, and change agents to publish mindfully.
Dara has been involved in the publishing community for more than fifteen years, acquiring manuscripts, managing projects, and creating marketing and sales strategies for authors and publishers. She’s helped more than four hundred authors publish their books. Dara has a master’s degree in publishing from George Washington University. She’s a previous board member of the Minnesota Center for Book Arts and currently serves on the Loft Literary Center board. When she’s not busy pushing the envelope in this crazy world of publishing and networking with inspiring entrepreneurs, she’s traveling and enjoying her husband’s delicious Jamaican meals. A recipient of the Bush Foundation Fellowship, Woman in Business Award, Emerging Leader Award, and Emerging Writer Fellowship granted through the Given’s Foundation, Dara splits her time running one of the leading hybrid publishing companies in the U.S. and working on her personal writing projects.
