Our Speakers and Performers

“Can Health Be Inspired”

Wesley Frazier-Keys is a spoken work artist and native of the south side of Chicago. He has used the art of poetry and spoken word to take him all over the country teaching, workshopping, and competing. In 2014 he was initiated as a member of Nu Gamma Psi Fraternity, incorporated, where he currently holds the title of national step master. He is the 2015 Chicago Grand Slam champion and finished 9th out 200 poets at the 2015 Southern Fried poetry festival. In 2018 he repeated as Chicago Grand Slam champion and coached the team representing Chicago at the National Poetry Slam. During the 2021 Southern Fried festival he made it to the finals and placed 8th out of 150 poets. Most recently he participated in the Black Arts Matter Invitational competing against the top Black poets from across the country and finished 9th out of 48 poets. He is the 2022 Blackberry Peach spoken word winner. Writing and performing became a passion for Wesley at a young age and he cannot wait to see where the world leads him on his spoken word journey.

“It’s All of Our Business-Be R.A.W in Chaos”

Amy R. Miller earned her second master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Missouri – St. Louis in May 2017. Amy has provided counseling services in the office as well as in home sessions. Amy has worked with clients that have severe mental health diagnosis, clients that have issues with memory loss, generational/environmental trauma (which would include all types of abuse), clients in unhealthy relationships, clients with issues with self-esteem, as well as clients with suicidal ideation.

Amy has a passion to work with teenagers, women, and families that have been affected by trauma. Amy’s personal philosophy is that there is good in everyone. Sometimes we all need a little help to bring the good to the surface. Amy uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy mostly, and some play and music therapy techniques to assist clients with their healing. Amy is also certified to provide relationship trauma repair (RTR) as well as trauma informed services.

Reconstructing Black Boy Joy

“Sit in Your Ish”

Founder of Lifted KC, a nonprofit that focuses on mental health awareness and Life Coach.

Devin is certified by the State of Missouri as a Peer Specialist where she began her journey of coaching those directly affected with mental illness, facilitating classes and training that provided an alternative to living in the trauma cycle and later becoming a facilitator for the Mental Health First Aid program.

Devin uses her life experiences for the last 6 years as an advocate for mental health while encouraging those to seek support.

“More Black People Should Be Eaten by Sharks”

Frederick Johnson, founder of Diversify U, is a program director and mental health therapist with 25 years of experience providing services for youth, families, veterans, and persons experiencing homelessness. Fred is also a combat veteran, having served in Operation Iraqi Freedom as a Supply Sergeant with his Army Ranger Unit. Diversify U is a capacity building firm specializing in program development and culturally sensitive curriculum encouraging out of the box thinking and creative alternatives.Additionally, he currently works as a school-based therapist, providing intensive services and teaching Social-Emotional Learning classes.

Born and raised in Chicago, Fred attended high school and college in Iowa. He holds a BA degree in Public Administration and an MPA degree in Public Administration with an emphasis on nonprofit management from Upper Iowa University. Post military he moved to Kansas City with his wife Hanna and two children, Darian, and Marion, and completed his MA degree in Counseling from Midwestern Baptist Seminary. 

“Influence of Fatherlessness in Children in African American Homes”

Brittany McCrary is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (MO) , Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker (KS) and the owner and founder of Heal One, LLC in Kansas City, MO. Heal One offers mental health services and holistic alternatives, including psychotherapy services (Genesis Counseling & Consulting). Ms. McCrary is passionate about serving and guiding others toward healing. She believes that practicing holism is essential to achieving optimal wellness.

Ms. McCrary is a graduate of Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University (Bachelor of Arts) and Loyola University Chicago (Master of Social Work – Child & Family). She has been serving others in the social service field for 15 years and gained a special interest in the mental health field after working closely with pregnant women and adolescents. Ms. McCrary is committed to reducing mental health stigma by providing education and facilitating conversations that address mental illness and the importance of holism.  Her passions include mental health in women and the black community, as well as health and wellness.

“Tainted: A Mental Health Conversation Around Shame versus Acceptance Concerning Queer Identities”

Marcus Miller is from the small town of Marianna, AR in which he graduated Top 10 of his class in 2005. He then went on to attend the University of Central Arkansas where he remained a top student, mentor, and leader on campus. He graduated from the university in 2010 with a Bachelor of Science in Sociology and 2 years later a second Bachelors in Family and Consumer Science. After going through life’s journey, he finally adhered to his life’s path and applied and was granted admission into Webster University to study Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2015.

During his student training at Webster, he chose the KHAOS Program to Intern for. He was able to work with all age groups and even assisted with the development of a Mental Health school-based class for the SLPS. Marcus graduated and is now PLPC (Provisional License Professional Counselor). His background now includes work with trauma, Solution-Focused therapy around classroom behavior, clinical intake assessing for emergency departments and LGBTQ+/allyship mental wellness. Marcus has spoken at conferences, developed community wellness groups and continues to strive for the bridging and betterment of the Saint Louis Metropolitan area. He is the Founder of a GLO for queer black men, Theta Pi Upsilon Fraternity, Inc. His jobs currently include Therapist with Boys & Girls Club of American Teen Center of Excellence through A&A Inspirations and Mental Health Professional (School Therapist) for KIPP High School.

April has been working in the field of mental health for more than 20 years and has extensive experience working with youth and adults with behavioral and emotional difficulties including depression, anxiety, and substance abuse issues.  She has received specialized training in treating trauma and working with issues related to grief and loss. April is an advocate for mental health being accessible to all communities. As a woman of color, she understands the importance of examining how the trauma of systemic racism impacts the individual and collective mental health of those in the African American community. Her passion has caused her to be a leading educator in the field with a focus on increasing mental health awareness and reducing the stigma connected to therapy and other mental health services.

“Emotional Intelligence”

Obbie West is a native of Los Angeles, a retiree from the United States Army. Obbie is an International Spoken Word artist. He is the author and writer of a Poetry book entitled Blossom and a Poetry album entitled Unstable Man Obbie’s life with Poetry began in 2011 in Killeen, TX under the tutoring of the Killeen Poetry Slam Team. He travels the world, presenting life depicting Poetry on a variety of topics. He also uses Poetry as a form of a social activism. Obbie has invested a personal and sincere interest in bringing awareness to tabu topics, like sexual assault. Poetry isn’t something I do, it’s WHO I AM! Poetry is 1st & foremost my liberation; 2nd, my bullhorn for topics society has elected to keep quiet. I’m a conduit for the tongue tied. If you want to know more…JUST LISTEN!!!”

“Generating Whole Person Well-being Within the LGBTQ+ Community”

Dr. Wilcox is the Founder/ Chief Executive Officer of Confluency Consultants and Associates, a consultancy enterprise that provides comprehensive Multicultural Organizational Development and Holistic Health and Wellness Coaching services. The primary mission of her consultancy is to integrate multicultural competency into organizational life by bringing people together across cultural differences in the workplace and within communities. Also, to assist organizations in learning how to work through complex issues and engage in effective decision making through sustained deliberative dialogue. Dr. Wilcox has provided consultation and education/ training services with over 100 organizations within multi sectors, and numerous professional development workshops and engaged in numerous applied research projects.

Dr. Wilcox holds a Doctorate Degree in Education (PhD); master’s degree (M.Ed.) in Community Clinical Counseling from Kent State University Graduate College of Education, Department of Counseling and Human Development. She also has a master’s degree in public administration (M.P.A) from the School of Business and Management at Kent State University, and a Bachelor of Arts Degree (BA) in Sociology and Political Science from Fisk University, Nashville, TN.

ROJ Motivational Speaker

Ryan S Harvey, founder of The Strongest Man in the Room, personal development specialist, public speaker, author but his most accomplished title is SINGLE FATHER. With all the trauma and obstacles, Ryan knows better than anyone what it’s like to create yourself out of nothing. From having experience in concurring the justice system and winning full custody of his daughter that was threatened to be subjected to the family court system; Ryan then learned the true meaning of being a MAN. Having suffered from an intense amount of adversity, including not having an actual role model until he became an adult, created experiences in his younger years where he bumped his head. Those lessons eventually created wisdom that allowed him to use his voice to inspire, motivate and empower one to be their best.

Ryan has created curriculums for both the homeless as well as for alternative schools for the youth. He has also held a position as an educator in alternative schools. Ryan has used his voice to tell his story to thousands. Countless lives have been impacted by the messages delivered, the mentoring and coaching services offered through The Strongest Man in the Room.

“Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) Tools Session”

Tiara Patterson is a literary and performing artist with a heart for youth development. She founded an arts company called Project 1311 and has dedicated her art and life to serving those that often go voiceless.

​Tiara was born and raised in Kansas City, MO, is a high school graduate of Kansas City Public Schools. A busy mom, and a spoken word artist, she competes in local slams and is a part of the host team for Arsyn Spit Fire Open Mic Nights.

She has led many youth groups and dance teams helping them to learn how to connect their spirit and body, helping them to find their voice through the empowerment of knowledge and poetry, and teaching them how words translate to body movement and back again.

​While she is undeniably talented, she has a passion for behind the scenes work and has managed countless events, stage plays, and productions.

“Black Love and Trauma”

Chandra Green has been an advocate for the wellbeing and holistic health of her community for over 15 years. With a focus on human rights and trauma, Ms. Green has worked as a community educator, case manager and therapist for those experiencing domestic violence and various types of abuse and trauma. She provides trauma informed leadership coaching as the CEO of SoulMine LLC and is the Director of Alive and Thrive Wyandotte County, which focuses on awareness and education of ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences), Pair of ACEs, and trauma in Wyandotte County. 

“Changing the Question”

Aja La’Starr is a former Jennings councilwoman, former congressional outreach representative, author, poet, emcee, trauma educator and peer specialist from St.  Louis, Missouri.  She received her bachelor’s degree in mass communication from Xavier University of Louisiana and her MBA from University of Phoenix.  Aja is a change agent that has dedicated her life to utilizing creative arts to promote healing in the community. In addition to publishing 13 books, she has helped more than 30 authors publish their own books.   She has opened up for Jill Scott, Mary J. Blige, 50 Cents, Da Brat appeared on BET, ABC, Fox 2 News, KDSK, KMOX, KMOV, St. Louis Public Radio, Riverfront Times, St. Louis American, St. Louis Post Dispatch and served as a casting judge for American Idol.  Some of her most recent accolades include receiving St. Louis Black Pride’s Lifetime Achievement Award and becoming a Delux Power 100 honoree.  She currently serves as an Admissions Counselor for Harris-Stowe State University, the only HBCU in St. Louis, Missouri.