MANifest 2026
Empower Your Journey: Embrace Two Transformative Experiences Elevate Your Style at the "Free" Virtual Barber & Beauty Shop Talk Join Us for the Inspiring Brotherhood Breakfast Connection
Reserve your spot for Conversations That Spark Change
Why MANifest – And Why Affecting Change Detroit
AFFECTING CHANGE DETROIT X THE BROTHERHOOD BREAKFAST
Brotherhood Over Breakfast | Real Talk, Real Growth.
Brotherhood Breakfast – Conversation. Connection. Coffee.
MANifest
Introducing The 2026 Speakers
Andre Charley, MSW, LMSW, C-M
Andre Charley, MSW, LMSW, is a Detroit-based mental health advocate, community leader, and speaker dedicated to improving the well-being of men and underserved communities. Through his work in behavioral health, mentorship, and community engagement, Andre has become a trusted voice on topics including mental health, resilience, and breaking the stigma surrounding seeking help.
As the founder of MANifest and a leader behind initiatives such as the Brotherhood Breakfast, Andre creates spaces where men can have honest conversations, build meaningful relationships, and prioritize their mental wellness. Drawing from both his professional expertise and lived experience, he inspires audiences to lead with authenticity, support one another, and recognize that true strength begins with vulnerability.
Dr. E'Toyare Williams
BIO:
Dr. Torie is a highly accomplished educator, author, mentor, and consultant. She has dedicated her career to helping schools across the country develop culturally responsive trauma-informed systems of support. These systems foster resilience and success for staff, students, and families.
Dr. Torie has guided schools, districts, and state departments of education in learning about the impact of ACEs and trauma. She has also educated them on the critical role of protective factors in fostering resilient schools and communities. Dr. Torie has assisted schools in developing and implementing trauma-informed practices that have positively impacted student behavior, academic achievement, and social-emotional development. She has also cultivated educator well-being and efficacy.
Dr. Torie is a passionate advocate for the education of all children, especially those who have experienced trauma. She is a sought-after speaker and trainer, and her work has been featured in numerous publications. Dr. Torie is a true leader in the field of trauma-informed education, and her work is making a real difference in the lives of children and families across the country be VicTORIEus!
Ebony Jae Hull
BIO:
Ebony Hull, (LISW-S), bringing over 10 years of social service experience. She received both her Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work from the University of Akron. Her professional experience includes working with children, adolescents, adults, and Veterans in a variety of settings such as the home, school, and community. She began Enduring the Course Inc., to increase understanding, reduce stigma, and expand intervention options for people experiencing mental health concerns.
Mr. Samori Pennant
BIO:
Witni Jackson
BIO:
Dr. Witni Jackson LCSW, MAC is a dedicated and enthusiastic leader with over 15 years of experience in implementing behavioral healthcare systems in mental health, substance abuse and co-occurring disorders in public sector organizations. Her work history includes:
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Providing crisis intervention
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Individual counseling
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Psychosocial education
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Completing comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments
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Psychosocial case management
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Discharge planning
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Assessment diagnosis (according to DSM-V)
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Care coordination
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Staff training and facility administration
Dr. Jackson has worked with various populations which include children, adolescents, adults, veterans, individuals with developmental disabilities, individuals with mental illness, individuals with substance use disorders, and individuals with co-occurring disorders. She has worked in both inpatient and outpatient mental health and substance abuse settings.
Mr. Jason Phillips
BIO:
James Harris
BIO:
James Harris the founder of Men to Heal . He is a Licensed MENtal HEALth Professional and holds a Master’s degree in Clinical MENtal HEALth Counseling. James is a Tedx Talk Speaker as well as an international speaker on topics of MENtal HEALth, entrprenuership, DEI and much more.
At age five James lost his father, age eight, his mother began to have strokes and epilepsy and he and his siblings became Wards of the State. They were placed into the Virginia foster care system. As a ward of the State he was required to attend weekly counseling sessions. However, he found those sessions unengaging. Typically run by older white male therapists who sat on a couch. James felt that they could not relate to the emotional and cultural issues he faced. As a result, counseling wasn’t a service he took seriously and so he wasn’t able to benefit from it. This unfulfilling experience followed James into his adult life. James deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, upon his return, he again tried therapy and the experience was the same. To James, this was a reason why most veterans attend the group sessions as opposed to individual sessions. In 2018 James created Men To Heal, a movement to bring awareness to the stigma surrounding MENtal HEALth among boys/men and underserved populations.
Alfonso Henderson
BIO:
Alfonso specializes in providing comprehensive mental health services, including individual and family therapy, behavioral health consultations, and coaching. He employs a collaborative and person-centered approach, drawing on a variety of therapeutic modalities such as narrative therapy, brief solution-focused therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). His primary goal is to empower clients to develop the skills and strategies needed to navigate life’s challenges, fostering resilience and self-reliance.
Outside of his professional life, Mr. Henderson enjoys attending concerts and comedy shows, immersing himself in nature and the arts, and spending quality time with his feline companion.
Jerusha Nelson-Brent
BIO:
My approach is caring, warm, and collaborative. In addition to being a Clinical Professional Counselor, I am certified in Grief; Effective Communication; Boundaries and ADHD. My approach is caring, warm, and collaborative. I work with individuals, couples and families who experience anxiety, anger management issues, codependency, and depression that can stem from incomplete or damaging relationships for example. We can discuss family issues, discontentment in work settings, or major life transitions. I provide grief counseling in the form of one on one eight week programs. In addition, I treat children with needs such as non-medication ADHD, depression, anger and grief. My office is LGBTQ friendly; Poly and Kink aware. I create a safe and supportive environment in which you can talk about your situation. The Greene Project Counseling feels ” your cry does not have to be loud, it just has to be heard.”
In addition we also offer phone/telehealth coaching services which we call ‘Lunchtime Vent.” These are 15 minute, mid-day sessions by phone or video only. Between the hours of 12pm – 1pm. This offers you the opportunity to vent/be heard when you may need it most.
Mr. Javon Reese
BIO:
Suicide affects everyone. Javon has set his focus on suicide prevention and awareness, mental health and student athletes, and learning about food equity. He is trained to facilitate evidence-based suicide prevention trainings/workshops; QPR, safeTALK, and ASIST.
“Even if you may not experience thoughts of suicide firsthand, the impact is still there. There are prevention skills that should be taught indiscriminately. Those skills can be used to save lives. Suicide prevention is now and there are many choices that are evidence based. Let’s start the conversation now.”
The Marriage Lens Facilitators:
Mr. Desi Johnson & Mrs. Victoria Johson
BIO:
Mr Johnson, is a certified personal trainer and nutrition coach dedicated to empowering individuals through fitness and wellness. With a background in corporate wellness, Desi co-founded Des2Fit alongside his wife, Victoria Johnson, aiming to provide accessible health education and fitness solutions for busy professionals and families. Their initiative, Des2Fit Corporate Wellness, offers both virtual and in-person programs tailored to promote work-life balance, stress management, and overall well-being.
Desi’s approach emphasizes functional training and core stability, drawing from his personal journey to achieve a stronger inner core for enhanced spine stability and improved performance in compound lifting and running. His commitment to holistic health is evident in his efforts to make fitness education relatable and achievable for all, regardless of their lifestyle demands.
Through Des2Fit, Desi continues to inspire and guide individuals towards a healthier lifestyle, combining his expertise in fitness and nutrition with a passion for community engagement and personal development.
Victoria Johnson is a Respiratory Therapist, Certified Personal Trainer (NASM), Hormonal Health Coach, and Behavior Change Specialist with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Michigan State University. As the co-owner of Des2Fit, she has dedicated her career to helping individuals improve their physical and mental well-being through evidence-based fitness, nutrition, and sustainable lifestyle change.
With a unique background spanning psychology, healthcare, and behavior change coaching, Victoria is passionate about helping people understand that mental and physical health are inseparable—and that lasting wellness comes from caring for both the mind and the body.
Specializing in women’s health, Victoria empowers women over 40 to navigate the challenges of stress, hormonal changes, and midlife with confidence by addressing the connection between physical health, emotional well-being, and mindset. Drawing from both her clinical experience and personal journey as a wife, mother, and healthcare professional, she believes lasting transformation begins by treating the whole person—not just the symptoms.
Victoria has been featured on Fox 2 Detroit, ABC, and the Michigan Chronicle, where she has shared her expertise on health, wellness, and behavior change. She is also a sought-after speaker who enjoys educating communities and organizations on topics including mental health, stress management, healthy lifestyle habits, and the powerful relationship between mental and physical wellness. Her mission is simple: to empower people with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to build healthier, stronger lives—mentally, emotionally, and physically.
Victoria Johnson, BA, RRT, CNS, BCS, HCS, COO Des2Fit
Mr. Robert Harvey & Mrs. Latoya Harvey
BIO:
Mrs. Harvey, LMSW-M, CDE, is a licensed master social worker and Certified Diversity Executive with over 25 years of experience in child welfare and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). She currently serves as the Director of DEI and Employee Development for the City of Farmington Hills, Michigan. In this role, she leads initiatives to foster inclusive workplace practices and employee growth.
LaToya’s extensive career includes leadership positions such as Chief Advancement Officer at Orchards Children’s Services and Child Welfare Division Director at Child and Family Charities. She also dedicated 15 years to the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services, where she received the State’s Good Government Award for Leadership.
In addition to her professional roles, LaToya is a part-time lecturer at both Eastern Michigan University and Wayne State University, where she teaches courses related to social work, child welfare, and DEI.
Mr. Harvey, MBA has an extensive history with over 17 years in child welfare working in various aspects like child protective services, foster care, and human trafficking with the State of Michigan.
Their panel session will help to:
- Understand the unique dynamics of love and marriage in different life stages by examining the pros and cons through real-life examples shared by the panel couples, and their implications for relational and mental health.
- Identify common challenges and strengths in relationships and families, utilizing learned and proven skills to promote healthy communication, conflict resolution, and emotional support.
- Explore strategies and interventions that support the mental well-being of couples and families, drawing on the experiences and coping mechanisms discussed by the panelists.
At age five James lost his father, age eight, his mother began to have strokes and epilepsy and he and his siblings became Wards of the State. They were placed into the Virginia foster care system. As a ward of the State he was required to attend weekly counseling sessions. However, he found those sessions unengaging. Typically run by older white male therapists who sat on a couch. James felt that they could not relate to the emotional and cultural issues he faced. As a result, counseling wasn’t a service he took seriously and so he wasn’t able to benefit from it. This unfulfilling experience followed James into his adult life. James deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, upon his return, he again tried therapy and the experience was the same. To James, this was a reason why most veterans attend the group sessions as opposed to individual sessions. In 2018 James created Men To Heal, a movement to bring awareness to the stigma surrounding MENtal HEALth among boys/men and underserved populations.
Numbers From 2024
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