Supporting worthy causes

Justin Beene, Visionary and Founder | Grand Rapids Center for Community Transformation

Thursday, November 7, 2024  |  4:00-5:00 PM at AMDG

 

Cultivating a Flourishing City for All

Grand Rapids has been named one of the best places to live, retire, invest, and raise children. We are often named as one of the most philanthropic communities in the country. Yet, despite our many efforts, large portions of our residents have not benefited from the economic vitality of the region. Why is it that our best efforts seem to be failing? Is there hope for a new path forward?

Through this presentation you will gain historical context and learn about some exciting opportunities to join a collaborative in reimagining our city to create a culture where it’s normal for everyone to Thrive and Prosper.

Bio: Justin Beene is the visionary and founder of an innovative partnership called the Grand Rapids Center for Community Transformation, a collective between non-profits and for profits working together for a flourishing city. He is well known as a global leader and practitioner with extensive knowledge and skills in starting and scaling collaborative ventures, creating win/win/win solutions across sectors, and connecting resources to real problems in innovative and sustainable ways. Justin is also a serial entrepreneur starting multiple businesses along with leading a movement in Grand Rapids, called Thrive and Prosper, a cross-sector collaboration working to create a culture where it is normal for everyone to Thrive and Prosper.

Justin holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Work and Family Studies from Western Michigan University, a master’s degree in Social Work in Management of Human Services from the University of Michigan, a master's of Arts degree in Ministry Leadership from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary, and a doctorate in Transformational Leadership with a focus in Entrepreneurial Transformation for the Global City from Bakke Graduate University.

Justin was named by the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council as “Twenty Entrepreneurs to Watch” (2019), he was named Chicago’s, We Raise Foundation’s National Emerging Leader (2017) and was given NAACP-Grand Rapid’s Presidential Award (2020). He was named Belmont University Innovation Lab’s Champion of Hope Award (2024). He is a senior fellow of Street Psalms, a faculty member at Acton University, and a board member of Fifth Third Bank West MI.

Ashanti Bryant, Senior Program Officer | W.K. Kellogg Foundation

Thursday, September 12, 2024  |  4:00-5:00 PM at AMDG

 

Windows and Mirrors:
How Education Creates Opportunity to See the Brilliance in All

Windows are stories about seeing others, while mirrors are stories about seeing ourselves. At the beginning of the school year (across our state and around the country), Ashanti Bryant will open his own “picture book” chronicling his personal learning journey. He will also share how education remains a transformational tool for experiencing the true possibility and potential of all children in all communities.


Bio: Ashanti Bryant serves as Senior Program Officer for the W.K. Kellogg Foundation in Grand Rapids. In this role, he supports the Foundation’s efforts to promote thriving children, working families and equitable communities.

A native of Detroit, Ashanti received a high-quality early childhood and public education that positioned him to break patterns in his family. A first generation graduate, Bryant holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education (Science and Mathematics) and a Master of Social Work degree in Policy, Planning and Administration from Western Michigan University. He also earned a Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Administration from National-Louis University in Chicago.

Bryant has decades of experience as a teacher and school principal, in childcare settings, public & private schools. Most recently, Bryant served as the Director of Early Childhood Services at IFF, a nonprofit community development financial institution in Grand Rapids, Michigan. As Director, Bryant led policy and advocacy agendas at all levels of government as well as community engagement initiatives, real estate planning and development, finance and lending and early childhood research and needs assessments. Bryant also served as the Education Director at Amplify GR, where he cultivated initial strategy for ensuring all children in the target community had access to high-quality Pre-K to 12th-grade education. He’s also been an active and engaged Adjunct Instructor and Consultant, working in universities and alongside social service organizations throughout the Midwest.

Ashanti and his wife (also an educator) have 3 children and call the southeast side of GR their home.

Nathan Leaman, Managing Director | Frontline Training Solutions

Thursday, April 25, 2024  |  4:00-5:00 PM at AMDG

 

Creating a Leadership Framework

It is estimated that the market for Leadership Development is anywhere between $60 billion and $400 billion. For decades, Leadership Development has been an essential element of any solid learning and development strategy. Organizations know they need to focus on Leadership Development. They know leaders sit in a unique position to attract, engage, develop, and retain others. They know they need "it". But if asked what "it" is (i.e., "What does Leadership mean?") many organizations are unable to respond clearly. This session will focus on the importance of answering that question within the specific context of your organization. We will explore the various components of a Leadership Framework from specific definitions of leadership behaviors, how those behaviors relate to other essential OD, HR, and talent initiatives, and what can be done to ensure leaders take accountability for the organization's leadership culture. Participants will leave this session with a clearer understanding of the "first step" toward creating an effective leadership culture as well as a roadmap for bringing these principles into their organization.

Bio: Nathan Leaman is a passionate professional with extensive experience in building systems and tools that support organizational and leadership effectiveness. He brings over 20 years of leadership and HR experience from both business and non-profit organizations.

Nathan has a bachelor’s degree from the Moody Bible Institute, a master’s degree from Liberty University, and received his coaching certification from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. He spent seven years in full-time church ministry before working for 13 years at the Kohler Co. At Kohler, Nathan moved through various business and corporate HR roles eventually taking the position of Director-Leadership Development where he was responsible for all leadership development and succession planning activities globally. Nathan also held various executive HR roles for the Grande Cheese Company in Fond du Lac, WI where he was responsible for Organizational Development, Compensation, Benefits Management, and HRIS. Nathan joined Frontline Training Solutions, based in Grand Rapids, MI, as Managing Director in December of 2022.

Nathan has extensive experience with assessment tools and is certified in multiple personality and 360° feedback assessments. His straightforward style, willingness to tackle difficult issues, genuine interest in seeing others grow and ability to coach at all levels makes Nathan a go-to resource for strategic HR support, consulting, and executive development.