Fernbrook Family Center's Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Series

Traditional Healing Practices from a Native American Perspective

Jessica Gourneau, PhD, LP

Jessica Gourneau is an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa. She is currently the Clinical Director at the American Indian Family Center. Mrs. Gourneau received her Ph.D. from the University of North Dakota and has 25 years of experience in the provision of therapy, with Native clients who are suffering from complex trauma. Mrs. Gourneau’s philosophy is that Western models of therapeutic support are only one piece of that support. She firmly believes that our path to healing is through our traditional ways of knowing that have resiliency and wellness embedded in them so individuals and communities can heal.

Culturally Responsive Services: Making the Implicit, Explicit

Karlin Tichenor, PhD

Dr. Tichenor is a clinical scholar. He is a two-term minority fellow through the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Minority Fellowship Program and a King Chavez Parks (KCP) Future Faculty Fellow for the State of Michigan and Michigan State University. Over the years, Dr. Tichenor has performed as the director of AIM High, a citywide mentoring program, the Executive Director and Associate Superintendent of School Culture for the Lansing School District, an Assistant Professor at Michigan State University in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies, and an Adjunct Professor at Siena Heights University.

Most recently in 2019, Dr. Tichenor embarked on a new mission within his hometown of Indianapolis, Indiana as the Director of Social-Emotional Health at Indiana Youth Institute, while starting two companies: Karlin J & Associates, LLC, a social impact consulting firm and Family Links, LLC, a statewide social services agency. He is currently an Adjunct Professor at Butler University and Abilene Christian University. He is the loving father to a daughter, Kaiden Marie Tichenor, and the proud husband to Mrs. Stephanie Tichenor. He believes in the benefit of community collaboration, the power of education, and positive role models for youth development, and the importance of family unity.

How to Fight Racism

Jemar Tisby, MDiv

Jemar Tisby is the Deputy Director of Narrative and Advocacy at the Center for Antiracist Research at Boston University and the founder of The Witness, Inc. He is the author of the New York Times bestselling book, The Color of Compromise: The Truth about the Church's Complicity in Racism. His latest book is How to Fight Racism. Jemar has been a co-host of the "Pass the Mic" podcast since its inception seven years ago. His writing has been featured in the Washington Post, The Atlantic, and the New York Times among others. He is a frequent commentator on outlets such as NPR and CNN's New Day program. He speaks nationwide on the topics of racial justice, U.S. history and Christianity. Jemar is finishing his PhD in History this year at the University of Mississippi where he studies race, religion, and social movements in the 20th century. You can follow his work through his newsletter at JemarTisby.com and on social media: @JemarTisby.

Trauma Across Generations: the Impact of Historical Trauma

Sam Simmons, LADC

Sam Simmons has over 31-years of experience as an alcohol and drug counselor and behavioral consultant specializing in practical culturally sensitive trauma informed strategies addressing historical trauma and focused on improving outcomes for African American males and their families. He is an Adverse Childhood Experience Interface Trainer in the state of Minnesota. Sam developed and managed a culturally specific trauma informed project and curriculum that engages African American males to promote healthy relationships to end violence against women and girls and community violence. Sam received the 2016 Healing the Hidden Wounds of Racial Trauma award and the Black Tear Drop Award for his vision and leadership in culturally sensitive trauma informed work in the community and around the country. In 2017 Sam received the Champions for Children Award for his trauma work with parents. In 2018 he received Public Health Hero Award for his unique, innovative, and culturally specific trauma informed work from the City of Minneapolis. In 2018 Sam was honored by the NFL for his work to end violence against women and interpersonal violence. He is co-host of the "Voices” radio show on KMOJ FM that addresses issues of the urban community. Sam is co-creator of a conference called “Groundbreaking and “Visionary,” which in 2018 received recognition from both Minneapolis and St. Paul Mayors and Minnesota's Governor.