Male Faces

Terrence Roberts a self-proclaimed, “Laid back, calm and collected individual grew up in both North and South Minneapolis, attending Washburn High School.  His journey in education led to his graduating from Grambling State University with a degree in Psychology.  His interests include social justice and advocating for youth and teaching them to speak for themselves and “Making certain they had a voice.”, said Roberts.

For the last 8 years, he has been the Dean of Students at Minneapolis South High School.  He also is an assistant coach for the varsity football team.  Roberts is driven to, “Expose students to historical black colleges & universities. Each year he takes students to visit HBCUs in hopes that they will enroll and attend.  Roberts says [I] learned the importance of education from [my]parents.

Keary Wayne Saffold M.Ed. of Saffold Consulting Inc. is another honoree for the June First Friday event. With over 14 years of experience working with teachers, providers, parents and children in a variety of educational and community settings, he says, “[I] have taken critical learnings over the years along with research based curricula and designed culturally relevant sessions to expand the skills of youth and families, while also addressing systemic barriers within our schools.”

Saffold holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Services and a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership. He currently works as an Engagement Manager with Northside Achievement Zone. In 2006, he began professional consulting because, “I saw a need to think outside the box and start focused initiatives that could have a bigger impact on marginalized communities directly.”, he told First Friday Twin Cities.

He plans to do this through customized small groups, workshops, parent education and professional development opportunities. With his education and hard work, Saffold says, I have found a niche that allows me to form supportive partnerships and implement customized curricula that resolves problems and get results!” With Saffold Consulting, he continues to extend unique opportunities to schools and organizations to address systemic barriers that perpetuate the Achievement Gap

Terry L. Austin is the President of Positive Image a nonprofit which was created in 2004.  This organization works with community organizations to alleviate health disparities among low-income and minority groups. By providing education and tools that promote healthy lifestyles, individuals have increased access and leadership opportunities. Austin is dedicated to creating better communities by providing opportunities for our at-risk youth by offering a variety of programs, which emphasize self-sufficiency, responsibility and accountability as well as leadership training.

As founder and President of Positive Image, Austin's ideas incorporate grassroots efforts to reach members of the community affected by health disparities. Austin is an established professional African American dedicated to mentoring and lending his talents and road map to success to inner city youth.  Having experienced the hard knocks of growing up in the inner city of East Chicago, he has unique insights and experiences that he has used to develop a powerful and tested curriculum, laser focused on current issues facing our youth today. 

 Austin has more than 10 years of experience as a community organizer around men health issues, cancer, hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, through health fairs, health screening and parenting workshops has well as extensive work in areas workforce/personal development and career planning. Austin has developed partnerships and collaborative efforts with varies organization and businesses throughout the Twin Cities.

• Pillsbury United Communities
• University of Minnesota Department of Health Disparities and Research
• Big Brothers and Big Sister Greater Twin Cities
• Summit Academy
• Cub Foods
• Thor Construction Minneapolis
• Emerge Community Development
• University of Minnesota Department of Health of Disparities Research
• Minneapolis Park & Recreation
• YMCA North Minneapolis
• Father’s Project
• Madd Dads
• Urban League Minneapolis
• NorthPoint Health Wellness Center

Austin is a graduate of Moorhead State University with a B.A. in Criminal Justice. He is proud father of two girls, Alyssa and Tarran.  He has also been a member of the Black MBA since 2007.

Marcus Owens joined NEON in Sept. 2014. As President, Marcus’ primary responsibilities include general management and fiscal leadership, strategic plan implementation, partnership development, agency promotion, board and staff development, and implementation of some direct training and technical assistance activities.
 
Marcus has 15+ years of managerial experience and expertise in the areas of financial management, human resource management, diversity and inclusion, sales and marketing. Prior to joining NEON, Marcus served in several roles at Target Corporation, TCF National Bank as well as his own entrepreneurial endeavors.
 
He obtained a degree in Business Administration from Metropolitan State University and hasa MBAfrom the University of St. Thomas.

Adair Mosley serves as the Chief of Staff for Pillsbury United Communities. Mr. Mosley pushes out strategic initiatives of the President and CEO, both internally and externally, and oversees the Northside strategy. He is a fervent advocate for underserved and underrepresented children and families. 

Mr.Mosley has served as a Guardian ad Litem for Hennepin County, a Commissioner on Civil Rights for the City of Minneapolis, Operation de Novo board member, and an adjudicator with the Minneapolis Police Civilian Review Board. Most recently, Mr. Mosley became an American Express Leadership Fellow. He attended the University of Minnesota and the University of Michigan's Executive Leadership Institute.

Jaynardo “Nardo” Williams is a Saint Paul, MN native known for his stylish attire. Nardo is currently a Business Unit Manager with Seward Community Co-op- which sales and produces healthy/organic food items. In addition, he is the owner of Nardo Wardrobe Consultants where he uses his own unique style to provide styling expertise for men and women by choosing looks for special events, personal shopping, styling at photo shoots, and transforming the less fashionable into stylish trend-setters.

Nardo holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and a Master of Arts degree in Management- Hamline University, Saint Paul, MN. He is a very proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. In his spare time, he enjoys cooking, shopping, volunteering, traveling and enjoying time with family and friends.