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Lonte Hill: Feb Male Face of the Month
Last year, Hill was a part of the marketing and enrollment campaign for T.R.U.T.H. Preparatory Academy, “and within 60 days from April to June 2016 we enrolled over 200 students.”
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.
CHRIS PHAM, OUR MALE FACE OF THE MONTH IS A U OF M ALUM, NIGHTCLUB OWNER AND MEMBER OF MABL. HIS GENEROSITY COMES ACROSS THE MOMENT YOU ENCOUNTER THIS YOUNG, HARD WORKING LAWYER AND ADVID BASEKTBALL PLAYER. HE TOO EMBODIES THE MINNESOTA NICE CULTURE WE ALL HEAR SO MUCH ABOUT.
Melvin W. Carter III currently serves as Executive Director of the Minnesota Children's Cabinet, advocating for and advising Governor Mark Dayton on state early childhood policy investments. Prior to joining state government, Carter served on the Saint Paul City Council from 2008 to 2013. In that capacity, he championed policies to address some of the city’s most pressing issues, including forming the city’s Department of Human Rights & Equal Economic Opportunity (HREEO); Banning the Box to eliminate employment discrimination against people with criminal backgrounds, requiring landlords to notify tenants of a pending foreclosure on their property; and prohibiting the sale of candy cigarettes and toy lighters to reduce “practice smoking” among children.
In addition to crafting policy, Council Member Carter was a constant advocate on social justice issues; primarily education and transit. In 2009, he created a partnership between City, County, School and grassroots leaders to support high quality education outcomes, which later became the Saint Paul Promise Neighborhood. As part of a broad community movement, Carter also worked to secure additional stations; support local businesses; and train residents for jobs along Saint Paul’s Green Line Light Rail Corridor.
Having become engaged in electoral politics after his brother was turned away from a Florida polling precinct during Election 2000, Melvin is passionate about helping others engage. He has trained political candidates, community organizers and campaign workers in over 30 states with several national organizations, including Wellstone Action, People for the American Way Foundation, and Progressive Majority, and is a community faculty member at Metropolitan State University.
For his committed service to community, Carter received the 2011 Barbara Jordan Leadership Award from the National Young Elected Officials Network and was recognized in Ebony Magazine’s “30 Under 30” issue in 2008. Carter is currently an Ascend Fellow with the prestigious Aspen Institute, developing and promoting multi-generational strategies to build economic security, educational success, and health and well-being for low-income families in the US.
Carter is a product of the Saint Paul Public Schools, having attended Capitol Hill and graduated from Saint Paul Central High School. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in business administration from Florida A&M University and a Master of Public Policy from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. Melvin enjoys playing tennis, running and spending time with his two daughters, Maylena (9) and Naomi (7).
Carter serves on the boards of the Saint Paul Public Schools Foundation, Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library, and Friends of Saint Paul College.
Saint Paul LYFER (Central High '89) and Do-It-All,
Erick Goodlow aka DJ G-Rock.
Erick's Credits include:
~BA in Management & Communications from Hamline University,
~Joint MA in Public Admin/Urban & Regional Studies from Minnesota State University Mankato (formally Mankato State).
~Established his first business Rock Hard Productions (now known as RHP Entertainment) in 1990.
~A member of the FIRST TEN Page Educational Scholars.
~Founding Partner of 4RM+ULA, LLP architectural and design firm, celebrating 20 years at Medtronic (January 2016)
~St. Paul central Varsity Boys Golf Coach
~Fairway Foundation President
~Served on the City of St Paul's Planning Commission and Park Board for 10 plus years..
Floyd Balentine has been passionate about aviation since the age of five years old. Born in Chicago, Illinois, he had the privilege to travel many cities with his mother. At that time, he discovered his dream was to become an Airline Pilot. Two weeks after graduating high school, Floyd started taking classes at Saint Cloud State University. During his years at Saint Cloud State, Floyd had the opportunity to get involved in the Aero Club, Minority Student Programs, Advanced Preparatory Program, and Treasurer of the Counsel of African American Students. During the summer months in Saint Cloud, Floyd was a counselor for incoming freshman and mentored students for a Math, Science and Computer Camp. He spent his last two years at Saint Cloud State working as a Resident Hall Advisor, where he encouraged and motivated other college students to be the best that they could be.
In February 1998, Floyd graduated from Saint Cloud State University with a Bachelor of Science in Aviation- Pro Flight. Upon receiving his degree, he took a position as a Customer Service Agent for Mesaba Airlines, where he gained experience on the airline side of aviation. That same year he was hired at the Saint Cloud Airport as a Certified Flight Instructor. Floyd served as a First Officer for Mesaba Airlines (now known as Endeavor Air) on the RJ-85 for six years. He became a Captain on the SF-340 in May 2006 until February 2008. In February 2008 he transitioned to the CRJ-200 as a Captain. Floyd serves on the Pilot Recruiting Team at Endeavor Air where he has recruited and hired several qualified Pilots. In August 2013, Floyd and two close friends started their own Twin Cities Aviation Career Education Academy.
After years of hard work and being a dedicated Professional Pilot, Floyd was offered a Flight Officer position at United Airlines and will start class in February 2016! Currently Floyd serves as President on the Saint Cloud State University Alumni Board of Directors where he passionately helps to carry out the vision and mission. He enjoys giving back to youth what was given to him. He realizes hard work, self-determination and faith pays off in the end. Floyd currently resides in Oakdale, Minnesota with his beautiful wife Dee and their two handsome sons.
Terrence S Roberts Sr: The eldest of four children and the son of two hard working Liberian parents, who came to the United States to live the American Dream, Terrence is the epitome of where hard work & perseverance can take you.
Growing up in South Minneapolis, Terrence was a star athlete in football and track & field at Washburn High School and received a scholarship to attend North Dakota State College of Science, where he graduated from in just two years. Terrence didn't just stop there; he then transferred to Grambling State University, a historical black college and obtained his Bachelor's Degree in Psychology.
Upon graduating from college, Terrence worked in the community of North Minneapolis for several years, notably The Minneapolis Urban League, where he supervised the day to day operations of a juvenile treatment facility with at-risk teens on probation. Terrence has always had a passion to work & volunteer in his own community, to make a difference in the lives of young people, their social issues & hurdles that they face.
In 2003, Terrence started his own entertainment company called "NexLevel Entertainment" which is a concert promotions & special event company. Terrence built a brand with NexLevel Entertainment and has promoted & brought some of the best R&B artists to the Twin Cities, such as Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds, Anthony Hamilton, Boyz II Men, Musiq Soulchild, Beyonce Knowles, Raheem DeVaughn, KEM, Keith Sweat, Lenny Williams and so many others; and for his outstanding concerts, Terrence received the top promoter's award in 2008 at the Twin Cities Promoter's Ball.
Currently Terrence is a managing partner for the Miss Black Minnesota USA Pageant which will be held December 4th.