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.
Scott Gray was selected to serve as the Minneapolis Urban League’s new President/CEO following a 10-month national search process. He assumed the position on June 1, 2009.
As President/CEO, Mr. Gray has responsibility for management of the agency's $5.5 million budget. He leads a staff compliment of 82 employees, and a clustering of 13 programs operated out of 5 sites around the city, 4 of which are owned by the Urban League.
Gray comes to the Minneapolis Urban League from Madison, WI, where he served as President & CEO of the Urban League of Greater Madison (ULGM). Under Gray’s leadership, ULGM completed a 4 million dollar capital campaign and will expand into a new 15,000 square foot facility that will allow the Urban League to offer more economic and workforce development programs onsite. Gray also served as the Associate Regional Director for Habitat for Humanity International where he oversaw the production of 200 homes annually in a seven state region.
Scott Gray is one of the National Urban League Movement’s emerging young leaders who is focused on closing the social and economic gaps for people of color. He has received numerous awards for his community-based efforts including the prestigious outstanding 40 leaders under 40 by the Milwaukee Business Journal.
Gray holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern Mississippi and a Masters of Science in Social Responsibility & Sustainability from Goddard College.
He is married and a father of 2 sons.
Johnny “Ucheena” Opara, a man driven to succeed, a risk taker who’s not afraid to take the next step towards his dreams. The eldest of three children who was raised single handedly by his mother who instilled in him the belief that, “You will always be the Head, never the Tail!”
Mr. Opara was born in Nigeria and came to America with his mother at the tender age of three months. His family settled in the south in Baton Rouge, LA and later moved to Nashville, TN. At the age of eight, his family relocated to St. Paul, MN where it has been his home ever since. With his unyielding devotion to God and family as a source of motivation, Mr. Opara made the decisions necessary to accomplish far-reaching goals, and be an example for his younger siblings.
Mr. Opara attended Augsburg College while maintaining a full-time job, and received a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Management. Hard work did not end there for Mr. Opara; he was determined to do more, and become more. Taking on Corporate America head first was Mr. Opara next success story; he was soon at the center of vital projects for Fortune 100 companies, leaving a trail of passion, innovation, and achievements! Mr. Opara has been recognized nationally by senior leaders within the business community for his integrity and ability to hit the ground running!
In 2007 at the age of twenty-six, Mr. Opara launched Opara & Associates, LLC, a First Class Executive Search firm, and an innovator of unique staffing solutions focused on diversity recruitment. As a small business owner he was able to work with other small businesses, and Fortune 500 companies in an unhealthy economy by helping them establish new methods in diversity retention, and recruitment.
In 2010, Mr. Opara will be re-launching Opara & Associates under a new name with a new vision, focus, and unique strategic direction. Mr. Opara’s new company will be releasing products and services into industries in which he has always had a desire: Fashion, Fragrance, and Entertainment. In the summer of 2010, Mr. Opara will be launching his first fragrance, “JO”. His Perfume line will be available for Men and Women. Diversity will remain at the core of the organization while Mr. Opara works toward making the company a leader within the respective business community. This is only the beginning of the newest phase in Mr. Opara’s limitless drive to impact world of business.
Mr. Opara currently serves as President at Opara & Associates, and has been a member of the National Black MBA Association since 2008. Mr. Opara is a member of Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church in North Minneapolis. He enjoys reading, cooking, going to the movies, and working out at the gym. Mr. Opara now resides in the Eden Prairie, MN.
“The future belongs to those who prepare for it today!” – Malcolm X
Christian Johnson is an actor currently in the cast TH3M a pilot shot locally and a Sales and Marketing consultant emphasizing on start-up businesses. A Minneapolis native, Johnson was raised on the Southside and attended De La Salle Catholic High School.
Johnson is a 1999 graduate of Norfolk State University, was public relations assistant for the Green Bay Packers, In his position, Johnson's duties included serving as editor of NFL Insider, the in-stadium game program, advanced road games and setting up player and coach interviews for state and national media outlets.
Johnson's diverse resume includes work as one of the youngest Director of Media Relations for a Division I University for his alma mater. He supported 16 Division I sports teams. Johnson was a member of the National Football League's public relations staff for Super Bowl XXXIII in Miami. Most recently he was the Vice President of Programming Solutions Inc. the creators of the EBT card.
Johnson has two children Roman, five and Julian two.
As we approach February, we embark on another opportunity to celebrate the contributions of African-Americans throughout our global community. This recognition was first made popular by historian/educator Carter G. Woodson with the observation of Black History Month. This month, First Fridays spotlights a Twin Cities face that is very familiar with Woodson's efforts to promote self-reliance, black history and the societal advances of African-Americans.
Robert "BJ" Browne is easily recognizable when it comes to the Twin Cities' community and social scene, largely due to his tree-topping stature (6' 8") and his participation in educational and community service ventures. Browne's daily life is filled by employment at a local defense company in Minneapolis . He works in human resources as a senior learning & development representative. In this role, Robert manages the training and development needs of employees in various departments. Robert also leads the group in innovation and in the field of e-learning.
Lastly, Robert is also very active with the company's diversity committee. He credits most of his work accomplishments to the strong background he received during his undergraduate and postgraduate years at the University of Minnesota.
During his time as a Gopher, BJ -- as most of his friends call him -- honed his passion for scholarship and uplift through his membership in Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. BJ is a third-generation Omega man and joined the fraternity while at the U of M. (The aforementioned Woodson was also a member of Omega Psi Phi.) BJ is currently active in the local graduate chapter, Epsilon Rho, and has chaired numerous fundraisers that have provided many scholarships to college and college-bound students. One of his's most recent fundraising accomplishments was "Yes We Can Twin Cities," a fundraiser for then-Senator Barack Obama Presidential Campaign.
In addition to fundraising, BJ's association with the fraternity has also provided an outlet for his mentoring, volunteering and other forms of community service.
BJ's best parting advice is to remember to stay positive because "It's your attitude, not your
latitude."
Harry Colbert’s career and resume are as diverse and dynamic as the man himself. A former reporter and editor, Mr. Colbert worked in newspaper and radio for such outlets as The Suburban Journals, The St. Louis American, The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Metro Networks and 88.1 FM – KDHX.
As a Financial Communications Specialist for A.G. Edwards, Mr. Colbert produced marketing materials used to sell millions of dollars in products and services to high-net-worth clients worldwide.
A public relations guru, Mr. Colbert wrote the official bios for such luminaries as Nelly, his manager, Tony “T-Luv” Davis, and pioneering DJ, Charlie Chan. Others who have benefited from the services of Mr. Colbert include the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis and several St. Louis area politicians.
Terry Austin is the President of Positive Image, a non profit which was created in 2004. Positive Image 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.