Marnée Morgan – Executive Director

Marnée Morgan is the Principal Consultant with Morgan Graves Consultants (MGC), LLC. The MGC
team offers services and business development solutions for both local and national-based organizations. As the “missing piece to your business solutions”, the MGC team will identify the gaps, and develop strategies that influence growth and productivity.

Marnée earned her Master of Business Management, with a concentration in Leadership and Business Development from National Louis University of Chicago, Illinois, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Fontbonne University of St. Louis, MO. Ms. Morgan has a certification in Leadership & Organizational Development (MACA) from the University of Missouri at Columbia.

Marnée has 10+ years’ program and professional development programs, in the health, education, non-profit, business, and private sector, with expertise in fostering relationships with communities of color, development of community engagement strategies, and development of community-based partnerships. In a Regional capacity for the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services, Marnée facilitated capacity building, partnerships, and geographic service teams, and engage local and state community leaders, stakeholders, and legislators, along with providing the leadership for achieving the targeted health initiatives.

As a visionary leader that spans more than 10 years, Marnée has successful outcomes with cross-functional
teams, organizational development, change management, program development, strategic planning, human resource management, and project management. Marnée is results oriented, with proven performance in the development and implementation of strategies and process planning to ensure objectives and timelines are achieved. Marnée is an expert team and partnership facilitator and advisor, with a proven track record for developing partnerships and building teams to strengthen, expand and exceed performance goals, while resolving multiple and complex issues, with keen analytical and planning skills. Marnée will efficiently identify and develop process improvements – to generate positive outcomes, and she has superior negotiating, interpersonal skills, and provider relations skills Marnée serves on the boards with The OML Project, and The Sickle Cell Association of St. Louis, MO, and has garnered several awards and recognition for her work and advocacy work on behalf of the community. As a community engagement specialist, and “bridge builder”, Marnée has facilitated the development of community partnerships, managed the funding for youth development programs, and developed successful sustainability plans. Marnée also served as the principal and Executive Director for the development of the Calvary Community Development Corporation (CCDC) of
St. Louis, MO, which also included the acquisition of the 501c3 non-profit designation.

Marnée will offer management and support for the development and implementation of leadership training, strategic goals, community engagement, quality improvement, and program design strategies. Morgan Graves Consultants, LLC is a certified minority owned and operated company.

Mayor Tishaura Jones

With a deep personal commitment, a wealth of experience, and a proven record of leadership, Mayor Tishaura O. Jones started her career as a public servant in 2002 when she was appointed as Democratic Committeewoman of the 8th Ward in the City of St. Louis. She served two terms in the Missouri House of Representatives and became the first African-American woman in state history to hold the position of Assistant Minority Floor Leader.

From financial empowerment to the modernizing of services, Jones has worked to make city government easier to navigate, easier to participate in, and easier to understand. Elected the first African-American woman as Treasurer in 2012, Jones helped the City of St. Louis earn and save more than $30 million during her tenure in the office. Jones launched the Office of Financial Empowerment (OFE) to help St. Louisans make better financial choices, and OFE’s College Kids Program has helped over 18,000 public school students start saving through educational savings accounts.

After becoming the first mayor in decades to be born, raised, and still live in North St. Louis, Jones recognizes that St. Louis cannot succeed if one half is allowed to fail. She is working to reverse decades of disinvestment in neighborhoods by ensuring incentive agreements contain community benefits while responsibly investing nearly $500 million from the American Rescue Plan. Through data-driven deployment strategies, alternative responses to conserve police resources, and investment in community violence intervention programs, she is committed to improving public safety in the city.

Jones has a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from Hampton University and a Master’s degree in Health Administration from the Saint Louis University School of Public Health. A graduate of the Executives in State and Local Government program at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, she has served as Vice President of Public Finance for Blaylock Robert Van, LLC, as well as adjunct faculty at the Anheuser-Busch School of Business at Harris-Stowe State University. A member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., her dedication to public service has earned her numerous accolades including awards from the St. Louis Coalition for Human Rights, the RCGA, and the Lupus Foundation of America. She is also the proud mother of Aden.

Cryslynn Billingsley, PhD

I currently serve as assistant principal at Jennings Senior High & College Prep Academy. Previously, I taught middle school students English at Parkway Northeast Middle School. I recently finished my Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at the University of Missouri-St. Louis where I also earned my Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Educational Specialist degrees, and I am also a certified cognitive coach through Thinking Collaborative.

I piloted, with a small group of teachers, the changes in grading from traditional to Standards-Based which led to a district-wide shift in assessment practices so that all students have the opportunity to show what they know and can do. I introduced Genius Hour learning in my classroom and it evolved into school-wide experiences around students finding ways to create legacy which supports the school’s character education initiatives. My writing and educational practices have been featured in Educational Leadership, AMLE magazine, Marshall Memo, Mindsetworks.com, Rethinking Grading, and Digital Reading: What’s Essential in Grades 3-8. I consult with schools and businesses over various professional development topics like racial equity, character development, systems efficiency, capacity building, event planning, and public relations. I am the director of a Cultural Leadership Camp where students engage in concepts involving civil rights, social justice, service, self-awareness, leadership skills and tools to enable them to recognize and resolve issues of discrimination and inequality. With my administrative team, we host a quarterly Speakeasy: Urban Education in connection with UMSL with educators from across the St. Louis area.

I am interested in being an ESJ Board member because I have had the opportunity to work with a variety of students with intersectional identities and challenges in contrasting educational systems and have aided in helping set up sustainable systems that bring students in rather than push them out. Helping students and educators find ways to navigate the spaces they choose successfully has been a passion of mine having been a desegregation student myself as part of my educational experience. The variety of lenses I have would be my contribution to the board.

Blair Ledet

Blair Ledet co-anchors FOX 2 News in the morning from 4 a.m. to 7 a.m., Monday through Friday. She is elated to have been promoted to St. Louis’s number-one morning newscast to connect with viewers. She’s introduced segments to FOX 2 to keep conversations and engagement going, like Blair’s daily “Social Second” and February’s “Black History Moments.”

The Houston, Texas native joined FOX 2 News in August 2019 as a general assignment reporter. While reporting in the field, Blair covered historic moments, including Ferguson protests after the murder of George Floyd and the election of Ferguson’s first Black female mayor. She is proud of her report, shedding light on the differences in resources and coverage given to Black missing women on the heels of the Gabby Petito case. Blair also represented Nexstar during the 2020 Super Bowl in Miami as an enterprise reporter, appearing on 60 live shots daily for their 200-plus stations.

Blair came to St. Louis from Hattiesburg Mississippi’s WDAM News 7 Sunrise team. During her time there, she was a morning co-anchor and multimedia journalist with a franchise highlighting the notable people, places, and acts of kindness in the viewing area. Her career in Broadcast Journalism began at WDAM’s sister station, KTRE in East Texas, as a multimedia journalist. She learned the ropes of reporting, anchoring, and producing while gaining an appreciation for the simplistic beauty of the south. She is proud of her work helping East Texans access healthcare after insurance changes left thousands without options.

Captain Ron Johnson

Captain Ronald S. Johnson, Retired, stands as a living testament to the theme of today’s conference, *Reclaiming the Village & Bridging the Generational Divide*. His life’s work personifies the deep commitment to restoring and strengthening the bonds within communities, much like the essence of the village we seek to reclaim. From his early days in the Missouri State Highway Patrol to his leadership during the Ferguson protests, Captain Johnson has continually worked to heal divides and create spaces for understanding, dialogue, and unity.

His leadership during some of the most difficult times in recent history was not just about maintaining order—it was about fostering connection, empathy, and trust between law enforcement and the community. Captain Johnson’s ability to navigate the complexities of these relationships, while staying true to his moral compass, embodies the very heart of what it means to bridge generational and societal divides.

Through his work with Lodestone Solutions Group, Captain Johnson continues to lead by example, providing guidance that is anchored in integrity and rooted in the understanding that true leadership is about serving others. His work directly aligns with our conference’s mission—reclaiming the village is not just about addressing challenges, but also about nurturing future generations by building bridges of hope, respect, and collaboration.

Captain Johnson’s efforts in community engagement and his unwavering dedication to fostering partnerships across diverse groups remind us that reclaiming the village is both a personal and collective journey. His ability to bring people together across divides—whether generational, racial, or social—has made a lasting impact on countless lives, showing us that leadership with compassion is the key to creating a better, more unified future for all.

Today, we honor and celebrate Captain Ron Johnson, not only for his extraordinary career and achievements, but for the example he sets for all of us as we seek to rebuild our own villages, and for the lasting legacy he is leaving behind—a legacy of justice, community, and unwavering service.

LaTricia Clark, EdS

LaTricia Clark brings over 19 years of teaching and leadership experience to her various roles. Her previous positions include curriculum writer, data team lead, communications arts department chair, superintendent and administration intern, and summer school principal intern. LaTricia is the CEO of the National Administrative Board of Educational Interventions (NABOEI), a firm specializing in consulting, mediation, advocacy, risk, and crisis management. Additionally, she is a dedicated mentor and advocate for children and the community through her organizational work.

LaTricia holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice Law Enforcement with a Minor in Psychology from the University of Missouri-St. Louis, a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Lindenwood University, and an Educational Specialist degree in Instructional Leadership from Lindenwood University. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Biblical and Leadership Studies. LaTricia is also the CEO and Founder of Nzingha Community Covenant Enterprises, which focuses on reducing health and social determinants in urban areas. She serves as the Executive Director of the 3816 Fund & Foundation, which honors her Great-Grandfather Reverend Professor Ralph Amos, founder of Allport Colony for Negroes, by supporting community education, agriculture, and science initiatives.

LaTricia actively participates on various boards and committees both nationally and within the St. Louis Metropolitan area. Some of her notable affiliations include the Association of Missouri Mediators, where she serves as Co-Chair of the STL-Cure Violence Steering Committee, and the College of Education and Human Services’ Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (COEHS-DEI) Committee at Lindenwood University. She is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, Imani Rites of Passage and Company, the NAACP Criminal Justice Committee, the W.E.B. Du Bois Junior Honor Society of St. Louis, the SSD-PAC Executive Team, BWCC’s Director of Media and MGC Board member. LaTricia exemplifies a true Renaissance woman, demonstrating her versatility and expertise across multiple domains.

Jo Lena Johnson

The Absolute Good Resilience Coach
Author, Trainer, Facilitator

Jo Lena Johnson spent several successful years in marketing, radio, and entertainment before shifting her focus to purpose-driven work as a trainer and life coach. She founded and leads the “Life Skills Management Division” of Absolute Good, traveling across North America and the UK to conduct corporate, leadership, and diversity training. With extensive coaching skills, she has trained over 100,000 adult learners and students and served as a business development consultant for nonprofits and corporations. Known for her decisiveness, organization, and energy, Johnson is a leader in every role she takes on, driven by the motto: “Positive Productivity Brings About Good – Absolute Good.”

Dr. Shanté Lampley

Dr. Shanté M. Lampley is the Chief Deputy Juvenile Officer for the 22nd Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri, Child Protection Department. She manages the Child Protection and Permanency Units as well as Mediation and Special Court Services. She has worked at the Court for more than 26 years and held positions as a Deputy Juvenile Officer, Assistant Supervisor for the Truancy Unit, Family Court Mediator, Supervisor of the Mediation and Special Court Services Unit and Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative Coordinator. Dr. Lampley has also served in the past as adjunct faculty for Harris-Stowe State University and St. Louis University.

Cheri Tillis

Formerly, Ms. Tillis was FFSC’s COO, responsible for providing oversight of agency programs and daily operations of its satellite locations and 50+ staff with the help of her phenomenal team of Directors and Managers. She has 18+ years of progressive experience in multiple roles for FFSC, focusing on building community partnerships, federal grant writing, program development, and management. Before her responsibilities at FFSC, she served as a Youth Specialist for the Division of Youth Services in St. Louis, MO.

She also served the St. Louis area as an Americorps member. Ms. Tillis holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Jackson State University, a Master of Science in HR Management from Lindenwood University, a Business Management for Non-Profit Leaders Certificate from Washington University Olin School of Business, and a Missouri Foundation for Health Fellow. She has also served as the PI on several Fatherhood research studies in partnership with Mathematica Policy and Research, Washington University Brown School of Social Work, and The Brown School Evaluation Center in St. Lous, MO.

Casandra Blassingame

Casandra Blassingame, Executive Director/CEO of Community Women Against Hardship is a seasoned, effective non-profit executive and international adult educator and executive with over 25 years of experience in non-profit, workforce, and adult, higher, and continuing education. She is recognized by her peers as a leader in the field, serves on boards, and shares her expertise on a broader scale by working with organizations, institutions, and associations. Recently, Casandra became a published author with a chapter contribution in Career Pathways in Adult Education on Facilitation Skills.

Some of her affiliations include service as Chair of the MGC Elevate, Inc. Board of Directors, member of the St. Louis Adult Education Literacy Council of St. Louis Foundation Board, Advisory Board member of the UMSL School of Nursing Public Health program, and member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Omicron Eta Omega Chapter. She has been a County Executive appointed member of the Loudoun County Virginia Economic Development Commission, The Council for Adult and Experiential Learning Presidential Transition Committee, Member of the Board of Directors for The Children’s Guild Public Charter School in Washington, DC, and Community Women Against Hardship Board of Directors. Casandra has been a member of CHIEF – a private network of executive women from around the country.

She is a graduate of Talladega College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Computer Science. She earned her Master of Education in Adult and Higher Education from the University of Missouri-St. Louis, where she is also doctoral candidate. Casandra’s primary professional and research interests are in education, advocacy, social justice, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. She has three sons and four grandchildren and currently resides in Clayton, Missouri.

Paul Lemmon

Paul Lemmon is a native of San Francisco, who spent his high school and early adult years in St. Louis, Missouri. He attended Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, and Southern Illinois University. He received his Juris Doctorate from Southern University Law Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

He was an elementary and middle school teacher in the St. Louis City Public Schools for approximately 5 years before working for Levi Strauss & Company in San Francisco for almost 10 years, later enrolling in law school.

Since 2020 he has served as the Director of Community Initiatives and Emergency Services for People’s Community Action Corporation.

Ron Malone

Ron Malone founded Jus4r Systems Analysis & Design in 1997, a company focused on providing comprehensive computer consulting services, specializing in hardware, software, and network design. With over 30 years of experience in the Information Technology (IT) field, Ron has a proven track record in hardware, software, and network systems, having worked as a Systems Engineer for major U.S. companies such as Charter Communications, Boeing, Edward Jones, Monsanto, and BJC HealthCare.

Ron holds an Associate of Science (AS) degree in Systems Analysis & Design from St. Louis Community College, earned in 1993, and a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Management Information Systems from the University of Missouri-St. Louis, completed in 1995. In addition to his degrees, Ron holds several IT certifications in areas including Computing Hardware, Software Development, Web Development, Database Development, cybersecurity administration, and Network Administration.

His company remains dedicated to delivering high-quality IT consulting and system solutions tailored to clients’ needs.

Neal Richardson

Neal Richardson is the Chairman, President & CEO of St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC), the independent economic development agency serving the City of St. Louis, Mo. Since taking SLDC’s lead role in June 2021, Neal’s focus has been on intentionally implementing city-wide economic development activities aimed at creating equitable economic opportunity for all St. Louis residents, businesses and neighborhoods to thrive.

Neal earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Master of Business Administration from Webster University. Prior to joining SLDC, his professional experience included over 15 years in the real estate finance and community development industry.