Fall Symposium

Featured Speakers & Panelist

Keynote speaker:

Dr. Marvia Jones from the Kansas City Health Department

Dr. Marvia Jones has been working in the field of Public Health for 15 years with a special interest in violence prevention and health policy, both of which were honed during her time at the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While at the CDC, she evaluated the effectiveness of prevention tools provided to state and local health departments.

In the Policy Office, she developed recommendations for public health best practices, such as the credentialing of community health workers. Before joining KCHD in 2019, Dr. Jones directed programs, policy development and evaluation at Communities Creating Opportunities. Originally from Florida, Dr. Jones has been living in Kansas City for 12 years, except for the two years she spent in Atlanta completing her CDC fellowship. Jones earned both her Master of Public Health and her Ph.D from the University of Kansas.

Panelists:

Jennifer Manuleleua from Community Services League in Independence

Jennifer has been a lover of the community since she was a small child riding in the backseat of her father’s car as he drove through Kansas City’s neighborhoods. Every school project and summer job had community in mind. She has worked in community development for more than 20 years. During those years, she had the opportunity to learn from community members in an 11-county region what works, what matters, and what truly strengthens community.

Today, Jennifer serves as the Senior Vice President of Community Development at Community Services League in eastern Jackson County. Jennifer is most passionate about creating spaces and places where all people feel safe, welcome and loved complete with brain science and community care. She is a bit of an ‘agitator’ in approach, and she frequently admits she does not think in a straight line. Jennifer is proud to have a multilingual, multi-cultural family where she’s one of the only ones that does not speak a second language.

Pastor Michael Brooks from Oasis Church International in Raytown

Pastor Michael Brooks is a proud native of Kansas City, MO, graduating from Central Sr. High School. He served his country in the United States Air Force from 1982-1992, where he became a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor. He attended Midwestern State University where he studied Psychology and Political Science. As a Counselor he has worked in many different inpatient, outpatient, and detox units around the country. He returned to Kansas City in October of 1998, working at Swope Parkway Health Center Homeless Department and Synergy Services Prevention and Intervention Department.

In October of 1985, Pastor Brooks was licensed as a Minister at the New Hope Baptist Church in Anchorage, Alaska. He was Ordained in 1994 and served as the Senior Pastor of the Macedonia Baptist Church, in Altus, OK. He returned to Kansas City in 1998, serving as the Youth Minister of the Metropolitan Baptist Church. He has been the Senior Pastor of The Oasis Church International (formerly Zion Grove Baptist Church) since July 2000.

Pastor Brooks is heavily involved in the community. He is the President of the Concerned Clergy Coalition, past co-chair of the Metro Organization for Racial and Economic Equality (MORE2), and a founding member of the Violence Free KC Committee with the Kansas City Health Department. He is also the founder of H.O.P.E. Ministries (Helping Our People Evolve), and was co-founder of HOPE Academy Charter School. He is a coach, mentor, organizer, collaborator, family advocate, and consultant in Kansas City. He has a passion for education, racial equity, social justice, and trauma informed systems. Pastor Brooks is married and is the proud father of 4 children, with 7 grandchildren. Erik Erazo from the Olathe School District.

Erik Erazo from the Olathe School District

Originally from California, Erik Erazo enlisted in the United States Army after earning his high school diploma. Erazo started at Olathe North High School 20 years ago and was inspired to further his education. Soon after, he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education. He currently serves as an administrator for the Olathe School District.

Throughout his career, Erazo has created various programs for students. His two flagship programs are the Olathe Leadership Lowrider Bike Club and The Spot which target at-risk youth by providing mentorship and encourages students to maintain their personal identities while removing negative activities. Currently, these programs boast a 100% graduation rate.

Erazo serves on multiple community boards, including the Executive Board of United Community Services of Johnson County (UCS), Men of Color in Educational Leadership (MCEL), El Centro, 4L Foundation, City of Olathe Citizens Police Advisory Council, Disproportionate Minority Contact of Johnson County, Criminal Justice Sub-Committee, Latino Leadership Network, KC BizFest, and the National Community Policing Committee.

Erazo received the 2013 Olathe Human Relations Educator Award, 2017 Olathe Public Schools Emporia State University Master Teacher Award, 2018 MidAmerica Nazarene University Teacher Who Inspires Award, 2018 KC Royals Buck O’Neil Legacy Seat, 2019 City of Olathe Cathedral Builder Award, 2021 NAACP Hero for Diversity Award, and the 2021 Olathe Police Service Award. His work has been featured on numerous news stations, including 41 Action News, Fox 4 KC, Olathe News, and the Olathe Gazette. He was also featured on the front page of the Kansas City Star in 2013 and 2022.

Erazo is married and a father to three daughters and one son.

Sergeant Stewart Brought from the Overland Park Police Department and his K9

Sergeant Stewart Brought began his law enforcement career in 2007 with the Kansas City, MO, Police Department. He then worked in Aurora, CO, for 5 years before moving back home in 2016, where he joined the Overland Park Police Department. In 2020, Brought was promoted to Sergeant and in 2021, was selected to create the Overland Park Crisis Action Team (OPCAT), which provides mental health-related and trauma-informed support during emergency calls.

Sgt. Brought is currently supervising the OPCAT unit and is the handler for Haven, the Critical Incident Response Team K9 for the department. Haven, a Labrador Retriever mix rescued from a shelter in Texas, joined the department in 2022. She provides peer support to the department and assists on calls to provide comfort for community members in difficult situations and support officers in bonding with those in crisis.

Moderated by Andrea Dalton with the Center for Trauma Informed Innovation

Andrea Dalton, MA, MT-BC, is a trainer and consultant with the Center for Trauma Informed Innovation, supporting individuals and organizations in promoting resiliency and developing trauma sensitive culture.