A Good Black Man, Incorporated (AGBM, Inc.) is a 501 (c)(3) organization in good standing with the Internal Revenue Service. The AGBM, Inc. Board of Directors is a "working" board whose purpose is to assist AGBM, Inc. in fund raising, planning, developing and implementing policies, procedures and programs that will empower African American male youth in the Baltimore metropolitan area.

Empowerment and self love have been the driving force for D. Anne Browne since she began her writing career in 1979. It was during that year she began to spread the gospel of health and fitness to the African American community through a series of articles (for Metropolitan Magazine) titled, "For The Health of It."

By the mid 1980's D. Anne began to notice how the literature of the time encouraged an analytical approach to the universality of human development. In response to the needs of the African American community, D. Anne began to focus her thinking and her writing on the concepts of self actualization.

By the early 1990's her first literary attempt was to provide "self help" material which did not endorse a morbid fascination with the suffering of others as a precursor to development. D. Anne has already realized her dreams of becoming a competitive bodybuilder, free-lance writer, commercial artist, personal trainer and physical therapist assistant.

Her first book (You Can Get There From Here: Life Lessons On Growth & Self Discovery For The Black Woman), though not autobiographical was based on many of her personal beliefs. Encouraged by the success of that book, D. Anne began to shift her thinking to ways of addressing the crisis between African American men and women.

Through careful research and interviews, D. Anne began to compile a body of work which not only addressed many social issues facing African Americans overall. She has taken her work a step further by examining the Black male psyche and sexuality, the manifestation of cultural ignorance in American society and the patterns of self destruction which have plagued African American communities. D. Anne Browne directs and dedicates her work, That Old Black Magic: Essays, Images and Verse on the Joys of Loving Black Men to African American men.

D. Anne plans to self-publish and distribute this book in the future. Until then, she also conducts empowerment workshops. The unlimited potential of cyberspace coupled with her continued concern about the general misconceptions about African American males motivated her to start the not-for-profit male empowerment organization, A Good Black Man, Inc. (AGBM). The ongoing mission of AGBM includes enhancing the life opportunities for African American male youth.

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Playwright/Actor Derrell G. Owens is the Director of Zionward Productions, a Christian theatre company. Owens' most memorable moment as a writer came in February 2000 when his original play, The Family Mantle, won 1st place in the Eighteenth Annual Drama Competition sponsored by ABC2 and The Arena Players, Inc. The play was produced for television by ABC and aired on February 26, 2000 in celebration of Black History Month. In May 2001, the revised full-length version of "The Family Mantle" won him an Individual Artist Award in Playwriting from the Maryland State Arts Council and a Governor's Citation.

As an actor, Owens has performed on stage, film and television. He has been featured in such movies as: The Accidental Tourist, Home for the Holidays, Clara's Heart, Species 2, The Replacements and the HBO mini-series, The Corner. For seven years Owens was featured on the television crime drama, Homicide, Life on the Streets. His theatre credits include: A Few Good Men, Tryin' Times and A Raisin in the Sun. In July 2003, Owens' original play, "Sessions in Autumn", was selected as an "A- List" play by the Frank Silvera Writers Workshop to be read during the Readers' Theatre Series of new plays at the National Black Theatre Festival. Owens has been featured in many publications as well as the June 2002 issue of New York's AWARE Magazine and the October 2002 issue of Atlanta's Stand Firm Magazine. Derrell is also a recipient of the 2002 Legacy of Excellence Award.

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Ms. Carter's volunteerism and community service reflects her passion and commitment to making a difference in the conditions of Baltimore. As a middle and high school student, she volunteered in her community's public library. Although her job was to simply assist in shelving books, she requested to increase her hours in order to expand her duties to include reading to children in the Children's book section. This was her attempt to cultivate a love for books in other children, the way her parents and teachers had in her. She hoped to enable these children to enjoy reading and learning, ultimately becoming well educated adults who would be equipped to give back to society and improve their communities.

As a student at Howard University, Ms. Carter tutored students at a public elementary school that neighbored the campus, and became a mentor or "big sister" to a first grade student in that school. While she believed that assisting member of communities of all ages is essential to the growth of communities, Ms. Carter wanted to continue her focus on working with children, to assist them in becoming productive members of society. Ms. Carter earned a BS in psychology, with a focus in school psychology, to become equipped to educate children and to further her mission to help all people of all ages by assisting communities with the mental health services they need, but might not be able to afford.

Having completed coursework to obtain a Master's Degree in Organizational Development at Trinity University, Ms. Carter seeks to reach Baltimore comminutes by learning how to effectively organize non- profits to so they can adequately serve communities. It is her goal to operate a non- profit that specializes in serving the community through health and education services, to help communities thrive. Ms. Carter's thesis explores the condition of Baltimore and DC metropolitan area public schools, and their contrast to effective programs that serve communities. The thesis seeks to prove that by adopting the characteristics of the programs that have been proven to effectively serve communities, public schools will improve their community relations.

As a member of Rho Xi Omega Charities, their work with children in programs, such as the After School AKAdemy, and Camp Font-Tastic, has brought her full circle to where her interest in community outreach and improvement began - working with children. She is currently planning a youth summit, to educate the AKAdemy on the importance of voting, and how they can use politics as a means to improve their own communities, as many of them will reach the age to vote in their first election by 2012.

Ms. Carter remains passionate about using politics, education, healthcare, and financial literacy to improve communities in Baltimore and to educate, train, and empower people to become and involved in their communities to implement change and improvement themselves.

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Darlene Green-Connor is the treasurer for AGBM, Inc. She has 25 years of experience working in accounting, financial and administrative disciplines in the electric utility industry. Darlene has 13 years of accounting experience and 6 years of experience preparing budgets. Darlene is currently responsible for a managing $1.4 million budget. In addition to her professional experience in the utility industry, she also is an entrepreneur. She has managed a successful tax and bookkeeping practice since 1993. Darlene has a Bachelor's of Arts in Accounting, a Masters Degree in Business from the Johns Hopkins and a certificate in Leadership Development from the Johns Hopkins University. Darlene has been a Certified Public Accountant since 1985.

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Eleven years ago, Brandon lost a relative to an epileptic seizure resulting from a head injury. Adamant on learning more about emergency training and determined to address the risk, he created E-NET (Educating on the Need for Emergency Training), a non-profit organization geared towards educating the community and student athletes on the importance of crisis preparation.

As a Howard Hughes Scholar, he went on to attend Xavier University of Louisiana where he utilized his position as Chief of Staff of the Student Government Association and Xavier Activity Board President, to expand E-NET's scope by bringing local health care professionals on campus. Through his and community efforts, E-NET helped to educate and certify over 850 people in emergency medicine, CPR, first-aid, and emergency cardiovascular care. While at Xavier, Brandon worked at Louisiana State University Medical Center as a Clinic Supervisor, and gained clinical operations experience in oncology, urology, cardiology, and internal medicine.

Besides gaining a familiarity with the prolific aspects of the medical profession, these experiences strengthened his desire to pursue a career in public health and health management. This journey optimistically began at Emory University Rollins School of Public Health where he received a Masters of Public Health with a focus in health policy & management. Throughout his graduate experience, Brandon has worked for Grady Memorial Hospital, Emory Healthcare, the Arthritis Foundation, and the Department of Veterans Affairs where he focused on healthcare access, mental health disparities, quality improvement, and utilization management respectively.

Brandon recently completed a two-year Administrative Fellowship with Johns Hopkins Medicine where he gained postgraduate training in health administration and hospital operations. He has completed 14 rotations at three hospitals within the Hopkins system, multiple ambulatory care sites, and several physician/academic group practices. Most notably, he has worked to establish an Infectious Disease Center of Excellence for Johns Hopkins Medicine where patients can receive follow-up outpatient antibiotic therapy (OPAT). The initiative will generate an additional $85K in hospital revenue and $739K in pro fee revenue annually.

Presently, Brandon serves as an Assistant Director for the Johns Hopkins Health System in General Services, Inventory Management and Supply Chain Operations. He presently presides over tow line operations, an $8 million operation to service the new $1.4 billion Cardiovascular Care and Children's Towers with materials, environmental and nutritional services. The operation will service 1.6 million additional sq. feet of clinical and administrative space. He is also working in Ambulatory Development to help establish a multi-specialty outpatient timeshare suite with the newest member of the health system, Suburban Hospital.

A mid-level careerist with over 6 years experience in healthcare, Brandon has maintained a history of achievement with hospitals, physicians and healthcare organizations by applying an extensive healthcare knowledge base in operations, clinical delivery and healthcare promotion. His impetus for healthcare is driven from first-hand experience in strategy and multi-phase project development, augmented by working in diverse organizational venues.

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Benjamin T. Brooks, Sr. is the president of B&R Brooks Professional Tax Service, P.A. The company is a Maryland based firm that provides accounting, payroll and income tax services to small businesses, non-profit organizations and the public at large.

Mr. Brooks, a native of Sumter, South Carolina, is the fourth child of thirteen born to the late Thomas Brooks, Jr. and Hester L. Brooks. After graduating from Ebenezer in 1968, Mr. Brooks fulfilled his military obligations by serving in the US Army. Upon completing a tour in Vietnam, he was awarded the Good Conduct, Accommodation and Vietnam Service medals. In 1972, he was honorably discharged.

He matriculated at South Carolina State University, where he majored in accounting. Mr. Brooks began his professional career as an accountant in June of 1976 for a large mid- west distillery company. He was later promoted and transferred to the east coast plant in Baltimore, Maryland.

In June of 1987, after eleven years of employment, he tendered his resignation. This decision allowed him to devote 100% of his time to the prosperity of B&R Brooks. Over the past two decades, the company has established business contacts throughout the mid- Atlantic, southeast and west coast states.

He currently holds official positions with the following companies and organizations: President - Commercial Cleaning Services, Inc.; President - Brooks Family Investments, Inc.; Vice-President - S.A.W. Enterprises, Inc.; Treasurer - Baltimore County African American Cultural Festival, Inc.; Former Treasurer - Citizens for Burns; Treasurer and Past President - Greater Baltimore Chapter SC State University Alumni Association; Treasurer - Edrich Manor Homeowners Association; Treasurer - Associated Managers, Inc.

Mr. Brooks currently resides in Woodstock, Maryland with his wife of thirty-two years, Theresa, a Catholic school principal. They have three children. All of whom have completed college and are engaged in various careers.

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Carol Brooks has over 15 years of experience in business development, sales, marketing and public relations. She has worked extensively with image development and market awareness in the areas of business, television, Internet, medical publishing, and within the state and county workforce development arena.

Within the several years she has developed her expertise within the Information Technology arena through website concept development, management, sales, and marketing. She was the Internet Site Manger and Director of Internet Sales and Marketing for a local television website and has directed the development and restructure of several Baltimore County websites.

Ms. Brooks is now currently the Business Services Manager for the Baltimore County Office of Employment and Training. In this role, she guides the vision and direction for the newly developed Business Services Team to foster a more efficient, demand-driven workforce development system in the Baltimore County region. She is charged with creating awareness among businesses about valuable services and funding available to them for their recruitment, training and other customized workforce needs. Her expertise in marketing, sales, public relations and business development, coupled with her enthusiasm for her work, makes the charge challenging, rewarding and ever-evolving. She has been acknowledged nationally within her field for her innovative concepts in providing business services.

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For the past 20 years Ray Davis has dedicated his time, resources and efforts towards raising the consciousness, level of functionality and success ratio of African American males. Ray Davis has been a strong family man for over 20 years and has two children pursuing post graduate work as well as Robert whose is in high school and is Rays pride and joy. His effort to help African-American males is not a decision, but a calling because Ray is driven with a passion for developing optimal African American males. Whether mentoring, writing, speaking or educating, his theme remains constant; until we institutionalize fatherhood we will continue to suffer the pathologies that haunt us today.

Ray is a passionate speaker who often speaks of the 6,570 days or 18 years of fathers not raising their children as "the greatest love deficit that has ever existed." In his words, "without fathers the immune system for our women and children simply don't exist." Ray's favorite quote is just as faith must be married with works intellectualism must be married with optimism.

Ray is a founding member of the African American Male Leadership Institute where he has contributed to bringing world-class African American thinkers to Baltimore to grow the consciousness and rally the community to positive involvement. Ray worked For Bally's Casino for 15 years as an Executive Vice-president and has been a successful business consultant for years and currently is with Kaplan College where he serves in Admissions.

Ray has numerous articles and publications on various Internet sites, speaks publicly and as is closing on finishing his book, The Maintenance of Denial.

Ray also is founder of the Millennium Group. The Millennium Groups goal is to collect and disperse intellectual research that can help shape public policy, develop accountability systems and generate educational aids to assist African American parents in creating successful foundations for their children.

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Joe Ford (Joseph A. Ford, Jr.) is a native of Baltimore, Maryland and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore. Ford went on to study at the internationally renowned Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfields Hills, Michigan and earned his Master of Fine Arts degree.

Professionally, Ford has worked in every facet of graphic arts. He has been a graphic designer for two ABC affiliated TV stations: WJZ-13 in Baltimore and WJLA-TV 7 in Washington, D.C. He designed graphics for programming, studio sets, TV Guide advertising, and miscellaneous printed materials.

As an art director for W.B. Doner & Company, Advertising, he designed the graphics for regional and national advertising campaigns for the Air National Guard, Commercial Credit, Colt 45 Malt Liquor and other prestigious clients. While at Doner, he designed the bicentennial symbol that was used nationally on all equipment, signage and publications for the Air National Guard.

Ford has also held a design position at Richardson, Myers and Donofrio, Inc. Advertising. Ford's design work has received national acclaim from such professional organizations as the Advertising Association of Baltimore, the Art Directors' Club of Metropolitan Washington, Print Magazine Regional Design Annual, Broadcast Designer's Association and the CLIO Awards Competition (which is the advertising industry's equivalent of the Academy Awards). In addition to the above, he has served as a member of the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) Board of Directors, Baltimore Chapter.

Ford has used his design experience to help the black community. He designed and implemented a visual identify program for the Arena Players. The program included a logo design, stationary, posters, ads, program booklets, and a new facade for the Arena Playhouse. This was the beginning of a relationship that lasted for over a decade with Ford volunteering as a graphic design consultant.

To honor the founding father of graphic arts and its outstanding students at Carver Vocational Technical High School, Ford established the Linwood H. Jordon Commercial Art Achievement Award. This award has been given each year since 1975. The award became a self-supporting scholarship fund that would help Carver's graduating commercial art students further their education. He taught in the Maryland Institute College of Art Grad Prep Residency Program. This federally funded program encouraged participation by students of color in graduate school education preparation.

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Jacqui Kess-Gardner isa Registered Nurse, Make-Up Artist, Hair Stylist, Motivational Speaker, Special Educator, Corporate Communications Specialist, Case Manager, Aerobics Instructor, Producer, and Author. Jacqui married her high school sweetheart, James Gardner, more than 32 years ago and has two sons, Jamaal, a real estate investor and youth behavioral specialist teacher, and Jermaine, a concert pianist and Christian recording artist.

Jacqul’s first love is God, followed closely by her family. Jacqui’s passion is the elderly. Jacqui’s hobbiesinclude reading, writing, dancing, and being with family and close friends.

Jacqui’s first book, ‘The tncredible Journey” The Jermaine Gardner Story, has received wide acclaim and is carried by Barnes and Noble and other bookstores. She recently wrote three children’s books, Jonathan Plays It Cool, Hero at Boom-Shaka-Laka, and The Brace!et, which will be in bookstores by early 2010, and have been illustrated by her sister, Cookie, an elementary school teacher. Jacqui has recorded a CD entitled, “Private Thoughts of a Woman” where she has written poetry with original music by her son and pianist, Jérmaine Gardner.

The energetic”Jacqui of all trades” speaks locally and nationally for multicultural audiences as she spreads her positive messages and teaches her audience how to “Play the Hand You’re Dealt, Take This Job and Love It, Adopt A New Attitude, Claim Professionalism, Keep The Dream Alive”, and a host of other positive and spiritual messages. Jacqui lives by the scripture, “I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens Me.” Philippians 4:13.

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Carolyn Payton has over 16 years of personnel administration experience, which includes eight years of military personnel administration. She currently works in the Institutional Equity and Organizational Development office of the Human Resources Department at The Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC), the only tri-campus community college in Maryland. Here she annually creates the college's 16 affirmative action plans, coordinates professional development programs and conducts orientation for new employees.

In addition to her longtime commitment to the public industry, she is also an entrepreneur, establishing her own notary signing business. Carolyn has her Mediation certificate and is currently mediating for the Maryland Human Relations Commission. She has earned her Bachelors of Arts in Management with dual emphasis in Management and Human Resource Management; her minor is in Communication. Carolyn has also earned her Masters degree in Management Administration (MMA) at the College of Notre Dame of Maryland in 2006.

Carolyn's' professional memberships include: The Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM), Howard County Human Resources Society (HoCoHRS), College and University Professional Association-Human Resources (CUPR-HR), and the National Association of Female Executives. Her leadership initiatives include Membership Chair-CUPA-HR, Baltimore/Washington Chapter and Vice President, Beldale Home Owners Association (HOA). Carolyn is also a member of the Community College of Baltimore County's Strategic Planning Committee, Professional Development Team, Strategic Communication Taskforce, and the Fall Focus 2005 Group.

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Every home built in America, whether vacant or owned, has acquired a story within it- somewhat of an autobiography, if you will. The framing, design, location, and condition of the home are all details that tell the story of its inhabitants.

Bryant Richardson, 27, began his career in residential construction seven years ago, in Elizabeth, New Jersey. There, Bryant earned his carpenter apprenticeship while working to revitalize inner city housing. Through this experience, his philosophy on the built home and politics was born.

Early in his apprenticeship, Bryant worked closely with some of the most distressed homes in the city. One particular single-family unit inspired his profound transition into politics. It had been abandoned 10 years earlier, by a family that had struggled with domestic violence. There were holes punched in walls-too high to be from doorknobs.

On the floor lay a dirty mattress with rusted syringes at the head and foot of the bed. Socks were knotted around water supply pipes, where they had burst. This home's story begged so many questions. Had any children been harmed? Was there access in this community to substance abuse programming? Was this a case of a slum landlord? At that moment, Bryant realized, he could rehab this house, and restore it to its true grandeur. But if someone did not work to improve the conditions in the community in which it sat, the house's story might be retold. Bryant decided he would stay in construction, but seek community activist opportunities, in tandem.

When Bryant relocated to Baltimore in 2005, the city reminded him of Elizabeth. He decided to formalize his carpentry studies. He quickly enrolled and graduated from North American Trade School, where he studied the building trades. Shortly thereafter, he attended the Associated Builders and Contractors Academy, where he earned his Project Management certificate.

Bryant now wishes to tie his love for construction with his own brand of blue-collar, passionate politics, to evoke systemic change. He seeks to build stronger communities through championing fair housing policies, labor laws, and urban development tactics. He envisions a world where minorities and working class people actively participate in the local change they want to see. He is also passionate about the youth being well informed and equipped to take an active role in grassroots politics.

Bryant lives in mid-city Baltimore, in a near-100-year-old brownstone he is rehabbing with his fiancé, who is a journalism professor at a public, urban university. He has two puppy "boys," Bison the Rottweiler and Buddha the Boxer. His kitten Layla often keeps him company during his renovations.

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Wife and mother of three, Terra R. Scott is currently Administrative Coordinator at Johns Hopkins University in the Office of Facilities Management. Terra has earned her Bachelors of Science Degree in Science - Biology Emphasis at Coppin State University. During her undergraduate career, Terra volunteered as a Student Ambassador for Coppin and as a mentor to middle school girls at Calverton Middle School. During the summer months, Terra worked at a house counselor for mentally disabled senior citizens, and as a camp counselor at Douglass Memorial Community Church's Camp Farthest Out.

Currently, as an active PTA member at Medfield Heights Elementary, Terra volunteers throughout the year for various school related activities and community events. Other previous volunteer experience includes, serving as a construction worker for Sandtown Habitat for Humanity, community health educator for the American Lung Association of Maryland, Harlem Park Middle School via University of Maryland Baltimore, Coppin State University's Community Health Center and test proxy for NAWIC Block Kids.

Presently, Terra is a part time graduate student in the Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University. As a component of her practicum experience this spring, Terra served as a lobbyist at Homeless Persons' Lobby Day in Annapolis, Maryland through the organization Healthcare for the Homeless. The purpose of the lobby day is to join students, advocates, people experiencing homelessness, service providers in advocating for public policies that will build a future without homelessness. Terra's ultimate goals are to obtain as Masters of Science in Health Education, Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health and work as a Community Health Educator and college professor.

Terra enjoys spending time with her family and friends and considers herself passionate about contributing positively to the community. Being apart of AGBM, will only enhance her contributions and commitment to the African American community.

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Stan Stovall is one of the most recognizable faces in Baltimore television broadcasting, having worked in this market more than 21 years. Stan rejoined the WBAL-TV 11 News team in April 2003 as co-anchor of the weekend editions of 11 News Today. We say, "rejoined" because this is Stan's second tour of duty with WBAL-TV 11. His first tour of duty began in 1978 until 1983, Stan served as the primary anchor for the weekday evening editions of 11 News.

Since his return to 11 News, Stan has climbed the ladder quickly. In August 2003, Stan was promoted to co-anchor of the weekday editions of 11 News Today and 11 News at Noon. Then, in October 2003, Stan was promoted once again to co-anchor 11 News at 5, adding to this morning duties. Stan also hosts "11 TV Hill," an 11 News public affairs program that airs on Sunday afternoons.

While most of Stan's work during his 33 years in broadcasting has been as a primary news anchor, over the years, he has also worked as a reporter, producer, film photographer and film editor. In 1988, Stan tried his hand at freelance reporting and spent nearly six months in south east Asia covering a civil war in Myanmar (formerly known as Burma). He spent half the time living in the jungle combat zones of Burma, and the rest working out of cities like Bangkok, Manila, Seoul and Tokyo.

His interest in international politics and investigative reporting have also taken him to Central America during the Contra War in Nicaragua. He traveled to Russia and the Ukraine before the fall of communism in the former Soviet Union. Stan also traveled to the Vatican City in Rome for the elevation of Baltimore Archbishop William Keeler to the College of Cardinals. Stan's primary hobby is fitness, having been a former competitive weightlifter and bodybuilder for more than 30 years. He is a former four-time State Powerlifting Champion and holds the former bodybuilding titles of Junior Mr. Arizona, Mr. Maryland, Mr. South Atlantic and Mr. Delmarva. Over his 33 years of broadcasting, Stan has been recognized by hundreds of civic, legislative, educational and charitable organizations for his untiring work in the communities he has served.

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