With the re-release of Psalmayene 24’s ‘Dear Mapel,’ Mosaic is partnering with Project GoodMen for a conversation on the beauty and diversity of Black manhood, intergenerational mentorship, and the power of the arts. Our Creative Conversation will explore the transformational act of sharing our stories, celebrate the DC programs empowering Black men, and amplify the spectrum of Black male identity. Featuring local and national organizations, artists, and community leaders, this event will spotlight artistic expression and make a deep-dive into how we continue to struggle for and co-create mutual liberation.
PANELISTS & ARTISTS
DARIO DURHAM
Founder of B Posi+ve Productions
Dario is a Chicago comedian and producer, and the co-host of the podcast B Posi+ive: The Chicago Stories and his second collaborative comedy album, “Laughter Is Good for the Soul”, debuted on iTunes at #1!! He’s also the co-founder of We Can Do Better, a community organization aimed at proactively creating positive change. Most recently he is the new co-producer and host of a new show at Zanies Comedy Club, “Wednesdays After Work”.
GABRIEL T. BROWN
President Mu Nu Chapter, Omega Psi Phi
Gabe Brown is a highly respected executive with 25+ years in healthcare technology, healthcare operations, and leadership. He served in the United States Navy and retired after 30 years of dedicated, uninterrupted service, during which time he was on 7 deployments and held influential positions to include Deputy Chief Information Officer, Navy Medicine; Officer in Charge (OIC), Chief Operating Officer, Admiral Joel T. Boone Health Clinic, Virginia Beach, VA; Deputy Chief Information Officer, Joint Task Force National Capital Region - Medical; Chief Information Officer Expeditionary Medical Facility (EMF) Kuwait; Chief Information Officer, Naval Hospital Oak Harbor, WA; and Chief, Market Technology Integration Office, Defense Health Agency. Gabe is a sought-after expert in large information technology transformations and all facets of hospital technology implementation. Gabe currently serves as Chief Executive Officer for Tenacity Solutions, LLC, a Federal Center for Veterans Enterprise (CVE) certified service-disabled Veteran owned small business (SDVOSB).
Gabe enjoys spending time with family, vacationing, and playing golf. Gabe serves as the President (Basileus) of the Mu Nu Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc, in Montgomery County, MD and leads the chapter through numerous community service activities including academic scholarship activities, an annual talent competition for high school students, and partnerships with churches to minimize the impact of food shortages. Further, Mu Nu is known for the Saturday School Program, The George B. Thomas Sr., Learning Academy, Inc which has provided tutoring and mentoring to thousands f children since 1986.
Gabe earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Columbia College, a Master of Science in Health Services Administration from Central Michigan University, and a Master of Science in Information Systems Technology from The George Washington University. Gabe is also a graduate of the National Defense University, Federal Chief Information Officer Program.
DR. CLARENCE LUSANE
Professor and former Chairman of Howard University's Department of Political Science
Dr. Clarence Lusane is a full Professor and former Chairman of Howard University’s Department of Political Science. He is an author, activist, scholar, lecturer, and journalist. For more than 40 years, he has written about and been active in national and international human rights, anti-racism politics, Diaspora engagements, U.S. foreign policy, democracy building, and social justice issues such as education, criminal justice, and voting rights. He earned his B.A. from Wayne State University, and both his Masters and Ph.D. from Howard University in Political Science.
As a scholar, researcher, policy-advocate, and activist, he has traveled to over 75 nations. He has lectured and conducted field research on human rights in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Brazil, Cambodia, Colombia, China, Cuba, Germany, Guyana, Guadeloupe, Ireland, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, North Korea, Pakistan, Panama, Rwanda, South Africa, South Korea, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, and Vietnam among others.
In addition to his scholarship on global relations, Dr. Lusane has been an official international election observer in Haiti and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He spent two and one-half years living in London conducting research on racism and human rights in Europe, and working closely with European governments and institutions such as the European Union, the Council of Europe, and the Helsinki Commission, as well as many non-governmental organizations and community groups.
He has taught and been on the faculty at Medgar Evers College, Columbia University and American University, and been a visiting professor and lecturer in the France, Japan, New Zealand, Russia, South Korea, the UK, and Ukraine. Dr. Lusane is the former Co-chair of the Civil Society Committee for the U.S.-Brazil Joint Action Plan to Eliminate Racial Discrimination, a bi-lateral agreement involving the U.S. and Brazilian governments and civil society in both nations. The venture created collaborative cross-national anti-racism projects in the areas of education, health care, employment, environment, and criminal justice. He has also been a political consultant to the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, and many elected officials. He is also a former Commissioner on the DC Commission on African American Affairs.
In 2013, he served as a special on-air guest expert for C-SPAN’s coverage of both President Barack Obama’s second inauguration, and the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington, and frequently is interviewed and asked to provide commentary on both national radio and TV programs such as MSNBC, CSPAN, Democracy Now!, the Tom Joyner Show, and other popular programs.
His most recent book is The Black History of the White House. The book has been presented on two occasions at the White House. His other books include Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice: Foreign Policy, Race, and the New American Century; Hitler’s Black Victims: The Experiences of Afro-Germans, Africans, Afro-Europeans and African Americans During the Nazi Era; Race in the Global Era: African Americans at the Millennium; and Pipe Dream Blues: Racism and the War on Drugs among others. His next book, $20 and Change: Harriet Tubman, Andrew Jackson, and the Struggle for a Radical Democracy, is scheduled for release in 2021.
DAVID STREET
Founder and Executive Director of P.E.N. (Promote, Enrich and Nurture) DMV
David Street is a native of Washington, D.C. and has over 10 years of grassroots organizing and engagement experience. He also serves as Deputy Director of Grassroots Organizing for Bread for the World.
Outside of his work in the organizing space, Street also serves as the Executive Director for P.E.N. (Promote, Enrich and Nurture) DMV, a non-profit that specializes in mentoring and social media training with high school students and aspiring leaders living in Washington, D.C., New York and Paris, France.
Street received his Bachelors in Political Science from North Carolina A & T State University and holds a Masters in Theology from Wesley Theological Seminary.
Among his honors and distinctions, Street is an ordained minister at Mt. Sinai Baptist Church here in Washington, D.C. Street was selected as a 2017 “National Christian Innovative Leader” by Duke University and is a member of the National Minority Quality Forum’s inaugural “40 Under 40” Leaders in Minority Health. Street has also been featured in Black Enterprises “100 Modern Man” series, is a former member of D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s Commission on African American Affairs, and is also proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.
OWEN MANNING
Past Vice President, Nu Beta Chapter, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity
Owen Manning is a senior studying Business Administration from Atlanta, GA. Manning is also a candidate for the Masters in Management program at GW. He is studying at George Washington University on a full-tuition leadership scholarship from the Posse Foundation that encourages students to make an impact on student life and improve their campus communities. During his time at GW, he has worked closely with University leadership to do just that. In his role as President of the Black Student Union, he worked closely with the President of the University to improve the student experience for Black students and other students of color at the University. Meanwhile, he executed over 30 large events during his tenure, focusing on mental health, professional development, and various other elements to improve the student experience of his constituents. Manning is a member of the Nu Beta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated and has served as Vice-President of his chapter. Currently, Manning is a Fellow at Values Partnerships, a social impact agency based in Washington, DC. He also acts as a Project Specialist for NIW Design, an event management company. Owen's plans for the future are to work at the intersection of business and social impact, to improve the lives of underrepresented groups across the country.
LEVAR JONES
Founder and Executive Director, Project GoodMen
For the past 22 years, LeVar A. Jones has worked unapologetically to ensure that young people discover and thrive in their God given purpose. Entering Christian ministry at the age of 14 at Washington, DC’s historic Shiloh Baptist Church, LeVar’s service to youth is based on his philosophy of “Relational and Relevant.” He currently serves as the Minister of Youth & Young Adults at The New Macedonia Baptist Church in Southeast Washington, DC, under the leadership of Pastor Patrick J. Walker. In December of 2020, he launched his nonprofit organization, Project GoodMen, an innovative and inter-generational mentoring experience focused on Ensuring the Legacy of Black Manhood.
Through the years, LeVar has served as both youth pastor and nonprofit professional, developing initiatives in the Washington DC and Baltimore areas, most recently and for nearly a decade, with Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington. His impact still registers in the lives of the youth and families, many now who have entered adulthood, graduated college and are living successful adult lives.
A passionate advocate for young people and youth work, LeVar is a mentor to many young people and other youth pastors and workers across the country and abroad. He has traveled to South America and the Philippines, to minister and help develop youth work in these countries. He serves his community through several other avenues including a board member for Aya, Inc, a nonprofit organization committed to empower young women of color and as a Commission with the District’s Commission on National and Community Service., also known as ServeDC.
A native Washingtonian, lover of the arts and avid chef, LeVar resides in the District of Columbia and lives his life based on Galatians 6:9, “Be not weary in well doing, for in due season, you shall reap, if you faint not!”