With 20 plus years of social work and community advocacy, andenduring the deaths of several black males close to him from hypertension-induced cardiac conditions, these elements became catalysts for the development that is now Black Men’s Wellness. Darrell seeks to leverage community knowledge, relationships, and locality, to create a resource network of relationships for community empowered education experiences to change health outcomes for Black men. He brings compassion, wit, wisdom and fury to the complex journey of community healing, where we have the tools to create healthon our own terms.

After gaining valuable experience in the field, Christopher entered Portland State University where he earned his Masters Degree in Social Work. His area of expertise is working with juveniles, from early childhoodto adolescents in schools, outpatient treatment programs, residentialtreatment programs and juvenile corrections. Christopher is most knownfor his Hip Hop social worker podcast talking to other social workers andsharing his “Why not me?” philosophy with listeners.

Michael "Libretto" Jackson is the father of two and founder of Bretto Chisel Fitness. Throughout life's hardships, Libretto has discovered the key to mastering his body weight, managing his blood pressure, and maintaining the right mindset as he works toward personal health and wellness. Bretto Chisel Fitness was founded with the mission to motivate others to reach their personal goals both mentally and physically. As a facilitator for Black Men's Wellness, Libretto plans to focus specifically on health and wellness for African American males, teaching them the same principles and mindset he has learned and applied to his own health and wellbeing.

DDuoshun Pledgure is chef/owner of Bearded Chef PDX, a food business that specializes in small event catering and made to order meals. Taught by his mother and grandmother, Duoshun learned to cook as an adolescent, preparing meals for his younger siblings while his mother worked. Necessity quickly revealed a gifting and passion which translated into the dream of owning his own food business and making an impact in his community.

As a facilitator for The Black Men's Wellness Initiative, the "Bearded Chef" desires to raise awareness on the importance of nutritional health in the African American community through providing food demos, cooking classes, workshops, and culturally specific community events that will show African American men they can still enjoy the foods they love in healthier ways.