Fostering Solutions

Debby Weinstein: A Community Treasure

It was my honor to chat with Debby Weinstein, a little over two months before she transitions to retirement. A renowned, passionate West Virginia leader, Deb has served as CEO of the YWCA Charleston since July 1997. Her work with the YWCA began in 1983 when she spent a year as a residential advocate for battered women and children in the YWCA’s emergency shelter, Hope House. Debby devoted the next nine years to serving as the Director of the YWCA Sojourners Shelter for Homeless Women and Families. Deb left Charleston for family reasons in 1983 and after a four-year stint as the Executive Director of YWCA Missoula, she returned in June 1997 to assume the position that she holds today.

 

Debby has worked with numerous boards, coalitions, and committees to find solutions for such issues as racism, poverty, health care for the indigent, homelessness, elder abuse, and others. She is a graduate of The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington. 

Spiritual Women Leading The Way: Judge Deborah

This special episode of Fostering Solutions is a compilation of two messages I recently shared at my church – Ferguson Memorial Baptist – in Dunbar, West Virginia. They are both about Judge Deborah from the Bible. Take a listen and I pray that you are inspired by the life of a formidable woman in the Bible.

 

Denitra Bruer: A Bodybuilding Chemical Engineer

A West Virginia native, Denitra Bruer is an Environmental Health and Safety Improvement Manager with Dow Chemical Corporation in Freeport, Texas. Denitra earned her undergraduate degree from West Virginia University and a Master of Science degree from The Ohio State University, both in chemical engineering. Denitra’s engineering career spans over 20 years and includes positions in process engineering, project management, quality management systems, site logistics, and environmental health and safety, all with Dow.

 

Not only is Denitra a chemical engineer, but she also has a passion for people and fitness. She began her fitness journey as a personal trainer for Bally’s Fitness while working on her master’s degree. She is a NASM-certified Personal Trainer and Fitness Nutrition Specialist. An award-winning, professional bodybuilder, Denitra’s passion is fitness: classes, in-person and in-app training, and bodybuilding coaching.

Oma S. Holloway: Building on Community Strength

Oma S. Holloway, Chief Operating Officer, joined Bridge Street Development Corporation in 2015 as Director of Community Engagement spearheading Youth Workforce Development, Tenant Support Services, and Economic Development. She has over 25 years of professional work experience managing and consulting with non-profit programs and organizations in New York City. As Chief Operating Officer, Oma manages Bridge Street’s economic development initiatives, grants management, and youth workforce development portfolio that includes the growth and expansion of merchant association; Open Streets in Bedford Stuyvesant; Commercial District Needs Assessment; and technical assistance for small business owners. Oma secures over 1100 paid internships annually for young adults to support local businesses and not-for-profit organizations in addition to expanding program services for young adults at Bridge Street to include Cure Violence and Restorative Justice programs.

 

Bridge Street Development Corporation is a 501c(3) non-profit organization with a mission to provide civic and economic opportunities to the residents of Central Brooklyn with an emphasis on low-to moderate income residents. They do this by building partnerships with businesses, government, and other community stakeholders. Since 1995, Bridge Street has continuously worked to serve the Bedford Stuyvesant and Central Brooklyn community and has become a trusted provider of information, economic development, affordable housing and social services, as well as a convener of community engagement activities.

Dr. Kristi Dumas: It’s Time to Get Unstuck

Dr. Foster’s guest on this episode of Fostering Solutions is Dr. Kristi Williams Dumas. Kristi is a native of California and transplant to West Virginia. She received a Bachelors of Science from California University Bakersfield, a Masters of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy from California State University Northridge, and a Doctorate of Psychology with an emphasis in Forensics from Argosy University of Orange. She has worked in the mental health field for over 25 years. Dr. Dumas is a forensic psychologist by trade. She is recognized as a qualified expert witness and routinely provides court testimony on the local, state, and federal levels. Kristi and her husband own Dumas Psychology Collective, a licensed behavioral health center and The Brain Training Center WV, a wellness center that offers neurofeedback brain training, yoga, and holistic health classes. Kristi is dedicated to the betterment of her community through philanthropy and civic engagement. She is the newest member appointed to the Governor’s Council-Public Education Subcommittee for the State of West Virginia. Her role is to develop initiatives and campaigns to reduce the stigma around mental health. Dr. Dumas serves as a Commissioner on the Raleigh County Human Rights Commission. Kristi is honored to be the West Virginia Alumni Fellow of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation where she represents and advocates for the over 5.5 million military caregivers across the nation. She is a member of American Psychology Law Society, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, The Links Incorporated, Beckley Rotary Club, and Downtown Beckley Business Association. Kristi is co-host of the Bloody Mary Quilt Society Podcast and the author of the book Unstuck: Moving Toward Your Ideal Life. 

Assignment Guyana: Hannah Porter Pursuing her Passion in the Peace Corps

Assignment Guyana: Hannah Porter Pursuing her Passion in the Peace Corps 

 

Hannah Porter, a 2022 graduate of Angelo State University, accepted an assignment to serve in the Peace Corps. She left her home in Austin, Texas earlier this week to spend the next 27 months teaching in Guyana, South America.  A native of Guyana, Dr. Foster speaks with Hannah in this episode about pursuing her passion for teaching in the land of many waters.

 

Changed Assignment: President Ericke Cage

Changed Assignment: President Ericke Cage

President Ericke Cage is Dr. Foster’s guest on this episode of Fostering Solutions. The 13th president of West Virginia State University, President Cage is a native of Halifax County, Virginia. He joined the university in July 2021 as vice president and chief of staff and was subsequently appointed by the Board as the university’s chief operating officer on July 30, 2021, with responsibility for managing the day-to-day operations of the university. Since assuming the leadership of West Virginia State University, Cage has prioritized institutional stabilization and operational optimization, renewal of the “state spirit,” the development and expansion of high demand academic programs, and the cultivation of a diverse range of internal and external relationships to support WVSU’s forward momentum and growth.

Under Cage’s leadership, the university was able to obtain historic levels of state funding for its land-grant programs and Healthy Grandfamilies program during the recently concluded state legislative session. Also, the university recently obtained a more than $700,000 grant from the Kanawha County Commission to launch a Cybersecurity Innovation Center at WVSU in fall 2022. Plans are also underway to add the university’s first doctoral degree program in education.

Prior to joining WVSU, Cage most recently served as executive advisor to the president and Board of Visitors at Norfolk State University in Norfolk, Virginia – where as a member of the university’s executive management team he served as principal advisor to the university president and board of visitors on matters related to institutional policy making, governance, government relations, and university ombudsman. Cage also served as speechwriter for Norfolk State’s presidents and board chairs.

While at Norfolk State University, Cage led the university’s 2019-2025 strategic plan committee, served as the chief architect of the university’s 2019-2020 self-assessment, and modernized the university’s policymaking process to improve decision making and compliance. As a former education lobbyist, Cage was instrumental in expanding Norfolk State’s presence and impact on Capitol Hill and before the Virginia General Assembly.

He directly supported outreach efforts that helped Norfolk State secure the largest state appropriation in the history of the university. While at Norfolk State, Cage also authored a successful $2.7 million grant proposal to support student access, retention, and completion. As the principal advisor and speechwriter to Norfolk State’s presidents and governing board chairs, Cage played a pivotal role in developing the institution’s strategic priorities and crafting the narratives that helped to move these priorities forward. As university ombudsman, he advanced a culture of care and inclusion at Norfolk State by serving as a confidential resource for employees as they worked through issues of conflict and challenge.

Prior to joining Norfolk State University, Cage served as director of government affairs for Teach for America, and also served as state policy and research director for the Obama-Biden 2012 reelection campaign. Cage served as legislative counsel for U.S. Congressman Tom Perriello, where he managed a legislative portfolio that included federal education, healthcare, defense, and veterans affairs policy. Cage also served as a law clerk for the U.S. Department of Defense, and a legislative fellow for the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs. He also served as a congressional fellow in the office of U.S. Congressman Keith Ellison. During law school, he completed summer legal placements in the New York City Law Department’s Special Litigation Unit and at Prudential Financial Corporation. Cage began his professional career as a high school government teacher in his hometown of Halifax County, Virginia, where he was recognized as teacher of the year by the senior class in 2004.

Cage is a graduate of Virginia Tech and the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets where he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science with a minor in leadership studies. He holds a juris doctorate from the Rutgers University Law School, where he served as an Associate Editor of the Women’s Rights Law Reporter, Associate Editor of the Rutgers Business Law Journal, Member of the Rutgers Moot Court Board, and Third Circuit Governor of the American Bar Association’s Law Student Division. Cage holds a masters of law degree in litigation and dispute resolution from the George Washington University Law School. He is also a graduate of the United States Air Force’s Air Command and Staff College and the University of Virginia’s Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership.

Cage currently serves on the boards of the Mountain East Conference, the West Virginia State University Research and Development Corporation, and the West Virginia State University Foundation. He is a past board member of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Alumni Association and the U.S. Selective Service System (local board). Cage is an active member of the Rotary Club of Charleston, West Virginia.

Matt Young: There’s a Runner in You

Matt Young, Head Coach of Genesis Running, is Dr. Foster’s guest on this episode. Dr. Foster was coached by Matt for several years and is a 10K runner. She believes that any able-bodied person can run and it’s a wonderful way to get and stay fit. The Genesis 5K Program is a great way to start your running journey. There are several classes during the year in three locations. The next one starts on September 26. Check out genesisrunning.info for more information.

 

In Matt’s words, “I’ve raced on roads and trails in events from 5ks to 100 miles, century bike rides, and triathlons but I don’t win races.  I’m not a superstar runner, but I’ve learned some things along the way that have helped me improve over the past 23 years and I love to share those lessons with others.   I’m a Road Runner Club of America certified coach and have been certified to teach natural running, running the way the body is made to do it.  The Genesis 5k training program started in 2007 after I watched my dad, who at the age of 64, went from barely running ¼ mile to running a 4-mile race in just nine weeks.  So I thought, if it works for him it can work for anyone.   Since 2007 we’ve had over 3500 people in the Kanawha Valley learn to run through Genesis Running.  Running is the easiest, most affordable, most portable, and most efficient exercise you can do but so many people don’t know where to start, and that’s why I’m here to help.” 

LaKeisha Barron-Brown: Making INROADS for Youth

LaKeisha Barron-Brown: Making INROADS for Youth

LaKeisha Barron-Brown is Dr. Foster’s guest on this episode of Fostering Solutions. A native of Detroit, Michigan, LaKeisha has lived in Charleston, West Virginia, for most of her life. She is a South Charleston High School and Marshall University graduate. 

 

LaKeisha has an extensive professional background in providing therapeutic services to the substance abuse population. In 2013, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals hired her to serve as the Probation Officer/Coordinator for the Putnam County Adult Drug Court, a newly created program within the Putnam County area. After leaving Putnam County, she later went on the work for Aetna as a Medicaid Members’ Advocate. However, as LaKeisha has enjoyed working with the substance abuse population, she recognized her true passion was working with the youth. 

 

LaKeisha is currently the INROADS College Links WV Program Manager. This position allows LaKeisha to help foster personal, educational, and leadership development skills among traditionally underserved minority high school students. As an INROADS alumnus, LaKeisha can attest to how the program influenced her college and career success. As a result, she desires to ensure that scholars within the area have the same opportunities. 

 

In her spare time, LaKeisha is devoted to impacting the community. On October 26, 2021, LaKeisha lost her 21-year-old son to COVID-19, and since his passing, she has found strength in serving her community through her grief. She has made it a mission to educate the community on COVID awareness and the importance of getting vaccinated. She has also authored a self-help journal entitled: Loss of Self: Turning Sorrow into Service ™ and an autobiography titled Through the Eye of a Crack Soul. LaKeisha recognizes that her strength to “Survive” is a guiding force in inspiring and uplifting others. 

 

In 2020, LaKeisha was selected as a WVSSAC Girls’ Basketball State Tournament official. Not only was it an honor for her to be chosen, but she made history as the First African American woman to officiate a WVSSAC Girls’ Basketball Tournament. Alongside making history as the first African American woman, the three-person crew was also African American, which had never occurred in West Virginia. LaKeisha is currently the Vice President of the Charleston-Institute Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority, Inc., a devoted mother, grandmother, and a community advocate for the citizens of Charleston, particularly the youth.

Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Confirmation: Perspectives from Black Female Attorneys

Attorneys Kitty Dooley, Stephanie Coleman, and Nicole McConlogue join Dr. Foster on this special episode of Fostering Solutions to share their perspectives on the confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson as a Justice on the US Supreme Court.

Katherine L. “Kitty” Dooley has been a practicing attorney for more than twenty-nine years.  She is the principal of The Dooley Law Firm, P.L.L.C. where she concentrates her practice in plaintiff’s personal injury, employment and administrative law. Click here for a detailed bio.

Stephanie M. Coleman is the Director of the Low Income Taxpayer Advocacy Clinic at West Virginia University College of Law. Click here for a detailed bio.

Nicole McConlogue is an Associate Professor and Clinic Director, primarily teaching in the Litigation and Advocacy Clinic at West Virginia University School of Law. Click here for a detailed bio.