Opening Remarks - Dr. Christopher Robinson, LSW, D.ED., MSW, LCSW
Dr. Christopher Robinson currently serves as the founding director and assistant professor of social work at Penn State Greater Allegheny in McKeesport. Professor Robinson is a native of Kalamazoo, Michigan, who earned a BSW degree from historically black Jackson State University and an MSW degree in community organization and social administration from the University of Pittsburgh. Robinson received a doctorate in education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and has professionally served greater Pittsburgh for 18 years.
Mistress of Ceremonies - Orlana Darkins-Drewery
Orlana Darkins Drewery is a renowned media, public relations and event management professional and a Pittsburgh native. The myriad performing artists booked for Pittsburgh events by The Darkins Group include Gospel artists and Grammy winners Fred Hammond, Yolanda Adams, Kirk Franklin and Vicki Winans; Grammy winner and superstar Fantasia; EGOT winner John Legend; and Grammy winner Esperanza Spaulding.
She is a professional speaker, writer, emcee, voice-over artist and a passionate advocate for young people. She founded Darkins Communications in 1994, which expanded as The Darkins Group in 2005.
Orlana is the co-creator of The Shyne Awards Foundation, an organization founded in 2007 and dedicated to promoting and celebrating positivity and the achievements of young adults with its signature event, The Shyne Awards, and its promotional outfit, The Shyne Network. She is the host and producer of the Mount Ararat Baptist Church online program “Mount TV” and hosted the weekly The Shyne Network Radio Show for five years. She now hosts "The Ohhh Show with Orlana Darkins Drewery" on iHeart Radio Media Platform.
She has long been a voice-over artist for churches across the U.S., including the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, the church home of the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Orlana holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Penn State University.
Keynote Speaker - Dr. Toya Jones, Ed.D, LCSW
Dr. Jones is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for the state of Pennsylvania. She is an Assistant Professor and director of the Bachelor of Arts Social Work program at the University of Pittsburgh. She is the founder and president of Freedom Indeed LLC, an organization that focuses on serving and empowering ex-offenders, returning citizens, and victims of crime, and she is the host of her Facebook and YouTube show, Healing Overflow with Dr. Toy. She has earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Indiana University of PA, a master’s degree in social work, and a doctorate in education from the University of Pittsburgh. Her current research focuses on trauma reactions in social work students, increasing the awareness of PTSD and self-care techniques amongst social work students, assessing burnout among BIPOC students, and integrating Cognitive Behavior Therapy and faith in the black church community. Dr. Jones is an expert trauma witness and consultant for the United States Federal Courts. She has extensive experience working with the incarcerated population and returning citizens who have been affected by crime. She is married to Rev. Cornell Jones and the proud mother of two children, Cornell “CJ” Jones age 15, and Naomi Jones age 12.