Raising Him Alone campaign features thought-provoking workshops, series of community forums addressing a variety of diverse topics (legal resources, financial literacy, mental health support, health & nutrition & educational advocacy). The Kick Off also features workshops, resource fair and an intimate panel discussion featuring several celebrity mothers who have raised boys become men. The mothers include the following: Dr. Mahalia Hines (mother of rapper Common), Dr. Brenda Greene (mother of rapper and activist Talib Kweli) and Sheron Smith (mother of Grammy nominated actor and rapper Mos Def). Other featured speakers include: Meshelle, Cassandra Mack, Richard Rowe, Adeyemi Bandale, Baruti Kafele, Kenneth Braswell and Joel Austin.

	President/CEO of Daddy UniverseCity, Inc. Mr. Austin is a formidable force in the fatherhood movement. His dual-role as a practitioner/single father and his straightforward feedback, wisdom and commitment to fatherhood have earned him global recognition as an emerging leader in the parenting community and business world alike. Austin is the CEO of Daddy UniverseCity Inc. A company dedicated to supporting positive fatherhood.
	Executive Director of Fathers, Inc. Mr. Braswell is a sought after speaker that addresses issues related to fathers rights and parenting. Mr. Braswell is nationally recognized for his work across the country working to improve relations between fathers and their families.
	Professor of English and Executive Director of the Center for Black Literature at Medgar Evers College of the City University of New York Professor Greene's research and scholarly work includes composition, African American literature, and multicultural literature. She is Director of the National Black Writers Conference and Greene is editor with Fred Beauford of Meditations and Ascensions: Black Writers on Writing, Third World Press, 2008.
	Principal of John Hope College Prep High School, Chicago Dr. Mahalia A. Hines is currently the principal at John Hope College Prep High School (6th -12th) in Chicago. Mahalia was the principal at Thomas Hendricks Academy a (pre-k-8) elementary school in Chicago. She is a mentor for prospective principals and a coach for first year principals for Chicago Public Schools' Leadership Academy, and Advisor/Coach for new principals of small high schools in East Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Hines received her doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Illinois, Masters from Northeastern University and Under-graduate degree from Central State University. Dr. Hines is the mother of actor and rapper Common.
	Founder and CEO of Strategies for Empowered Living, Inc. Affectionately donned, *The First Lady of Urban Self-Help,* Cassandra Mack, MSW, bridges clinical approaches with practical approaches to empower women. Cassandra is a nationally respected consultant and author. She's written and published several successful books including: The Single Mom's Little Book of Wisdom, Cool, Confident and Strong: 52 Power Moves for Girls, and The Black Man's Little Book of Encouragement. Cassandra is the founder and CEO of Strategies for Empowered Living Inc. asocial enterprise that focuses on personal growth and empowerment through educational workshops, empowering events, media broadcasting and books that inspire.
	Motivator, Educator, Author Author of the Essence Magazine best-selling book, A Black Parent's Handbook to Educating Your Children (Outside of the Classroom) and A Handbook for Teachers of African American Children. Nationally-renowned motivator, educator and author, "Principal" Baruti Kafele is on a personal mission to motivate, educate and empower Black and Latino parents, children, their teachers and administrators, the world over. In these times of alarmingly low student achievement levels within the Black and Latino communities throughout the U.S., Principal Kafele brings a message of hope & empowerment. His message is powerful, inspiring, energizing, thought-provoking & candid. He inspires administrators, teachers, parents and students to accept nothing less than academic excellence!
	Comedian, Actress, Motivational Speaker Meshelle has performed at the NAACP National Convention's Act-So dinner and the Sally Jesse Raphael Show- in both settings she received standing ovations. Meshelle was featured on a five-city tour with, "The African American Women on Tour (2000), featuring Debbie Allen, Bertice Berry, Marcia Ann Gillespie, Debrena Jackson Gandy and other noted women. In addition, Meshelle has provided opening performances for Patti LaBelle and Regina Belle. Meshelle performed as the lead actress (Michelle, portrayed by Kimberly Elise in the Motion Picture) in the acclaimed stage drama written by Bishop T.D. Jakes and Grammy Award winning writer, Terry McFadden, "Woman Thou Art Loosed" (1998), based on the best selling novel written by Jakes. Meshelle appeared on the BET special "Speak Out" moderated by acclaimed journalist Kevin Powell, alongside Russell Simmons, Reverend "Run", Etan Thomas and many others.
	President and Chief Operating Officer of the African American Male Leadership Institute Mr. Rowe is the President and Chief Operating Officer of the African American Male Leadership Institute, which is a resource development, information sharing and advocacy organization. The primary mission of the AAMLI is to advocate for the optimal development of African American males and to connect African American men to family life. With over 25 years of experience, Mr. Rowe has provided training to hundreds of volunteers, educators and organizations. He has lectured locally and nationally on issues related to mentoring; male leadership and responsibility; enhancing single mother-son relationships; and fatherhood. Mr. Rowe graduated from both the University of Baltimore and Morgan State University. He is a contributing writer to several local and national publications and Web Sites, including Black Parenting Magazine, A Good Black Man. Com, The Journal of Black Manhood, and Black Fatherhood.
	Author, Motivational Speaker Sheron Smith, mother of Grammy Nominated actor and rapper Mos Def. Sheron raised her family in a one of Brooklyn's toughest neighborhood Roosevelt housing project. Smith is the author of Shine Your Light: A Life Skills Workbook. Smith a sought after speaker has a powerful story being a single mother raising a highly successful son in a toxic society.