Leadership Team
fun facts
Dr. Clinton Boyd, Jr is the driving force behind Fathers, Families, & Healthy Communities (FFHC). A passionate advocate for strengthening Black families, he firmly believes in recognizing Black fathers as invaluable assets to their children, families, and communities.
As a scholar-practitioner, Dr. Boyd has co-authored numerous articles, book chapters, and policy reports showcasing his work with Black fathers. His community work spans from research and teaching as a professor, to program design and implementation, to delivering keynote speeches on social and racial justice.
Dr. Boyd received a Bachelor of Arts from Concordia University Chicago, Master of Arts from DePaul University, and Ph.D. from Georgia State University. Dr. Boyd also completed postdoctoral training at Duke University.
Dr. Boyd lives in Chicago,IL and cherishes his role as the proud father of two children. He lives by his life motto: "Speak the truth even when it is bitter."
Dr. Clinton Boyd, Jr.
Executive Director
Visiting The W.E.B. DuBois Centre for Pan African Culture in Accra, Ghana.
Where’s your dream vacation?
Remaining calm under pressure.
What’s your superpower?
Encouraging my children to “do better than good enough.”
What’s your favorite part about being a father?
Fun Facts
Meet our Board
Harry Alston, Jr.
Board Member
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Joseph Mason
Board Member
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Joseph J. Mason, II
Board Member
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Diante’ D. Adams
Board Member
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Reverend Dr. Robert C. Jones, Jr.
Board Member
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Sequane Lawrence
Board Member
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Michael Bennett
Founding Board Member
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Born in Atlanta, Georgia, but currently resides in Chicago, IL He is known for his strategic eye, organizational capacity building, and commitment to advancing Equity and Inclusion in many sectors. Harry enjoys sharing his knowledge and experience as a father with other male parents. Watching his son grow into manhood from a boy brings him great joy. He’s passionate about advancing social and economic justice for Black people, learning about and seeing Black culture, and reading mysteries and detective novels. What is he most proud of? Being a parent to an amazing son, contributing to the genesis of NXG Motorsports Academy, completing his doctorate (Ph.D. in Leadership and Change Management), being part of a team to win an exhibit design competition for the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry that featured Black entrepreneurship, and last but not least, persevering to graduate from General Motors Institute in the 70s!
In addition to serving on FFHC’s board, Harry is a Board member with NXG Youth Motorsports Academy, introducing young Black girls and boys to the world of motorsports and all the associated possibilities related to the field. He is also a Board member with Sustainable Connexions/OVC International, which works to advance the well-being of youth in the US and Africa (Ghana). In addition to his Board duties, Harry is the Senior Vice President of Strategy and Innovation for Safer Foundation.
Education: Ph.D. in Leadership and Change at Antioch University earned a Bachelor of Industrial Administration degree from General Motors Institute of Technology (marketing and organizational behavior) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from Indiana University (Fellowship Award – Consortium for Graduate Study in Management).
He is Level II Certified in the TMZ/Berlitz Cross Cultural Orientations Approach. Other certifications includes: certified Master Facilitator & Trainer (“New Work Habits for A Radically Changing World”, Pritchett & Associates); certified Facilitator & Trainer (Lead Diversity Program, First Card Corporation).
Board Member
Harry Alston, Jr.
Meet Joseph! A Chicago native and proud retiree from State Government, known for starting the first fatherhood program in Illinois, Choices for Fathers, driven by his passion for Fathers and the well-being of children. Outside of FFHC, Joseph is the CEO of Joseph Mason & Associates consultant, specializing in outreach and recruitment strategies for aging, fatherhood and intergenerational programs. His current community service work includes outreach and recruitment, highlighting his operations and program expertise. What does he enjoy most about parenthood? Being a father and having grandchildren!
Board Member
Joseph Mason
Joseph J. Mason II is currently the Assistant Principal at Kenwood Academy High School. Prior to this role, Joseph was a Chief of Schools at North Lawndale College Prep and a Principal at Urban Prep Charter Academy for Young Men – Englewood Campus. Prior to being an administrator, Joseph taught Special Education at Urban Prep, beginning his teaching career as a Teach for America (2013) Corps member. Joseph has his Bachelors in Sociology and Africana Studies from Union College (NY), a Masters in Teaching from National Louis University, and a Masters in Educational Leadership from Columbia University (NY). Joseph is currently in the process of receiving his doctorate in Curriculum Studies from Depaul University.
Joseph has won numerous awards for his work as Principal including Chicago Defender Men of Excellence Award, and the FITC Foundation President's Award. Joseph was also a member of CPS Greater Expectations Mentoring program which focuses on leaders within Chicago Public Schools.
Joseph is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., a founding board member of Project OneTen – which works to help elementary school students’ transition into high school and is a business owner and most importantly a father.
Board Member
Joseph J. Mason, II
Diante’ D. Adams is a zealous Educational Professional with 15+ years of experience in helping educational departments streamline programs and deliver top-notch educational services. Adept at building healthy relationships with stakeholders and clients, he leverages his years of experience and passion for delivering dedicated service to help educational institutions and businesses meet and exceed clients’ expectations and augment productivity. Diante’ is an expert communicator with strong interpersonal skills and possesses the perfect mix of leadership, organizational and analytical attributes. As an avid seeker of knowledge, he is always on the lookout for an opportunity to learn new things and presently researching his opportunity to pursue his Doctorate in Education (Interdisciplinary Studies) at Governor State University.
Diante’ D. Adams has built a strong reputation in the education industry and has the luxury to serve the leading client-focused business entities. Diante’ maintained liaison with key stakeholders, contractors, and vendors and proficiently facilitated meetings, and resolved project-related issues. Previously, he held the position of Academy Training Manager and had the opportunity to work alongside the Chicago Police Department (CPD) & Chicago Policing Initiative (NPI). In this role, his training efforts were central to CPD’s efforts to improve policing in Chicago and work collaboratively with residents like you to create a shared vision of public safety.
Before this, Diante’ served in the United States Navy Submarine Force. He oversaw the Human Resource and Training-related management services in his department. Diante’ was stationed in Naples, Italy under two-star Admiral Munns and was liable for managing global reports, administration, and services for all Deployed Naval ships in the Mediterranean Sea and Submarine.
Group 8 Command. Diante’ believes in being the change one wants to see around you. He advocates giving back to the community you belong to any way you can and is a formidable community servant. Diante’ has used his skills creatively to help better the quality of life for the participants of the Chicago Urban League’s programs. Diante’ has worked tirelessly to educate, empower, and serve Chicagoans and the veterans’ community.
Board Member
Diante’ D. Adams
Now in his 44th Year of Pastoring. The third of four children. Helen Dye, Marilyn Jones, and Kenyton Jones
Education:
- East St. Louis, Illinois public School System District #189.
- Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, Illinois.
- Mid-Western Theological Seminary, Kansas City, Missouri
- Anchor Theological Seminary, Texarkana, Arkansas
- Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Springfield, Illinois
- Neighborhood Reinvestment Training Institute of Atlanta, Georgia
- H.U.D. Homeownership Center of Chicago, Illinois
- Harvard University at Cambridge, Massachusetts. Currently the President of the Greater New Era District Congress of Christian Education where the Dr. Jarvis J. Hanson is the Association Moderator.
Board Member
Reverend Dr. Robert C. Jones, Jr.
Meet Sequane! A Chicago native who's passionate about liberation and knowledge. He's known for his executive management and as a community economic development practitioner, activist and public policy thought leader. He is a human workforce and youth development practitioner. Outside of FFHC, Sequane is the President and CEO of Revolution Institute and is heavily involved in African-Centered Rites of Passage and Mentoring Programs and board and civic engagement. He takes pride in being consistently present in the life of his family and community. What is he most proud of? His commitment to family, his dedication to volunteer work, institutions he's helped build, and the work he’s done to help others.
Education: Master of Science in Community Economic Development
Board Member
Sequane Lawrence
A proud Ohioan Buckeye, born and raised in Sandusky, who’s passionate about family and social and economic equity. He’s known for his community economic development expertise and the development of Imani Village, a 26-acre site at 95th and Cottage Grove Ave. Michael enjoys watching a young man grow mature into manhood, hence his passion and participation in establishing FFHC. He is also proud of his involvement and dedication to establishing the Endeleo in Institute at Trinity United Church of Christ. Outside of FFHC, Michael is an Associate Professor of Sociology at DePaul University. In addition to his teaching, Dr. Bennett has served as executive director of the Monsignor John J. Egan Urban Center (EUC) at DePaul University (1997-2008).
Education: BA from Kent State University, and his MA and PhD from The University of Chicago.
founding Board Member
Michael Bennett
"Throughout history, the powers of single black men flash here and there like falling stars, and die sometimes before the world has rightly gauged their brightness."
