Continued Black Excellence, Grand Opening of CONBUD in NY, and more!

[View this email in your browser]( Michael’s Monday Motivation The saying what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, shouldn't always reign true. I just returned from an incredibly inspiring weekend of Black Excellence led by Congressman & Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus Steven Horsford along with House Democratic Leader Jeffries, House Ranking Member Congressman Gregory Meeks...and then some guys learning how to perform named Usher and Lionel Richie! In this season when we need to celebrate Black greatness, it was right on time. Continued Black Excellence will happen this week when we celebrate the official grand opening of CONBUD in New York and attend the 37th annual National Organization of Black County Officials, being hosted in Charlotte, NC. We won't stop until everyone realizes their KAIROS. Weekly KAIROS Conversation with: Patrick Cokley Member, President’s Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges & Universities Sr. Program Officer, Equity and Social Justice Partnerships, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation  As a disability advocate, Patrick has worked to bring issues of inclusion to the forefront of all communities. Patrick comes to RWJF with extensive experience in supporting communities that have been marginalized from the tools and resources they need to fully participate, and in creating communities that are supportive of their values and experiences. In his most recent role as the Chief of Organizing Advocacy and Learning at the youth civic organization Civic Influencers, Patrick developed a data-driven leadership and mentoring program designed to give young people the tools and resources to be deliberate participants in the civic process, and ensure that Black, Latino, Asian, Indigenous and LGBTQIA+ and Youth with Disabilities are able to effectively use their civic voice.  He has worked extensively to support the recruitment, retention and advancement of individuals with disabilities at work and in community. In a previous role as director of the Workforce Recruitment Program at the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy, Patrick coordinated the largest referral and recruitment program for individuals with disabilities in the Federal Government as well as engaged Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, and Tribal Colleges to engage and support students with disabilities for federal service.  Patrick is a graduate of Howard University and serves on the President’s Board of Advisors for Historically Black Colleges and Universities. He is also a founding member of the Lead On Network, which seeks to spread the word about disability and inclusion. Patrick also regularly speaks on issues related to disability history, pop culture and disability portrayals in comics, sci-fi, and entertainment media. He finds prepping to speak at comic book conventions harder than speaking at the White House! Originally from South Carolina, Patrick Cokley is Low vision and the parent of children with disabilities. -and- Alvin Irby Founder & Executive Director (Chief Reading Inspirer) BarbershopBooks.org Alvin Irby is nationally recognized early childhood educator, social entrepreneur, national speaker, comedian, and author. He is Founder and Executive Director (i.e. Chief Reading Inspirer) at Barbershop Books, an award-winning literacy organization that inspires Black boys and other vulnerable children to read for fun. Irby won the 2023 SXSW Community Service Award, was named a PepsiCo Foundation and Doritos 2023 Black Changemaker, and received the 2016 National Book Foundation’s Innovations in Reading Prize for his work expanding book access for children. His popular TED Talk "How to inspire every child to be a lifelong reader," has been viewed over 1 million times. Irby’s keynotes and workshops invite educators, librarians, and caregivers to think deeply about how to expand reading opportunities and cultivate the reading identity of children. His talks have been described as informative, inspiring, engaging, and humorous. Irby is passionate about helping education leaders better understand and address the systemic challenges that inhibit children’s intrinsic motivation to read and learn. Irby’s debut children’s book, Gross Greg, showcases his passion for early literacy and humor. Alvin Irby earned his Masters of Science in Childhood Education from Bank Street Graduate School of Education, Masters of Public Administration from New York University’s Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service, and a Bachelors of Arts in Sociology from Grinnell College. Where Leaders Learn & Leaders don't have to Lead. See you Wednesday! Wednesday, October 18 · 1:00pm – 2:00pm EST Video call link: [( Or dial: ‪(US) +1 651-571-1259‬ PIN: ‪460 226 103‬# More phone numbers: [ [Join our KAIROS Community]( [Our KAIROS Website]( [Contact for Sponsorship Information](mailto:andrew@endcitizensunited.org) [Purchase Tickets]( [RSVP To Support Mayor London Breed]( 2023 37TH ANNUAL NOBCO CONFERENCE Join Atlas Strategy Group at the 37th Annual National Organization of Black County Officials Conference in Charlotte NC October 18th - 22nd. Michael Blake will be speaking on the Opioid panel Saturday October 21st at 9am. [Register Here]( [RSVP CONBUD Grand Opening]( Join us on Wednesday, October 25th at 6pm! Michael Blake will be reading an excerpt from the book An Inconvenient Cop by Edwin Raymond. [RSVP]( [Get Tickets Here]( Save the Dates: KAIROS @ Somos November 8-12, 2023 San Juan, Puerto Rico [Website icon]( [Instagram icon]( [LinkedIn icon]( [YouTube icon]( [Facebook icon]( Copyright (C) 2023 Atlas Strategy Group. 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