CONSULTANTS & FACILITATORS

DR. JOY DEGRUY
Consultant & DEI Workshop Designer

COLLABORATIVE HISTORY
with writer, Mehr Mansuri
& the Creation of Henry Box Brown:
A Musical Journey

Dr. Joy DeGruy is a nationally and internationally renowned researcher and educator. Dr. DeGruy’s research focuses on the intersection of racism, trauma, violence and American chattel slavery. She has over thirty years of practical experience as a professional in the field of social work. She conducts workshops and trainings in the areas of intergenerational/historical trauma, mental health, social justice, improvement strategies and evidence-based model development.  Dr. DeGruy holds a PhD in Social Work Research; a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication. For over two decades, she served as a Professor at Portland State University’s School of Social Work and now serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Joy DeGruy Publications Inc., and was recently awarded a $500,000 from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Award alongside of Black Parent Initiative, with co-Founder, Bahia Overton. Dr. DeGruy has published numerous referred journal articles and book chapters and authored her seminal book entitled “Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome: America’s Legacy of Enduring Injury & Healing.” She has also developed an assessment scale for measuring respect with regard to African American male youth.

HBB Collaborative history:
Dr. Joy Angela DeGruy – has served both as historian and consultant to writer / Co-composer, Mehr Mansuri, and serves on the HBB Advisory Board. To advance the DEI work (diversity, equity, inclusion) and the core mission of the HBB production, Dr. Degruy has contributed to several key areas of the HBB programmatic development including:

·       The design and implementation of an immersive theater model intended to offer the HBB acting company a safe space for deeper exploration and preparation for the performance work, with a goal to preventing reinjury for actors of color.

·       The design and implementation of audience-driven workshops, breaking down barriers between audience and actors, offering audiences an opportunity to join as protagonists in the racial healing process.

·       The design and implementation of ‘Train the Trainer’ – a professional development program for both HBB cast members as well as educators- who wish to explore and lead anti-bias workshops through the power of theater as a tool for moral reasoning.

Says Dr. Joy in a recent interview: “I have no words to express how amazing they are and how humbled I am to have been a part of your journey…. the show was indeed a success and countless people were deeply moved and transformed. Our folks fell in love with you, your play and your wonderful cast. Thank you for allowing me the privilege of serving.”

Livestream Interview with Dr. Joy DeGruy, Mehr Mansuri and panelists on Dr. Joy’s Wellness Wednesday Program.

-DR. DEGRUY BIO-

Dr. Joy Angela DeGruy – is a nationally and internationally renowned researcher and educator. Dr. DeGruy’s research focuses on the intersection of racism, trauma, violence and American chattel slavery. She has over thirty years of practical experience as a professional in the field of social work. She conducts workshops and trainings in the areas of intergenerational/historical trauma, mental health, social justice, improvement strategies and evidence based model development.  Dr. DeGruy holds a PhD in Social Work Research; a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication. For over two decades, she served as a Professor at Portland State University’s School of Social Work and now serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Joy DeGruy Publications Inc., and was recently awarded a $500,000 from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Award alongside of Black Parent Initiative, with co-Founder, Bahia Overton.

DR. DEGRUY LINKS & EVENTS

DR. JOY DEGRUY – author of Best Selling “Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome”

Dr. DeGruy has published numerous refereed journal articles and book chapters and authored her seminal book entitled “Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome: America’s Legacy of Enduring Injury & Healing.” She has also developed an assessment scale for measuring respect with regard to African American male youth.

Be the Healing Conference 2021 
with Dr. Joy DeGruy

OCT 9, 2021 | 8:30AM - 6:00PM

DR. MICHELLE CHAMBLIN
Touring Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Facilitator
Education Consultant

DR. MICHELLE CHAMBLIN

HBB, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Facilitator

Dr. Michelle Chamblin is a tenured professor in the Division of Education at Molloy College. Early in her career, she worked for Planned Parenthood as a Community Health Worker at the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. She counseled youths and worked closely with pregnant teenage mothers. Michelle continued her service in health care and joined the United States Peace Corps. Michelle worked for the Ministry of Health in Sierra Leone, West Africa in health clinics that served children and families with the goal to decrease infant mortality and increase the general health and welfare of the community through education.  Upon returning to the United States, Michelle worked as a Foster Care caseworker and in time transitioned to a Homefinder and Parent trainer. In her desire to continue to serve children and families, Michelle decided to become a Special Education teacher. She attended Columbia University as a Returned Peace Corp Volunteer and Urban Fellow. Michelle has taught students in a variety of settings from K-12. In 2003, Michelle joined the faculty at Molloy College. Her professional pursuits and publications address special education, inclusive environments and improving education for all children. Michelle's greatest aspiration is to encourage everyone to become lifelong learners; especially her triplet daughters who teach her something new every day.

As the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Facilitator, Dr. Chamblin’s main task is to build-into the HBB rehearsals and tours – a daily, interactive and instructive program which explores the implication and application of HBB’s production along side of the Company’s anti-Bias, Anti-Discrimination, Anti-Harassment / Bullying policies.

Now in its 4th year, Dr. Chamblin has implemented the Company’s primary and programmatic vision towards creating a safe-space for an immersive experience, engaging all cast and crew. As a professional educator and tenured professor of education, Dr. Chamblin attends all casting, rehearsal, tech, travel and performances. As such, she provides a unique and most comprehensive lens into all programmatic events (onstage and off) thereby cultivating a culture of learning, self-reflection and action upon reflection.

NANCY NELSON EWING
Touring Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Facilitator
Education Consultant

NANCY NELSON EWING

Nancy Ewing aka Nan Lyn Nelson - has served on the HBB Advisory Board since 2017 and helped craft the HBB Touring DEI Facilitator role (for HBB tour in Savannah, GA in 2020). She is a professional actress (bway and TV); an award winning playwright; and the program director of Circle of Unity, a 15 year racial healing community-based organization. Ms. Ewing helped design, implement the role of an ‘in rehearsal’ HBB DEI Touring Facilitator and she joined Mehr Mansuri, HBB Writer and Interim Tour Director, to share this uniquely immersive DEI position, with AEA’s Business Reps, Kathy Mercado in 2019.

BIO: Ms. Nelson is a veteran professional of the stage and screen and a published award-winning playwright. Her Broadway credits include original Bway role of Nikki Kay Kane in the TONY nominated musical, RUNAWAYS, OPEN ADMISSIONS and Angela Bassett’s replacement in August Wilson’s JOE TURNER’S COME AND GONE. Nan is aa veteran star of episodic television, commercials, films and daytime television, including LAW AND ORDER; ALL MY CHILDREN; VIKKI on the PBS children’s series: THE BLOODHOUND GANG; NBC’s HOT HERO SANDWICH; and recurring guest star on THE COSBY SHOW and most recently in Patrick Wang’s, critically acclaimed film: A BREAD FACTORY. As a playwright: Nan (aka N.N.Ewing) is a recipient of the prestigious Susan Smith Blackburn international women’s playwriting contest in London for her play: LEAVING WATERMAINE and Crossroads Theatre’s New African American Voices. Her play GLORY! Received its World Premiere at the iconic Dixon Place 2019, NYC. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English/Drama.  NANCY NELSON EWING - LINKS & EVENTS  PROPHESY TO THE BONES: And Other Stories Black Fox Whisper, an original work commissioned by DCP and written by Nichole M. Palmer Directed by Nan Lynn Nelson

HBB HISTORY:
Ms Nelson Ewing has been serving on the HBB Advisory Board since 2017, and joined the cast and crew of Henry Box Brown as an Education Consultant and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Facilitator (DEI). A long-time alumni and constant student of Dr. Joy DeGruy’s workshops and facilitation training,  Nancy helped craft and launch HBB production’s first traveling DEI Facilitator - who’s role would not only include post-show workshop facilitation for general and student audiences, but also to accompany the full cast, crew and creatives of HBB on a profound journey of self-reflection and mindfulness, in the pursuit of understanding of the human condition, and the recognition of our ultimate oneness as a humanity. Some key milestones in her HBB journey includes:  1) Meeting with the Actor’s Equity Association and their Diversity Strategist to suggest ways to clear obstacles and craft a new pathway to membership for actors of color;  2) Recognizing how dialogue and empathy are inextricably linked, she designs and implements highly engaging, interactive and audience-driven workshops for students, faculty and community builders;  3) Designs and implements ‘mindfulness workshops’ - for full cast and crew - allowing for a safer and more meaningful rehearsal process; recognizing the possibility of ‘re-injury’ for actors of color while performing this show;  4) Prevention methodologies towards interpersonal problem solving.  

-NANCY NELSON EWING BIO-
PERFORMER & PUBLISHED PLAYWRIGHT

Ms. Nelson is a veteran professional of the stage and screen and a published award-winning playwright. Her Broadway credits include original Bway role of Nikki Kay Kane in the TONY nominated musical, RUNAWAYS, OPEN ADMISSIONS and Angela Bassett’s replacement in August Wilson’s JOE TURNER’S COME AND GONE. Nan is aa veteran star of episodic television, commercials, films and daytime television, including LAW AND ORDER; ALL MY CHILDREN; VIKKI on the PBS children’s series: THE BLOODHOUND GANG; NBC’s HOT HERO SANDWICH; and recurring guest star on THE COSBY SHOW and most recently in Patrick Wang’s, critically acclaimed film: A BREAD FACTORY. As a playwright: Nan (aka N.N.Ewing) is a recipient of the prestigious Susan Smith Blackburn international women’s playwriting contest in London for her play: LEAVING WATERMAINE and Crossroads Theatre’s New African American Voices. Her play GLORY! Received its World Premiere at the iconic Dixon Place 2019, NYC. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English/Drama.

NANCY NELSON EWING - LINKS & EVENTS

PROPHESY TO THE BONES: And Other Stories Black Fox Whisper, an original work commissioned by DCP and written by Nichole M. Palmer Directed by Nan Lynn Nelson