ABOUT ME
MY STORYDr. Stephens story begins with him initially attending a segerated elementary school back in the 1960s. His older brother was murdered in the 1980s by two white soldiers while on active duty. Dr. Stephens tells the story of how the murder of his brother took him emotionally from hurt and hate to healing and hope. Dr. Stephens shares how he had to overcome his hate and mistrust of white people while serving in the Army. His story of forgiveness and reconciliation allows him to currently serve in the pulpit of an historically (137 years old) African American Church with the Ex-Grandragon of the Klu Klux Klan. Dr. Stephens is currently a full professor at Southeastern University where he has been teaching and developing graduate and undergraduate courses in multicularism, diversity and interracial communications since 2007.
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS AND PRESENTATIONS
Currently teach graduate Multiculturalism course 2007-present
Currently teach undergraduate diversity course 2007-present
Taught undergraduate core diversity course 2018 - 2020
Taught Interracial Communication course 2018 -2022
Can You See Me; Presentation to Strong Tower Church for their annual MLK celebration 2018
Can You See Me; Presentation to over 500 African American professionals of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. 2018
Can You See Me; Spoken word presentation to 150 faculty addressing issues of race and racism in academia 2016
Fathers Missing, Invisible and Absent (MIA) to Available, Involved, Making A Difference (AIM) 2015; Addressed the issues of Minority Fathers Missing from their children’s life.
Moderator for City of Bartow Community Relations Committee, Culture Cuisine and Conversation Multiculturalism Panel Discussion 2014
Moderator of Multiculturalism panel discussion Polk County Florida 2013
Eastside Positive Action Youth Summit: Release, Believe, and Achieve, April 20, 2013
Florida Baptist Children Home: Cultural Sensitivity Training October 17, 2012
Florida Baptist Children Home: Cultural Sensitivity Training 2011
CREDENTIALS
Education
Ph.D. Human Services
Walden University, Minneapolis, MN, (2004)
M.A. Degree in Pastoral Counseling Liberty University Lynchburg Va., (2014)
M.P.A. Degree in Public Administration with a concentration in Advance Justice Administration, from Troy State University, Troy, AL (1995)
BA Degree in Criminology, from Saint Leo College, Saint Leo, FL, (1993)
CERTIFICATIONS & CERTIFICATES
Graduate Certificate (18-hours) Military Resiliency, from Liberty University Lynchburg Va., (2017)
Human Services Certified Board Practitioner (2010)
Compassion Fatigue Educator Certification Course (2007)
Compassionate Fatigue Therapist Certification Course (2007)
Small Group Instruction Workshop Certificate, (1990)
Guidance and Counseling Course Certificate, (1990)
Decision Making and Problem Solving (2006) IS-00241
Effective Communication certificate (2006) IS-00242