Join two passionate organizers as they collaborate with Black and Brown leaders who have experienced the profound impacts of mass incarceration and communal trauma. If you're eager to learn how to build power alongside these communities and support their healing process to create lasting change, this powerful training is an opportunity you won’t want to miss.
Catoya Roberts Catoya Roberts - Race and Power 2024
Catoya Roberts is a dynamic leader with a proven track record in effecting cultural change within organizations, spearheading successful campaigns, and securing significant funding for various causes. With a passion for leadership development and racial equity, Catoya serves as a nationally recognized trainer and facilitator, empowering individuals, and communities to drive positive change.
Currently Catoya Roberts is the Director of the Milwaukee Community Justice Council.
Formerly the National Director for Movement Building at the Children's Defense Fund (CDF), Catoya currently lends her expertise as a consultant to organizations across diverse sectors. As the owner of Inspired by Roberts, she leverages her entrepreneurial spirit to drive innovation and impact.
A co-founder of FREE, an advocacy group dedicated to reforming Wisconsin's incarceration system, Catoya is deeply committed to creating systemic change. Through FREE's collaboration with WISDOM Inc, she works tirelessly to raise awareness of incarceration issues and develop sustainable solutions. Additionally, Catoya is a certified Doula, providing essential support to women within the justice system.
Recognized for her leadership and commitment to equity, Catoya was appointed by Governor Tony Evers to the Public Health Council of Wisconsin. In this role, she champions racial equity initiatives and fosters diversity within the council. Catoya also serves on the boards of Gamliel Network and WISDOM Action Network, furthering her impact on social justice issues.
A graduate of the Robert Wood Johnson's Culture of Health Leader Fellowship, Catoya earned her BA from Hampton University. Ordained in 2016, she serves as an Associate Minister at New Covenant Baptist Church, integrating her faith into her activism.
Residing in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Catoya brings over 13 years of organizing experience to every endeavor. Her unique perspective, unwavering faith, and dedication to serving others continue to drive meaningful change in communities across the nation.
Ronnie Amiyn - Organizer and Mentor
Black Men Build (Ronnie Amiyn) https://www.freedomstl.org/who-we-ar
Ronnie joined Freedom Community Center in July of 2021, part-time, as a Power Builders Organizer where he canvasses and engages with the community, informing neighbors of FCC's mission while inviting them to the "We Keep Us Safe" Power Builders Meet Up. Today, he is a full-time, committed FCC team member expanding his role to include co-facilitating the Power Builders Meet Up, and mentoring people who have done violence towards becoming a healthy community member. Ronnie also leads our abolition work as a lead organizer with our campaign to defund SLMPD, Defund, Re-envision, Transform (DRT). Ronnie is training to be a Restorative Justice Facilitator who focuses on providing healing justice and support for community members that have experienced serious violence.
Before joining the FCC team, Ronnie was an organizer for E.X.P.O., the Housing Assistant for ‘Release To Rent,’ the transitional housing program coordinated by Criminal Justice Ministry, and a board member of Missouri C.U.R.E. Ronnie specializes in fighting male patriarchal violence against Black women, organizing against community gun violence.
Ronnie was incarcerated for 25 years in state prison, with approximately five of those years in solitary confinement. Ronnie is also a survivor of gun violence.
