Black Summit Speakers

PRESENTERS

Dr. Marlene A. Saunders

Founder & President, Let The Truth Be Told Incorporated
Founder, The Black Agenda Group

Dr. Marlene A. Saunders earned her B.A. degree in Sociology from Delaware State College (now Delaware State University) in 1967. Subsequently, she earned the MSW degree and her doctoral degree in Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Work (now School of Social Policy and Practice) in 1972 and 2001, respectively. As a social worker, Dr. Saunders provided a variety of services to abused and neglected children, the elderly and Hispanic and African American communities in Delaware and Philadelphia.

Dr. Saunders worked at Delaware State University from 1985 to 2014 when she retired holding the position of Department Chairperson.

Dr. Saunders has studied and written articles on the history of racism in America, relationships across ethnic groups and the history of African Americans in social welfare in the United State. She is recognized as a Social Work Pioneer® by the National Association of Social Workers and has received special recognition for her work concerning social work regulation by the Association of Social Work Boards.

Dr. Saunders is on the boards of the League of Women Voters, Delaware and Delaware State University. She is a member of the Mt. Calvary United Methodist Church in Bridgeville, DE. She is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Alpha Alpha Mu Omega Chapter where she is chair of the chapter’s Connection and Social Action Committee.

Dr. Tony Allen

President, Delaware State University

Dr. Tony Allen is Chief Executive Officer of one of the nation’s most diverse, contemporary Historically Black Colleges and University (HBCUs): Delaware State University. He has served in the role since January 2020 and was previously Executive Vice President & Provost.

Having launched his career as speechwriter for then-United States Senator Joseph R. Biden, Jr., Dr. Allen then managed corporate reputation for financial services companies before joining DSU first as Provost.

With degrees in Political Science, Public Administration, and Urban Affairs & Public Policy, Dr. Allen has received the Whitney M. Young Award for Advancing Racial Equality, the National Urban League’s highest honor, as well as awards given by National Urban Fellows and Public Allies, among others. Appointed to President Biden’s Board of Advisors on HBCUs as Chair in 2021, Tony served in that role until January 2025.

Follow this link to review Dr. Allen's complete biography.

PANELIST

(listed in alphabetical order)

Rev. Dania Griffin
Pastor at Antioch A.M.E Church

Rev. Dania Griffin is the senior pastor at Antioch A.M.E Church in Frankford, DE. He has been the church’s pastor since 2014.

He Studied the New Testament at Interdenominational Theological Center, where he received the masters degree in divinity in 2001.

Subsequently, he earned the masters degree in social work at Delaware State University.

Rev. Griffin has served on the board of the Southern Delaware Alliance of Racial Justice. In addition, he is a contributor to Black Voices and Let The Truth Be Told.

Dr. Elijah Mickel
Educator, Scholar, and Advocate

Dr. Elijah Mickel, MSW, MA, DSW, CRT, is an accomplished educator, scholar, and advocate for cultural unity and community well-being. As a retired professor and former Chair of the Department of Social Work within the College of Health and Public Policy, Dr. Mickel has dedicated his career to advancing the field of social work and promoting African-centered therapeutic approaches.

Dr. Mickel’s academic journey includes earning advanced degrees from Howard University and the University of the District of Columbia. He is a Certified Reality Therapist and a respected faculty member at the Institute for Reality Therapy, where he educates practitioners in culturally responsive care. His scholarship has produced an array of books and peer-reviewed journal articles, particularly focusing on Africa-centered therapy, health policy, and the practice of perfect loving, all of which have contributed significantly to discourse on mental health and wellness in diverse communities.

A frequent keynote speaker, Dr. Mickel is sought after for his thought leadership on issues of diversity, equity, and the importance of cultural perspectives in healing. He is a proud U.S. Navy veteran whose service has informed his lifelong commitment to public service and community empowerment. Through his teaching, writing, and advocacy, Dr. Mickel continues to inspire students, professionals, and community leaders to pursue social justice, holistic well-being, and the celebration of cultural heritage.

Natasha Mullen

Founder and CEO of Milestones Consultants, LLC

Natasha Mullen, M.Ed., LPCMH, LMSW, ACS is a licensed mental health clinician, speaker, trainer, and clinical supervisor with more than 25 years of experience in mental health, trauma-informed care, and community leadership. She is the Founder and CEO of Milestones Consultants, LLC, where she provides counseling, supervision, training, and consultation services throughout Delaware. Natasha specializes in supporting children, adolescents, women, and families impacted by trauma, anxiety, depression, and emotional challenges using evidence-based approaches including TF-CBT, EMDR, and Internal Family Systems (IFS).

In addition to her clinical work, Natasha has served as an adjunct professor at Wilmington University and has facilitated numerous workshops and presentations focused on trauma-informed care, school mental health, and healing-centered support for girls and women. She is also the co-founder and leader of the Unique Leadership Program, a mentoring initiative empowering youth through leadership development, emotional wellness, and community engagement. Natasha is passionate about helping individuals feel seen, supported, and empowered to heal and thrive.

Dr. Akwasi P. Osei

Emeritis Professor, Delaware State University

Dr. Akwasi P. Osei is Professor of History and Political Science in the Department of History, Political Science and Philosophy at Delaware State University. He chaired the department for 15 years and served as the Director of its Global Societies Program. He went on to serve as Interim Dean of the College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences from January 2021 to December 2023, after serving as Associate Dean for 8 years.

He earned his college and graduate degrees at Oberlin College, Ohio University, and Howard University, Washington, DC. His expertise is in Africa in the international system, Global Studies, International Political Economy; Multicultural/Interdisciplinary Education; and the Global African.

His latest publication is the updated textbook, Where Do I fit? My Place in the Global Community in 2025. His Recurrence and Change in a Post Independence African State, published in 1999 was reissued in 2003 in paperback.

Dr. Osei has been a Chesapeake Scholar at the University of Virginia; a Ford Foundation Fellow at Howard University; a Distinguished Visiting Professor at the University of New Mexico; and Fellow, Robeson Faculty Institute, Institute for the Arts and Humanities Education, New Brunswick, NJ. Delaware State University honored him with its Faculty Excellence Award for Service.

In May 2026, the University appointed Dr. Osei Emeritus Professor on his retirement on June 1, 2026.

Website: https://www.ourhistorymatters.org/

Marie Pinkney
Senator (SD 13), State of Delaware

Sen. Marie Pinkney represents the 13th District, which stretches from the Christiana River south to Porter Road and encompasses dozens of neighborhoods along U.S. Route 13, Del. Route 7, and U.S. Route 40.

Raised by her great aunt in Wilmington and New Castle, Pinkney graduated from Howard High School of Technology. She earned her bachelor’s degree in social work from Norfolk State University and a master’s degree in social work from Delaware State University

After graduate school, she began working at a treatment center for adolescents with mental health and substance abuse issues. She also became the foster mother to a teen mother and her young son for many years.

Sen. Pinkney, a licensed clinical social worker, was employed as a social worker/case manager at ChristinaCare until 2024, when she left to pursue a second master’s degree in Africana Studies from the University of Delaware. She has dedicated her career to advocating alongside families seeking quality healthcare, access to resources, educational support, and government policies that support them.

Sen. Pinkney became the first African American LGBTQ+ person ever elected to the Delaware Senate in 2020. She is dedicated to fighting the negative impacts of racial and socioeconomic inequalities, as well as the stigmas and hurdles faced by formerly justice-involved individuals and those with limited educational backgrounds.

She currently serves as chair of the Health & Social Services committee, vice chair of the Corrections & Public Safety Committee, and a member of the Senate Executive and Judiciary committees. She also holds a seat on the Joint Capital Improvement Committee.

Wanda Russell

Business Professional, CEO, Realtor®, Author, Financial Columnist,
Motivational Speaker, Wife, and Mother

Wanda Russell is a native of the Washington DC Metropolitan Area. She received her bachelor’s degree in business administration from South Carolina State University, a masters, with honors, in Business Management from Strayer University and an Honorary Doctoral Degree in Pedagogy (Art of Education).

Mrs. Russell is a seasoned business professional with over 28 years of experience in residential and commercial real estate, life coaching and financial coaching. In real estate, she is an acclaimed, award-winning Realtor® with Keller Williams in the D.C, Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia Metropolitan Area and a long-time member of many associations such as the National Association of Realtors, Women’s Counsel of Realtors, Prince Georges County Association of Realtors, and Sussex County Association of Realtors, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, National Notary Association and Real Estate Ladies Rock Organization.

Wanda has also found time as a Dual Career Realtor to publish books targeting business professionals pursuing multiple career interests titled (The Dual Career Real Estate Agent and Do the Hustle) all on Amazon and a children book focusing on entrepreneurship and financial education. Along with the two books on building multiple streams of income, she has a patent real estate floor plan product (Home Design in a Bag) that was published in 2023. Through real-estate, she developed and designed an App on the Apple Store for dual career individuals to help achieve work -life balance. Investing and flipping homes up and down the east coast, she shares and educate others on building wealth.

She also travels as a motivational speaker and workshop presenter educating individuals on the importance of financial literacy. Despite the many hats she wears, Mrs. Russell maintains a God, her family and community by always finding time to give back and inspire others to define their own success, and to live a life of high achievement.

Website: https://www.mydualcareer.com

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