It is Time!
The Conscious Convening Confab
Mr. James W. Smith, Jr., is a native of New Bern, North Carolina. He attended Shaw University, where he double-majored in International Studies and History with concentrations in Middle Eastern and African Studies. Mr. Smith has dedicated his life to working with at-risk populations within the school system and in the community. He is currently a high school social studies teacher and has previously worked as a student coordinator specialist, Alternative Education Coordinator, mentor, and Case Manager for anti-poverty programs. He is a proud member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated, and serves as the current president of the Duplin County Branch of the NAACP. In his spare time, Mr. Smith enjoys reading, watching Jeopardy, and co-hosting the podcast “Them Smith Boys” with his brother. He has been married to his lovely wife Tanya for 27 years. They have three children, Maya, Morgan, Cameron, and one grandson, Jayden.
Mr. Smith’s favorite quote is :
“It must be borne in mind that the tragedy of life doesn’t lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach. It isn’t a calamity to die with dreams unfulfilled, but it is a calamity not to dream. It is not a disaster to be unable to capture your ideal, but it is a disaster to have no ideal to capture. It is not a disgrace not to reach the stars, but it is a disgrace to have no stars to reach for. Not failure, but low aim is sin.”
― Benjamin E Mays
Dr. Shakiera Causey is a dedicated community health research scientist with a passion for advancing public health through evidence-based research and advocacy. With a background in human development and family studies, psychology, epidemiology, and health policy, Dr. Causey specializes in analyzing social determinants of health, health disparities, and community-based interventions. Their work focuses on translating research into actionable policies that promote health equity and improve access to care for underserved populations.
As the founder of Higher Cause Consulting, Dr. Causey leads initiatives that empower communities through education, policy advocacy, and collaborative partnerships with healthcare providers and policymakers. Their efforts and work have been shared domestically and internationally, centering on the health experiences of communities of color. Dr. Causey remains committed to fostering healthier, more equitable communities through research-driven advocacy and grassroots engagement.
Dr. Shakiera T. Causey
CEO/Lead Consultant, Higher Cause Consulting
Senior Principal Research Scientist, National Network of Public Health Institutes
Contributing Faculty, Walden University
Dr. Sonia Sumner serves as a Regional Behavioral Coach with the NC Healthy Social Behaviors Initiative, dedicated to empowering early childhood educators across eastern North Carolina. She provides services in counties in region 2 which are: Craven, Pamlico, Beaufort, Hyde, and Tyrrell, addressing critical topics such as enhancing the social and emotional development of young children and implementing strategies to minimize suspension and expulsion rates in early childhood programs.
She has over 20 years of extensive experience in various roles, including Head Start and Early Head Start teacher, Family Service Worker, an assistant infant and toddler teacher with the family literacy program and preschool teacher. Currently, she is employed with Craven Smart Start CCR&R as one of their behavioral coaches. Dr. Sumner’s expertise extends to higher education, having previously taught early childhood developmental studies as an adjunct professor at the University of Mount Olive and as an instructor at Craven Community College. Her recent research on early childhood educators training and support for addressing challenging behaviors of students exemplifies her dedication to improving preschool education quality.
Her holistic approach emphasizes not only professional development and training but also supporting the mental health needs of educators, fostering strong relationships with parents, and promoting collaboration between early childhood educators and their administration.
Dr. Sumner holds a BS in Early Childhood Education from the University of Mount Olive, an M.S. in Early Childhood Education from Nova Southeastern University, and a Ph.D. in Education and Organizational Leadership from Liberty University.
Her longstanding commitment to early childhood education is further demonstrated by her 19 years of service with Craven Smart Start CCR&R, where she has played a pivotal role in advancing the organization's mission while continuously pursuing her professional growth.