Updated 05.28.25
We are excited to announce our keynote speakers for the 2025 Emotional Intelligence and Social Mobility Summit! More speakers will be announced soon. Please check out these incredible thought leaders below. Visit our 2025 Summit page for more event details and to register.
Thursday’s Keynote Speaker: Dr. Sonya McCoy-Wilson
About Dr. McCoy-Wilson
Dr. Sonya McCoy-Wilson is an Associate Vice President of Learning at Atlanta Technical College. She is also an Executive Coach, Consultant, and Professor. She was named one of the “2023 Top 40 Black Leaders Worldwide” by Black Leaders Worldwide. Dr. McCoy-Wilson’s academic and research interests are culturally responsive leadership, emotional intelligence, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, organization development, adult learning, and transformative professional development. Her most recent publication, “A culture of caring”: Leading differently in the twin pandemics was published in Equity in Education and Society. Her most cited publication was published in the Journal of Black Studies and is titled, “We have a Black professor?: Rejecting African Americans as Disseminators of Knowledge.” McCoy-Wilson is currently working on the link between emotional intelligence and bell hooks’ concept of “love as a practice of freedom.”
Dr. McCoy-Wilson is a native of Los Angeles, CA but has lived in Atlanta, GA for over 30 years now. She holds a Doctor of Education in Learning, Leadership, and Organization Development from the University of Georgia. McCoy-Wilson was also educated at the University of California Riverside and Georgia State University, where she received an M.A. in Literary Studies and a B.A. in English, with a concentration in Creative Writing.
Get In Touch!
@sonyamccoywilson
mccoywilsonconsulting
linkedin.com/in/sonyamccoywilson
www.sonyamccoywilson.com
We can’t wait to hear Dr. McCoy-Wilson’s keynote on Thursday, July 10th, at the 2025 Emotional Intelligence and Social Mobility Summit!
Friday’s Keynote Speaker: Dr. Melva Robertson
Dr. Melva Robertson brings over two decades of expertise in leadership development, organizational behavior, and communication strategy. She serves as an Assistant Professor of Management at Clayton State University. In August, she will take on the role of Director of the Center for Strategic Leadership Development in the College of Business at Clayton State University.
A Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach and ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC), Melva has been recognized as Teaching Professor of the Year in the College of Business at Clayton State University and is a frequent conference speaker and media contributor on topics such as retention, leadership effectiveness, and feedback culture. She has appeared on NPR, CBS, and several business and leadership-related blogs.
Dr. Robertson is the author of The Brand New Leader: Recognizing the Impact of Your Leadership Brand, with an expanded edition releasing in August 2025. We are thrilled that Dr. Robertson is joining us on Friday, July 11th, as one of our keynote speakers for the 2025 Emotional Intelligence and Social Mobility Summit!
Meet Our Other Esteemed Session Speakers
Dr. Davine Ricks
Topic: Emotional Intelligence: Ordered Steps to Unlock Your Fullest Potential & Succeed in Life, Career & Business
Participants will demonstrate an understanding of the definition and application of Emotional Intelligence (EI) principles in real-world scenarios across different professions; Develop increased self-awareness, empathy, and relationship management for effective leadership and service as evidenced by outcome based on an assessment tool; Strengthen communication and conflict resolution skills; Enhance team collaboration and engagement through Ei-driven strategies. A set of skills will be taught that enrich personal and professional interactions, leadership effectiveness, and overall well-being. Each participant will have the opportunity to build their own unique emotional intelligence toolbox. This toolbox will be filled with skills activated and ready to goas evidenced by measurable and expressed increased awareness of their skill set and their demonstrated ability to apply learned information.
Dr. Nancy J. Lewis – Instructor
Topic: Leading with Emotional Intelligence: Strategies for Effective Leadership
In today’s dynamic work environment, emotional intelligence is essential for inspiring teams, making better decisions, and fostering a positive organizational culture. Learn how self-awareness, empathy, and social skills can elevate your leadership effectiveness and drive sustainable success.
Zettler Clay IV
Topic: More Human Than Ever: Cultivating EI in the age of AI: A call to nurture emotionally intelligent youth in a tech-saturated world.
The thesis of my presentation is that emotional intelligence is core curriculum: schools must teach the heart as rigorously as the mind. Today’s youth are coming of age in a world where artificial intelligence can simulate empathy, curate friendships, and even offer life advice. But as technology accelerates, something crucial is being left behind: the emotional development of the next generation.
Elnora Farmer
Topic: Empowering Leadership Through Emotional Intelligence
Explore evidence-based practices to enhance your leadership capabilities using emotional intelligence. This workshop emphasizes self-awareness, motivation, and empathy to improve decision-making, foster team cohesion, and cultivate organizational resilience.
Karis D. Townsend
Topic: Workplace Resilience: Navigating Microaggressions with Emotional Intelligence
Equip yourself with practical tools to identify, address, and thrive despite microaggressions in professional settings. This engaging workshop explores subtle, often unintentional slights that can impact mental health, performance, and workplace culture. Drawing on research from organizational psychology and personal experience, Karis D. Townsend guides participants through strategies to respond professionally, advocate for inclusion, and build resilience. Leave empowered with skills to foster inclusive environments and navigate adversity with confidence and emotional intelligence.
Kisa Willis
Topic: Unleash Creativity & Resilience: Leading with Imagination & Innovation
Use improvisation exercises to boost emotional intelligence, adaptability, and confidence. This interactive session helps you sharpen active listening, handle uncertainty, and develop authentic human connections—key skills for thriving in a fast-paced, tech-driven world.
Lakeya N Stewart
Topic: Navigating Trauma and Healing in the Black Church Present Current
Pastors, elders, bishops, and ministers in general play a major role in the spiritual development of Christians. Jesus takes the role of pastor seriously and this is evidenced in scripture. Jeremiah 3:15 says, “And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.” 2) Participants will learn terminology like spiritual abuse, toxic leadership, trauma 3) Participants will learn basic coping skills on how to navigate trauma, particularly in the black church 4) Participants/Pastors will be able to identity signs and symptoms of members who may be experiencing spiritual abuse.
Omazing Rashed
Topic: Envisioning Trauma & Family Healing
Explore ways to rise above trauma and foster generational abundance. Includes movement and breathwork techniques to enhance emotional awareness, relaxation, and collective healing.
Naquilla Thomas
Topic: The ‘Let Them’ Theory: Cultivating Emotional Intelligence in Higher Ed
Discover how shifting from control to influence can reduce stress and improve relationships in higher education. This session offers practical EI strategies to foster a positive campus culture, enhance leadership, and manage conflict with empathy and clarity.
Heather Eddy
Topic: The ‘Let Them’ Theory: Cultivating Emotional Intelligence in Higher Ed
Discover how shifting from control to influence can reduce stress and improve relationships in higher education. This session offers practical EI strategies to foster a positive campus culture, enhance leadership, and manage conflict with empathy and clarity.
Kimberly Pyron
Topic: The ‘Let Them’ Theory: Cultivating Emotional Intelligence in Higher Ed
Discover how shifting from control to influence can reduce stress and improve relationships in higher education. This session offers practical EI strategies to foster a positive campus culture, enhance leadership, and manage conflict with empathy and clarity.
Pastor, Dr. Canzada Twyman
Topic: Enhancing Emotional Intelligence Through Faith-Based Principles
Strengthen your emotional intelligence using spiritual insights. This session explores how faith-centered approaches can nurture emotional growth, resilience, and community healing.
Pauline Warrior
Topic: The Ethics of Etiquette: Emotional Intelligence as a Foundation
Examine how emotional intelligence underpins ethical behavior and respectful interactions. Learn practical etiquette skills to foster professionalism, empathy, and inclusivity—creating environments where everyone feels valued and understood.
Vikki Glover
Topic: Cultivating Resilient and Collaborative learning communities through EI-driven approaches
Participants will deepen their understanding of emotional intelligence as a collaborative force in education and acquire practical strategies to transform traditional feedback into future-focused, feedforward communication. Through hands-on activities, they will assess their own EI patterns, recognize individual and shared strengths, and develop actionable plans to foster resilient learning communities and promote social mobility.
Brandee Kamillya Temmis
Topic: Balancing Emotions with DBT Skills
Discover practical Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills to manage intense emotions, improve relationships, and build resilience. This interactive workshop introduces core modules like mindfulness, distress tolerance, and emotional regulation—tools you can apply daily to foster emotional balance and well-being.
DL Maffett, Sr.
Topic: The Emotionally Intelligent Officer: Policing with Compassion & Control
Explore how self-awareness, empathy, and cultural insight improve police–community interactions. The session reviews U.S. policing history, pinpoints stressors that shape officer behavior, and offers EI tools that balance confidence with humility. Participants leave with strategies for de-escalation, team cohesion, and community trust. Georgia POST Unit 1QS05G; attending officers earn 1 hour POST credit.
Tamika L. Chase
Topic: Behind the Badge: Emotional Intelligence in Recruitment & Retention
Discover how emotionally intelligent hiring and leadership can curb turnover and boost morale. Learn to spot EI traits in applicants, embed empathy into department culture, and apply evidence-based practices that reduce burnout. Walk away with a step-by-step plan for building a resilient, service-focused force.
Dereko J. Robertson
Topic: Fostering Emotional Intelligence in Church Leadership
Healthy congregations start with self-aware leaders. This session shows pastors, ministry staff, and lay leaders how EI fuels personal growth, discipleship, and sustainable leadership pipelines. Participants craft an action plan to weave empathy, active listening, and emotional self-regulation into every layer of church life.
Albertine L. Walker Marshall
Topic: Navigating Emotions: A Biblical Lens on Emotional Intelligence
Examine seven primary emotions through Scripture. Through case studies and group dialogue, participants analyze biblical stories, uncover the spiritual meaning behind each emotion, and practice faith-based approaches for expressing feelings within supportive church communities.
Erykah Robinson
Topic: The Evolution of Black Beauty: Reclaiming Authenticity in a Changing Society
Trace the shifting narratives of Black beauty—from ancestral aesthetics to today’s social-media ideals—and learn how they affect self-perception. Through candid discussion and empowerment exercises, attendees practice self-care, resist unrealistic standards, and champion authenticity for themselves and their communities.
Tabitha Wilson
Mental Health Integration: Trauma, Faith & Healing in the Black Church
Historical, generational, and personal trauma often shape emotional health in Black congregations. This session unpacks those layers, confronts the stigma surrounding counseling, and shows how faith and therapy can work hand-in-hand. Participants analyze trauma’s impact, pinpoint barriers to open dialogue, and draft action plans that blend pastoral care with clinical resources—creating safer, more supportive church communities.
Rachel Murphy
Topic: Rebuilding Genuine Connection in a Digital Age
Explore how emotional intelligence can bridge the gap of digital disconnection. Learn strategies to foster presence, empathy, and co-regulation online and offline, creating more meaningful and resilient relationships in a technology-saturated world.
Rasheeda Darby
Topic: Inspiring Modern Leadership: Boosting Productivity with Emotional Intelligence
Shift from traditional command-and-control to inspirational, emotionally attuned leadership. Through engaging activities, discover how fostering intrinsic motivation and authentic connection can enhance team performance and long-term success.
Lydia Johnson, MS, LPC
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Topic: Grief and Emotional Intelligence: Navigating Loss with Compassion and Resilience
In a world marked by social upheaval and loss, this workshop emphasizes how emotional intelligence can foster resilience and deepen human connection during times of grief. Participants will learn to recognize diverse expressions of loss, regulate their emotions, and offer empathetic support. Drawing on the intersection of EI and emerging technologies like AI, attendees will leave equipped with practical tools to navigate grief with compassion, supporting personal healing and community cohesion.
Don’t Just Be Equipped, Be Inspired. Join Us In July!
We hope to see you at the Emotional Intelligence and Social Mobility Summit this July. As you can see from our list of amazing speakers, you are sure to find at least one topic of interest and we know you will walk away inspired. You can find more details about the Summit here.
When? July 9th, 10th, and 11th
Where? Clayton State University
Who’s it for? Educators, entrepreneurs, managers, nonprofit leaders, students, clergy, law enforcement, and anyone ready to lead with heart and impact.
Our Early Bird special ends June 16th, so register here today before prices go up and tickets run out!