About Us
Who We Are
The Father’s Group was founded by several black fathers who were concerned about the experiences their children were having both in school and in the broader community. They met initially to share thoughts, concerns and advice, yet soon realized they needed to take more concrete action to secure our next generation’s future. The Father’s Group is Black-led, but it embraces collaboration and cross-cultural influences, operating not just a group, but also as dedicated individuals who are doing great work in the community in education, business and social services. Priorities for The Father’s Group include building community by overcoming racial discrimination, increasing diversity in all sectors of society, providing a safe space for people to talk and share experiences, helping students set and complete educational goals, promoting minority-owned businesses and helping residents achieve financial independence.
The Father’s Group meets the 1st Thursday of the month at 5:30pm at The Haven. Please contact us at info@thefathersgroup.com if you are interested in attending or learning more about the group.
Mission
Vision
The Father’s Group envisions:
- Youth Education: By motivating, inspiring and providing access to educational resources, our legacy will be increasing cultural literacy, knowledge and understanding within the Black community.
- Leadership: Through mentorship and education we seek to foster the leadership potential within the Black community.
- Community Advocacy: Through our community advocacy we seek to reduce systemic targeting and harm towards the Black community.
Our Executive Director
Kenny Adams
Executive Director & Board President
Our Board of Directors
David Merritt
Board Vice President
CEO of Connectin’ Tha Streets Entertainment, brings his 20+ years of experience working with various labels to assist aspiring artists with writing, recording, and performing music, father of one daughter.
Tashia James
Board Treasurer
Secretary and Treasurer of Connectin’ Tha Streets Entertainment; able to talk first-hand about the challenges of being a mother of black children growing up here in Bend and not understanding why they are being treated differently from their peers.
Skyler Brown-Evans
Board Member
Skyler Brown Evans, a Central Oregon resident for 30 years, is a versatile education-focused entertainer, comic book artist, and former living history museum presenter. Currently involved in community development, she serves as the assistant for the Ujima After School program, a Board member for The Father’s Group, and is expanding her skills in real estate, showcasing a commitment to diverse and impactful contributions to her community.
John Charles
Board Member
John is the President of P.I.R.S. By SriPonya and the owner of John John’s Barbecue Sauce. As a National Quarterback trainer, he also serves on public service committees across the Northwest, including the CLEAR Alliance and the City of Prineville Budget Committee. John holds a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Portland State University and an Associate’s from Foothill Junior College. He has been inducted into the Portland State Football Hall of Fame as a Quarterback and received the Jefferson Award for Public Service. Above all, he values his role as a father to his daughter.
Sinclair Kamanya
Board Member
Bio Coming Soon
David Chisholm
Board Member
A professional chef for over 20 years, songwriter, father of four sons; able to talk about the difficulties and challenges of raising young black men in Bend, and the double-standards and discrimination that they faced growing up.
Aisha Ali
Board Member
Aisha Ali serves as Executive Director of Career Girls. Aisha studied business at New York University. She was an original member of the planning committee to bring an NAACP Charter to Central Oregon before plans were tabled in late 2021. She continues to donate her time to help BIPOC organizations fund and produce successful events.
Anita Sergeant
Board Member
Anita, originally from Tennessee, has a deep passion for social justice and community development. A Navy veteran, and emergency management planner community service has contributed to housing revitalization initiatives in economically distressed communities throughout the southern states. Anita acquired a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Master’s degree in Emergency Management and Homeland Security. She is dedicated to helping others overcome both self-imposed and systemic barriers. Her passion is to foster a sense of resilience within the communities she serves.
John Heylin
Board Member
John Heylin is an RPCV, the Director of Represent Deschutes, serves on the Board of Bend’s Disability and Core District Committees, and is a small business owner in Downtown Bend.
Mike Satcher
Board Member
Bio Coming Soon
Board Member Emeritus
Dalton Miller-Jones
Board Member Emeritus
Received his doctorate in Developmental Psychology from Cornell University and has taught at Cornell, University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Williams College, and the City University of New York’s Graduate School; Prof Miller-Jones’ research focused on the impact of culture on development and learning, especially for African American and Indigenous First Nations children; In 2006 Governor Kulongowski appointed Dalton to the Oregon Board of Higher Education; is co-chair of the Restorative Justice & Equity group; proud father of 4 Black children and 8 grandchildren.
Gordon Price
Board Member Emeritus
Currently the Coordinator for Student Activities and Events at Central Oregon Community College; has worked in Higher Education for over 20 years in a variety of roles, including Financial Aid, Diversity and Inclusion, Multicultural Activities and Student Life; actively engaged in presenting and lecturing on diversity and inclusion programs and projects as well as restorative justice and equity workshops and youth summits; holds a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies.
Judith Faustima
Board Member Emeritus
Integrative Liberation-Focused Psychotherapist and Owner of Triune Health & Wellness. Instructor at Oregon State University providing systems supervision and professional development to master level clinical interns. Over ten years experience in working with adolescents and families, especially transracially adopted families. Active member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, National Association of Black Counselors and the Therapy that Liberates community. Holds a Master in Marriage and Family Therapy and currently a doctoral student for Marriage and Family Therapy.
Katherina Barguil
Board Member Emeritus
Civil engineer and Pacific Northwest Client Manager for Isle Utilities, a global team of scientists, engineers, business and regulatory experts working to make a positive social, economical, and environmental impact through the advancement of innovative technologies and practices in the water sector. Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Columbia University. Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Specialist in the United States Peace Corps. Vice Chair of the City of Bend’s Planning Commission and an advocate for BILAPOC business development, STEM education, and social justice collaboration.
Marcus LeGrand
Board Member Emeritus
College and Career Success Coach and an Instructor of Business and Human Development at Central Oregon Community College; currently serves on the Bend-La Pine School District Budget Committee and volunteers for numerous organizations (Restorative Justice, and Equity, The Fathers Group, and Central Oregon Equity Council); holds a BA in Marketing and Advertising and an MA in Counseling and Psychotherapy; Navy veteran who fought in the Persian Gulf; father of a daughter and son.
Kelly Musgrove
Board Member Emeritus
Criminal Justice Professor; retired Police Commander from California after working in law enforcement for 26 yrs; holds a Masters in Business/Public Administration; Managing Principal Broker at Team Birtola High Desert Realty; father of three daughters (30, 28 and 5 yrs old).
Now is the time for action and change
Eric King, City Manager of Bend, talks about the challenges facing our community.
The Father's Group | Growing Together
Office
412 SW 8th St Redmond, OR 97756
Tax ID
84-2691067
Business Hours
Mon-Fri 9am-5pm
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 5008
Bend, OR 97708
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