If We Can Relate, Anything is Possible!

Steve Davis, Founder and CEO of The Institute for Human Relations, a 501 (c)3 tax deductible nonprofit organization, has spent the last 40 years of his career as an educator, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and championship athletic coach. Mr. Davis worked 28 years as a successful educational administrator and was the first African American Private High School Principal in Knoxville, Tennessee. Mr. Davis worked in Higher Education and Secondary Education where he founded and lead several Multicultural Resource Centers. He began his coaching career at Cornell University and coached several high school championship teams. Mr. Davis played in the Cotton Bowl and Sugar Bowl Football Classics for Penn State University. Mr. Davis is dedicated to a social science approach to interpersonal relations to help individuals, organizations, and communities learn to help themselves.

John A. Linder served as a member of the Chester City Council from 2010 to 2012 and Mayor of Chester, Pennsylvania from 2012 to 2016. With his election, Linder became just the second Democrat to hold the office since 1905.

Linder worked as an instructor and counsellor at Kutztown University from 1976 to 1980. From 1980 to 1989, Linder served as Assistant Director of the Human Services Program at the Alexandria Campus of Northern Virginia Community College, while concurrently holding the rank of Assistant Professor in Human services at the college. He has been a Master Trainer and an Associate of the Carkhuff Institute of Human Technology, specializing in Interpersonal Skills Training for teachers, counselors and other human services personnel. Linder also served as a professor of political science at Delaware County Community College. In March of 2012, Linder was appointed to the White House’s Strong Cities, Strong Communities (SC2) initiative, under the purview of the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Nancy Labanda has been an educator for more than 15 years. Mrs. Labanda graduated from Plymouth State College in New Hampshire with a BS degree in Social Science Education. She later, earned a Masters degree in Reading and Literacy from American Public University and is currently working towards her second Master’s in School Leadership. She served as a board member on the ASPIRA of Delaware Charter Operations (ADCO) Board of Directors and as the President for children’s school PTO. She holds secondary teacher certifications in English, Social Studies, and Exceptional Children Special Education. She currently serves as an AVID Coordinator, 7th grade Humanities teacher and coach. She lives in Delaware with her husband and two teenage boys.

James “Chip” Chapados, author of the book, The Conversation: Simple Truths to Make Life Work, is a behavioral researcher who has spent the last 40 years studying human performance and interpersonal relations and has written extensively on both. He currently consults with businesses and organizations on leadership, productivity, and continuous improvement Growing up, Chip was influenced by his Chippewa tribal elders who taught him to be observant and practical. This became the foundation for his love of research and his passion for truth. His military experience taught him the power of collaboration and the importance of integrity.

Dr. George P. Banks is an author, educator and an Applied Social Scientist. Growing up in Boston, Massachusetts, he has been significantly influenced by the New England history of protest that has encompassed, among other things, America’s fight for freedom as well as movements for the abolition of slavery and equal rights for African Americans. With his foundation in science, he transforms his roots in the New England tradition of protest for freedom and equality to create a direction and supporting platforms for pursuing freedom and equality for African Americans, indeed all Americans, as our country moves through the twenty-first century. These values have both provided the purpose for and have been fulfilled through his education and career work.

Dr. Banks’ current work includes setting up community projects, group interactions for problem solving and generally building a network of strong people who are as passionate and adamant about the possibility for change as he is. Dr. Banks is an Adjunct Faculty member at George Mason University in Northern Virginia. From his work, Dr. Banks has extensive experience in designing, developing and implementing programs in community, educational and workplace settings. For more information check out: https://georgepbanks.wixsite.com/leadershipconsultant

Mr. Carter is the founder and director of Eastern Educational Resource Collaborative (East ED), a national non-profit agency that works with districts, independent schools, colleges, and communities to increase equity, promote diversity pedagogy, and implement strategic processes for growth and development. East Ed’s programming includes student leadership conferences, job fairs, climate assessments, professional development seminars, and parent education..

Mr. Carter is a Fellow in the Harvard University Graduate School of Education, School Leadership Program, where he received a Master’s Degree in Education with a school leadership qualification. He is a doctoral student in the School of Education Leadership and Change at Fielding University.

Previously in his professional career, he served as a middle-school reading specialist, a school administrator, and a director at National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS). During his tenure at NAIS, he created a conference for people of color, developed safe spaces for LGBTQ+ students and adults, and advanced the hiring of underrepresented teachers and administrators through job fairs, workshops, and webinars. He has avidly worked for racial and economic equity on the West Coast. He was also involved in the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa via the Friends’ Service Committee.

Mr. Carter was a board member of Fielding Graduate University and the Institute for Community Enrichment. He is a member of the Education Committee of The New Press. He is a life-long meditator and has lead efforts to integrate mindfulness into schools and organizations. His publications include peer-reviewed articles and book reviews published in national journals.