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Thank You For Making the 2025 NeurodivURGENT Conference "Breaking The Silence and Silos Around Youth Mental Health" A Huge Success!
On July 17-19, in New Orleans, LA The NeurodivURGENT Project convened a three-day, highly interactive hybrid event designed to serve as a catalyst for collaboration around issues that directly impact the plights of underserved youth facing neurocognitive challenges. By intentionally curating interdisciplinary panels, workshops, roundtable discussions and keynote presentations that explore different sides of the same issues, this event sparked innovative partnerships and assisted professionals in gaining better understandings of how their respective roles fit into the larger neurodiversity ecosystem.
Participating disciplines include: law/legal profession, education, social work, psychology, neuroscience, public health, policy/public service and medicine.
Using data collected from the event, conference hosts will develop a written comprehensive report highlighting key take-aways. This published deliverable will streamline next steps toward improving the plights of neurodivergent youth.
Official Conference Media Partner
We're ecstatic to welcome The Media Scholars Program as our official media partner during the 2025 NeurodivURGENT Conference! Huge thanks to Chantelle George Consulting for making this collaboration possible. Can't wait to see their phenomenal talent in action as they capture event highlights, interviews, and more. If you see a member of the team, be sure to say, "Hi!"
Media Coverage Also Provided By:
WDSU - TV New Orleans
Today's Health Topics with Alma Stewart Allen - WTQT 106.1 Baton Rouge
The Front Porch with Gralen Bryant Banks & Kemba White Dupree WBOK 1230 AM New Orleans
Post-Conference Feature
2025 Conference Sponsors
2025 Featured Conference Presenters
Dr. Tanya Middleton
2025 Distinguished Plenary Keynote Speaker and Honoree
Professor, Researcher, & Licensed Clinical Counselor
Cleveland, OH
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Jeanna Barrett, MAT
STEM Instructional Specialist
New Orleans, LA
Dr. Tanisha Clark
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Atlanta, GA
​
Nichelle Cook, Esq., MA
Educator, Attorney and Founder of NeurodivURGENT
Kentwood, LA
Channon Essex, M.S.Ed.
Author, Professor and Special Education Consultant
Bronx, NY
Dr. Angela Goodloe
Professor and Education Consultant
Norfolk, VA​
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Ms. Lakandice Johnson
Elementary Educator and Teacher Leader
New Orleans, LA​​
​
Rev. Walter E. Lawson
Pastor, Youth Advocate, Retired Law Enforcement Officer and US Army Veteran
Houston, TX​
LaKiesha London, MA
Career Services Professional, Counselor, and US Air Force Veteran​
Baton Rouge, LA​​
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Chef Leigh Marshall
Nutritionist, Celebrity Chef, Speaker and Author
Atlanta, GA​​​​
Mrs. Kheri Monks
Maternal Health Advocate
Baton Rouge, LA
Dr. Christopher "Chris" Ongaro
School Leader and Professor
New York, NY​
Jolanda Taylor-Magee, MAT
Student Services Professional and Consultant
Baton Rouge, LA​​​
Hardell Ward, Esq.
Civil Rights Attorney and Movement Organizer
New Orleans, LA
Alexis Wyatt, MPH
Maternal/Child Public Health Professional
Sacramento, CA
2025 Game-Changers Gala Honorees
This interdisciplinary award recognizes three outstanding professionals who have each dedicated their lives to improving the plights of neurodivergent individuals.
Dr. Jeff Benjamin
Distinguished Moderator
Higher Education Administrator and Creative Director
New Orleans, LA
Dr. Donna Y. Ford
2025 Game-Changer Honoree
Gifted Education Scholar and Professor
Columbus, OH
Mr. Kofi "Kizzle" Forson
2025 Game-Changer Honoree
Mental Health Advocate, Entrepreneur, & Speaker
New York, NY
Victor Jones, Esq., Ed.M.
2025 Game-Changer Honoree
Education and Civil Rights Attorney
New Orleans, LA​
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2025 Game-Changers Gala Featured Performers
Kings of Brass
(KOB)
New Orleans
Solid Harmony
(Yolanda Robinson & Jolynda "KiKi Chapman)
&
Mr. Lance Hally
&
2025 Hometown Heroes Honorees
The Hometown Heroes and Conference Kickoff Event was created to be a two-fold celebration -- both to honor Louisianans who have made a tremendous impact in the lives of neurodivergent youth and to inspire attendees by directly highlighting the talent and potential that exists within neurodivergent populations that we support and advocate on behalf of.
Ms. Laketa Marie Smith
2025 Distinguished Host Emcee
Founder, A Bella LaFemme Society
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Coach Jeremy Brown
2025 Hometown Hero
Educator and Coach​
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Mrs. Demetria Carter-Blanson
2025 Hometown Hero
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Mrs. Tonya Boyd-Cannon
2025 Hometown Hero
Dr. Chelsi Clark
2025 Hometown Hero
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Mrs. Nicole J. Simmons
2025 Hometown Hero
Educator
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Mrs. Ann Trappey
2025 Hometown Hero
Educator
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2025 Hometown Heroes Awards and Kick-off
Featured Performer
Ms. Morgan Janay
