Ken Peeples is a social worker, educator, and community strategist with over a decade of experience advancing equity at the intersections of healing, justice, and opportunity for Black men and boys. As the founder of Sacred Realm Consulting and a member of the Dynamic Justice Collective, Ken brings a deep commitment to culturally grounded, restorative approaches that strengthen individuals and communities alike.

Throughout his career, Ken has led initiatives focused on financial wellness, reentry support, youth engagement, and systems transformation. His work centers on building partnerships that promote leadership development, mental health, and economic empowerment for Black men across Philadelphia and beyond.

Ken is passionate about intergenerational collaboration, data-informed advocacy, and creating spaces where Black men are seen, supported, and able to thrive. He is proud to be a founding member of the Philadelphia Coalition for Black Male Advancement and continues to champion collective action toward a more just and liberated future.

David is a community builder, creator, evangelist, and a relentless advocate for male empowerment. As the founder of The Standard, he is on a mission to help men grow stronger — spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically.

Each week, David leads The Huddle, a raw and real gathering where men share their victories, setbacks, and spiritual insights without judgment. Known for his wisdom, warmth, and ability to hold space with authority and compassion, David doesn't just teach — he models what it means to be a man under God’s authority.

Beyond the mic, David is a strategist and storyteller who weaves faith, psychology, entrepreneurial insights, and lived experience into transformative conversations. He believes every man is a blue-chip investment — and with the right brothers around him, can grow to harvest the full value of their potential.

Lee works full time as a Program Officer for the Stoneleigh Foundation and also serves as adjunct faculty in the graduate school of social work at Temple University and in the Behavioral Health and Human Services program at the Community College of Philadelphia. Lee has also worked in other areas including as a mental health therapist, sexual health practitioner and in community engagement and organizing.

Lee's career has been dedicated to improving the lives of others at individual and community levels. With over 17 years of higher education teaching experience, he is deeply dedicated to providing a thoughtful, engaging and safe learning environment for students who represent the future of the profession. He has a strong desire to see people who experience oppression based on their intersectional identities, live the best life possible by helping them individually and also addressing the circumstances at the root of the oppression.  He has particularly dedicated his focus on supporting Black people generally as well as Black lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities.

Lee is a dedicated family man to his parents, three younger siblings, seven nieces and nephews and plays an important role in keeping his extended family connected.

Ericka Gaines is the Co-Director and Director of Prevention at Central Division Victim Services (CDVS), which provides comprehensive support to victims of crime in Philadelphia’s 22nd and 9th Police Districts. In this role, Ericka leads a wide range of strategic prevention initiatives, including oversight of the 37th Ward Communities That Care (CTC) Coalition, and is the visionary behind Positive Alternatives for Trauma & Healing (PATH)—a youth and young adult violence prevention program serving ages 14–24.

A longtime advocate for community healing and safety, Ericka also serves as President of the 22nd Police District Advisory Council (PDAC), a committee member for Temple University's Gun Violence Reduction Capacity Building Online Resource Center, and is an active member of the Commonwealth Prevention Alliance.

With over 30 years of experience in prevention and human services, Ericka previously served for 21 years as Executive Director of Child Care Information Services (CCIS) of North Philadelphia. Known as a passionate trainer, speaker, and thought leader, she has worked extensively with city, state, federal, and local agencies to drive systems change and community transformation.

Ericka holds a Master of Human Services from Lincoln University and is a member of the prestigious Pi Gamma Mu International Honor Society of Social Sciences. She also earned a Lean Six Sigma certification from Drexel University’s Goodwin School of Business, which complements her systems-thinking approach to program development and evaluation.

Her contributions have been widely recognized. In 2025, she was honored with the Legacy Prevention Award from the Commonwealth Prevention Alliance and the Harold O. Barnes Community Impact Award from North Philly Project. In 2024, she received the Trailblazer Award for her role in creating Day of Serenity—an annual citywide day of healing launched in 2022. She has also been celebrated as a distinguished alumna in Lincoln University’s Women of Lincoln ceremony and has received citations from the Philadelphia City Council, City Commissioner, and Pennsylvania State Representatives.

A certified change agent and creative innovator, Ericka is deeply committed to building resilience through collaboration, education, and empowerment. She shares resources and creates opportunities to help youth and families heal, thrive, and reach their fullest potential.

Ericka is the proud mother of four and grandmother of two, and resides in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Clarence Nelson, B.A., Bus. Adm. LSW, MSW. Mississippi native. Attended HBCU, Jackson State University as a Music major, Accountant, Graduated Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, Widener University, Chester, PA. Retired Social Work Supervisor, Philadelphia Department of Human Services Children & Youth, Inc., Past President, and current Treasurer, Philadelphia Alliance of Black Social Worker, Inc., Love Zion Baptist Church, Deacon and Bd member for the Center for Economic Empowerment at Love Zion, Inc. Chairman, Strawberry Mansion CTC. Widower, Father of Clarence Jr., Charmira, Christina and Christian, 6 grandchildren.

Eric Marsh, Sr, is a community leader with nearly 30 years of volunteer and professional experience supporting neighbors and communities across Philadelphia. He is an experienced group facilitator, public speaker, and advocate for various causes including uplifting Black men and boys, healthy fatherhood, gender justice, ending violence in all forms, and dismantling systemic racism.

He has served in several leadership positions including; the Chairman of Philadelphia’s Mayor’s Commission on African-American Males, the Board President for the Men’s Center for Growth and Change, board member for North American Men Engage (NAMEN), and is currently the Vice Chairman of My Brothers Keeper Cares and the co-founder and Executive Director of The Fathering Circle, a peer-support organization that helps fathers build better relationships with their families and community. Eric is the Director of Operations for the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting.

For more information or to contact him, visit https://about.me/ericmarshsr