BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Founder CEO, Dwayne Bryant
Dwayne Bryant is an influential international speaker and best-selling author renowned for his dynamic, energetic, and engaging presentation style. His ability to captivate diverse audiences through his intellect and wit has made him a sought-after industry expert and thought leader. Bryant’s expertise is frequently tapped by corporations, nonprofit organizations, law enforcement, and academic institutions to develop step-by-step strategies for building sustainable and healthy relationships in both communities and workplaces.
Drawing from these extensive experiences, Bryant founded Inner Vision International, Inc. (IVI). For over 27 years, IVI has been dedicated to creating effective social-emotional curricula and professional development workshops for a broad audience, including students, parents, teachers, law enforcement, academic institutions, and corporate entities. Through his organization, Bryant offers a variety of customized programs designed to enhance leadership, life management, and social-emotional skills. These programs cover critical areas such as team building, stress management, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), college experience maximization, time management, goal setting, conflict resolution, bullying education, and improving police and community relations (DEIA).
Bryant's notable contributions to improving police and community relations have earned him numerous accolades, including The FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award. His impactful work is encapsulated in his THE STOP™ series, which provides comprehensive resources such as a book, workbook, driver's education manual, a poster challenge, and an online 17-part series titled The NEW Conversation – Improving Police and Community Relations™. This series delves into the complexities of the tensions between police and Black and Brown communities and offers practical solutions for bridging these divides.
His book The STOP – Improving Police and Community Relations™ has been recognized with a Proclamation from the state of Pennsylvania and endorsements from Illinois Congressman Danny K. Davis and Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White. EBONY Magazine also honored Bryant with the EBONY Power 100 “Community Crusader” award for his innovative and effective solutions to improve police and community cooperation.
Bryant's extensive media presence includes frequent appearances on the Oprah Winfrey Show, work as a correspondent for Next TV, and hosting the Unity breakfast supporting Chicago's bid for the Barack Obama Presidential Library. His work has been featured on major news networks like ABC, CBS, FOX, WYCC, WTTW, NBC, PBS, and C-Span.
In addition to his professional achievements, Bryant holds dual degrees in Finance and International Business from Florida International University and a Diversity and Inclusion certification from Cornell University. His comprehensive approach and dedication continue to make significant impacts on communities nationwide.
Dr. John Warford
Dr. John Warford is an accomplished, educational servant leader with extensive experience initiating and growing programs, and elevating student services and community-based outcomes. He is an outstanding communicator, inspirational teacher, and mentor. His professional academic career began at Florida International University in the Office of Multicultural Programs with a special focus on college student engagement and pre-colligate programs & scholarships. John has designed and tested theme-based, Student Life Skills courses for the Undergraduate Student Success Center at Florida A&M
University (FAMU), as part of their First Year College Experience Program.
More recently he developed and presented environmental education awareness mini-workshops and wrote an environmental justice module while employed at the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice in New Orleans, as its Director for Training Programs & Operations.
He has established courses still in use at FAMU, such as Decision-Making and Organizational Skills for the Freshman Studies Division. Dr. Warford previously served as a Geography professor at both Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University, and Tallahassee Community College, and an Adjunct
Professor at Florida State University’s African American Studies Program. He has over thirty years of professional experience as a Student Affairs professional, classroom teacher, and university professor. He earned a B.A. in English and African-American Studies from Washington University in St.
Louis.
While an undergraduate, he attended Sussex University in England as a student exchange scholar in the School of Cultural and Community Studies. He completed his M.A. coursework in International Studies at Florida International University, before attending the University of Florida, as a McKnight Fellow, where he earned a Ph.D. in Human & Economic Geography, minoring in Higher Education Administration.
Sharron Troupe
Sharron Troupe is the Associate Managing Director for CIBC Bank at the Bronzeville, IL. location. Sharron worked for Seaway Bank (Midway & O’Hare) last served as an Operation Officer, Urban Partnership Bank, she last served as a Branch Manager/Assistant Vice President, she worked for Amtrak Corporation where she last served as a Lead Service Attendant, she worked for Austin Bank of Chicago where she last served as a Branch Manager/Assistant Vice President, Firstar Bank/US Bank of Chicago and St. Louis, where she last served as a Branch Manager/Ambassador. In addition, McDonalds Corporation in St. Louis for over 20 years as an Area Supervisor, and in Chicago, Oak Brook, and West Loop (new world headquarters) as a consultant. Sharron is Madame President at Atwintoo Production event planning company and has executed corporate and private event programs for the 100 Black Men of Chicago, Inc., National Restaurant Association, General Motors Autos Show, McDonalds, ASCAP Awards, UNCF, Grammy Awards, L.E.G.A.C.Y. Awards, MG Media Enterprises, Black Women Expo, and BET Awards just to name a few.
Sharron was educated in the St. Louis Catholic and Public High Schools. Sharron holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from DePaul University Chicago. Sharron holds a Business Manager College Diploma from McDonald’s Corporation Hamburger University, Oakbrook, Illinois. She had Business Management Studies at University Missouri St. Louis.
Sharron was a recipient of 7th Annual Chicago Defender Women of Excellence Award, Spirit of Excellence Award for Excellence in Business & Community Leadership, Austin Chambers of Commerce Outstanding Community Service Award, US Bank Outstanding Customer Service Award, Tabitha House Community Service of Appreciation Award, and Alderman Willie B. Cochran of the 20th Ward Certification of Appreciation Award, 100 Blackmen of Chicago Volunteerism Award, Winner of the Circle of Service Excellence Award and Bronzeville Community Impact Award just to name a few.
Sharron has been active member of the community, where she has served on several Board of Directors to include Austin Chambers of Commerce, Tabitha House, Cluster Tutoring, and Lutheran Children and Family Services of Illinois. She is also a Notary for the State of Illinois.
Sharron loves traveling, movies, running, event planning, and dancing.
Sharron is a proud member of Apostolic Church of God in Chicago, Illinois. Sharron has an identical twin sister named Millicent who is her pride and joy. Sharron is a native St. Louis and currently lives in South Shore, IL.
Sharone Hopkins
Sharone Hopkins is a testament to the power of resilience and determination in the face of adversity. A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Sharone's journey has been marked by challenges and triumphs that have shaped his path to success.
Completing his studies at the University of Missouri St. Louis with a BSBA degree in Marketing, Finance, and International Business, Sharone's educational achievements stand as a testament to his commitment to personal growth and academic excellence.
Raised in the foster care system and blessed to have been placed with his adoptive mother, Annie Rose Hopkins, Sharone's early years were marked by the profound loss of his mother at the age of 12. This loss set the stage for a tumultuous period in Sharone's life, leading him down a path that strayed far from the values his mother instilled in him.
Despite facing hardships and engaging in activities that jeopardized his future, Sharone had a transformative awakening on February 18, 1993, prompting him to reevaluate his life's trajectory. Encountering inspirational figures like Dwayne Bryant and renowned speaker Les Brown, Sharone found the motivation and guidance to embark on a new journey towards personal growth and fulfillment.
Turning away from a life of drugs and gangs, Sharone focused on his education with renewed determination. His academic transformation, from receiving failing grades in high school to becoming an honor roll student and an Olympic Torch Bearer, exemplifies his unwavering commitment to self-improvement and success.
Through his resilience and perseverance, Sharone not only excelled academically but also became a national spokesman for the United Way Campaign "Give Hope A Chance." Sharone is also an ordained minister where he continues to transforms lives. His dedication to education and personal development led him to study overseas at the Imperial College of London, where he had the opportunity to engage in impactful research on the economic impact of AIDS in Europe and Africa alongside the European Union Economic Forum under Lord William Shepley.
Sharone's journey serves as an inspiration to others, showcasing the transformative power of faith, determination, and the unwavering belief in one's potential to overcome adversity and achieve greatness.