Speakers

Christopher Rzigalinski

ACC Service-Learning and   Community Enagagement  Specialist

Austin Community College

Christopher Rzigalinski is the Service-Learning and Community Engagement Specialist and a Community Correspondent for A Collaborative Culture magazine at Austin Community College. He is also a doctoral student in the Higher Education Executive Leadership and Policy Program at the University of Texas at Austin. His goal is helping faculty, staff, students, and community members to develop a unified language and culture of service. 

This work is buttressed by his research interests that include the history of higher education in the United States, the negotiation and exchange of cultural capital, and articulations of restorative resistance. He recently published “Hungry Legacy: On the 64th Anniversary of Austin’s Lunch Counter Sit-Ins” and frequently presents on the power of service-learning and community engagement to break silos, create collective healing in divisive times, and develop career-readiness opportunities for our students that give back to the world. Get in touch on LinkedIn or on Instagram at @working.definitions.education. 

Darrell Merriweather

Senior Advising Specialist

Austin Community College

Darrell has served as a Senior Advising Specialist at Austin Community College since October 2016. He finds tremendous joy and fulfillment in supporting students as they pursue their educational and career goals. In addition to advising, Darrell contributes to the success of his colleagues by serving as a mentor and participating in community engagement projects that center on the themes of belonging and purpose.

Since 2020, Darrell has also served as a Fatherhood Specialist with The Man in Me, where he supports men, fathers, and father figures through educational tools and resources that promote holistic health and well-being. His work focuses on strengthening families and empowering individuals through education and community support.

Beyond his formal roles, Darrell remains deeply engaged in the community as a youth mentor, civic participant, and facilitator of courageous conversations centered on healing—within ourselves, our relationships, and the broader community. 

Kenneth Thompson Sr. 

KT Clean Energy

Consultant

Kenneth D. Thompson Sr. is an ACC alumni and a distinguished advocate for children's and fathers' rights who is renowned for his extensive contributions to public service and community development. As the first ever Fatherhood Program Specialist for the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, Kenneth brings unparalleled expertise and dedication effectively shaping policies and programs that support and strengthen families. 

Kenneth has also been a pivotal figure in advancing equity efforts long before it became mainstream. He influenced the Pflugerville Independent School District to address inclusion issues and remove barriers to Advanced Placement courses for all students. Additionally, Kenneth previously co-hosted a radio show from 2004 -2021 called "The Dad Show" which focused on empowering dads, families and communities. Kenneth is a passionate and dedicated leader whose work continues to impact and inspire communities. His extensive experience, coupled with his commitment to equity and inclusion, makes him a pivotal figure in public service and community advocacy.

Joe Powell, LCDC

President/CEO

Association of Persons Affected by Addiction

Joe Powell, a young man in long-term recovery with over 35 years free from alcohol and drugs, has served as President/CEO of APAA-Association of Persons Affected by Addiction since 1998. As the founder of APAA, Texas's first Recovery Community Organization (RCO) with a National Exemplary Accreditation for Peer Recovery Support Services, Mr. Powell has advanced peer-to-peer mental health and substance use recovery support services for individuals, families, and communities. 

A U.S. Army Veteran and licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor for over 30 years, Mr. Powell's purpose is to champion and spread health, wellness, and recovery. He is the chair of the Peer Committee for the Texas Certification Board, a founding member of Faces and Voices of Recovery, and a Governor-appointed member of the Texas Workforce Commission’s, Rehabilitation Council of Texas (RCT). With over 20 years of experience working with the Dallas Government and Criminal Justice system, he leads projects advancing recovery-oriented systems including hospital and jail diversion support. 

Mr. Powell serves as a consultant and member of numerous Health Equity and DEI committees, including those of NAADAC's- Critical Issues in the Black Community, North Texas Behavioral Health Authority (NTBHA), Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Equity Collective, African American Behavioral Health Center of Excellence at Morehouse College, and One World Recovery Network. 

Mr. Powell is also honored to be the Historical Educational Consultant for the Online Museum for African American Addiction Treatment and Recovery.

Andrew Silver, LPC-S, BC-TMH

 Mental Health Counselor 

Austin Community College

Using heart-centered mindfulness, generative states of awareness, and cognitive therapy, Andrew works collaboratively with individuals to develop a compassionate relationship with their own experience. This helps guide people on a journey of self-discovery and acceptance, alleviates suffering, and can heal relational disconnects.     

He works with people who are dealing with a wide range of issues including: relationship problems, depression/anxiety, addictions, recovery, trauma, panic attacks, obsessive thoughts, boundary issues, compulsive behaviors, and mood instability. Andrew’s professional interests include complex trauma, suicide prevention, anxiety and depression, mental health stigma in BIPOC communities, and relationship stress. 

Laura Elmore LeBlanc, LMSW-AP

Chief Executive Officer

Sobering Center

Laura Elmore LeBlanc is a social worker, leader, and fierce advocate for dignity-centered care in addiction and recovery. As CEO of the Sobering Center of Austin/Travis County, she leads a compassionate alternative to jail and ER visits—offering a safe place for short-term recovery and connection to care.

With over two decades in the field, Laura has held leadership roles across treatment centers, jails, schools, housing programs, and public agencies. Known as a turnaround leader, she specializes in helping organizations find clarity, stability, and renewed purpose during times of change.

She has served as Chair of One Voice Central Texas, a coalition of 100+ nonprofit leaders, and as Secretary of the Board for the National Sobering Collaborative. Her work has been recognized with awards from the Mental Health Association of Texas, Mission Capital, and the McLester Champion of Recovery Award.

Laura holds a BA in Psychology and a Master’s in Social Work, and is a Licensed Master Social Worker with Advanced Practice credentials. She also works as an executive coach and organizational consultant, supporting leaders who are doing the hard and heart-filled work of recovery every day.

Stacy McColl, MSN, RN, CARN

Outreach Specialist

Texas Peer Assistance Program for Nurses

Stacy has had the honor of being a nurse since 1995. She holds an MSN in Leadership and Organizational Change in Healthcare Systems and is a Certified Addictions Registered Nurse.

Stacy has worked in a variety of roles in the psychiatric/mental health area of nursing practice. Some of her favorite roles include Psychiatric Liaison to Emergency Services, Educator, Case Manager, and Director of Nursing Services.  Stacy's passion, education, and experience is well utilized in  her current position as the Outreach Nurse for the Texas Peer Assistance Program for Nurses.  

In her Outreach role with TPAPN Stacy provides both accredited and individually tailored workshops to address challenges that healthcare providers face today in relation to nurse wellness; substance use disorder and mental health. With a focus on community outreach to educate and facilitate discussions in regard to health promotion, the human response to stress, early intervention, risk reduction, and harm reduction, Stacy utilizes a trauma informed and evidence-based approach. Stacy is particularly passionate about stigma reduction/elimination that continues to present as a barrier to care for nurses experiencing a mental health condition and/or unhealthy substance use.   

Stacy’s mission is to work together to humanize healthcare providers with the knowledge that we, as professional nurses, may experience a mental health condition during our career.  

Stacy is a proud member of Sigma Theta Tau, TNA/ANA, and the APNA.

Latreese Cooke

Founder and Exec. Director

MELJ Center

Latreese Cooke is the Founder and Executive Director of the MELJ Center, a respected leader with a proven track record in the civic and social services sector. In 2004, she launched the organization as a grassroots start-up in Bastrop, Texas, driven by a deep calling to support the formerly incarcerated and those struggling on the margins. Just a year later, her work received a major boost when Congresswoman Maxine Waters joined her, helping bring visibility to the Center's mission. By 2014, MELJ expanded into Austin, where the growing population of returning citizens faced overwhelming systemic barriers. The City of Austin provided initial funding to assess the Center's impact, and impressed by its results, has continued to support it ever since. Today, MELJ remains a vital, sole-source provider for many in need of a second chance. 

Under Latreese's guidance, the MELJ Center has helped transform the lives of many individuals and families, securing housing, employment, and stability for individuals who often arrive at the door through word of mouth, searching for hope. She works closely with a network of local advocacy groups and never turns away from challenges, meeting every obstacle with persistence, creativity, and compassion. She is a true presence in Austin, widely known and deeply trusted by the community she serves. 

Jeremy Jones, CPS

Executive Director

ReSIST

Jeremy Jones is a Certified Peer Support Specialist dedicated to empowering individuals navigating the re-entry process in Travis County. He currently serves on the Travis County Reentry team, where he uses his personal lived experience to guide and support others on their journey toward stability and self-sufficiency.

Jeremy is also the Executive Director of Real Smart Investment Strategies and Tactics (ReSIST), a nonprofit organization he co-founded to address the urgent need for transitional housing and wraparound support services. ReSIST operates a men's transitional home and is actively developing a second home to serve mothers and their children—offering shelter, mentorship, and resources for long-term success.

A husband and proud father of four daughters, Jeremy channels his personal journey and passion for service into building safer, stronger, and more resilient communities throughout Central Texas.

Erika Salinas, MS, LCDC, RSPS 

Training & Technical Assistance Consultant 

Achara Consulting, Inc.

Erika is a person with lived expertise in substance use and mental health conditions. She holds a master's degree in Addiction Counseling from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and is a proud alumna of the National Board for Certified Counselors Minority Fellowship Program. Erika is also a certified Trainer of Coaches for the Recovery Support Peer Specialist Texas Certification and brings over five years of experience providing peer support services to youth, families, and adults.

Erika currently serves as a Trainer and Technical Assistance Consultant, supporting behavioral health organizations through capacity building and workforce development. Her journey began as a counselor at a youth substance use facility and has included roles such as Peer Specialist, Peer Supervisor, and Program Coordinator. Erika has also volunteered with the Collegiate Recovery Program at the university of Texas Rio Grande Valley and her local Celebrate Recovery. She is passionate about empowering peers, youth, and Spanish-speaking communities, using her lived experience to foster connection, reduce stigma, and advocate for equity in behavioral health.

When she’s not presenting, providing technical assistance or facilitating trainings, Erika focuses on maintaining her own recovery through movement and wellness—weightlifting, cycling, and running are her go-to outlets. As a dedicated wife and mom of four, she hopes to inspire others to see that recovery is not only possible but a powerful opportunity to thrive, rebuild, and transform. 

Michael Braxton, LCSW, MBA, LCDC, MHPS

Adjunct Faculty

Austin Community College

Michael has 18 years of experience providing life-improvement services to disadvantaged populations. He specialized in trauma-focused substance abuse, peer support, and mental health service provision. 

Michael founded three transitional living programs that aided over 300 individuals influencing a 65% sobriety rate for over 18 months and reducing transitional house costs by 25%. 

He was recognized by Oregon Public Broadcasting for work with opiate-addicted individuals, and he helped five individuals in recovery, with 18 months clean, start their own business. 

Michael was the first African American in Oregon to develop treatment centers and transitional housing in multiple locations. Also, he created the only program in Oregon history that provided culturally specific gambling treatment.

Michael also published a family therapy book/manual titled -Breaking the Chains.

Geoffrey Vasile, LMSW

Care Coordinator, Social Worker

Amplify Center, UT Health Austin

Geoffrey Vasile, LMSW, is the licensed master social worker and care coordinator in the Amplify Center, a clinical partnership between Austin Community College and UT Health Austin. He is also a member of UT Health Austin’s Integrated Behavioral Health care team. 

He specializes in compassionate cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and developing culturally relevant, pragmatic, and applicable mental health and substance use recovery strategies. Geoffrey Vasile earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work at The University of Texas at Austin after recognizing the transformative power of evidence-based therapies when communicated through a collaborative and culturally relevant lens. 

In addition, he is a credentialed Recovery Peer Support Specialist. Geoffrey Vasile focuses on cognitive behavioral therapy interventions that are culturally relevant, collaborative, and power-sharing to try and make people feel empowered in their own mental health treatment. 

Christie Curtis, LMSW

Director, Basic Needs Outreach

Austin Community College

Christie Curtis is the Director of Basic Needs Outreach at Austin Community College District, where she leads efforts to remove non-academic barriers to student success. With over 20 years of experience in social work and community engagement, Christie builds strategic partnerships and develops student-centered programs addressing housing, food insecurity, childcare, and emergency aid. Her work is rooted in equity, trauma-informed care, and a deep commitment to supporting the whole student.

Sommer Alexander, JI-RPS
Texas Harm Reduction

Sommer is a passionate advocate, educator, and Re-entry Peer Support Specialist dedicated to promoting equity and dignity for individuals impacted by the system across Texas. In her dual roles with the Texas Harm Reduction Alliance and as the Texas Chapter Coordinator for TimeDone, Sommer works at the intersection of social justice, restorative justice, and reentry support.

With lived experience and deep empathy, she empowers individuals navigating life after incarceration by providing critical education on legal rights, voting access, community resources, and strategies for overcoming the 40,000+ collateral consequences tied to a criminal record. Through statewide outreach, events, and peer support, Sommer helps people reclaim their narratives, rebuild their futures, and advocate for systemic change. Her work is rooted in harm reduction, recovery, and meeting basic needs—recognizing that lasting transformation begins with dignity and opportunity.