TEDxPVAMU

Speakers

Speakers may not be confirmed. Check the event website for the latest lineup.

• Alyssa Rhodes

  Writer, Content Editor

  Alyssa Rhodes is a Dallas native currently working as a writer and content editor for RightNow Media—the world’s largest streaming library of Biblical resources. She also works as a writing contributor for the R.H. Boyd Publishing Co. Alyssa received a bachelor’s degree in communications from Prairie View A&M University, and her master’s degree in biblical studies from Dallas Theological Seminary. Alyssa currently serves as content manager for the Woodson Institute, and has contributed writings to various publications including Christianity Today, Fathom Magazine, and The Union Review. In her free time she enjoys cooking, reading, and genealogy.

• Ashlee E. Sherman

  Patent Litigation Attorney

  Ashlee E. Sherman is a patent litigation attorney at Perkins Coie in San Diego, where she litigates complex disputes in U.S. federal district courts and before the U.S. International Trade Commission. But her path to the courtroom started in a place most attorneys never set foot: an electrical engineering lab. Ashlee earned her B.S. in electrical engineering from Prairie View A&M University, where she reigned as Miss Prairie View A&M University 2014–2015, served as President of the Zeta Gamma Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and was an inaugural member of the Honors Program. EBONY Magazine named her a Top 10 HBCU Campus Queen. She earned her J.D. from the University of Texas at Austin School of Law, where she represented survivors of domestic violence, edited the Texas Intellectual Property Law Journal, and interned for Judge Alan D Albright in the Western District of Texas. Ashlee lives at the intersection of law, engineering, and service.

• Brandon Townsend

  Engineer, Entrepreneur & Strategic Innovation Leader

  Brandon Townsend, President & Principal of Luxury Goods Company LLC is an entrepreneur, engineer, and strategic innovation leader who explores the intersection of technology, communication, and human potential. With a background in engineering and experience supporting aerospace and defense environments connected with organizations like NASA and Lockheed Martin, he developed a deep appreciation for how systems work—both technical and human. After transitioning into entrepreneurship, he began applying the analytical frameworks of engineering to branding, strategy, and leadership. Through his ventures and consulting work, he helps organizations clarify their message, strengthen their identity, and turn ideas into measurable impact. Passionate about mentorship, he regularly speaks with students and emerging entrepreneurs about mindset, communication, and the principles that move ideas from intention to action.

• Cleveland O. Lane, Jr., Ph.D.

  STEM Expert, Community Advocate and Leader

  Dr. Cleveland O. Lane, Jr. has spent over 28 years proving that the study of the human body is anything but simplistic. As a Professor of Practice in Biology at Prairie View A&M University, he teaches Human Anatomy, Physiology, and Gross Anatomy, shaping the next generation of health professionals with rigor and care. As Director of the Anatomical Visualization and Simulation Center, Dr. Lane works where biological science meets virtual reality and AI, reimagining how students encounter the human body. He advises the Pre-Dental Society and the Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students, and is President-elect of the Texas Association of Advisors of Health Professions. Beyond campus, Dr. Lane serves as a Trustee for the Cypress-Fairbanks ISD School Board. The work has always been the same: making sure more students see themselves in science and find a clear path forward.

• Danielle Andisa Johnson

  Engineer Turned Breathwork Facilitator and Founder

  Danielle Andisa Johnson believes calm is a skill that can be built, practiced, and applied when we need it most. She is the founder of The Inner Calm Academy, a wellness education company that helps people develop calm as a practical tool for modern life. A proud alumna of Prairie View A&M University, Danielle spent more than two decades leading high-stakes engineering projects and programs at NASA. Working in demanding environments sparked her curiosity about how people sustain performance under pressure without sacrificing their well-being. For more than 14 years, she has explored and facilitated breathwork, mindfulness, and other mind-body practices that help people manage stress and restore balance. Today she blends an engineering mindset with practical breath-based tools that support resilience in everyday life.

• Dr. Tranika Jefferson

  Behavioral Health Executive

  Tranika Jefferson, PhD, BCBA-D, a behavioral health executive, licensed and Board-Certified Behavior Analyst, is a purpose-driven leader with over 17 years of experience advancing neurodevelopmental and behavioral healthcare systems. Her work centers on clinical excellence, equity, and human-centered leadership. She began her career providing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy to adults with intellectual disabilities and mental illness in state-supported living centers, an experience that shaped her lifelong commitment to dignity, compassion, and culturally responsive care. Dr. Jefferson has since served in executive leadership, consulted on healthcare technology, secured grant funding, and founded The Behavioral Wellness Academy, which promotes equitable autism services for Black and Brown communities. She has presented nationally and internationally, including conferences in the USA and Kenya, challenging leaders to redefine success through purpose, alignment, and humanity.

• Jamaur Barnes

  Community Strategist

  Jamaur Barnes is a community strategist, public health advocate, and mental wellness champion committed to helping people and communities heal, grow, and thrive. He is the founder of Men Are Write, a mental health journal and platform that helps men process emotions, reflect on lived experiences, and reclaim wellness through writing. As CEO and Chief Strategist of OOTR Consulting, LLC, Jamaur leads culturally grounded engagement and partnership strategies for schools, nonprofits, and public health initiatives. Through his work with Harris County Public Health’s Wellness on Wheels, he helps expand access to health resources and preventive care. Through speaking, writing, and community leadership, Jamaur creates spaces where people can pursue purpose without neglecting their mental health.

• Jerome Howard

  High Performance Coach, Consultant, Entrepreneur, Author, and Speaker

  Jerome Howard is dedicated to helping people unlock their potential through intentional action and disciplined systems. A former Division I athlete and Hall of Fame inductee, Jerome has spent over a decade working with youth, adults, and professional athletes, guiding them to build strength, confidence, and long-term resilience both on and off the field. As the founder of Dynamic Performance Development, Jerome blends performance training, education, and mindset coaching to help individuals move beyond short-term motivation and create sustainable habits that support lifelong growth. His work emphasizes consistency, self-awareness, and the power of daily choices to shape meaningful outcomes. Grounded in personal experience and a commitment to community impact, Jerome believes true progress is not accidental but intentional. Through coaching, mentorship, and leadership, he challenges others to invest in what truly matters and to build lives rooted in purpose, discipline.

• Michael Dewey

  Finance Leader

  Michael Dewey is a finance leader in the regulated water and wastewater utility industry, where he focuses on long-term investment to build, maintain, and operate critical infrastructure. Before entering the finance world, Michael competed as a professional gamer. The experience of training and competing in that environment shaped how he thinks about mastery, decision-making under uncertainty, and the long-term returns of intentional effort. He lives in the Houston area with his wife and son.

• Montrey Pertile, Ph.D.

  Research Scientist + STEM Education Advocate

  Montrey J. Pertile, Ph.D., is a researcher, educator, and community advocate dedicated to transforming STEM education for Black youth. He is a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Authentic Community-Engaged Scholarship (ACES) in STEM Education Fellowship at the University of Houston, where he partners with communities to design culturally grounded, equity-driven STEM learning experiences. With more than 12 years as a K–12 educator in mathematics, engineering, and technology, Montrey centers hands-on, maker-driven, and technology-mediated learning. His research explores informal STEM education, makerspaces, and identity-affirming learning environments as sites of empowerment and possibility. He is a published scholar, frequent conference presenter, and co-founder of SC4M Education, advancing STEM, community, awareness, and maker culture to expand opportunity and build collective futures. His work challenges deficit narratives and centers Black brilliance in STEM spaces globally.

• Nadia Higgins

  Automotive Technology Engineer

  Nadia Higgins is an Engineer at Toyota, where she works in the quality department to enhance vehicle performance and reliability. She earned her B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Prairie View A & M University in 2025 and is currently pursuing her MBA. Her experience spans automotive, aerospace, and defense, including work at Boeing. Nadia has conducted research with NASA and the U.S. Space Force, founded the automotive club PVAMU VROOOM, and was recognized as an HBCU White House Scholar and Brooke Owens Fellow. She currently is a high school tutor and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

• Nicholas Hunt

  Photographer/Videographer/Business Owner CXNTSTOPMEDIA

  Nicholas Hunt is an award-winning multimedia producer and creative director capturing powerful visual stories across higher education, entertainment, corporate, and cultural spaces. As the founder of CANTSTOPMEDIA and the official Multimedia Producer for Prairie View A&M University, Nicholas leads high-impact visual campaigns, cinematic films, and brand-driven content that amplify legacy, community, and innovation. His work has been recognized by the AMA Awards, UCDA Awards, and CASE Awards, and his imagery has been featured in and distributed through platforms including TIME Magazine, Ebony, Essence, Forbes, and Getty Images. He has also contributed to projects connected to Grammy-recognized artists and productions, expanding his reach across music, culture, and entertainment. With a creative approach rooted in storytelling, technical excellence, and cultural authenticity, Nicholas specializes in photography, cinematography, branded documentaries, and commercial content creation.

• Roderick Shavers

  Technology Leader and Community Advocate

  Roderick Shavers is a technology leader and community advocate proudly hailing from DeSoto, Texas. A graduate of Prairie View A&M University and the Georgia Institute of Technology, he has built a career leading innovation in product development, user experience design, and technology transformation. Beyond his professional work, Roderick is deeply committed to giving back to his community, something instilled in him during his undergraduate years. He actively serves in the Dallas chapter of the Prairie View National Alumni Association and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. where he supports initiatives that invest in students, strengthen communities, and creates opportunities for the underserved. Through his work and service, Roderick champions the belief that consistent effort, collaboration, and purpose-driven leadership can create a compounding impact far beyond any single achievement.