Closing Keynote with Dr Apryl Alexander and Dr Tracie Keesee

Presenters: Dr. Apryl Alexander, Dr. Tracie Keesee, and LaNaya Butler Opening Musical Act: Alisha Bauer, Cello Closing Artist: Jannah Farooque Presenter and Performer Bios: Dr. Apryl Alexander is an Associate Professor in the Graduate School of Professional Psychology at the University of Denver. Her research and clinical work focus on violence and victimization, human sexuality, and trauma-informed and culturally informed practice. She is an award-winning researcher and her work has been published in several leading journals. Dr. Alexander has been interviewed by numerous media outlets, including The New York Times, USA Today, and NBC Nightly News, about her research and advocacy work. Additionally, Dr. Alexander is also an community organizer with Black Lives Matter 5280 and a board member for the Colorado Juvenile Defender Center. Finally, in 2020, she was appointed to the Denver Citizen Oversight Board. Dr. Tracie L. Keesee, is the Co-founder and Senior Vice President of Justice Initiatives of the Center For Policing Equity (CPE). This critical position expands upon the core mission of CPE, “justice through science.” She oversees all law enforcement relationships and program implementation. Additionally, she works closely with communities to ensure their representation and participation in the co-production of public safety. Prior to her return to CPE she served as the first ever, Deputy Commissioner of Equity and Inclusion for NYPD. As the Deputy Commissioner of Equity and Inclusion, Dr. Keesee was responsible for overall organizational development and implementation of the NYPD’s Equity and Inclusion strategic framework. She also served as an advisor to the Police Commissioner on the implementation of accountability systems that monitor training, recruitment, employee opportunities, and complaints in order to help increase the organization’s ability to attract and retain an inclusive and diverse workforce LaNaya Butler (she, her, hers) is a Curriculum and Instruction Ph.D student at the Morgridge College of Education. Her undergraduate exploration of Africana Studies and Political Science led her to pursue an M.A. in Conflict Resolution at the Josef Korbel School of International Studies. From this exposure, LaNaya is now interested in cultivating intentional community and transforming harm through restorative justice practices that are grounded in indigenous ethos. In her free time, LaNaya loves catching up with family/friends, taking walks, practicing yoga, drawing, jammin' out, and reading. Cellist Alisha Bauer is an active performing, recording and teaching artist in Los Angeles. After graduating from DU with a BM and BSBA degree, Ms. Bauer received a full scholarship to UCLA for a Master of Music degree in Cello Performance During her time L.A., Ms. Bauer has actively performed for the film and recording industries. Recent television and motion picture contributions include Star Trek Discovery, Empire, Moana, and Spiderman-Far From Home. In addition to recording work, Ms. Bauer can be seen and heard in live music. Highlights include collaborations with Bocelli, Chris Martin, Christina Aguilera, and Adele. This past January, Ms. Bauer debuted as a featured artist for the Deutsche Grammophon label with the album "An Evening at Capitol Studios: Bach Recomposed". Jannah Farooque is an African American, Muslim, spoken word, visual, and jewelry artist. She’s also a wife and mother of five children. No matter the medium, she pulls her creative inspiration from God and the inherent goodness that we all possess. Her writing is focused on justice and our inward reality. Her visual work is heavily inspired by the global Indigenous community. Jannah uses her work to advocate for many causes from racism to domestic violence. She hopes the totality of her work will help the world remember God and realize that nothing is ever as bad as it seems.