PARENTS ARE PART OF THE EQUATION

My name is Vince Barrera I was born in 1969 and grew up on the south side of Ft. Wayne. I attended Snider high school and got married to my childhood sweetheart. I have 3 biological children and 3 adoptive. My wife and I have fostered many other children and I currently work at FWCS as a bus driver. 

Raphael D. Bosley, LMHC, is a Licensed Therapist with over 13 years of experience working with people from all walks of life, primarily addressing depression, anxiety, trauma, and relational, familial, and interpersonal issues.

Born and raised in Tennessee, Raphael made Fort Wayne home for his soulful personality, great sense of humor, and professional purpose: “To help people on their growth journey to reach their full potential in hopes that a ripple effect will be the start of individuals committing to doing the work it takes to be a better version of themselves. For that, he has worn many hats - as a therapist, minister, and public speaker - which makes him deeply attuned to his community and clients' needs.

His motivation to work in mental health stems from his own adversity and life challenges, which also taught him to operate with an optimistic perspective. Despite the darkness in any situation, he believes good can be discovered and used as a motivational tool to rebuild, reorganize, and rebrand.

Outside the counseling office, Raphael enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with his wife and their two beautiful children. Raphael is also a member of the American Counseling Association and an associate minister at Greater Progressive Baptist Church.

Mrs. Annie L. Davis, CEO of Solid Foundation Learning Center, is a passionate and structured educator who  graduated from Grambling State University with a BS in Elementary education and a minor in Special Education. Mrs. Davis pursued a degree in Educational Leadership at IPFW. She has 42 years teaching experience with 36 of them being with  Fort Wayne Community Schools until her retirement in May of 2021.

Mrs. Davis  held numerous roles during her tenure with Fort Wayne Community Schools. She taught both elementary and middle grades, Language Arts teacher,  Instructional Interventionist, Instructional Coach, ESL teacher, and Student Learner Advocate. Her love for her students transcends the classroom.  She believes it is imperative for teachers  to build  a strong and impactful relationship with both parents and students.  Her favorite quote is “It takes Teamwork to make the Dream work!

Currently in her  role as Founder/CEO of Solid Foundation, she is focusing on building K-5 students from the inside out by offering therapeutic tutoring sessions using the arts to support  emotional, social, and intellectual development to increase academic growth.

Matthew Jenkins Sr. is a loving father with a passion for God, family and serving his community. He has 12 years of experience working as a Youth & Family and Community Outreach Director at the YMCA, has spent time as an assistant basketball coach, assists with youth development at TruFit Sports & Fitness as well as put together many youth events for the community. In his spare time he loves spending time with his son, learning new things and attending sporting events. 

Cristina Jiménez is a bilingual (English, Spanish) Licensed Therapist at Courageous Healing. She was born in California but raised on the South Side of Fort Wayne, IN. She uses a culturally sensitive and trauma-informed lens to understand her clients and their experiences. Over the years, she has developed her skills and knowledge base while working alongside people from all walks of life. She is a strong champion for mental health awareness and believes knowledge is power to enact change.

James Bashir A. Khan is a proud husband to Erika and father of two precious girls, Niobi (18) & Cairo (11) Khan.  Additionally, James is the majority owner of BakerStreet Steakhouse, The Hoppy Gnome, Gnometown Brewing Co., Proximo, & B1 Real Estate Development.  Born and raised in Fort Wayne, IN, James majored in Electrical Engineering at Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN.  However, after 12 months of working in the engineering field James found his calling while working part-time in the hospitality industry at Biaggi’s Ristorante Italiano in Fort Wayne, quickly working his way up into a management role.  In 2009, James was offered an opportunity to take over a failing restaurant, BakerStreet Steakhouse, with the reward of ownership if he was effective at making the restaurant a success.  Four years later, through God’s blessings, James was able to complete a deal to buy-out his partners at BakerStreet.  Shortly thereafter, James and his partners, opened up The Hoppy Gnome in downtown Fort Wayne, adding Gnometown Brewing in late 2016, and in 2018, opened Proximo in the Ash Skyline Plaza.  In 2022, Gnometown expanded to open a production brewery on the Landing, and partnered to assume operational control of Utopian Kitchen and Café.  Most Recently, James and his partners launched Fort Wayne’s first New Urban Development, The Villages of Arneo on N. Clinton St. 

James joined the Regional Opportunities Council of the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership with the goal of helping to shape the future economic development of Northeast Indiana.  In 2021 James was nominated and elected to the Regional Development Authority Board by the Mayors and Commissioners of  Northeast IN. 

While very engaged with the success of his restaurants, James’ truest passion lies in helping others.  Both through business and personally James donates time and resources to a multitude of local charities and individuals to help meet the more critical needs of the members of our community.  If he isn’t at work or with his family, there is a chance you could find James looking through the trees adjacent to Fort Wayne’s golf courses trying to find his golf ball or sulking following most Purdue sporting events. 

Anthony Payton, is a native of Hattiesburg, Mississippi. He has served as Senior Pastor/Teacher of Come As You Are Community Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana, for twenty-seven years.

Anthony accepted his call to the ministry in 1986. He preached his first sermon on April 14, 1986, at True Love Missionary Baptist Church, in Fort Wayne, under the pastorate of the late Bishop Jesse White.

Led by the Holy Spirit in 1995, Pastor Payton accepted the responsibility of stewarding 12 people of the former Greater Come As You Are Missionary Baptist Church. Today, with a membership of over 600 people, the churches home is a 28,000 square foot state of the art sanctuary. Among other accomplishments are:

• Founder of Anthony Payton Signature Shoes
• Author of “Leadership Reflections” and soon to be released “The Cusp”
• Named Pastor of The Year by The Martin Luther King Jr. Club of Fort Wayne IN
• The first African American President of the Indiana Southern Baptist Pastor’s Conference.
• Developer of multiple Commercial Real Estate projects.      
• Founder and Host of F.I.T. Conversation
• Contract Counselor for Fort Wayne Community Schools and East Allen County Schools
• Mental Health Counselor for Park Center Inc.
• International Testimony Speaker for The Gideons
• Chairman of Ubuntu Collaborative 

 Pastor Payton travels the world sharing the good news of Christ and has helped plant churches in Brazil and the United States. He speaks very candidly of a life of addiction and of his deliverance. What Satan once meant to use for evil, God has now converted and uses for the good of His kingdom building here on earth.

TC Spellman serves as the Education Coordinator at YWCA Northeast Indiana, specializing in developing and implementing comprehensive educational programs that address issues of social justice and personal growth. Their professional journey is characterized by a commitment to uplifting marginalized communities and promoting equitable access to resources.