Speaker

Marlysa Gamblin

Domestic Advisor for Policy and Programs, Specific Populations at Bread for the World

Marlysa D. Gamblin is a dynamic public speaker, a thoughtful researcher, and a committed thought leader, primarily on issues within the intersection of racial and socio-economic injustice. She has gone, and continues to go, around the country to speak on these issues, share the tools that she has created, and encourage people and non-profits to shift toward a more justice-orientated, equity-centered posture.

Currently, Marlysa is the Senior Domestic Policy Advisor for Racial and Gender Divides at Bread for the World Institute. Her expertise is providing research and analysis to close the racial and gender hunger and income divides. At Bread, Marlysa has designed the Racial Wealth Gap Learning Simulation, an interactive tool that helps people understand how structural racism was created, and walks participants through the connection between racial equity, hunger, income and wealth. Over one million people in the public and private sectors have engaged in this tool since it has been available online starting in May 2018. It has truly been effective at helping people, work places, and communities initiate the conversation of racism and the importance of racially equitable policies and research.

Marlysa previously chaired the Economic Empowerment work for the NAACP DC Branch, was a Program Manager for Prosperity Now, where she had a particular focus to close the racial wealth divide, and worked on Capitol Hill where she drafted legislation aimed at supporting Black men and boys.

Marlysa holds her Master in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and a B.A. with honors from the University of California, Berkeley.

Speaker

Roslyn Murray Bouier, MDIV

Recognized for her passion for people, Roslyn Murray Bouier is a grassroots front-line practitioner, community pastor, advocate, activist, organizer, water warrior, and a ‘Repairer of the Breach. Roslyn is also a New Testament Biblical Scholar and a Womanist Interpreter. Rev. Roz, as she is known throughout metro-Detroit, has been a community activist for over a decade. She currently serves as the Executive Director for the Brightmoor Connection Client Choice Food Pantry, 501©3. In this role, Rev. Roz services 1,700 high-need families annually through a client choice model food pantry. This pantry model was specifically selected because it affords individuals the dignity of shopping through a grocery aisle, without the stigma of a traditional pantry.

Besides providing food, the pantry serves as a water station for those Brightmoor households subjected to water insecurity, (water shutoffs), and/or water contamination. The pantry serves as a shelter and place of respite for families disenfranchised and disinherited, offering computer access and wrap around services. Moreover, Rev. Roz initiated the Christmas meal baskets program, children’s coats and boots give away. Rev. Roz’s heart to fight for the rights of all has been a constant. She has planted six (6) food pantries throughout the greater metropolitan Detroit area, and has established 25 feeding programs over the years.