Della Marie Levi has over 25 years' experience in urban child welfare. She has served as a Foster Care Case Manager, Foster Home Licensor, and Recipient Rights Advisor for emotionally impaired and disadvantaged teens, and Drug and Alcohol Prevention Education Facilitator for middle and high school students in urban areas.  Della Marie holds a Master of Arts Degree in Family and Consumer Sciences. A great deal of Della Marie's work and research has focused on Black boys and girls. During her graduate program, Della Marie created a Family Life Education Program about the subject matter and has spent time educating peers and professionals in this area by providing practical, research-based tools and information to help Black boys and girls not only survive but thrive in society. Della Marie serves as a part time instructor in the Family and Consumer Sciences Department at Western Michigan University, and is a food grower, food garden coach and instructor, beekeeper-in-training, DJ, and owner of Della Soul Records, a vinyl record store in West Michigan.

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Della Marie created the Embracing, Educating, and Empowering Black Boys and Girls, Ages 10-17 program because she had to do something to save her sons and daughters.  Della Marie is a single mother of a 25-year-old son; however, when she looks into the eyes of every Black male and female child she sees her son: his hopes, dreams, fears, insecurities, and “cool pose,” or stance used to hide his true persona.  It is painful for her to watch society condemn Black boys and girls and even if this continues, Della Marie believes that it is her duty and responsibility to foster change.  Many people discuss problems; however, never become a part of the solution.  Della Marie's program is solution focused and creates change through action.  The Embracing, Educating, and Empowering Black Boys and Girls, Ages 10-17 program provides parents, guardians, caregivers, and people who work with Black boys and girls valuable information and tools to help build resilience.

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Della Marie Levi, MA

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Speaking Engagement Inquiries: DellaMarieLevi@gmail.com