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Let Us Dream

Let Us Dream - Building Sustainable Communities Through Collaborative Approaches to Food Security & Nutrition

 


 

ULM Community Conference 2025

Building Sustainable Communities Through Collaborative Approaches to Food Security and Nutrition

 

Hosted by the University of Louisiana Monroe, this year’s Let Us Dream Community Conference explores the critical theme of "Building Sustainable Communities Through Collaborative Approaches to Food Security and Nutrition." The conference will spotlight successful models, innovative strategies, and grassroots efforts addressing food insecurity and promoting nutrition equity.

Join us as we gather local leaders, nonprofits, educators, health professionals, students, and advocates to explore how collective action can improve food systems and enhance community well-being.

 

Bayou Pointe Building view from the bayou

October 30, 2025 | 8:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.
Bayou Pointe, University of Louisiana Monroe

 

 

Keynote Speaker ULM President, Carrie L. Castille, Ph.D.

 

Keynote Speaker:

ULM President, Carrie L. Castille, Ph.D.

 

 

This event is free and open to the public. Registration is required.

Register Online

 

Centric Credit Union Official Conference Sponsor

 

 

Agenda

Tentative Conference Schedule | 7:30 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.

7:30 – 8:15 A.M.

8:20 – 8:30 A.M.

8:30 – 9:00 A.M.

9:00 – 9:10 A.M

9:10 – 9:55 A.M.

10:00 – 10:45 A.M.

10:45 – 10:55 A.M.

11:00 – 11:45 A.M.

11:45 – 11:55 A.M.

12:00 P.M.

12:00 – 1:00 P.M.

Registration & Coffee

Opening Remarks

Keynote Address

Break

Panel 1: Social

Panel 2: Education

Break

Panel 3: Health

Change Maker Awards, Closing Remarks

Adjourn

Networking

Attendee check-in, coffee & light refreshments. Vendors open

Conference Chair and Master of Ceremonies

Dr. Carrie Castille, ULM President

Vendors

Panelist, Moderator, Q&A

Panelist, Moderator, Q&A

Vendors

5 Panelist, Moderator, Q&A

Conference Committee

Departure

Reception sponsored by St. Francis Medical Center

 

 

 


 

– Social Panelists –

 

 

Social Panelist Jean Toth, Executive Director

 

Jean Toth, Executive Director

 

 

Jean has served as the Executive Director of the Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana since September, 2015. She has worked in hunger relief for almost 20 years, and believes that everybody should have access to enough healthy food in order to live their best life. Jean is proud to serve Northeast Louisiana alongside the community, ensuring the Food Bank is responsive to evolving needs and operates with compassion, dignity, transparency and efficiency. Jean holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and a Master of Arts degree in Applied Sociology from Northern Arizona University.

 

 

 

Social Panelist Elizabeth Griffon

 

Elizabeth Griffon

 

 

Monroe native and mother of two, is a high school educator at St. Frederick High School, an International Baccalaureate World School. There she teaches Biology I for the Middle Years Program, Biology II for the Diploma Program, Anatomy and Physiology, and the Yearbook Publication class. She is also the sponsor of the school’s Horticulture and Garden Club, a service club that allows students to gain a better understanding of native pollinators and ecosystems, growing their own food, and beekeeping. The students’ goal is to donate any produce harvested from the school garden to local organizations like St. Vincent de Paul, keeping the focus on supporting those in need in our community.

Elizabeth is a graduate of Louisiana Tech University, with an undergraduate degree in Animal Science and a Master of Arts in Teaching both English and Science. She is in her twelfth year in the high school classroom and has taught everything from creative writing to physical science. In addition to secondary education, she is the co-owner of Half Moon Yoga Studio here in Monroe. If she’s not in the classroom or with her family, she can usually be found teaching yoga at Half Moon, or goat yoga at Double BB Farms.

Elizabeth is happiest being outside in nature (even in the Louisiana summers) and devotes much of her time to teaching her children about the world around them. She loves gardening, reading, knitting, and spinning; and she views every day as an opportunity to learn something new.

 

 

 

Social Panelist Conrad Cable

 

Conrad Cable

 

 

Conrad is a first generation farmer and ULM alumni. He and his brother have owned and operated Current Farms in Marion, LA for the past decade. Current Farms grows produce during all four seasons of the year. They specialize in salad mixes, leafy greens, root crops, and many other seasonal favorites. Current Farms was the first farm in NELA to offer community supported agriculture (CSA) subscriptions.

Conrad became a farmer to make his community a better place. He believes locally grown food makes folks healthier, leads to a higher quality of life, a cleaner environment, and a more sustainable economy.

 

 

 

Social Panelist Judy Babb

 

Judy Babb

 

 

Judy is the creator and owner of Kelsey Klean LLC and co-owner of Double BB Farms. As the founder and former president of Twin Cities Krewe de Rivière, a nonprofit organization, Judy is committed to making a positive impact in her community.

In addition to her professional endeavors, she is a landlord, a devoted mother to her daughter Nova, and a loving wife to Bryan. With a wealth of experience, Judy has served on several boards over the years, including the Monroe Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Historic Board, and the Northeast Louisiana Music Awards Board.

Judy is passionate about her animals and treasures time spent with family and friends. She enjoys music, traveling, cooking, and continually learning new things.

 

 


 

– Health Panelists –

 

 

Health Panelist Dr. Anita Sharma, LCSW

 

Dr. Anita Sharma, LCSW

 

 

Dr. Anita Sharma, LCSW, Professor and Joseph A. Biedenharn Endowed Chair in Gerontology is the Founding Director of the Gerontology Education, Research, and Outreach (GERO) Institute at the University of Louisiana Monroe. She earned two master’s degrees and a doctorate in Clinical Social Work (with emphasis in Gerontology) from Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 35 years of professional experience in mental health and psychotherapy.

Dr. Sharma is an avid grant-writer and has obtained about 25 funded grants in the last 20 years. She also obtained funding from the Louisiana Board of Regents to create two scholarship programs to recruit students in the field of Gerontology. Dr. Sharma currently serves on the Board of Directors for several organizations, including the West Ouachita Senior Center, the Louisiana Geriatric Society, the Louisiana Alzheimer’s Coalition, and the RAIB Board of the Louisiana Department of Health. She is also the founding coordinator of the Louisiana Disability Advocacy Network. She was recently appointed to the NASW National Specialty Practice Section on Aging. Dr. Sharma is also co-chairing the 2025 Alzheimer’s Walk in Northeast Louisiana. She has created, produced, and hosted two radio programs on the regional affiliate of the National Public Radio (NPR). She currently produces and hosts “Life Transitions,” a program that focuses on issues relating to aging. Dr. Sharma has served on the editorial board of several professional journals and two regional newspapers. For about ten years, she wrote a weekly column for the News-Star, a regional newspaper published by Gannett Inc. In 2022, she created a journal for students to have them write about their service learning and field experiences. Dr. Sharma has numerous publications in the fields of Gerontology, family violence, and disabilities. She has made more than 300 professional presentations at various conferences on topics relating to Gerontology and Social Work in the last 30 years. Dr. Sharma is passionately committed to Gerontology education, research, and community outreach initiatives.

 

 

 

Health Panelist LaTina (Tina) Williams, M.A., SHRM-SCP

 

LaTina (Tina) Williams, M.A., SHRM-SCP

 

 

She is the Chief Health Equity Officer at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System. She has over 25 years of healthcare leadership experience with a focus on connecting health equity initiatives to business outcomes. Tina has worked across various operational functions and has experience in change management and strategy execution.

She holds a Master’s degree in Adult Learning and a senior certification from SHRM. Her professional affiliations include National SHRM, Greater Baton Rouge SHRM, ASHHRA, NAHSE, Leadership Baton Rouge, and the Baton Rouge Business Report Executive Leadership Academy.

Her recent recognition includes the 2021 GBR SHRM HR Executive of the Year and being named a DEI Champion by the LA Chapter of ACHE in 2022. Tina participates in community service as a Vizient DEI panelist, Equity in Care Panelist for HAN, board member of Dream Day Foundation and River Parish Community College Foundation, and as part of the LA Chapter AHA Circle of Red.

A Louisiana native, Tina is involved in community work and advocacy for underserved populations. Outside of her professional role, she is a mother, participates in church activities, and is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

 

 

 

Anna Belle Issac

Nursing Student, Kitty DeGree School of Nursing

University of Louisaina Monroe

 

 

 

Health Panelist Jennifer Kimball RN

 

Jennifer Kimball, RN

 

 

Jenniferhas been working in healthcare for over 37 years. She obtained a Bachelor of Science in psychology from LSU Shreveport, a Master of Education in Psychological Services at Marymount University in Arlington, VA, and her degree as a registered nurse at FCCJ in Jacksonville, Florida. Jennifer earned her nursing certification in Gerontology in 2010 and has maintained this for the past 15 years while working privately, providing Senior Care Management Services in the Shreveport area. She currently also serves the mental health community at two psychiatric hospitals in Shreveport/Bossier City, as well as providing hospice inpatient care at a facility in that area. With a focus on the geriatric population as well as those with mental health needs, chronic disease, and the causes and predispositions, it becomes a daily concern and point of education for clients. In 2020, Jennifer founded Proactive Partners, a nonprofit organization providing free dementia education to caregivers and first responders. In her “off” time, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her family and dogs, working outside in her yard, and working on many different crafts.

 

 


 

– Education Panelists –

 

Alycia Williams

Louisiana Key Academy, Consultatn, Educator

 

 

 

Dr. Cheyrl Ensley

Interim Chair, Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Grambling State University

 

 

 

Mrs. Bridgett Clark

Clark Entities, LLC, Monroe, LA

 

 

 

Dr. Laura Cassidy, M.D.

Co Founder, Louisaina Key Academy

 

 

 

Julie L. Cappo

Assistant Professor, Deptartment of Curriculum and Instruction

Louisaina Tech University

 

 


 

 

– Community Conference Vendors –

 

Christopher Youth Center

 

The Wellspring Alliance

Northeast Louisaina Food Bank

 

The Children's Coalition

The Renewal Center

 

St. Francis Medical Center

Centric Credit Union

 

ULM Marriage and Family Clinic

LSU Ag Center Ouachita Parish

 

 

 


 

 

Let Us Dream - Empowering Communities logo

 

About Let Us Dream

The Let Us Dream organization is a global initiative that empowers communities by fostering inclusive dialogue, promoting social innovation, and encouraging collaborative efforts to solve local and global challenges. With a focus on sustainability, education, and community building, Let Us Dream connects leaders, educators, students, and community members to share best practices and implement transformative solutions. Through its annual conferences held around the world, the organization provides a platform for individuals and institutions to dream together and drive meaningful change.

Learn more at letusdream.org

 

 


 

Who Should Attend?

    • Community leaders & activists
    • Nonprofit organizations
    • Health & nutrition professionals
    • Educators and students
    • Local government representatives
    • Anyone passionate about sustainable community development and food justice

 

 

 

Questions?

For additional information about the event, please contact:

Debra Craighead, Conference Chair
Email: craighead@ulm.edu
Phone: 318.381.5777

 

 

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