Leadership Team

Dr. John Queener

Executive Director

Dr. John E. Queener, Jr. obtained his BA from The College of Wooster, MA from The Ohio State University, and received his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from The University of Akron. He is a full professor and teaches graduate courses in Counseling Psychology in the Department of Psychology at The University of Akron. He writes and publishes research in the areas of multicultural issues, culturally specific interventions, and retention of African American males. He is a member of the Department of Psychology’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force. He is on the University of Akron’s Black Male Summit Committee. He is the Vice president of The University of Akron’s United Forum of Black Faculty, Administrators, and Staff. He is a member of the Association of Black Psychologists, and he is the current president of the Greater Cleveland Chapter of the Association of Black Psychologists. He is chair of the Division of Health and Education for the Eastern Education Research Association. Queener has been the recipient of several awards for his efforts to increase diversity in the mental health field and higher education. His awards include: The Association of Black Psychologists Community Service Award in 2019; Community Service for Mental Health in 2014; The Pan African Students Association Professor of the Year award, 2010; the College of Education Community Service award for his work and scholarship on Inclusive Excellence in 2008, the 2006 American Psychological Graduate Students Organization’s Kenneth and Mamie Clark award for contributing to the development of ethnic minority psychology graduate students, the 2005 Society of Counseling Psychology Section on Ethnic and Racial Diversity Community Service Award for his promotion of culturally relevant services in the community, and the 2004 University of Akron’s Office of Multicultural Development Legacy, Leadership, and Excellence Award for his efforts to make the University of Akron a more inclusive place of learning. He married to Charlene Queener and they have four adult children-Malik, Aisha, and twins Jelani and Jabari, and three grandchildren.

Dr. Taunya M. Tinsley

Chief Program Officer

Dr. Taunya Marie Tinsley is the Owner of Transitions Counseling Service LLC and Life Skills Program that includes a ministry division, Love and Basketball Ministries, where she provides individual, marriage, family, and group counseling and consultative services. She is both a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and National Certified Counselor (NCC).

She has a wealth of experience providing appropriate personal and academic growth opportunities for those seeking to become professional master’s degree-level counselors as well as for those helping professionals seeking advanced or specialty areas of training and development in multicultural and social justice issues, spiritual and Christian interventions, and sports counseling/athlete development.

Dr. Tinsley has distinguished herself as a scholar, practitioner, and writer, having earned a B.A. in Business Administration from Augsburg College in Minneapolis, MN, and her M.A. degree in Higher Education Administration and College Student Development from the University of Iowa. Dr. Tinsley graduated from Duquesne University with a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision. She has been inducted as a Post-Doctoral Member into the Yale Graduate School Chapter of the National Bouchet Graduate Honor Society which was based on her outstanding accomplishments as a scholar and leader with a strong commitment to promoting diversity and excellence within the academy. Dr. Tinsley completed her requirements for the Certificate in Missional Theology from Biblical Theological Seminary (now Missio Seminary) and earned her Doctor of Ministry with a focus in Prophetic Congregational Development Using 21^st Century Methods, Establishing Strong Leadership from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, OH.

Dr. Tania Lodge

Program Director

Dr. Tania S. Lodge is the Program Director of Minority Behavioral Health Group. She specializes in providing culturally specific mental health services including, mental health assessments, psychotherapy, supervision, consultation, professional development workshops, and continuing education trainings on cultural competency and culturally appropriate services.

Dr. Lodge received her doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology and completed an APA accredited internship at the Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center. She holds two master’s degrees in marriage and family therapy and clinical psychology.

Dr. Lodge is also licensed as a clinical counselor with supervision
designation in the state of Ohio. She has approximately 15 years of
clinical experience working with diverse populations in multiple settings and extensive knowledge and experience evaluating programs and interventions.

Her clinical and research projects and interests include program evaluation and development, treatment outcomes, culturally specific assessments and treatment, African-centered psychology and psychotherapy, process addictions, interpersonal trauma, racial trauma, infant mortality, and psychological oppression.

Dr. Ciara Dennis-Morgan

Clinical Director

Ciara Dennis-Morgan, obtained her B.A. in Family & Child Development and Psychology at the University of Akron. She completed her M.A. in Pastoral Clinical Counseling at Ashland University. Her PhD in Clinical Psychology was completed at Fielding Graduate University. Her current research involvement and interests are in the areas of cultural competency, spiritualty, trauma, eating disorders, and African centered theory and treatment. While completing her APA accredited internship at the Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio she developed an interest in Process Addictions and Gambling Disorder Treatment.

Currently, Ciara serves as Clinical Director at Minority Behavioral Health Group in Akron, Ohio. Her focus is on understanding the impact of systematic oppression in connection to mental health while providing culturally specific treatment and prevention services. In being a certified yoga instructor, she emphases wellness within mind, body, and spirit. Ciara’s intention through clinical psychology is to guide others in adopting a more optimal worldview and healthy lifestyle, enhancing quality of life and relationships with Higher Power, self, and others.

Karla D. McDay

Coordinator of Clinical and Case Management Services

Ms. McDay is licensed Independent Social Worker with supervisory designation. Ms. McDay is currently The Coordinator of Clinical and Case Management Services at Minority Behavioral Health Group in Akron, Ohio. Minority Behavioral Health Group is nationally accredited, black owned Mental Health agency located in Akron, Ohio. Ms. McDay has extensive expertise in implementing culturally based interventions in psychotherapy using Optimal Theory Conceptualization and Belief System Analysis developed by Dr. Linda James Myers (1988). Grounded in African psychology and philosophy Optimal Conceptual Theory examines the history of oppression in persons of African descent.

Dr. Curtis Williams II

Community Relations Manager/ Therapist

Dr. Curtis Kwodwo Williams II is an accomplished African centered, community psychologist with over twenty years in the mental health and social service. He has dedicated his life to helping others through direct clinical services, consulting services group programming, research, and training. He is currently practicing as a African centered clinical community-based psychologist at Ohio’s premier culturally based mental health agency Minority Behavioral Health Group (MBHG).

His published dissertation entitled Worldview and its Relationship to Sleeping Dreams, explored participants’ experience of dreaming using culturally relevant African-centered framework. Dr. Williams explained that “As American culture becomes increasingly diverse, traditional modalities such as analytical, cognitive and behavioral psychology will benefit by employing greater cultural consideration when working with ethnically diverse populations such as African Americans. This qualitative, self-funded research involved a extensive stay in West Africa (Ghana) where he collected supporting data for this capstone document.

In his current position as Community Programs Coordinator and Psychotherapist. he works directly with macro institutions that contribute to the community’s wellbeing and mental health. He has facilitated numerous culturally based initiatives involving macro systems which include but not limited to Akron Public School, Summa Health System, Akron Judicial System (juvenile and adult), Akron Health Department, Job and Family services, Adult protective services, Children Services Board. As a Psychotherapist he provides individual, collateral, and family therapy services for underserved populations (African Americans, elderly, and children). Dr. Williams most recent project, directed towards African American males, involves developing a relationship with the courts to promote programming for judicial reform through mental health services.

His moto, “Never underestimate the power of an interaction” act as a driving statement regarding the importance of developing strong interpersonal relationships across training topics which include Team Building, Resilience Training, Culturally Competent Policies and Procedures, Culturally Competent Mental Health Services, Dreams: A Psychotherapeutic tool, Mythology: A Psychotherapeutic tool, Reconceptualizing Community Violence (from micro to macro). Dr. Curtis Kodwo Williams II, social media sites include:

Tiffini Campbell

Executive Assistant to CEO/HR Manager

Tiffini Campbell serves as the Executive Assistant to the CEO and Human Resources Manager. She has been with Minority Behavioral Health Group since 2005. She is a graduate of the University of Akron with degrees in Criminal Justice and Sociology; she received several honorary and scholastic awards during her studies there.

Tiffini brings a wealth of knowledge in many areas including business administration, project management, human resources, policy and procedure management, research, contracting/negotiating, board management, and auditing. She served as an auditor and contractor with large health systems in Ohio. She also served as an Administrator for several years and developed a passion for many areas of administration. Tiffini has developed and conducted customer service trainings for several organizations in the area. She has received certifications in areas including customer service, management, cultural competency, and project management.