Albert M. Toney III

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To be an integral contributor both personally and professionally in the process of uniting citizens of differing sexual orientation, cultural, racial, ethnic and economic backgrounds toward an all-inclusive society using my many years of education/diversity training and consulting experience in creating and working with local and national community organizations.

 PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

AK Consulting Services, Jefferson, MA, 2002 Present

Previously Toney Consulting Services, 1996 - 2002

Owner/Partner, Diversity and Awareness Training and Consulting

• Education/diversity training and consulting.

• Explore how myths, stereotypes and misinformation about various groups can impact their interactions with individuals.

• Identify useful behaviors and skills that help to create respectful, productive and comfortable environments for all people. 

• Teach effective methods of dealing with conflicts around difference and identify strategies for creating safe environments that support diversity and respect that will help individuals and companies to be more proactive rather than reactive to issues around diversity. 

• Services include:  Keynote, workshops, seminars, research, program development, needs assessments, coalition building, fundraising, grant writing, conference planning and special event planning/organizing.

Safe Homes of Central Massachusetts, Worcester, MA, 1997 2002

Founder, Executive Director (while independent), Division Director, and Chairperson

• Initial founder of grass-roots organization supporting GLBTQ Youth and their allies in Central, MA.

• Responsible for board development, program development, fundraising, lobbying, grant writing, public relations, staff and volunteer supervision and outreach.

• Collaboration with AIDS Project Worcester, Y.O.U. Inc, and The Bridge of Central Massachusetts.

• Recruitment and training of foster homes for GLBT youth.

• Development of Drop-In program and Community Center for GLBT youth and adults with on-site clinician.

• Creation of on-site and off-site Mentor Program.

• Currently providing consulting services under contract with The Bridge of Central MA.

Massachusetts Department of Education, Malden, MA, 1995 - Present

• Diversity Education Consultant.

• Central Massachusetts Coordinator for Safe Schools Program.

• Advisor for creation of Gay/Straight Alliances throughout Massachusetts public schools.

Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network (GLSEN), Cambridge, MA, 1995 - Present

• Consultant for Safe Schools Program and Gay/Straight Alliances throughout New England.

• Diversity Education Trainer.

• Developed curriculum and GLBT Youth Violence Prevention Training modules funded by SAMSA.

Massachusetts Department of Social Services, Boston, MA, 1993 to Present

• Massachusetts Approach to Partnership (MAPP) Trainer of Trainers.

• Preparing Adolescents for Young Adulthood (PAYA) Trainer of Trainers.

• Foster Parent 1993 through 2004.

At-Large Candidate for Worcester City Council, Worcester, MA, 1998 - 1999

• First run for public office. Finished 8^th out of 13 at-large candidates.

• First openly-gay candidate to run for Worcester City Council.

AIDS Action Committee, Boston, MA, 1996 - 1998

• Adult Gay Male Educator of safer sex practices.

• Safekeeping Mentor Program Coordinator.

• HIV/AIDS Educator.

• Brother-to-Brother Program Coordinator in collaboration with Multicultural AIDS Coalition (MAC) working specifically within the African-American community.

Healthy Boston Coalition for GLBT Youth, Boston, MA, 1995 - 1996

• Safe Homes Project Manager working in collaboration with local GLBT organizations to develop strategies and programs to address homelessness and housing issues for GLBT youth.

• Co-creator of pilot program working to find homes for GLBT youth within the Department of Social Services and other social service agencies.

Massachusetts Prevention Center, Worcester, MA, 1995 - 1996

• Education consultant for GLBT safety and sexual issues.

• Community outreach educator surrounding issues of diversity.

 Worcester Police Department, Worcester, MA, 1987 - 1995

• Police Officer.

• Responsibilities include Department Assignments, Service Division, Route Officer, Community Policing, Drug Task Force, and Riot Squad.

EDUCATION

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Social Services 2002

• Master Trainer Certification for Massachusetts Approach to Partnerships in Parenting (MAPP).

• Certification for Massachusetts Approach to Partnerships in Parenting (MAPP) 1996.

Quinsigamond Community College, Worcester, MA, 1989 1992

• Criminal Justice / Continuing Ed.

Worcester Police Academy, Worcester, MA, 1987

• Inaugurated as Worcester City Police Officer upon completion of Criminal Justice curriculum.

Worcester State College, Worcester, MA, 1984 1986

• Business Major / Urban Studies / Continuing Ed.

SAMPLES OF CURRENT/PREVIOUS CLIENTS OF AK CONSULTING SERVICES

Human Rights Campaign Foundation, Washington DC

• National Advisory Board for the Human Rights Campaigns new All Children---All Families initiative. 

Casey Family Programs, Seattle, Washington

• Keynote Speaker for Casey Family Programs and the National Child Welfare Resource Center for Youth Development sponsored an Independent Living Coordinator Convening for Peer to Peer Learning in Tulsa, OK.

National Grid, Northboro, New England, New York and the UK

• Key note speaker for US Inclusion and Diversity Steering Group. Inclusion and Diversity Workshops for employees.

The Child Welfare League of America, Washington DC

• Part of a team that developed a curriculum and workshops for CWLA as part of the foster parent specialized training program on Transitioning Youth to Adulthood.

National Black Justice Coalition and MassEquality, Washington DC and Boston, MA

• Co-writer and editor of the beautiful and informative book Jumping the Broom:  A Black Perspective On Same-Gender Marriage, The Massachusetts Edition 2007. 

Fallon Community Health Care, Worcester, MA

• Key note speaker for management training workshop.

The Rape Crisis Center of Central Massachusetts, Worcester, MA

• Event Organizers for the annual Taking Steps Walk to End Violence Against Women and Children. Solicit organizational, print and media sponsors.

• Coordinate staff and volunteers from the three benefiting agencies of the event:  Rape Crisis Center of Central MA, Girls, Inc., and the YWCA of Central MA/Daybreak.

Robert F. Kennedy Children's Action Corp., Boston, MA

• Leadership Institute Diversity Training for management.

Mount Wachusett Community College, Gardner, MA

• Faculty diversity training.

Youth Opportunities Upheld Inc., Worcester, MA

• Foster Parent training focusing on adolescent development of GLBTQ youth.

Massachusetts Department of Trial Courts, Boston, MA

• Diversity training for Court Officers and Associate Court Officers, both in service and new-hires.
• Focus on communication skills and conflict resolution.

Boston Police Academy, Boston, MA                                     

• Diversity trainings for Cadet and In-service police officers focusing on GLBTQ issues.

Providence RI. Police Academy, Providence, RI

• Cadet training focusing on diversity/GLBTQ issues within the community.

Massachusetts Department of Education, Malden, MA

• Provided over 200 trainings under the Safe Schools Program through workshops, seminars and conferences with teachers and students.

National Conference Community Justice (NCCJ), Worcester, MA

• Diversity Education Consultant with workshops surrounding diversity issues for NCCJ€™s various clients.

MEDIA / PUBLICATIONS AND RECOGNITION

SAME SEX AMERICA€, 2005 A documentary by Henry Corra/Corra Films.

A cast member of this documentary/film that depicts the battle over same-sex marriage in Massachusetts. This film was shown nationally on Showtime as well as in film festivals throughout the globe. 

"SPEAK UP! IMPROVING THE LIVES OF GAY, LESBIAN, BISEXUAL & TRANSGENDERED YOUTH", 2001 - A documentary by John Kazlauskas 

Interviewed and part of this film, which focuses on the daily violence and harassment faced by young people and explores the personal and institutional forces in our schools that have excused and perpetuated a climate of intolerance toward them. 

PUBLICATIONS/CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT

Preparing Adolescents for Young Adulthood (PAYA). 

Massachusetts Department of Social Services, Boston, MA - 1997. Co-authored GLBT sections within this training manual.

"Foster Parenting for GLBT Youth",

Massachusetts Department of Social Services, Boston, MA - 1997. Co-authored GLBT sections within this training manual.

BOOKS

JUMPING THE BROOM:  A Black Perspective on Same-Gender Marriage, the Massachusetts Edition€. 2007 -

This book is the result of the collaboration between Al Toney and Keith Toney of AK Consulting Services, MassEquality of Boston, MA, and the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) of Washington D.C. Jumping the Broom directly addresses the very real concerns about marriage equality, civil rights, and religious faith that members of the black community often wrestle with when thinking about same-sex marriage. This publication explains why marriage equality is consistent with the values that the black community holds dear and how equal marriage rights fits into the larger struggle for equal rights for all human beings. 

AWARDS

Gay and Lesbian Adolescent Social Services, Inc. (GLASS), 2003, Los Angeles, California - Profiled as "Champions of LGBTIQQ Youth".

The Advocate, 2001, National Gay and Lesbian Magazine Named Al as one of 117 Worldwide Innovators.

National Conference for Community and Justice, 2001 - Awarded with the 24th Annual Leadership Award.

Worcester Magazine, 1998 - Named as Hometown Hero.

Boston Magazine, 1997  Named as Best of Boston.

 COMMUNITY SERVICE

Massachusetts Commission on GLBT Youth, Boston, MA 2007 to present

• Currently serving as a Commissioner and on Political Committee

• The commission shall investigate the use of resources from both the public and private sectors to enhance and improve the ability of state agencies to provide services to gay and lesbian youth. In futherance of that responsibility, the commission shall work in partnership with the Department of Education and the Department of Public Health to create school-based and community-based programs focusing on suicide prevention, violence intervention, and the promotion of zero-tolerance policies regarding harassment and discrimination against gay and lesbian youth; and make recommendations about policies and programs supporting gay and lesbian youth on an ongoing basis to the department of education, the Department of Public Health and Executive Office of Health and Human Services.

Human Rights Commission, Worcester, MA, 1997 - 2001

• Served as Commissioner.

Gay Officers Action League of N.E., Boston, MA, 1993 - 1999

• President, Board of Directors and member. Assisted with outreach throughout New England and helped develop training component within the organization.

Gay & Lesbian Community Coalition of Central MA, Worcester, MA, 1993 - 1995

• Co-Founder - 1993

• Co-Chair 1993 - 1994.

• Board of Directors.

• Editor - Triangle Tribune, Gay and Lesbian monthly newsletter.

AIDS Project Worcester, Worcester, MA, 1992 - 1995

• Board of Directors, Speaker (AIDS Educator), 1998 - 2000.

• Advocate Assistant, Buddy.

Greendale Peoples Church, Worcester, MA, 1984 - 1989

• Youth Councilor and Basketball Coach.