Restorative Friends Workshop

Join our Seeds of Wisdom for our special guest, Community Leaders Minister Vince Ford, II, and Educator Lloyd Knight as they present their Restorative Friends Workshop to our youth and young adults (parents and community partners are welcome as well).

Vince Ford II is a preacher, activist, teacher, and community leader right here in Columbus, Ohio. Originally from Garland, Texas, Vince is a graduate of Southwestern Christian College and Stephen F. Austin University. He is currently the Senior Minister at the Church of Christ at Genessee Avenue and has served in ministry for over ten years in Nacogdoches, Texas, Phoenix, Arizona , and now Columbus, Ohio. Vince is also the Director of Outreach for Foundations for Families 501(c)(3). Vince has a Masters Degree in Public Administration and Special Education and has played a very active role in the development of young boys in a public school setting for over 10 years. He is also a certified Trauma Informed Care Trainer for the CARE Coalition through Columbus Public Health. Vince is the founder of Man Up and Educate, a mentoring program serving young men in the Columbus City School District. Vince and his wife Antwanelle have three wonderful sons!

Lloyd Knight began his career as a student teacher and has worked at nearly every level, including classroom teacher, curriculum resource teacher, and assistant principal. In his time at CICS Lloyd Bond, they have achieved breakthrough growth in reading and math through the implementation of Daily 5, Math Daily 3, and a rigorous independent reading program. In two years, according to Chicago Magazine, CICS Lloyd Bond went from the closed list to the 4th Best Charter Elementary School in the City of Chicago.

As the Lead Principal of NC for Charter Schools USA, he spearheaded the expansion of five new buildings and the most extensive portfolio of charter schools in North Carolina.

Lloyd Knight’s journey then took him to Indianapolis’ Thomas Carr Howe Community High School. In the beginning, it was the most extended failing school in Indiana history. However, implementing The Academy Model improved attendance and improved the overall culture by starting the day with what students love. Additionally, he graduated over 90% of students in consecutive years by raising expectations and building strong bonds with community partners. After two years, TC Howe left the closed list and finished with a “C” grade on the state report card.

At Charles A. Tindley Accelerated School, he led his school to the continued success they have experienced through the years. “College or Die” is the mantra, and his students live up to it daily. With a 100% graduation rate, $14,000,000 in scholarships, and 100% of students graduating to four-year universities, he was the guiding light of excellence within Indianapolis.

Lloyd Knight is currently the Midnimo Cross Cultural Middle School principal, where he is leading grades 6-8 to outstanding growth in NWEA and interim assessments. In addition, with the implementation of honors cohorts, half of the students within Midnimo met their end-of-year growth targets at the close of the first semester.

Mr. Knight is a trained peacekeeper, holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education from Shaw University in North Carolina, and earned his Master of Arts degree in education leadership from DePaul University in Chicago.