The Black Male Summit®, a non-profit, faith-based program of events, a colloquium of scholars, ministers, various experts, community leaders and family members, all coming together with Black males to identify, discuss and address the myriad of challenges young African American males face, and to find and offer solutions. Since 1999, our purpose has been to inform, identify areas of self-regulation, build self-esteem, empower and encourage males to seek and complete higher education and start businesses for themselves, and foremost, to serve The Living God!. 

Victoria Sheppard, Ph.D., a critical social scientist, is the creator, originator, and holder of all U.S. Trademarks for The Black Male Summit®, a non-profit, faith-based program of events (symposiums, lectures, workshops, discussions) based on identifying the challenges black males face and providing solutions and resource information to change behavior . Since 1999, she has presented and led community discussions on crime, public safety, police use of force, disproportionate black imprisonment, and juvenile delinquency. In 2008, Dr. Sheppard earned a doctorate in public administration and urban affairs at The University of Akron, in Akron, Ohio.

Initially working with the city council, Dr. Sheppard planned a city-wide public presentation to discuss the uneven playing field that black men face. After sharing her written program and event idea with the Multi-Cultural Director at The University of Akron, the Black Male Summit® has been presented at the University of Akron since 2008.

Dr. Sheppard designed the programming for The Black Male Summit® to bring educators, safety officials, parents, religious leaders, and the members of the community together to address and find solutions for the plethora of issues facing black males.

From March 2016 through 2019, Dr. Sheppard miraculously survived a series of critical health issues. Now, able to speak, walk, and see again, she is preparing for a nation-wide tour of The Black Male Summit®.

Totally committed to releasing the gospel of Jesus Christ, Dr. Sheppard also speaks, sharing her testimony of how God heals today.

She was a Minority Fellow/Scholar at the Ray Bliss Institute of Applied Politics at The University of Akron, where she received an earned doctorate, a certificate as a campaign strategist, and a Master of Arts in Political Science.

While Dr. Sheppard was observing the issues black males in her family were facing, she intensely studied the economic and social plight of African-American males in America. She prayed for an answer and the Lord gave her an event idea - The Black Male Summit®.

In addition, she studied journalism and communications, receiving an undergraduate degree from Kent State University in 1999. She is currently negotiating with publishers on a series of books she has written.

Previously, a Director of Production for one of America's largest outdoor events (the Memphis in May International Festival & Barbecue Cooking Contest), and as an American Federation of Musicians Booking Agent, she produced public shows featuring national and international performers with show audiences of over 80,000 attendees (Aaron Neville, The O'Jays, Hiroshima, Little Anthony, Bobby Blue Bland, Noko - Japan, The Smurfs, Spiderman, BeBe and CeCe Winans, The Clark Sisters...). She was also responsible for the first U.S. appearance of the now well-known Canadian entertainment company—Cirque du Soleil. Previously, Dr. Sheppard booked groups and produced shows for live televised events.

A powerhouse intellectual, speaker, and activist, Dr. Sheppard produced and directed events still held on the banks of the Mississippi River that featured entertainment from around the world.

As the former director, she spearheaded the production of a 30-day, cit-wide event. She produced and managed programs at different locations simultaneously, also being responsible for managing the profit and loss for the multi-million dollar event. Additionally, she recruited,, trained, and supervised more than 800 community and corporate volunteers, as well as handled the security of national and international guests and performers. She produced and directed live-audience shows including, rhythm and blues, museum openings, kid's-fest, and televised symphony orchestra concerts.

Dr. Sheppard and husband minister together. She has ministered to hurting women and men for over 25 years.

As a critical social scientist, Dr. Sheppard has concentrated her research on criminal justice, the prison industrial complex, juvenile delinquency prevention, and any social problem related to America's urban centers.

Dr. Sheppard, who is affectionately referred to as “Dr. V,” is available for lectures and speaking engagements. You may contact her at [email protected] or 330-481-4205 / 330-322-7991.