History of Table of Kingz
Birthed in the county of Kings and ready to travel throughout the five boroughs—Table of Kingz (TOK) was designed to change the narrative of what young men of color hear, think, learn about themselves, and how they engage with each other—as well as those that look like them. Through collaborative thoughts, discussions, and elaborative planning—six Kingz from varying walks of life gathered at the table, ready, willing and committed to helping the impressionable generations young black kingz behind them. Their goal is to impart on these young kingz the Core values of which they believe every man should learn & live by, respect ,responsibility ,Compassion.
In December 2017 the six set forth to do just that, hosting their first informative open house at Sister’s Uptown Bookstore in Harlem, NY. Soon thereafter, in January 2018, their first workshop was held in the very same location. Since it inception, TOK has steadily become a sought after group by parents, schools and other community service organizations alike!
What We Envision
The vision of Table of Kingz is to enhance the lifestyle of young males of color. Our core belief is to expand learning beyond the doors of the classroom, and into the community- driving the actions of our young men to echo a new mindset and influence social change.
Mission
The mission of Table of Kingz is to promote the constructive development of young men of color through programs that foster and advance social skills, build character enhance self-esteem, appreciate diversity while encouraging the proper use of etiquette and everyday life skills. Through our mission, we help to reinforce the values of —respect responsibility and compassion everyday in every way to everyone.
In Community,
Table of Kingz Team
S. Chase Williams- Founder
S. Chase Williams is a social work professional committed to improving the current platforms used to connect, encourage, advocate for and reach-- youths within inner city communities, which are from disadvantaged backgrounds. Results oriented, with a strong affinity towards mentorship, organizational development and capacity building—he has been an asset in implementing programs and initiatives, while in positions held in both the not-for-profit and corporate sectors.
Able to function as an agile leader or team player, Chase is skilled at designing curriculums & facilitating workshops, forming external & internal partnerships, and being a strong administrator. With the proven ability to thrive in culturally, economically and socially diverse environments—his goal is to reshape the perception of the urban communities, and be a champion for closing the achievement gaps for students in order to overcome inequities in education. Additionally, Chase has experience in facilities management, grant writing, as well as developing original, creative programming with an arts focus.
Marlon Peters- Kingzmen
Marlon Peters was born in Queens, NY and is a native son of Southern Los Angeles. He currently resides in Brooklyn, NY-- where he obtained his Associates degree from Medgar Evers College in 1991. He currently works in the human resources department of a major commercial real estate company.
Marlon has the gift of bringing people together. Anyone who comes across him always leaves feeling inspired, accepted and loved. It’s these traits that led Marlon to form an initiative called, “The Movement: Friendship Is A Gift.” His emphasis of friendship is at the core of this initiative, because as he says “friendship is a gift, learn its value, then use it. Once applied to your life, you become the Movement.”
Troy Vereen Scott- Kingzmen
Troy is an African American writer and a native New Yorker. He was raised in Spanish Harlem, historically known as El Barrio. As a part of his journey, Troy had relocated to Fayetteville, North Carolina in the summer of 1996. Ten years later, he then returned back home to New York City and later attended Berkeley College. While in attendance, he became Vice President of United Nations Club, President of Student Government Association, and President of Student Activities board. Upon completion of his education at Berkeley, Troy earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management. He later attended Nyack College, enrolling in their Master’s Program in Organizational Leadership.
For Troy, volunteerism and giving back has always been an important part of his life. As such, he also volunteers his time and services towards those in need. One of Troy’s adopted life mantras is the phrase "Change is Nature." This phrase became the catalyst and the empowering title of his most anticipated debut book, Change is Nature, which was released in December 2016.
Michael Siekam-Kontom McKinney- Kingzmen
Michael Siekiem-Kontom McKinney is the founder of MSKM PRESENTS; a foundation based in Brooklyn, NYC serving the residents of Bedford Stuyvesant and beyond. For 11 years and counting, Mr. McKinney has provided annual outreach services to the communities in which he grew up in, visits, and serves in order to provide uplift and opportunities for advancement. Throughout the year he hosts a variety of initiatives such as—the “Back To School” school supplies drive, Christmas/Kwanzaa books & toy drives, clothing drives, and the “Learn About Lupus Walk”—a 3 mile walk to raise awareness about the autoimmune disease. Additionally, his foundation provides scholarship funding to a young person whom demonstrates exceptional community service and academic achievement.
Mr. McKinney is not only a community advocate, but also an author whom just published his debut book, Just My Thoughts. He is also a veteran with the New York City Department of Corrections, with expertise in the areas of: corrections & criminal justice, community service and sociopolitical activism.
Gyasi Headen- Kingzmen
Born in the Bronx, NY—Gyasi has always had a serious passion about education, and how it influences a person’s standing in society. While attending Deerfield Academy, a boarding high school in Massachusetts, his passion about education began to take form. It is here that he learned the transformative power of information, which is the lens that he currently sees education from. After high school, he attended New York University and served in the United States Navy—later completing his Bachelor’s Degree at Baruch College.
Several circuitous routes lead Mr. Headen towards the path of working with under and unemployed individuals. The impact of his work touches many individuals, their families, and ultimately their communities. Mr. Headen currently works as a Deputy Director of a not-for-profit that works with individuals and families impacted by the Criminal Justice system. This work has become a passion for him; he understands the power of information and how the people in underserved communities need it to propel forward.
Daniel Augustin- Kingzmen
Daniel was born and raised in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn, NY. Currently, he is working as a part of the Information Technology team at a major media corporation. He received a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Baruch College in 2000, and a Master’s in Information Systems from NJIT in 2015. Through his work and his passion projects, Daniel has managed to fuse his spirit for the arts and technology.
Growing up, Daniel always had a love for the arts, most specifically music. He began writing songs at the age of 13 and has since then penned several other songs to date. One of his songs got an honorable mention in Billboard’s 2002 World Song Contest. It is through this contest that his song was placed in the top 1000 entries in the world for that year. He is an aspiring singer/songwriter, and continues to pursue that dream in his spare time. Daniel wants to inspire the youth, most especially young men of color, to pursue their dreams, no matter what the circumstance.
John L. Robinson, Jr- Kingzmen
John L. Robinson, Jr. has been a member of the Table of Kingz for the last three years.
Mr. Robinson’s background of working with the youth stems from his work with the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of the State of NY. For the last 8 years, he is also one of the lead persons with the Shriners As Mentors program from Medina Temple No.19 of The Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine of North and South America and Its Jurisdictions, Inc. He is also a member of the Alumni department of Cardinal Hayes High School in the Bronx, NY whereby he helps young men find their way into colleges across the country.
Part of Mr. Robinsons background is focused on health and financial management for children, along with sports and written word in the form of spoken word poetry. Through these efforts, Mr. Robinson has been successful in helping many young men find their voices and has help guide them in a direction that would help them to become good and productive citizens.
Through the Table of Kingz , Mr. Robinson has been of great assistance with the rights of passage portion of the crowning ceremony that takes place yearly. Working with the youth of the community is a passion passed to Mr. Robinson from his parents and it is a responsibility he eagerly accepts while standing on the shoulders of those who paved the way before him.