With more than a decade of problem solving experience working with families and community, Shawn Gardner has developed a keen insight of how to analyze problems and develop practical solutions. As a community activist and fatherhood advocate, he has brought together various entities to improve communities and strengthen families.

As the founder of 2NOT1: Fatherhood & Families, he works to change how fathers interact with their children and their children’s mother. This effort is achieved through changing societal perceptions of fathers, paternal education and empowerment, and development of co-parenting strategies so children benefit from the love and support of both parents. Mr. Gardner’s belief is that through 2NOT1, he can “change the lives of children, one father at a time.”

In addition to working with fathers, he created a youth development program, implemented in various school districts, that teaches young black males to reconize and manage conflict in their lives and strengthen their decision-making ability.

Mr. Gardner earned his Ph.D. from Mississippi State University, and a Masters in Conflict Management from Sullivan University. He is a Leadership Louisville Bingham Fellow, a PLI Fellow and is author of his memoir, “Me vs. Me, Vol. 1: The Struggle Within.”